Monticello, Indiana Lake Freeman
The Madam Carroll has been cruising Lake Freeman since August 1976. Live music on the water, dinner at golden hour, and 135 feet of room to dance. The 50th birthday cruise sails August 22.
Cruising May through November Dockside all year
The legend of Lake Freeman
She launched in August 1976 and never looked back. At 135 feet and 300 tons, The Madam Carroll is the largest boat in Indiana, a floating dance hall, dinner spot, and family tradition rolled into one. If you grew up around Monticello, odds are she is in a few of your favorite photos.
Fifty seasons later, the mission has not changed. Get out on the water, turn the band up, and send everyone home with a story. Whether it is your first cruise or your five hundredth, there is a spot on deck with your name on it.
Season 50 is going to be the one they talk about. Come be part of it.
Ways to cruise
Four ways to do the lake, from full throttle dance floor to slow laps with the family. Every cruise departs from our dock in Monticello.
Live bands, cocktails, and a dance floor with fifty summers of practice. Sunset included, and the night goes late. These are our 21 and up nights, most Saturdays.
See who's playing
A real catered meal from Oak and Barrel while the shoreline slides past your table. Sunday brunches, golden hour dinners, zero dishes for you to wash.
Grab a seat
Daytime cruises for every age. Bring the kids, the grandparents, and the camera. We will handle the lake breeze and the views.
Get tickets
Weddings, reunions, birthdays, company blowouts. Take over the biggest boat in Indiana and make the whole lake your venue.
Plan your charterMemberSHIPs
Members ride every live entertainment cruise for one flat price, all season. It pays for itself in about three Saturdays, and it makes you the most popular person on your street.
Dockside at the Luse Lounge
Named for founder Bill Luse Sr. and his family, our dockside bar pours right on the water, no boarding pass required. Cold drinks, lake views, and a free live show every Friday night. Come for the sunset, stay for the encore.
Three steps between you and the best seat on Lake Freeman.
Browse the schedule and find your night. Entertainment, dinner, brunch, or a daytime family lap around the lake.
Reserve online in about two minutes. Saturday nights and holiday weekends sell out first, so do not sleep on it.
Boarding opens before departure. Come early, the Luse Lounge is already pouring and the dock has the best people watching in town.
Cruising May through November Full calendar on the cruise schedule
Good to know
We recommend it, especially for Saturday entertainment cruises. Walk-ups are welcome when there is room, but the big nights fill fast. Buy online any time at the ticket page.
Yes. There is a full bar, plus a snack bar on the second deck with pulled pork, fries, popcorn, and Arni's pizza, an Indiana tradition for 60 years. Dinner and brunch cruises include a full catered meal.
The Madam cruises rain or shine, and there is plenty of covered deck. If the weather turns genuinely dangerous, the captain makes the call, and the captain's word is final. That is how boats work.
Family and daytime cruises are all ages. Evening entertainment cruises are 21 and up, valid ID required. Private charters can be whatever you want them to be.
Right at the dock. Find us at 12244 N Upper Lakeshore Dr in Monticello and follow the music. Arrive a little early on busy nights.
Find the boat
Cruising May through November.
Luse Lounge open Wed to Fri, 4 to 11pm.
Dockside events all year round.
Questions about a group or a special date? Call the office, a real person answers.
