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Two popular Great Lakes cruise ships are returning to Michigan

Two of the grandest Great Lakes cruise ships are making a comeback in 2025 and will bring thousands of maritime tourists back to Michigan’s ports.

The Victory Cruise Lines vessels, Victory I and Victory II, will return to the Great Lakes after a year-long hiatus. The 190-passenger vessels were out of commission in 2024 after their previous owners went bankrupt and were forced to sell the ships at auction in April.

The ships were previously operated by American Queen Voyages under the names Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator.

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The ships are returning after John Waggoner, who founded American Queen in 2011 but left the company a few years ago, came out of retirement to repurchase the vessels for a relatively cheap $1.9 million. He has since refurbished the ships and established the Victory brand.

Victory has 36 voyages scheduled for the 2025 season, all but one slated to stop in Michigan. There are a variety of itineraries, and some ports will see more of the Victory line than others.

In West Michigan, the Port of Muskegon expects to welcome the ships twice in June 2025. “We’re really glad to have them back,” said Robert Lukens, who directs operations at the dock. In past years the American Queen lines stopped in Muskegon four to five times.

The return of the Victory lines — even if just for two stops — is still notable for Muskegon, though, as the port has just 16 total dockings on the calendar for next year. The Pearl Mist from Pearl Seas Cruises is the dominant player at the docks.

The Victory ships will frequent bigger ports like Mackinac Island and Sault Ste. Marie more often. In Detroit, they are now scheduled to dock upward of 30 times next season. “That’s some 4,500 passengers who will get off and spend the day in Detroit,” said Mark Schrupp, executive director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority.

“That’s a boat load of people who will get to experience Detroit,” said Jennifer Ollinger, manager of domestic and international tourism at Visit Detroit. “They’re going to really take passengers into the community. They’ll be all over metro Detroit visiting our local attractions.”

Most other Great Lakes cruises originate or end in Milwaukee, but the Victory line is unique in that it bookends in Chicago and Toronto. Other stops include Escanaba, Marquette, Houghton, Green Bay, Cleveland, Niagara Falls, Montreal and more.

Cruises are an increasingly popular way to explore the Great Lakes for those seeking an elevated experience and willing to pay for it. There’s the inherent beauty of the lakes and the surrounding nature, of course, but sailing back and forth between two countries is also a big selling point. Another driver is that vacationers are seeking “experience” travel. People also increasingly want to explore destinations closer to home. Companies therefore are significantly increasing their investments in the region with new and larger ships, longer routes and more frequent service.

The Victory boats were built in 2001. They span 286 feet in length, which is small for cruise ships but necessary to navigate the Great Lakes waters.

“None of the cruise lines on the Great Lakes are big because they can’t be,” a spokesperson for Great Lakes Cruises said. “If they’re too big, they can’t fit through the canals and the locks that they have to go through.”

Victory says the boats are “purpose-built to cruise on all five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the French-Canadian Maritimes, offering a refreshing alternative to river and ocean cruises. The size and maneuverability of these ships are perfectly suited for coastal cruising in this region.”

In a statement announcing the return, Waggoner said, “as long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations of the inaugural season and we prepare to sail these magnificent waters. Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes.”

A nine-night cruise from Chicago to Toronto starts at $5,799 per guest, an 11-night cruise from Chicago to Montreal runs $6,999 and a 14-night roundtrip from Chicago costs $8,699. The ships are currently registered in Nassau, Bahamas.

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YOU'RE INVITED

Cleveland is about to see a surge of new maritime tourists.

Two 190-passenger vessels are returning to the Great Lakes.

One of the grandest Great Lakes cruise lines is making a comeback in 2025 and promises to bring thousands of maritime tourists back to the Port of Cleveland.

The two Victory Cruise Lines vessels, Victory I and Victory II, will return to Cleveland after a year-long hiatus. The 190-passenger vessels were out of commission in 2024 after their previous owners went bankrupt and were forced to sell the ships at auction in April.

The ships were operated by American Queen Voyages under the names Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator.

John Waggoner, who founded American Queen in 2011 but left the company a few years ago, came out of retirement to repurchase the vessels for a relatively cheap $1.9 million. He has since refurbished the ships and established the Victory brand. 

Onboard one of the Victory cruise ships.

"As long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations of the inaugural season and we prepare to sail these magnificent waters," Waggoner said in a statement announcing their return. "Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes."

Most other Great Lakes cruises originate or end in Milwaukee, but the Victory line is unique in that it bookends in Chicago and Toronto. Itineraries vary by voyage, but the vessels touch all five Great Lakes and make stops not just in Cleveland but also Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Detroit, Niagara Falls and more.

Cruises are an increasingly popular way to explore the Great Lakes for those seeking an elevated experience and willing to pay for it. There's the inherent beauty of the lakes and the surrounding nature, of course, but sailing back and forth between two countries is also a big selling point. Another driver is that vacationers are seeking "experience" travel. People also increasingly want to explore destinations closer to home. Companies therefore are significantly increasing their investments in the region with new and larger ships, longer routes and more frequent service.

Victory will offer 36 voyages next season, though not all routes run through Cleveland.

"When they are sailing, they are one of the more frequent cruise lines that call on Cleveland and just about everywhere else on the lake," said David S. Gutheil, chief commercial officer at the Port of Cleveland. "Victory will make more stops than any of the other lines will." 

The dining room onboard a Victory cruise ship. 

The Victory boats were built in 2001. They span 286 feet in length, which is small for cruise ships but necessary to navigate the Great Lakes waters. "None of the cruise lines on the Great Lakes are big because they can't be," a spokesperson for Great Lakes Cruises said. "If they're too big, they can't fit through the canals and the locks that they have to go through."

Victory says the boats are "purpose-built to cruise on all five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the French-Canadian Maritimes, offering a refreshing alternative to river and ocean cruises. The size and maneuverability of these ships are perfectly suited for coastal cruising in this region.

The ships are currently registered in Nassau, Bahamas.

A nine-night cruise from Chicago to Toronto starts at $5,799 per guest, an 11-night cruise from Chicago to Montreal runs $6,999 and a 14-night roundtrip from Chicago costs $8,699.

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Want to catch a coastal cruise from navy pier you can in 2025..

Jack Grieve is a Crain’s reporter covering the news people are talking about, from Chicago and West Michigan to Cleveland , Detroit and New York .

Navy Pier's only coastal cruises traversing the Great Lakes are making a comeback in 2025.

The two Victory Cruise Lines vessels, Victory I and Victory II, will return to Chicago after a yearlong hiatus. The 190-passenger vessels were out of commission in 2024 after their previous owners went bankrupt and were forced to sell the ships at auction in April.

The ships were long operated by American Queen Voyages under the names Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator. John Waggoner, who founded American Queen Voyages in 2011 but left the company a few years ago, came out of retirement to buy the vessels back for a relatively cheap $1.9 million. He has since refurbished them and established the Victory brand.

"As long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations of the inaugural season and we prepare to sail these magnificent waters," Waggoner said in a statement announcing their return. "Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes."

Most other Great Lakes cruises originate or end in Milwaukee, but the Victory line is unique in that it is bookended by Chicago and Toronto. Itineraries vary by voyage, but the vessels touch all five Great Lakes and make stops at Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Cleveland, Detroit, Niagara Falls and more.

