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Lake michigan - ship marine traffic live tracking ais map density map. ships current position. sea distance calculator.

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On June 28, 2011 we went live with our new version of the map, this has been in development since 2008 and incorporates many new features that were requested. We are still making a few updates that should be complete in late July.

We are updating this documentation to reflect the changes, please check back for updates.

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The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a radio-based system used by ships and vessel traffic services to track the location of ships. Its primary purpose is collision avoidance. AIS uses digital radio signals transmitted over VHF maritime channels 87B (161.975 MHz) and 88B (162.025 MHz) to broadcast information about a ship including its name, position, speed, course, dimensions, destination, and status. The use of AIS is mandated for international ships over 300 gross tons under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). US and Canadian laws require its eventual use on the Great Lakes for ships over a certain tonnage. Some vessels, such as ferries operating on a constant route, are exempted.

Anyone with a marine radio that can monitor channels 87B or 88B can pick up AIS transmissions. However they are digital signals that must be decoded for a human to understand them. Inexpensive software packages are available to do this decoding, as well as more advanced navigation devices. While AIS can provide a simple text output, it is typically combined with some sort of electronic mapping or charting program. This page uses base maps provided by Google Maps with data pulled from a custom database. As radio signals, AIS transmissions have a limited range. This site extends the coverage range by linking multiple radio receivers through the Internet and combining all received AIS information onto one map.

The data shown on these maps is a few minutes up to an hour old depending on the station and delay in updates. AIS requires speed, position and course information to be broadcast every 2 to 10 seconds while underway and every 3 minutes while docked. Other information, such as ship size and destination, is to be broadcast every 6 minutes. This site itself refreshes every 10 minutes, so information could be perhaps 15 minutes or older at times.

Each ship is shown by an icon. The pointed end of the icon shows the rough direction of travel. There is a "tail" behind the ship showing its course over the past 10 minutes. The ships name is shown next to the icon.

By double clicking on the icon (not on the name box), a supplementary box shows up listing the: ship name, MMSI, ship type, latitude and longitude, speed, course, heading dimensions and status. Note that all this information is supplied by the vessel or personnel on board. We cannot correct spelling errors or incorrect data coming from a ship's transmitter.

• MMSI is the ships Maritime Mobile Service Identity, a nine digit unique identifier.
• Latitude and Longitude are shown in decimal degrees.
• Speed is over ground speed in knots
• Course is the actual direction being traveled at the last reporting time.
• Heading is the intended direction of travel.

If you would like to host a receiver please e-mail , all that is needed is a location near the water with an always -on Internet connection (like cable or DSL) where we can place an antenna and small receiver box. There is no cost for the equipment that we will maintain, the box uses minimal bandwidth and does not open any security holes. If you are using an AIS plotting software you can upload directly to our database via TCP/IP or UDP/IP upload, please e-mail for instructions.

No. Vessels under a certain size do not have to have AIS transmitters. Not all ferries who travel a constant route, regardless of size carry a transmitter.

Vessels that are laid up or are inactive do not always transmit an AIS signal. In addition, AIS transmissions, like all radio signals, have a variable range depending on transmission power and atmospheric condition. Finally, the current coverage is limited due to the current number of active receivers. Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online's volunteer staff is working diligently to provide the best coverage possible within the constraints of its limited non-profit budget.

The Map Tiles used as a base map for this page do not show water depths, aids to navigation, or any of the other features that set navigation charts apart from maps. While it should be obvious, it must be stated: Do not use these maps for navigation purposes. Not only are they not charts, they are not always completely up to date maps or images and will show land where there is actual a channel. For the most accurate view change the map type to satellite. We are working on a version that will display nautical charts.

When viewing the satellite or map view and a small scale (zoomed out), the icon or name label of one ship will often block the view of another icon or name label. Simply zoom in on that location using the zoom slider and position keys on the left side of the screen. At larger scales the labels won't overlap unless the ships are right next to each other. If that is the case, double click on the ship icons to get more detail, including the ships name.

Dimensions are entered by the vessel in meters, our system converts these to feet. If the dimensions were not entered correctly by the vessel it will not convert correctly.

Vessel type (freighter, tug, passenger, etc.) are enter by the vessel when they configure the AIS system, if they entered the wrong information it will dispaly incorrectly. We are updating the system so we can manually define the type for better sorting.

When using either the satellite or map view at a large scale (zoomed in), the ship icon will appear to be on land. The maps, the satellite photos have a certain range or degree of accuracy. The accuracy of a graphical AIS display can only be as good as the combined accuracy of its mapping and equipment components. So docked ships sometimes appear to be on dry land next to the dock instead of in the water. If a ship shows up miles from the nearest lake, it is likely a problem with its AIS transmitter or the electronic navigation system it might be linked to.

