LAKE GENEVA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Rudolph guides Santa's sleigh. And when Mr. Claus is at his vacation home on Lake Geneva, it's Captain Jack Lothian taking the reins. 

"Of course everyone knows that he has a house up in the North Pole-- has the elves making toys. But he also has a cottage out here on the lake. So, we take a little trip out there."

The Santa Cruise has become a tradition for many families who come every year for the last eight.

Visitors sip on hot drinks at the Pier 290 light festival before boarding. Once on the boat, they head out to see holiday lights displays, sing and dance to holiday songs and hear holiday stories.

"It’s not like you sit in your seat the whole time," said Lothian. "We want you to get up and have fun. When we get out to Santa’s we ask the kids to yell out their favorite part of winter wonderland."

That's when Santa makes an appearance to read the names off of his nice list.

"It’s the part where the kids hear their name and you hear them cheer and you just see their eyes light up. It really makes their whole holiday season."

The Santa Cruise runs through January 3. You can purchase tickets ahead of time here.