Cruises are an increasingly popular way to explore the Great Lakes for those seeking an elevated experience and willing to pay for it. There's the inherent beauty of the lakes and the surrounding nature, of course, but sailing back and forth between two countries is also a big selling point. Another driver is that vacationers are seeking "experience" travel. People also increasingly want to explore destinations closer to home. Companies therefore are significantly increasing their investments in the region with new and larger ships, longer routes and more frequent service.

The return of the Victory coastal cruises promises to be a boon to Navy Pier's businesses. "I think this is a great tourism booster," said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner.

Victory will offer 36 voyages on the Great Lakes each season and bring thousands of maritime tourists to the pier.

"We always like to say the pier is the city's welcoming front porch and a gateway to the Great Lakes, so it's really just a great opportunity to ensure international tourists are able to see our incredible city from the lake and experience all the incredible ports in between," she added.

The victory boats were built in 2001. They span 286 feet in length, small for cruise ships but necessary to navigate the Great Lakes waters. "None of the cruise lines on the Great Lakes are big because they can't be," a spokesperson for Great Lakes Cruises said. "If they're too big, they can't fit through the canals and the locks that they have to go through."

Still, the ships boast 101 suites and decks and can accommodate 84 crew members in addition to the 190 passengers.

Victory says the boats are "purpose-built to cruise on all five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the French-Canadian Maritimes, offering a refreshing alternative to river and ocean cruises. The size and maneuverability of these ships are perfectly suited for coastal cruising in this region." The ships are currently registered in Nassau, Bahamas.

A nine-night cruise from Chicago to Toronto starts at $5,799 per guest, an 11-night cruise from Chicago to Montreal runs $6,999 and a 14-night roundtrip from Chicago costs $8,699.

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

The Great Lakes probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of cruising. But in recent years, the region has grown enormously as a cruise destination — and for good reason. Touring the Great Lakes by ship is by far the easiest way to see a wide range of the area's attractions — from vibrant cities to natural wonders — in a single trip.

When planning Great Lakes cruises, you have many things to consider: when to go for the best Great Lakes cruise experience, which cruise line is best suited to your travel style, the best Great Lakes cruise ports to visit and which shoreside activities you want to prioritize. It's not the kind of trip you want to throw together at the last minute, especially since the best fare deals typically go to organized travelers who book early.

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Here, The Points Guy offers up a guide to everything you need to know about planning a sailing in the Great Lakes.

Why cruise the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes region may not be a bucket list destination on the scale of Alaska or Antarctica. But it has a lot to offer — more than many people may realize.

Along the banks of the five lakes that are at the core of the region — Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior — you'll find some of Middle America's greatest cities, charming small towns, historic sites and wonders both natural and human-made. Plus, there are the lakes themselves, which together are roughly the size of the U.K. and make up the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. Accounting for 21% of all the world's fresh water, they truly are a marvel.

All this can be seen via an overland trip, of course, and many people explore the Great Lakes region by car or on motorcoach tours. But the region is so sprawling — the Great Lakes touch eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario — that logistically it's almost impossible to experience the area in a broad way on a single trip without going by ship.

On a single Great Lakes cruise, you can see the world-class architecture and museums of Chicago, take a carriage ride through the carless streets of Mackinac Island, Michigan, and gaze upon the splendor that is Niagara Falls along the New York border — all without having to get behind the wheel of a car or unpacking and re-packing your suitcase more than once.

When do cruises go to the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes cruise season is a short one, due mostly to the weather. With winters being cold and snowy in the region, cruise lines stick to the warmer months of May to September for Great Lakes sailings.

The weather isn't the only limiting factor. The cruise season in the Great Lakes is also limited in its length by the opening and closing of the St. Lawrence Seaway — the system of locks, canals and channels that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Cruise vessels that operate in the Great Lakes can't access the region until the locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway open for the summer, something that typically happens the last week of March. They need to be out of the Great Lakes before the St. Lawrence Seaway closes for the winter (typically in December).

Great Lakes cruise weather can be chilly at the start of the season, with low temperatures in the 40s in May in some areas and highs in the 60s. It warms up considerably by July and August, with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and the price. Cruises at the beginning of the Great Lakes cruise season in May are generally a bit less expensive than those in June, July, August and September.

Best Great Lakes itineraries

A relatively small number of ships sail in the Great Lakes during any given year. But, even so, they offer a wide range of Great Lakes itineraries. Some of the ships that operate in the region will alternate between three or even four different routes during the short summer season, giving you lots of choices.

Lengthwise, you'll find Great Lakes voyages ranging from seven to 15 nights. Some of the sailings travel across all five of the Great Lakes. Others focus on just three or four of the interconnected bodies of water. Some of the ships also offer sailings that combine travel on one or more of the Great Lakes with a passage through the St. Lawrence Seaway. In some cases, these latter trips include travel all the way to Montreal.

The diversity in Great Lakes itineraries extends to their start and end points. A large percentage of all Great Lakes cruises begin or end in Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto. But there also are Great Lakes sailings that begin or end in Thunder Bay, Ontario; Duluth, Minnesota; Montreal and Detroit.

In most cases, Great Lakes sailings are one-way trips. You'll start in, say, Toronto, and work your way west to Chicago — or vice versa.

Some Great Lakes itineraries only include stops at relatively small towns such as Midland, Parry Sound and Little Current in Ontario; and Muskegon, Marquette and Houghton in Michigan. Others mix in calls at some of the bigger cities of the Great Lakes region, notably Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto. On longer sailings, vessels often will overnight in such places as Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Thunder Bay.

Car-free Mackinac Island at the top of Michigan is a common stop on Great Lakes voyages, as is Niagara Falls, which sits between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Pro tip: If your Great Lakes cruise begins or ends in Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto, add a pre- or post-cruise stay of a night or two in the cities to see them in more depth.

Best Great Lakes cruise lines

Most of the world's biggest cruise lines — including Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line — can't operate in the Great Lakes because their ships are too big to enter the region through the St. Lawrence Seaway. This has turned the Great Lakes into an exclusive zone for a handful of smaller cruise operators that focus on very small vessels.

The two main players in Great Lakes cruising are Viking (a newcomer in 2022) and Pearl Seas Cruises. Each has one vessel devoted to the region (Viking Octantis and Pearl Mist, respectively).

Both cater to a generally older crowd, which is the main market for Great Lakes cruises. Viking's itineraries have the most outdoorsy options, while Pearl Seas Cruises offers trips with a lot of small-town stops.

Two more lines that occasionally operate sailings in the region are German line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and France-based Ponant. Tour organizer Smithsonian Journeys also occasionally offers Great Lakes sailings using chartered Ponant vessels.

All of the above lines operate ships in the Great Lakes that carry fewer than 400 passengers. Some carry as few as 202 passengers. In general, the vessels are intimate and relatively high-end, with pricing to match.

As a rule, Great Lakes sailings don't come cheap. For example, seven-night Viking sailings in the region start at $5,995 per person.

Things to do in the Great Lakes

As noted above, the Great Lakes offer a wide mix of attractions and experiences. During a Great Lakes cruise, you might find yourself climbing aboard the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit on one day and kayaking through the wild marshlands of Point Pelee, Ontario, the next.

Of the two lines operating in the Great Lakes, Viking has the greatest focus on outdoorsy stops such as Point Pelee (a tiny sandspit that juts into the northwestern corner of Lake Erie and is famous as a stopover for migratory birds). Some of Viking's sailings include a call at Alpena, Michigan — the gateway to a National Maritime Sanctuary, where passengers can kayak past shipwrecks in shallow waters. Another destination that Viking visits, Silver Islet, Ontario, brings the opportunity for a trail walk through Ontario's 94-square-mile Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — a rocky, forested park named for a long line of mesas that resemble a giant lying on its back.

