The Lakeside Inn and Casino, located just 1/2 mile from the California/Nevada border on Highway 50 north of the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, is a cozy, friendly antidote to the more glitzy highrise hotel/casinos at Tahoe's South Shore. This summer, the Inn, a favorite with locals, is offering trio of great packages that all include cruises on the Lake.

Its Tahoe Bleu Wave Cruise Package includes one night's lodging for two people and two cruise tickets on the Tahoe Bleu Wave, a 70-foot-long powerboat that's cruised all over the world. The classic yacht, a recent arrival to Lake Tahoe, can accommodate 49 passengers and takes Lakeside Inn guests to Emerald Bay and back.

The cruise includes a buffet lunch with gourmet meats and cheeses, a bread basket, and two free drinks. During July and Aug. this package is $149 Sundays through Thursdays and $219 Fridays and Saturdays; throughout Sept., the midweek rates are $149 and weekend rates are $179.

The MS Dixie II Sightseeing Package also includes one night's lodging for two people, plus two cruise tickets on the M.S. Dixie II, a genuine 570-passenger Mississippi River paddlewheeler. The cruise lasts approximately 3.5 hours and sails to Emerald Bay, where passengers are treated to a video presentation about how the Bay was formed. The midweek packages, available Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays, are $179 the months of July and Aug.; the weekend packages are $209. Rates in Sept. are $139 during the week and $169 on weekends.

The M.S. Dixie II Dinner and Dance Package features a 3.51 sunset cruise to Emerald Bay and includes a four-course gourmet meal plus after-dinner dancing. July-Aug. midweek rates are $229 and weekend rates are $259. The midweek rates drop to $189 and weekend rates to $219 in September.

Package blackout dates are July 16-18 and Sept. 4-6.

More information.