When using the satellite view, photos of actual ships appear in certain locations. These are ships that were there when the photo was taken, which may have been several years ago. Do not confuse these photographed ships with the AIS location icons.

Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online, the non-profit support organization for the Boatnerd website, has committed a substantial portion of its operating budget to develop this online system. The vast majority of the labor involved was provided by volunteers, but there are substantial equipment and operating costs. Please consider purchasing raffle tickets as a way to support this free service or hosting a receiver. http://www.boatnerd.com/trips/bn/

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10 Best Great Lakes Ship Tracker Tools

The Great Lakes is an interconnected system of five freshwater lakes that lie on the border between the U.S. and Canada. Not only do these lakes sustain a rare and majestic ecosystem, but they are also a bustling hub of maritime activity.

The Great Lakes Region boasts a rich history of maritime commerce, industry and recreational boating. Lake Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario accommodate several vessels like freighters, tankers, passenger vessels and small cargo ships.

The Great Lakes are crucial arteries linking major industrial centres like Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago etc. Usually, bulk cargo like iron ore, coal, grain and stone are transported.

Per reports, over 100 ships ply on the waters of the Great Lakes simultaneously at any given time. Hence, there is a need for efficient great lakes ship tracking tools.

Given the importance of great lakes shipping for the region, monitoring ship positions, routes, arrivals etc., provides valuable information to the shipping agents, companies and authorities, allowing them to optimise their operations and ensure timely cargo deliveries.

Ship tracking tools also enhance safety and security so authorities can take action in case of emergencies. Also, ship enthusiasts or tourists can use great lakes ship tracking tools to witness the vibrant maritime landscape in real-time.

This article will explore some of the best great lakes ship tracker tools. These offer a wealth of information about the Great Lakes Shipping.

1. Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online (www.boatnerd.com)

Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online has a ship tracking feature to track vessels in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

The website has two options on the homepage. You can either click on ‘Vessel Passage’ and then, from the drop-down menu you can, choose the desired port. Once chosen, you can see all the vessels at the port. In the Vessel Passage section, you will see a list of ships currently underway or expected to arrive at various ports.

To track a vessel in real-time, the website has AIS-derived maps showing current vessel locations throughout the Great Lakes. Each ship is indicated by an icon, and the pointed end of this icon displays the direction that the ship is travelling.

The vessel’s name appears next to the icon. Once you double-click the icon, another box containing information like the ship’s MMSI, ship type, latitude and longitude, speed, course, heading dimensions and status appears.

You can look at many ships by clicking on different icons on the map. You can also search for a specific ship using its name, fleet code, or unique identification number. You will also find other information on the website, like historical data, news articles, photos, etc.

2. Marine Vessel Traffic

This website has many options, and one can choose to track vessels in lakes, canals, oceans, seas, fjords, sounds, lagoons etc. It also has a live map tracking option from where you can select freighters, tankers, container ships etc.

You can select the name of the company whose vessels you want to track or even search for a particular ship manually by typing its name or IMO or MMSI number.

You can also click on the ports option and select any cruise port or shipyard to get information about the ships at that port or those about to arrive shortly.

It also has a cool option named ‘Wartime Maps’, where you can see all the navy ships, patrol vessels, frigates, aircraft carriers, cruisers etc. and track them in real-time.

3. Ship Traffic

Shiptraffic.net is a maritime website that monitors ship traffic in 14 geo regions, including lakes, straits, canals, reefs etc.

Current vessel positions can be seen on the live ship tracking map, which is of AIS type, having a refresh rate of 60 seconds.

The dual map function allows users to compare and get information about ship traffic in a particular place side by side.

Hence, one can observe maritime distress situations, naval exercises, sinking of vessels, and salvage of crew members. Related to every geographical location, there is an option to view related photos and videos that direct you to google images and youtube.

To track great lakes freighters, click the Regions tab and select ‘lakes’ from the drop-down menu.

All the major lakes will be displayed. For instance, if you click on Lake Ontario, you can see the different cargo ships, freighters, tankers, container ships etc., marked by different colour icons, plying the lake’s waters.

4. VesselFinder

VesselFinder enables live ship tracking and has a comprehensive database of vessels, including the ones plying in the Great Lakes. It has a live AIS Map where one can find all the details about specific vessels, including their photos. One can track vessel positions, port calls, vessel particulars, expected arrivals, vessels in a specific area and so on.