The city-oriented stops that Viking and the other lines make, such as visits to Milwaukee or Chicago on Lake Michigan, give you time to explore the urban sensibility of the region. Brew-town Milwaukee offers the chance to explore the city's craft beer and brewing scene or to take a walking tour to the city's many outdoor sculptures. Chicago is famous for its world-leading architecture (which you can see on walking and boat tours), its Magnificent Mile lined with more stores than you've probably ever seen in one place and its world-class cultural institutions.

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. Of the three main lines operating in the Great Lakes, as noted above, Pearl Seas Cruises focuses the most on the region's small towns, with fewer stops at bigger cities.

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.

Included tours are part of what you're paying for when you pay the high prices noted above. So you can go off on your own in any of the places these ships visit. But you might just have a no-extra-charge outing including many of the highlights of each place already planned for your voyage.

Best Great Lakes cruise ports

The best Great Lakes cruise ports include the handful of relatively big cities in the region, such as Chicago, that are loaded with cultural sites, nightspots and restaurants, as well as charming small towns such as Holland, Michigan. Great Lakes cruises also bring days that are all about getting up close to wonders both natural and human-made — from towering Niagara Falls to the engineering marvel that is the Welland Canal.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Known as "Canada's Gateway to the West" because it's the final navigational point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is one of Ontario's most vibrant cities and a center for art and culture. It's also a hub for outdoorsy pursuits including mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and angling, as it's nestled within boreal forests.

Great architecture and cultural institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago — along with lots of nightlife, shopping and world-class dining — make Chicago the premier city destination in the Great Lakes region. Many Great Lakes cruises begin or end in Chicago, with some including an overnight in the city, allowing time to explore. Don't miss a stroll down the Magnificent Mile and a sightseeing boat ride on the Chicago River (a great way to get an overview of the city and see some of its architectural gems).

Wisconsin's biggest city is often surprisingly delightful to first-time visitors, home as it is to a Santiago Calatrava-designed art museum with a world-class collection, a Harley-Davidson Museum that our sister site Lonely Planet has dubbed "badass" plus stylish eating and shopping enclaves. Settled by Germans in the 1840s, "Brew City," as it's known, also is a mecca of sorts for beer lovers — and not just because it's home to the original Miller Brewing Company complex, which is open daily for tours. You'll also find lots of craft breweries that you can visit on your own or as part of a tour, and you can tour (and drink at) the original Pabst Brewery.

Holland, Michigan

As the name suggests, Holland is a little bit of The Netherlands transported to the Americas. Settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1800s, it's home to the annual Tulip Time Festival, which takes place every May, and offers up such Holland-themed attractions as Windmill Island Gardens, where you'll find a working Dutch windmill, canals and dikes. Holland's downtown is a charmer with cobblestone sidewalks and more than 100 specialty shops, breweries and restaurants.

Sault Saint Marie, Michigan

Located at the northeastern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Sault Saint Marie is the site of the Soo Locks, a marvel of engineering that connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The locks themselves are the big attractions in Sault Saint Marie — head to the observation deck at Soo Locks Park to watch freighters passing by and learn more at the Soo Locks Visitor Center.

But there are other allures, including the Museum Ship Valley Camp. It's a retired Great Lakes freighter (named Valley Camp) that you can climb into and explore. In addition to touring the living quarters for its 29-person crew, you'll find a 20,000-square-foot maritime museum in its cargo hold with exhibits on the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald and more.

Mackinac Island

The Jewel of the Great Lakes has been a summer getaway for Midwesterners since the Victorian era and it retains much of its Victorian-era charm. The iconic attraction on the island is the 135-year-old Grand Hotel , with its seemingly endless, rocker-lined front porch (the longest in the world). Afternoon tea in the hotel's parlor, or a game of croquet at its Tea Garden, are among Mackinac Island's allures. Tours in a horse-drawn carriage are another popular pastime; cars are banned on the island, leaving horse-drawn carriages as one of the main ways of getting around, along with bicycles. When visiting, don't miss Fort Mackinac, which dates to the 1700s.

Niagara Falls

Located on the short waterway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls is one of the world's most spectacular waterfall complexes (it's actually three waterfalls, not one) with a flow rate greater than any other waterfall in North America and a vertical drop of more than 160 feet. Visitors can take it in both from viewing areas on land and from a tour boat.

Note that Great Lakes cruise vessels don't travel directly on the 36-mile-long strait that connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, which is known as the Niagara River (lest they go plunging over the falls). Instead, they use the Welland Canal — another marvel of engineering and an attraction in its own right.

Motor City should probably be called Museum City, as it's home to a wonderful array of museums worth a visit, from The Detroit Museum of Art and the Motown Museum to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. Passengers on Great Lakes cruises will find that stops in Detroit often revolve around an included visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, a sprawling history museum complex that is home to the limousine that President Kennedy was in when he was assassinated, George Washington's camp bed, Buckminster Fuller's prototype Dymaxion house, the bus on which Rosa Parks was arrested and countless other rare artifacts.

When to book a Great Lakes cruise

The best time to book a Great Lakes cruise is right when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins and often the best fares.

Because the Great Lakes has such a short season with a limited number of ships, sailings in the region are often in high demand and people plan early. Newcomer Viking, notably, has told TPG it has seen brisker sales this year for its Great Lakes trips than sailings to Antarctica — one of the world's ultimate bucket list destinations.

If you wait to book, you're not entirely out of luck. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season" ). You can take advantage of discounted fares and other perks. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in a gateway city such as Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto and don't need to book flights. While some less preferred sail dates or cabin categories may have availability a few months out, spurring cruise lines to drop rates, you might have trouble finding affordable airfare and pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations that do not eat up your cruise savings.

What to bring on a Great Lakes cruise

When it comes to packing for a Great Lakes cruise, your mantra should always be: dress in layers. It can be chilly in the morning in the more northerly parts of the Great Lakes, particularly at the start of the Great Lakes cruising season, but then warm up fast.

If you're planning to do some outdoorsy pursuits, such as kayaking or hiking, be sure to bring appropriate activewear. And don't forget to pack a rain jacket, if not a complete rain gear outfit, including a wide-brimmed waterproof hat, rain pants and waterproof shoes or boots.

Also, and this is critical: Don't forget your passport. Many of the places you'll visit in the Great Lakes will be in the United States and do not require a passport. But every Great Lakes cruise includes at least a few — and sometimes many — stops in Canada, where a valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card is required to enter if you're a U.S. citizen.

Bottom line

There's a lot to see and do in the Great Lakes region, and it's hard to argue that there's a better way to see and do it than on a cruise. Cruise vessels departing from such cities as Chicago and Toronto can take you to all of the highlights of the region — from the breweries of Milwaukee to thundering Niagara Falls — in a single trip. That's something that you'll be hard-pressed to accomplish any other way.

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Judi Cohen Reviews her Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise

Jan 18, 2023 | 0

Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise

By Judi Cohen

Sometimes the most beautiful things can be found right in your own backyard! Living in Toronto, on the shores of Lake Ontario all my life, I never thought much about exploring the Great Lakes.

Road tripping in Ontario was the only kind of travel I knew, which owed in part to the dearth of passenger ships plying the Great Lakes. Even though this is the largest body of freshwater in the world, it is curious that there has been so little interest from the cruise industry, until recently.

