As of May 1, 2022, the cost is $50 per person, per night, for organized groups (minimum group size of 10 people or equivalent payment). Groups that booked prior to May 1, 2022, will be grandfathered in at the $44 rate. 

A deposit of $200 per group is required to secure an Overnight reservation. Deposits are payable to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum by credit card or bank transfer. A reservation must be confirmed prior to deposit payment. Deposits are due within 14 days of confirming a reservation. The remaining balance is due no later than 45 days prior to your visit or your reservation may be cancelled. 

The cost of the program includes a guided tour of USS Cobia, supervised access to additional areas of the submarine, educational programming, overnight accommodation on board and admission to the Museum the next day. Meals are not provided. It is recommended that groups eat dinner prior to arrival. Groups are encouraged to bring snacks and water.

• Group leaders should check in at 7:30. Enter the Museum through the blue door on the east side of the building (Lake Michigan side).
• Leaders should come prepared with their group’s paperwork. All paperwork needs to be completed before the program can begin.
• Welcome and Rules
• Intro video and background information
• Divide into smaller groups for interactive tour rotations (20-30 min). Rotation length and group size varies on the number of participants.
• Snack break, get ready for bed, find bunks
• Lights out/quiet time around midnight
• Wake up between 7:00-7:30 am, clean boat, bring all the gear to your vehicles
• The program concludes at 8:00 am. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the Museum galleries and the Museum Store at their leisure when they are opened. All rules of conduct from the Overnight continue into the galleries the following morning.
• Groups wishing to go out for breakfast and then return to the Museum are welcome to do so.

Please adhere to the adult-child ratio set out by your organization. For groups without a required ratio, the Museum recommends an adult-child ratio of 1:2 for groups with children 7–8 years old; 1:4 with children 9-12 years old; and 1:6 for ages 13 years and older.

All chaperones must be adults and need to maintain an environment conducive to learning, safety and good behavior. At least one chaperone must be present in each compartment where youth participants are to provide supervision. At least one adult chaperone must be awake when any youth participants are awake during the Overnight.

The submarine is divided into rooms called compartments. Four of the compartments are available for sleeping. These are the Forward Torpedo Room (9-10 bunks), After Torpedo Room (9-10 bunks), Crew’s Quarters (36 bunks) and Officers’ Quarters (3, 4 and 5 bunks). Each compartment is outfitted with bunks for sleeping. The Officers Quarters are typically reserved for gender segregation if needed. The Overnight Guides will make the final call on where your group will be sleeping for the night.

There are a few modern outlets available on the submarine for a CPAP or other medically necessary sleeping device. It is recommended that guests bring their own extension cord. 

It is up to the group to determine where male and female participants sleep. If your group requires separate arrangements for each gender, please note this on your Deposit Form. If the submarine is completely booked, separation may not be possible. If there are any concerns, please call the Museum line before your stay.

Yes. The Overnight Program is available Friday and Saturday nights year-round. Weekday bookings may also be available upon request. The Overnight Program is not be available on dates close to major holidays or Museum special events. The submarine is outfitted with an HVAC system, but participants are advised to dress appropriately; layers are suggested, as well as season-appropriate sleeping bags.

The Overnight Program is appropriate for school groups, community groups, youth groups, tour groups, active seniors groups, scouting groups, corporate retreats, YMCA groups, church groups, and any other group interested in a unique educational experience. 

Family Overnights are available in the summer for those that are not part of an organized group.  The dates are posted on the Events Calendar. Advance registration is required.

As a National Historic Landmark, USS Cobia is exempt from laws regarding access for persons with physical disabilities. However, in many cases, visitors with disabilities enjoy full participation in the Overnight Program. Guide animals are permitted on the submarine. Unfortunately, the submarine is not wheelchair accessible.

Please contact the Museum for details on accessibility. Sensory backpacks and headphones are available upon request.

