Saturday, April 20, 2024

Great Lakes cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

great lakes cruise ships

For bird lovers, the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is a habitat for Trumpeter Swans, Black Terns, and Least Bitterns. Viking Great Lake cruise itineraries include two eight-day trips from Milwaukee to either Toronto or Thunder Bay, and a 15-day route from Toronto to Duluth. The longer route is always aboard Viking Octantis, while Thunder Bay is always visited aboard the Polaris. One thing that all three of the main lines operating in the Great Lakes have in common is that they include tours during at least some stops and sometimes every stop in their base fares. Pearl Seas Cruises and Viking are particularly known for including lots of shore excursions in their base fares. Then there are stops at quieter places such as Mackinac Island, where your sightseeing might include an excursion by horse-drawn carriage to historical sites.

Cruise Guide

On this enchanting 11-night cruise, travel through four of the Great Lakes and the Georgian Bay to admire the magnificent scenery that surrounds you from the comfort of the Pearl Mist.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Explore the Queen Anne style Victorian mansions of two of Muskegon's most prominent lumber barons, Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume. Enjoy a ride through the Painted Ladies neighborhood as you discover of Muskegon's historic downtown. Stop at the Muskegon Heritage Museum where you will learn about the economic, industrial, and social history of the region. View products made in Muskegon including the original Raggedy Ann dolls, a functioning Brunswick Bowling Lane pin setter, and more!

great lakes cruise ships

Ports of Call

Walk along the shoreline and admire the Grand Traverse Lighthouse one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Find your new favorite bottle of red, white, sparkling, or even cider on a visit to one of the local wineries. Stroll along Front Street in downtown, featuring a trove of independent bookstores, trendy boutiques, and a local distillery. As we make our way to Mackinac Island, Michigan, witness the natural wonders and majestic beauty of the Great Lakes from the comfort of your fully furnished private balcony. Along the way, delight in the locally inspired cuisine prepared by our team of master chefs.

Best Great Lakes cruise ports

As American Queen Steamboat Company, the line became synonymous with river cruises in the U.S. After purchasing Victory Cruises in 2019, the line became American Queen Voyages in 2021 as it eyed an expansion into North American lakes and ocean cruises. While they were set to launch in 2020, the pandemic put plans on hold (which continued until Canada lifted its ban on cruise ships this year). The biggest cruise ship sailing on the Great Lakes, M/S Hamburg, is operated by Plantours Kreuzfahrten, another German cruise company. There is no dock big enough for the ship, so it has to anchor in the Traverse Bay.

Marvel at the meticulously maintained landscapes and serene surroundings that make this park a local treasure. Led by your guide, admire an array of exotic plants, tropical flowers, and vibrant greenery. Enjoy some free time to wander through the conservatory's various sections, each offering a unique botanical experience.

Featured Destination – Mackinac Island

A guided e-bike ride is the perfect way to stretch your legs and immerse yourself in the town of Parry Sound. A local guide will provide you with a narrated experience along the town's bicycle trails. Further down the trail, you will learn about local plants, reptiles, migratory birds and other species at risk. Finish your excursion at Parry Sound Bikes, formerly the old fire hall, with the option to be escorted to the ship or explore downtown on your own.

Great Lakes Cruise Ship Industry Expected to Have $200M Economic Impact in 2024 - Newswire

Great Lakes Cruise Ship Industry Expected to Have $200M Economic Impact in 2024.

Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, one of the top art museums in the country, before traveling to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit to learn how he changed the world of technology and manufacturing. With COVID-19 variants and continued fears over testing and quarantine, travelers are searching for cruises that are easy, Bierdz said. And Great Lakes itineraries include homeports such as Chicago, Toronto and Montreal that are high on tourists' must-visit lists in their own right.

In Georgian Bay (Parry Sound), Ontario, some passengers opted for landscape painting with a local artist, while others learned about local efforts to revive the craft of making birch bark canoes. We spent several hours with the staff working to protect the Georgian Bay Biosphere and visited their apiary and turtle lab. In Killarney, still in Georgian Bay, we hiked to a lighthouse and stopped at the Killarney Lodge for selfies with what is said to be the world’s largest canoe paddle, which is 107 feet long and weighs in at 22,000 pounds. From historic ships and lighthouses to the restored mansions built by Muskegon’s most famous lumber barons, delight in the history and scenery of this quaint Michigan town. Referred to as “The Riviera of the Midwest,” Muskegon has grown from a fur trading and lumbering town to a vibrant tourist destination. Explore the delightful town of Holland where hundreds of Dutch immigrants live and immerse yourself in its genuine Dutch culture.

In a pre-cruise media presentation in the ship’s impressive, high-tech auditorium called the Aula, Hagen said it was partly because cruising out of Chicago just did not work out. (American Queen Voyages is the only Great Lakes cruise provider who currently sails from Navy Pier in Chicago). The 665-foot-long, Polar Class 6 ship carries 378 guests and 256 crewmembers and sailed its inaugural in Antarctica before heading north. It is summering in the Great Lakes region before heading back to the Antarctic and other destinations.

One difference, however, is that rather than have step-out balconies, staterooms feature windows that open to let in the breeze. Our generous category K staterooms are over 300 square feet and are conveniently located on the 4th deck level of the ship. These staterooms offer guests easy access to the Pacific Lounge and open passenger decks, with breathtaking views.

As you embark upon your journey, enjoy a Welcome Aboard Reception with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. The excursion concludes at the ship, where all of your luggage will be waiting for you in your onboard stateroom. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise out of the harbor as you begin your amazing journey with us.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure. Discover this car-free island by carriage, bicycle or on foot; kayak along the shoreline. Navigate the locks of the Welland Canal, located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Savor the diversity of Toronto’s food scene and explore some of the city’s treasures.

See the museum’s vast array of famous and rare exhibits like Thomas Edison’s laboratory, Abraham Lincoln’s chair from Ford’s Theater, and the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand, by taking a seat. Play pilot as you explore flight innovations, starting with the Wright brothers' achievements. In addition to touring the Henry Ford Museum, $15 of “Fun Money” will be provided for lunch with the opportunity to spend the afternoon at Greenfield Village. With its nearly one hundred historical buildings, the Village demonstrates how Americans lived and worked since the founding of the country. Many of the buildings, from the 17th century to the present, are staffed by costumed interpreters who conduct period tasks like farming, sewing, and cooking. A collection of craft buildings such as pottery, glass-blowing, and tin shops provide demonstrations while producing materials used in the Village and for sale.

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