Since the pandemic began, I have been traveling close to home and seeing more of Canada.

Over the past three years, I explored the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the historic Rideau Canal on three small ships. And recently I had the opportunity to cruise the remaining Great Lakes for a week with my husband on the new Viking Octantis, a ship carrying 378 passengers (above QuirkyCruise’s normal cap of 300, but Heidi and Ted decided to make an exception, as we do from time to time).

Viking Octantis was the newest, biggest and most high-tech of all the ships I’ve cruised on recently — which includes the much smaller 66-pax Canadian Empress from St. Lawrence Cruise Lines and Ontario Waterways’ 45-pax Kawartha Voyageur.  Due to her size, Octantis was well suited for the waves and swells in the Great Lakes.

RELATED: Anne Kalosh reports on Viking turning 25 amid a flurry of  new ship arrivals.

The bow of Viking Octantis, while approachig the Soo Locks. * Photo: Judi Cohen

I was humbled by the unrivalled natural beauty of Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron, as well as Georgian Bay.

We had front row seats to the landscapes that inspired the famous Canadian “Group of Seven” artists (a group of landscape painters active in the early 20th century) and the use of expedition “toys” to explore remote locations along the shore, all while enjoying the stylish comfortable ship.

In the fall of 2022 we sampled a seven-night Viking Octantis Great Lakes cruise called the “Great Lakes Explorer Route,” from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The route map for the Great Lakes Explorer itinerary with Viking Octantis. * Photo: Viking Cruises

In my opinion, the Great Lakes are on par with many of the world’s most scenic cruising destinations.

The 378-pax Viking Octantis. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The Public Rooms & Amenities of Viking Octantis

The 378-passenger Viking Octantis — named after Sigma Octantis, the south star — is similar in design to Viking’s ocean and river ships, with an abundance of Scandinavian blond woods and warm comfortable public spaces.

However, being an expedition vessel focused in large part on exploring the polar regions, Viking Octantis has a large onboard two-level garage called the Hangar that houses Zodiacs, kayaks, two six-passenger submarines, and what Viking calls their “military-grade special operations boats” (speed-boat launches), all available free-of-charge for off-ship adventures.

Viking Octantis’s two submarines in its Hangar. * Photo: Viking Cruises

Further, there’s a small science lab in the Hangar too, with microscopes. There’s also an area called Expedition Central, a hub on Deck 2 where we could speak to the expedition team and scientists.

Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith is Viking’s Head of Science and Sustainability, and he oversees any onboard science research done and leads the expedition team as well.

Expedition Central on Viking Octantis. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The mini Science Lab on the Viking Octantis. * Photo: Viking Cruises

Just aft of the spa and fitness center, at the stern, is a large two-story theatre-style auditorium called Aula, with walls and a screen that retract to reveal floor-to-ceiling windows.

I found the heated seating area outside Aula to be a very relaxing nice touch as we were cruising.

Speaking of pampering, a chic spa, called the Nordic Spa, with indoor pool, sauna, snow grotto, cold bucket shower and outdoor badestamp (spa tub) was available to us all at no extra charge.

There was also a well-equipped fitness centre with cardio machines and weights, along with a beauty salon and spa services like facials and massages.

Enjoying the Nordic Spa facilities. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The Living Room and Library, complete with many carefully curated books sorted by subject — from expedition travel to explorers, the solar system and wildlife — were perfect places in which to read, relax and reflect

Living Room and Library on Viking Octantis. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Meanwhile, the two-story Explorers’ Lounge was ideal for socializing with live music as we watched the sunset each evening.

The Hide bar, with its sloped windows beneath the water on Deck 1 became our after-dinner haunt for liquors and aperitifs, and even some storytelling by the expedition team.

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We Occupied a Nordic Penthouse Cabin aboard the Viking Octantis

Our comfortable 169-square-foot Penthouse Cabin #4004 had a large window (that could open) and was located forward on Deck 4.

Configured with one king bed, our cabin had loads of closet and storage space, including a drying closet designed for expedition clothing, a large flat screen TV, desk, and comfortable seating area in the Nordic balcony.

The large window (which Viking, for some reason, calls a “Nordic balcony”) opened from the top-down at a perfect level at which to watch the passing scenery.

Our Nordic Penthouse Cabin #4004. * Photo: Judi Cohen

All Staterooms Include:

• King-size bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
• 55″ flat-screen TV featuring CNN, CBC and a few other channels
• Interactive TV with complimentary movies and documentaries, as well as Viking TV for lectures etc
• Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
• Floor-to-ceiling heated drying closets for expeditions gear
• Glass-enclosed shower
• Heated bathroom floor
• Anti-fog mirrors
• Premium Freyja® toiletries
• 24-hour room service

Dining on our Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise

With so many dining options — there are four — it was difficult to choose where to eat, but we did manage to try every one of the restaurants during our cruise.

All are included at no additional cost, even specialty restaurants like Manfredi’s Italian for Mediterranean.

Menu items in The Restaurant include Scandinavian dishes, the likes of pickled herring and pea soup, as well as regional dishes such as Lake Trout, a Great Lakes fish delicacy.

Do make reservations as soon as you can online at My Viking Journey or right when you board, as they can fill up quickly, especially with a full ship.

We frequented the buffet at the World Café for most breakfasts and lunches. We also enjoyed steak and burgers at the Grill, and sushi and seafood at the Sushi Bar for some dinners.

Salads with fresh baked breads and shave parmesan cheese for lunch at the World Cafe. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The waffles and green juice at the small Norwegian deli, Mamsen’s, are a must to try.

Mamsen’s Waffle and Green Juice. * Photo: Judi cohen

Everything at Mamsen’s is made using traditional family recipes passed down from generation to generation in the family of Viking Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen.

The Bakery with the Baker peeking out. * Phot0: Judi Cohen

What’s Included on a Viking Octantis Cruise:

• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
• Landing or shore excursion in every port of call
• Kayaks, Zodiacs, “special operations” launch boats & submarine excursions (where available)
• Enrichment lectures & destination performances
• Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge
• 24-hour access to specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
• Use of fitness center & spa with its sauna and indoor pool
• Expedition kit with a variety of equipment to explore at no extra charge
• Meopta Optika MeoPro 8×42 binoculars
• 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Self-service launderettes

A Day-by-Day Account of My Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise

Pre-cruise stay in milwaukee, wisconsin.

We decided to spend a day in Milwaukee before the cruise, to allow time for a walk in the downtown area and along the waterfront. We stayed one night at the historic Pfister Hotel, which opened in 1913.

We were told that the Pfister has hosted every U.S. President since William McKinley. Elvis stayed in 1976, and loads of other dignitaries, entertainers and sports celebrities have also slept there.

Lobby of the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee for pre-cruise night. * Photo: Judi Cohen

There was also time to visit the “River Walk” and the market, stroll in the downtown core and dropping by the Milwaukee Art Museum, an architectural gem on the waterfront.

Dinner at Mason Street Grill, a classic steakhouse in the hotel followed by some jazz in the rooftop bar provided a great little taste of Milwaukee in just one day!

Day 1 — Visiting Mackinac Island, Michigan

Our first port of call, Mackinac Island, is located where Lakes Michigan and Huron connect in the Straights of Mackinac.

Cars are not permitted and everything moves by horse and carriage. The island feels like a film set from the early 1900s with its old-world charm and slow pace.