Looking to enhance your overnight visit? Check out Strand Adventures for year-round fun! Activities include: laser tag, rock climbing wall, batting cages, arcade, and a rent-able room for meals. Overnight groups can save 15% on their Strand visit. Email the Overnight Coordinator for more information: overnight@wisconsinmaritime.org

For information on other area attractions please visit www.visitmanitowoc.com.

If for some reason your group finds it necessary to cancel a visit, your $200 deposit will not be refunded. There is one exception: if you notify the Museum at least 60 days prior to your scheduled visit and reschedule your visit within one year of the initial reservation date, the Museum will apply your deposit to the new date.

On very rare occasions, inclement weather may cause conditions hazardous enough for the Museum to close the submarine. In such cases, every effort will be made to provide scheduled groups with advanced notice so that they can reschedule their visit or, if they choose, cancel altogether and receive a full refund of their deposit. Unfortunately, in some situations advanced notice may not be possible.

The safety of participants and staff is our number one priority. This is a major factor in decision-making should an Overnight be cancelled due to severe weather. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum is not responsible for any inconveniences or consequences arising from the cancellation of a group’s visit. It is suggested that groups check the local forecast for Manitowoc and surrounding areas before departing for their Overnight. 

Restrooms are located in the Museum. Breaks are taken at regular intervals throughout the program. Once on board USS Cobia, participants must be escorted into the Museum for restroom breaks by a Museum staff member. 

Any participant feeling claustrophobic or unwell during an Overnight should alert a group leader or Overnight staff member immediately, so he/she can exit the submarine. Staff will make every effort possible to make participants comfortable. It is the group’s responsibility to bring their own first aid kit and medications for participants.

Participants wishing to leave the program at any time are free to do so. Youth participants cannot leave without being escorted by a chaperone. Participants choosing to leave Museum property will not be re-admitted to the Overnight and will not be refunded their registration fee.

Participants requiring refrigeration of prescription medicines will be accommodated.

Groups are permitted to eat snacks in designated areas in the Museum only. Dry snacks, as well as bottled water or juice, are recommended. Cooking is not available aboard the submarine or Museum. Groups are responsible for any spills and clean up. Groups will need to provide paper plates, cups, flatware, napkins, etc. Participants should eat dinner prior to your arrival. Groups wishing to visit a restaurant for breakfast prior to viewing the Museum exhibits in the morning are welcome to return after their meal to explore the galleries.

None of the following are permitted during your stay:

• Alcoholic beverages (either on or off premises)
• Knives and weapons

These items will be considered contraband and will be confiscated and not returned. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum staff will make all decisions regarding the legality of items.  If you have a question as to the legality of an item, do not bring it. This is done for the safety of your group as well as for the submarine.

Phones and other electronic devices are allowed on USS Cobia only so long as they do not distract from the experience, but outlets are not available for charging. Reception in the submarine is often limited. 

The Museum staff has the right to end use of any electronic devices at their discretion.  The Wisconsin Maritime Museum is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any personal items and has the right to conduct a gear inspection at the beginning of your stay.

Telephone 

Located in Forward Torpedo Room – FOR EMERGENCY ONLY (You must dial “9” to get an outside line.)

First Aid Kit 

Each group is required to bring their own, however the museum does have first aid supplies and an AED unit. 

Life Rings 

Located on the deck forward and aft of the Conning Tower.

A fire drill will be held to familiarize the group with emergency evacuation procedures. Participation by all members of the Overnight group is mandatory.

Smoke detectors are located in each compartment. If an alarm sounds, follow the procedures listed below.

• Exit the boat in a quick and orderly manner, moving in the opposite direction of the source of the alarm or smoke if present.
• Do not close any doors on the submarine.
• Inform Museum Overnight staff immediately and call 911.

If it becomes necessary to evacuate Cobia for any reason, move in an orderly fashion toward the nearest exit, as follows:

• From the Crew’s Mess Forward, the nearest exit is the Forward Torpedo Room.
• From the Crew’s Quarters Aft, the nearest exit is the After Torpedo Room.
• If there is a fire aboard the submarine, proceed to the exit that is furthest from the fire. If there is fire between you and both exits, use one of the hatches as directed by the Museum Staff.