Horse and Carriage arriving at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. * Photo: Judi Cohen

We didn’t take the ship’s guided excursion, but instead went off on our own and walked from the pier passing imposing private cottages and stately homes with large American flags, to the storied Grand Hotel where every US President has stayed and generations of families return year after year to enjoy the beauty of this small island.

We took a horse carriage into the forest behind the main Grand Hotel building for lunch at the hotel’s charming Woods Restaurant with its hunting lodge ambiance.

I had heard about the Woods Restaurant and was eager to check out this hidden gem, with its Bavarian-mountain vibe.

The Woods Restaurant at the Grand Hotel Mackinac Island. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Day 2 — Georgian Bay Biosphere Centre, Parry Sound, Ontario

The world’s deepest freshwater port is in Parry Sound, Ontario.

Anchoring offshore, tenders took us to the Parry Sound Pier and we walked under an old railway bridge enjoying the sights and sounds as our guide introduced us to the conservation and protection initiatives at the UNESCO-designated Georgian Bay Biosphere .

Walking from the pier on our shore excursion at Parry Sound, Ontario. * Photo: Judi Cohen

She pointed out invasive species of plants and pollinator plants for honeybees.

A small bus then transferred our small group to the Georgian Bay Biosphere Centre where we donned protective gear and became “guest beekeepers,” before moving indoors to learn about the protection of eastern milk snakes and fox sakes and large snapping turtles.

We went downstairs to a temperature-controlled turtle hatchery with hundreds of eggs in plastic boxes, and gathered closely as the biologist used a flashlight and pointed at the bottom of some eggs. To our delight, baby turtles were visible, some poking their legs and heads out of the shells.

For me, learning about the research at the Georgian Bay Biosphere Centre complemented the onboard focus on science.

Scientists, researchers and marine biologists who cruise aboard Viking Octantis collect data, such as atmospheric info from the weather balloons sent up into the sky.

Day 3 — Viking Octantis Calls on Georgian Bay Killarney

When Viking Octantis anchored early in the morning off the Killarney East Lighthouse , curious passengers went up to the top deck for the launch of a weather balloon, which Octantis does from time to time in the Great Lakes and in Antarctica.

Viking Octantis is one of the few civilian ships sanctioned to launch such balloons. Once launched, the data from the balloon could be viewed in real-time on computers in Expedition Central.

Killarney East Lighthouse, Killarney, Ontario. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The paintings by the famous Canadian artists known as the Group of Seven  were largely painted in northern Ontario capturing the stunning landscapes along the shores of Georgian Bay with the magnificent rocks and windswept pine trees.

Of all the places we visited on this itinerary, Killarney was the most romantic and inspirational.

During a hike in Killarney Provincial Park we were treated to panoramic views, grand pine trees and the fresh forest fragrance along the way.

The original name of this area was Shebahonaning, or “canoe passage,” and during the fur trading era in the 1800s Killarney Provincial Park had many trails and canoe routes.

Kilarney Ontario View from KIllarney Lodge. * Photo: Judi Cohen

A relaxing afternoon excursion (included in the cruise fares) treated us to a hot lunch buffet at Killarney Lodge’s Canada House , the largest log building in Canada, with live music. We could sit on red Muskoka chairs (Adirondack chairs in the US) to enjoy an al fresco meal on the water’s edge.

Hours passed as we watched red canoes, multi-colour kayaks and paddleboards bobbing on the Killarney Channel, with the Viking Octantis anchored in the Bay.

Viking Ocantis anchored off the Killarney Lodge. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Day 4 — Submarine Dive in Fraser Bay & a Visit to Okeechobee Lodge

Upon arrival in Fraser Bay with its rugged glacier-sculpted pink granite rock faces and cliffs, we awaited instructions for our dive in Viking Octantis’s submarine.

The lake was very choppy as we boarded a Zodiac for the short ride to where the submarine was bobbing up and down in the swells.

One by one we transferred with the assistance of the captain to the submarine deck. The captain closed the hatch, and the submarine began to descend until we were on the lakebed.

Submarine dive. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Zebra mussel shells, plankton and small fish surrounded us.

Lawrence inside the submarine during a dive in Fraser Bay, Ontario. * Photo: Judi Cohen

There were no mermaids or shipwrecks but this once-in-a-lifetime experience was reward enough for us.

( Note: While all guests have the opportunity to sign up for the submarine dives, they’re weather and wave dependent; after the information briefing, I saw that many passengers decided not to do a dive due to concerns about claustrophobia and mobility. The water was not murky once we were on the lake bottom, but overall there was very little to see.)

We returned to the ship and then took a Zodiac to the historic Okeechobee Lodge with gorgeous views of Manitoulin Island across the channel.

The traditional fishing and hunting lodge with taxidermied moose heads, black bears, seals and all varieties of birds fascinated guests and Octantis crew members.

Some guests hiked to A.J. Casson Peak , named for the Canadian Group of Seven artist, who captured the essence of these incredible landscapes.

We were content to just relax in the lodge and enjoy the Zodiac ride.

Day 5 — Viking Octantis at Sea and Squeezing through the Soo Locks

As we approached the enormous Soo Locks on the St. Mary’s River to cross from Lake Superior into Lake Erie, hundreds of passengers crowded onto the bow to watch Viking Octantis squeeze through the narrow locks.

Opened in 1855 to allow ships to bypass the river’s 21-foot fall over roiling rapids, Soo Locks’ innovative lock system was one of the greatest engineering projects of its day.

The Viking Octantis waited for over an hour at the Soo Locks while the Canadian freighter, CSL Taduessac , owned by Canada Steamship , carefully maneuvered through the locks.

It is one of many freighters carrying bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal, limestone, grain or salt that traditionally sail in the upper Great Lakes and eventually feed into Lake Ontario en route to the St. Lawrence River and onward to the Atlantic Ocean.

Soo Locks waiting for the Laker CSL Tadoussac to go through the Soo Locks. Photo: Judi Cohen

Day 6 — Silver Islet & Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Shortly after anchoring off the tip of the Sibley Peninsula near Thunder Bay, the kayaks and Zodiacs were lowered into the brisk water for our morning excursions.

We chose to explore the shoreline on one of Viking’s launch boats, which Viking calls “military-grade special operations boats.” They’re outfitted with hydraulic seats and seat belts for comfort and safety as the ride is quite speedy

We enjoyed breathtaking views of the rugged multi-colour granite rock formations of the Canadian Shield including Sleeping Giant , a massive rock formation that looks like a reclining giant.

Sea Lion Arch in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. * Photo: Judi Cohen

As we approached Silver Islet, a tiny windswept island where the underwater infrastructure of one of the world’s largest former silver mining operations is still visible, including the mining platforms and the entrance to the old mining shaft.

During an afternoon hike on the Sea Lion Trail in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park , we walked along a beach with smooth grey stones before reaching a panoramic view of the Octantis anchored in Georgian Bay and the Sea Lion Arch glistening in the sun.

We were told that erosion will likely cause the arch to fall into the water in the future.

Day 7 — Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Final Port of Call of our Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise

Arriving in the early evening under rainy skies, Viking Octantis was welcomed on the dock by the MacGillivray Pipe Band.

There were no planned excursions on the Viking itinerary in Thunder Bay, although there are many attractions such as Fort William, art galleries, museums, restaurants as well as hiking trails.

If you can, incorporate a post-cruise stay in Thunder Bay.

(I had an opportunity to return to Thunder Bay a couple of weeks later to enjoy the fall colours and take a fascinating sailboat cruise with Sail Superior to get up close to the abandoned industrial mills along the waterfront and to hike in Kakabeka Provincial Park with the powerful waterfalls, the second highest in Ontario, often referred to as Niagara Falls of the north.)

Judi at the stern of Deck 2 aboard Viking Octantis on a Great Lakes cruise. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Day 8 — Disembarkation in Thunder Bay, Ontario

While I would say a Great Lakes cruise isn’t for everyone (some passengers on my cruise thought that the itinerary was boring and there wasn’t much to see, and they would have preferred more cities), I find the Great Lakes to be very scenic and a worthwhile cruising region.

The highlight of the “ Great Lakes Explorer” itinerary for me was cruising in Northern Ontario, on Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and Lake Superior, one of the most beautiful regions in Canada, and arguably in the world.

Memories of camping and hiking in the parks and along the shoreline flooded back from my younger years.

For me, cruising aboard Viking Octantis was a comfortable and enriching way to learn more about the Great Lakes, with opportunities to learn about the environment and its challenges, that I didn’t have on board the smaller ships I’ve sampled in the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway.

Interested in this Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise?

In 2023, all-inclusive rates for the 7-night Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise start at $8,395  per person.

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© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

Judi Cohen is a Toronto-based freelance writer and social media influencer. Judi fell in love with cruising over 45 years ago on her honeymoon and is passionate about sharing stories about small ship cruising in polar regions and off-beat destinations. She is the founder of the website TravelingJudi.com. She also writes about her travels to over 95 countries for Bold, Zoomer, World Traveler Magazine, All Things Cruise, Travel Market Report, Baxter Media, and more.

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I have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. Ships and travel are in my blood, and so is writing. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles.

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The Hottest Cruise Destination of 2022 Isn’t Where You Might Think

A flock of sleek new ships is sailing here—and it isn’t far from home..

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Thunder Bay on Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada, is among the natural wonders along the shores of the Great Lakes.

Photo by Shutterstock

You may not think of Cleveland, Chicago, Toronto, or Duluth, Minnesota, as hot ports on the cruise map, but this year they are. In June, Green Bay, Wisconsin, had its first-ever cruise ship visit, American Queen Voyages’ 202-passenger Ocean Navigator .

The Ocean Navigator is one of several vessels sailing what has rapidly become an emerging destination for cruising in 2022: the Great Lakes.

This year’s Great Lakes cruise season, which kicked off in the spring and runs into October, is hosting the largest fleet of ships ever to sail the five lakes that straddle the U.S.-Canada border—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario (or Super Man Helps Every One, for those who love a good mnemonic device to help remember the names). According to the marketing association Cruise the Great Lakes , nine ships are on the lakes this year, which marks a return after no cruises at all in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The number of passengers in 2022 has increased by more than 25 percent compared to 2019, the association reports.

An example of a Viking Great Lakes cruise itinerary.

Courtesy of Viking

Detroit alone will have 50 cruise ship visits this year, according to Kyle Burleson, director of port operations for the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. The previous record was 25. Cruises on the Great Lakes will cumulatively call at 28 different ports in 2022, offering a welcome boon in visitors to the destinations in the American Midwest and Canada that they visit.

Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking , which has a new 378-passenger polar expedition ship, Viking Octantis , summering in the region and returning next year, is so optimistic about the U.S.-Canada cruises that he has begun referring to the embarkation port of Milwaukee as “the Miami of the Great Lakes.”

“The growth of cruise shipping and the arrival of vessels like the Viking Octantis and Ocean Navigator on Lake Superior this year has elevated our communities, the Lake Superior basin, and the entire Great Lakes region to reach new global travel audiences as a premier must-see destination,” says Paul Pepe, manager at Tourism Thunder Bay, a destination in Ontario, Canada.

Exploring Mackinac Island, a popular cruise stop on Lake Huron in Michigan.

The Great Lakes offer cruisers access to wildlife, natural landscapes, quaint lakeside towns, and industrial history on the U.S. Midwest side. And on the Canadian side, highlights include First Nations cultural experiences, more wildlife and scenic landscapes, and the Georgian Bay Biosphere in Ontario, which UNESCO recognized as the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. Cruise itineraries include three or more of the lakes; some touch all five.

While Great Lakes ships have traditionally been smaller, more modest coastal vessels, Viking is shaking things up by bringing a polar-class expedition ship to the region. The Viking Octantis is equipped with features that include a pair of six-passenger yellow submarines that will be used for under-lake viewing in Canadian waters (but not in U.S. waters due to the Jones Act, maritime legislation that precludes a foreign-flagged vessel from operating excursion craft such as kayaks, Zodiacs, and submarines in the U.S.). French cruise line Ponant is also sailing the Great Lakes this fall and next with luxury expedition ships complete with underwater lounges.

If you’re intrigued, here are the cruise ships to watch that are sailing the aptly named Great Lakes.

The best cruises on the Great Lakes

Ocean Voyager Ocean Voyager .American Queen Voyages

©2022 Michel Verdure Studio, In

Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager

• Great Lakes sailings: American Queen Voyages sails 10-night cruises between Chicago and Toronto and 14-night cruises between Chicago and Montreal (including a precruise hotel night in the departure city). Fares from $5,000 per person.
• Book now: AQVoyages.com

American Queen Voyages ’ two coastal ships in the Great Lakes are the 202-passenger Ocean Voyager (formerly Victory 1 ) and sister ship Ocean Navigator (formerly Victory II ). The ships debuted in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Especially noteworthy: They are the only ships that dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier. (The only other cruise itinerary on the Great Lakes to visit Chicago will be one hosted by German line Hapag-Lloyd in 2023.)

Both the Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator feature recently updated traditional decor. Accommodations range from small, 146-square-foot cabins and deluxe staterooms with a shared outdoor deck to 335-square-foot owner’s suites with private veranda and living room area. Fares include unlimited open bar and use of bikes for shoreside rides.

In addition to the main Coastal Dining Room, the ships have a casual buffet venue. The Compass Lounge is the place for port talks and entertainment. There’s also a small tavern, gym, spa, and outdoor hot tub. Local musicians come onboard for performances, such as a Motown tribute in Detroit.

• Great Lakes sailings: Seven-night cruises between Toronto and Milwaukee take place in September this year and September and October in 2023. Fares from $5,170.
• Book now: Ponant.com

French luxury line Ponant has its 184-passenger Le Bellot (built in 2020) in the Great Lakes this fall, to be joined by sister ship Le Dumont d’Urville in 2023. These six-deck expedition yachts boast the kind of international cuisine and complimentary wine pours you’d expect on French-operated vessels, plus an outdoor swimming pool and a panoramic lounge. And there is the super-cool feature of an underwater sensory lounge, Blue Eye, with submarine-like views of walleye fish and other Great Lakes marine life.

The ships have a subtle contemporary decor and both casual and more formal dining options, 188-seat theaters, spa and fitness areas, and a fleet of nine Zodiacs (for use in Canadian waters).

• Great Lakes sailings: The line sails 7- to 11-night cruises through four of the Great Lakes (Ontario, Huron, Erie, and Michigan). Fares from $5,650 per person.
• Book now: PearlSeaCruises.com

Pearl Seas Cruises (sister line to American Cruise Lines ) has on the Great Lakes the intimate, 210-passenger Pearl Mist , a 15-year-old coastal cruiser done up in crisp, classic decor. One big bonus: All cabins have sliding glass doors leading to balconies.

The ship has lounges, a library, and a general low-key atmosphere. It’s the kind of ship without a lot of activities, where passengers are happy to occupy themselves with views, reading, or conversation. Shore experiences include kayaking, hiking, lobster fishing, and glass-bottom boat tours.

Cruise the Great Lakes in comfort on the ‘Viking Octantis.’

Viking Octantis

• Great Lakes sailings: Viking offers an 8-day cruise between Toronto and Milwaukee and a 15-day cruises between Toronto and Duluth; all-inclusive fares from $5,995 per person.
• Book now: VikingCruises.com

This new, state-of-the-art, long and narrow expedition ship was built for Southern Hemisphere summers in Antarctica and is spending Northern Hemisphere summers in the Great Lakes. Its style and onboard amenities are in a league of their own for cruises in the region. It’s the largest ship in the Great Lakes, though small enough to clear (by a tight one foot) the 27-mile Welland Canal that connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

Fans of Viking will recognize the sleek Scandinavian decor and Nordic accents, dining choices (including Manfredi’s for Italian), and a wide range of accommodations, with designs that mimic the interiors of the line’s ocean and river ships. One difference, however, is that rather than have step-out balconies, staterooms feature windows that open to let in the breeze.

Viking has brought expedition-style cruising to the region, complete with submarines.

On a recent tour of the vessel in the port of Milwaukee, I was impressed by the many lounge spaces, which include a “hidden” speakeasy; the indoor/outdoor infinity pool that links to hot, tepid, and cold outdoor dipping pools; the expansive Nordic spa; a lecture hall; and heated outdoor furniture and firepits. The onboard lab where scientists, including from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will conduct research and experiments is another wow factor, as is the 20-person expert expedition team onboard. In addition to the submarine, the ship also carries Zodiacs and kayaks (for use in Canadian waters).

A second expedition vessel, the Viking Polaris, will join the Viking Octantis in the Great Lakes for the 2023 season.

What to know about cruising between the U.S. and Canada

If you are cruising between the U.S. and Canada you will, first off, need your passport. As of press time, Canada requires cruise passengers age 12 and up to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (some cruise lines require passengers age 5 and up to be vaccinated) and to have completed ArriveCAN health forms prior to arrival.

Everyone cruising in Canada must also undergo precruise testing (something that the majority of cruise lines also still require) even though prearrival COVID testing has been dropped for international air arrivals into Canada. Make sure to check with your cruise line and the latest government restrictions as requirements can and do change. Some ships, for instance, require passengers to have booster shots.

>> Next: Get a Smithsonian-Level Education at Sea on These Enriching Global Cruises

Great Lakes Cruise Company

Great Lakes Cruise Company-Find out more

Great Lakes Cruise Company Reviews: Click here to see consumer reviews for this line

Great Lakes Cruise Company Excursions: Click here for information about shore excursion for this line

About Great Lakes Cruise Company:

The Great Lakes Cruise Company was founded in 1998 with the vision of revitalizing passenger cruising on the Great Lakes. Today the Great Lakes Cruise company is the industry leader in this market.  From the wonder of Niagara Falls to the charm of Mackinac Island, visit some of the most beautiful destinations in the U.S. when you cruise with Great Lakes Cruise Company

Great Lakes Cruise Company  Ships:

• Hanseatic Inspiration,  175 passengers
• Le Bellot, 184 passengers
• Le Dumont-d’Urville, 184 passengers
• Ocean Navigator, 202 passengers
• Ocean Voyager, 202 passengers
• Pearl Mist, 200 passengers
• Viking Octantis, 378 passengers
• Viking Polaris, 378 passengers

Destinations:

• Great Lakes

Get a Quote for Great Lakes Cruise Company

All Things Cruise is dedicated to the joy of travel. Specializing in ocean, river, ultra-luxury, small ship and expedition cruises.

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800-221-2216

Great lakes explorer, trip reviews for great lakes explorer, average traveler rating:   review this trip ».

( 43 Traveler Reviews)

Alice from MD gives this tour  

Delighted by crew and staff on the ship. Food and drinks.

Overall  

Travel Documents  

Accommodations  

On-Tour Transportation  

Guides and Sightseeing  

Value for the Money  

Date Traveled: 8/7/2023

Lois from NH gives this tour  

Delighted by itinerary, food, sites, other travelers.

Date Traveled: 8/5/2023

Gordon from AZ gives this tour  

Delighted by Mackinaw Island

Date Traveled: 9/23/2022

Carolyn from CA gives this tour  

I really enjoyed the Victory I ship with its old fashion look. Although the cabins were small they and the rest of the ship were spotless. The friendly staff went out of their way to accommodate any need or request. The A+R private car transfers from the airport to our hotel and from the ship to the airport made for a very nice start and end to our journey. Our tour host, Diane Saulnier, was outstanding and always had a smile on her face. She patiently answered any and all questions both in person and in our daily letters (including tickets for the next excursion) that she delivered to us personally each evening. The included excursions where very well organized, although we would have liked more time to explore places like Niagara Falls and the Henry Ford Museum. The Great Lakes are larger than I had thought they would be (many times we couldn't see the shore) and the beautiful sunsets and small waves reminded me of ocean cruising. This was our second tour with A+R and I am sure we will travel with them again.

Date Traveled: 8/29/2019

Wayne & Judy from NE gives this tour  

Our tour guide Diane was outstanding. Took all the guesswork out of where and when we had to be ready for. She had our group running like a well oiled machine.

Date Traveled: 8/28/2019

13-Day Voyages including Montreal and the 1,000 Islands  

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Great Lakes Cruise Company

By ILgirl , April 16, 2013 in Other Cruise Lines

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We are considering a five night cruise on Lake Michigan on the Yorktown over the Fourth of July. Does anyone have any experience with this vessel or line or cruising on Lake Michigan? Any comments would be appreciated.

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• 4 weeks later...

Suitcasefull

Just found this..........No experience with Yorktown but did the Magical Lake Michigan trip with BlountSmallShips a couple of years ago and loved it. They may be having a sale now so would check. We're going to Lake Superior with them this summer. No frills, gambling or spa, but fun people and not the regular cruise stuff.

Oh, also no kids below 14, I think.

ILgirl, when I googled Great Lakes, I was a bit puzzled. The price they showed for the Lake Michigan cruise was very attractive, but it was labeled "Wait List Only". Seems really strange they would be discounting a sold-out cruise. I'm pretty sure the Yorktown was built for the now defunct Clipper Cruise lines and was essentially a large luxury yacht.

Suitcaseful, are you going from Chicago to Duluth or Duluth to Chicago. I considered Duluth to Chicago, but decided instead on the Gulf Coast New Orleans to St Petersburg. I think Captain Mike Kiernan (CapMike04530 on Cruise Critic may be on your sailing. If so, please say hi from Roy in Maryland.

  Suitcaseful, are you going from Chicago to Duluth or Duluth to Chicago. I considered Duluth to Chicago, but decided instead on the Gulf Coast New Orleans to St Petersburg. I think Captain Mike Kiernan (CapMike04530 on Cruise Critic may be on your sailing. If so, please say hi from Roy in Maryland.   Roy

We're doing Duluth to Chicago since dates worked better for us with days up north shore prior. Would have liked to do one of the East Coast sailings this spring but couldn't. Will have to find CapMike on CC...ls he on the Chicago to Duluth or Duluth to Chicago? Have you been on trips with Blount? Which? Thanks!

I can't find a CapMike04530 on CC. There's a similar one but different last name. Did you type it wrong? Thanks.

I think there are 2 Captain Mikes (I can't remember the other's last name right now), and I think I had the cc name later. I'll have a link later in this post.

Blount (along with Crystal) is one of my favorite cruise lines, and I have an extensive history with them:

1996: Erie Canal (Warren-Chicago)

2001: Lake Michigan

2005: Duluth-Chicago

When I was on the Lake Michigan cruise I fell in love with the hotels on Mackinac Island. On the Duluth-Chicago trip I noticed an overnight stay there, talked to the office, and booked a hotel that night. When I got on the ship Mackinac Island was crossed off the itinerary and Mackinac City was written in instead. There was a huge sailing race, and the Coast Guard was using our dock. It was too late to cancel the hotel. The ship paused off the island, put me on the skiff and took me ashore. I rode back on the ferry with everybody else the next day to join the ship.

2006: Lake Champlain

2006: Atlantic Coast, Rhode Island to Florida

2007: Belize

2008: Virgin Islands

2009: Rhode Island to Chicago

2010: Chicago to New Orleans

2010: Rhode Island-Maritimes-Quebec

2011: Nashville area to Chicago

2011: Erie Canal

I've said that my 2 favorite cruise lines were Blount and Crystal and here I combined them, with a bit of complication. A flood wiped out a section of the canal. Fortunately, the Mariner was on the Great Lakes side at the time of the flood, and the Grande Caribe on the Atlantic side. Both ships were planning to do the Erie Canal a couple of days apart. Passengers destined for the Grande Mariner were bussed to Montreal and sailed to the break. I was on the Grande Caribe and sailed to the break. We were all bussed to a day at the Baseball Hall of Fame and other Cooperstown NY attractions and then to the other ship where we continued our journey. After a couple days in Montreal I boarded the Crystal Symphony and returned to New York. Captain Mike was on the Grande Caribe, and made a post on my "live" thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=30949411&postcount=55

2012: New England Islands

2013: Gulf of Mexico

In about a week I hope to start a thread here on that cruise.

Oh, Wow! You've done a lot! Don't you have a free one due? Would love to do all those and hope to add some of them. DH already has one he wants to do in '14. No experience with Crystal. Chances of getting DH in a tux or me in formal are slim to none. Blount's relaxed atmosphere suits us wonderfully. Did figure out that Mike is Captain on Caribe but we're on Mariner so guess won't get to meet him. Loved Jennifer McD and "Little Jen" on Prince. Would like advice from you on anything to do in Montreal but figure CC would prefer it not be on their threads. I have a hotmail account......Suitcasefull at. Thanks!

Email sent. This will be my (almost) free cruise. I did pay the port charges and paid for the day early arrival.

thanks for the research, rafinmd. We did book this cruise, it is now sold out. The vessel was built in 1988 by First Coast Shipbuilding - I'm not certain who it was built for. It sails with 138 passengers. This is our first experience with Great Lakes travel so we're excited for the opportunity.

I take it you booked the Yorkton correct??

i would be interested in hearing about your experience when you return

We were going to book the Toronto to Chicago cruise but went with the American queen instead

but maybe next year we will do the Yorkton

IL, will be interested in your experience on the Yorktown so please post after your trip. It's a beautiful area!

I will definitely post on our return. Thanks for your interest.

• 3 weeks later...

BayStateguppy

I am sailing Lake Michigan this summer with the Blount folks. I'm really looking forward to it. The small boat/no frills aspect actually sounds relaxing and stress-free. I'll definitely write a review when I get back. :D

If you suffer with the "Motion of the ocean " be sure to take something with you ;)

They are not really made for open waters

We did the Magical Lake Michigan tour in 2011 and loved it! Nice way to see that part of the country. At Holland, MI, if you do the excursion that goes out to the windmill, that fudge shop has the best fudge ever......not too sweet and fabulous! Sample and see. We ordered some when the weather turned cooler and gave for gifts. Nice wines at Mackinac and WI.

Blount crew are known for friendliness and I think Little Jen may be working your cruise. She's a sweetheart and very helpful. (Guess they called her that because there was another Jen on our cruise - they probably just say Jen, now, LOL.)

As far as the motion, we didn't notice it. It's not like they sail across the middle of the lake! The captain stays in the calmer waters and on ours, even went in close to shore when weather was bad one night. No problems. Word of warning: I got hooked on the small ship even though no frills. Totally stress-free and you'll be in for some very pleasant surprises! Hopefully you'll have a fabulous time, too!

Looking forward to your review!

We did the Magical Lake Michigan tour in 2011 and loved it! Nice way to see that part of the country. At Holland, MI, if you do the excursion that goes out to the windmill, that fudge shop has the best fudge ever......not too sweet and fabulous! Sample and see. We ordered some when the weather turned cooler and gave for gifts. Nice wines at Mackinac and WI.   Blount crew are known for friendliness and I think Little Jen may be working your cruise. She's a sweetheart and very helpful. (Guess they called her that because there was another Jen on our cruise - they probably just say Jen, now, LOL.)   As far as the motion, we didn't notice it. It's not like they sail across the middle of the lake! The captain stays in the calmer waters and on ours, even went in close to shore when weather was bad one night. No problems. Word of warning: I got hooked on the small ship even though no frills. Totally stress-free and you'll be in for some very pleasant surprises! Hopefully you'll have a fabulous time, too! Looking forward to your review!

Guess that's not to say you might not need Bonine or something if you do ever get motion sickness. We just didn't see a need for it. They may even keep some on board.

On the Grande Caribe Gulf Coast cruise, we were mostly in the intracostal but used the open Gulf of Mexico for about 24 hours. There were about 3 varieties of pills available on the counter in the lounge (we had significant motion for about 4 hours). The Captain repeatedly reminded us the medicines were for prevention and were not effective after symptoms struck. People who are loyal to a particular brand or want something like a patch or wrist band should bring their own.

On my Lake Michigan cruise, our departure from Chicago was delayed 24 hours due to 40 foot seas, not something I would have enjoyed on a ship designed to go under 14-foot bridges. On the extra day in Chicago we were taken to the Chicago zoo.

• 2 years later...

I am interested in reviews and comments about GREAT LAKES CRUISE COMPANY's "Locks, Legends, & Canals of the Northeast."

Will someone share your good and bad experiences on this cruise?

• 1 month later...

I can't comment on any of the ships that cruise Lake Michigan and Holland and Mackinac Island. But I have been all those places many times as I grew up in Michigan, summered on the beaches near Holland, and met my parents yearly after the end of the Chicago Mackinac sailing race. Mackinac Is is a wonderful place....no cars allowed...bikes and horses and carriages only. You can easily bike around the island. Practically flat the entire way. They have accommodations for every budget from the glorious Grand Hotel with seemingly hundreds (maybe not that many but seems so) of rocking chairs on the porch with glorious water views to fancy or basic bed and breakfasts.

We loved to ride horses around the island. The fudge is absolutely out of this world. My favorite is penuche...with or without nuts. It is made with brown sugar.

On your cruise you will see enormous sand dunes as you pass the shoreline on the eastern side of the lake. It is the prevailing west wind that builds and keeps these dunes so high. They do not exist on the west side of the lake.

Word of warning....if you are from a warm weather state.....you will find the water temperature very cold as you get into the northern part of the lake.

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