The website also publishes maritime news, including pictures of ships. One can search for the same by simply typing the name of the ship or even the name of the photographer in the search bar.

One can click on the ports option and view all the ships docked at the port, along with all the details about the port, its arrivals and departures.

5. Marine Traffic

The Marine Traffic website allows you to track any vessel in real-time. You can go on the Live Map tab and explore the current maritime traffic in a particular region, know about the type of ships in the waters of that area and so on.

You can also type your query in the search bar and look for ports, regions, company fleets, etc. It also shows you a list of the most tracked vessels on the website, along with where they are located, their position, speed of travel, their physical dimensions etc.

You can type ‘great lakes’ or type the name of a particular lake to look for the vessels plying there.

It also shows a list of lighthouses and stations, and one can upload photos of their ship and even update their location on the website by going to the ‘Community’ tab.

6. Shiplocation

Ship Location is a great website for monitoring maritime traffic in the Great Lakes region. The website has a simple and user-friendly interface that makes navigating easy for users.

To track ships, click the ‘Tools’ tab and select ‘Lakes’. Then you will see a page with the names of different lakes. Select any lake, e.g., Lake Huron. After clicking, a map of the lake and the nearby regions will appear, showing all the ships in the lake. You can also look at ships docked in the nearby ports too.

Another map shows the ship traffic density in the lake.

You can also find a Shipyard or Ship Supplier, locate Ships by Geo Coordinates or even search by IMO & MMSI number.

You can track Container Shipments and stay informed about Container Ships’ Schedules. The tools section has a sea distance calculator, maritime locator, and the option of tracking by geo coordinates.

Hence, you can also calculate Sea distances between any two ports and find the shortest route, calculate ocean depths, wind speed, tides, wave height, lighthouse range and positions, and maritime weather using their Nautical Map.

You can track your favourite Cruise Ports, download Google Earth Trackers, inspect piracy incidents maps, and check daily Baltic Dry Index values and Bunker Prices.

7. Kencam.Net

This is a great place for those who enjoy looking at Great Lake Freighters from close. It shows live-streaming videos from 4 webcams located on St Mary’s River, between Port Huron and Algonac, and also Soo Locks and the entrance to Duluth Harbour.

It has several links; for instance, the Ship Locator Link shows a Marine Traffic Map with icons representing vessels in the area. By zooming, you can see and get information about a specific ship, its name, speed, course, photos etc.

The webcam links are labelled Port Huron North, close to Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron South, a bit south of the bridge; and Marine City and Algonac, towards Lake St. Clair. There is a link to the Soo, two to Duluth and another to Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Detroit’s Belle Isle.

8. Lakesuperior. news

This website offers much more information than just tracking vessels. It mentions exciting facts and figures about the Great Lakes, tweets about the Great Lakes, and news about the region.

It has links to youtube videos about famous ships that sank in the Great Lakes. The map is provided by another website called MarineTraffic, where one can directly track great lake freighters or any type of vessel anywhere in the world.

9. Infosuperior

This website has a map that displays commercial ship movements on Lake Superior. You can click on an icon to get more information about the vessel. Click on the ship, and a photo of the ship will appear. One can zoom in and out to find vessels in a specific location, such as Duluth or Thunder Bay Harbour.

The website is part of the InfoSuperior Research and Information Network, which marks the digital presence of the Remedial Action Plans program in Northern Ontario. It undertakes large-scale environmental restoration and protection projects through community engagement. They have spent 30 years restoring the health of Lake Superior.

Another exciting feature on the website is that it has Lake Research Data under the Tools section. It also has the option to track marine weather and also listen to podcasts related to Lake Superior.

10. Chuck Scott- N8DNX ( https://www.n8dnx.org/live-ship-tracking/)

This webpage provides live tracking of ships on Northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The live map is provided by MarineTraffic.com. The map can be dragged to view any area of the world and locate ships.

You can click on ship icons for more information and vessel pictures. You can right-click on these icons to make waypoints to measure distance. Similarly, Right-click again to clear tracks and waypoints.

You might also like to read- 

• T op 15 Ship Tracking Websites To Find Your Ship Accurately
• 5 Websites To Track Cruise Ships
• 36 Websites to Find Merchant Navy Jobs Online
• 10 More Free Smartphone Apps Seafarers Must Have

About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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LAKE MICHIGAN SHIP TRAFFIC LIVE MAP

Live marine traffic, density map and current position of ships in lake michigan.

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FIVE GREAT LAKES

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Cruise the Great Lakes on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to experience the unparalleled majesty of the Great Lakes with luxury small-ship cruises complete with personalized service, world-class dining, dynamic activities, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Choose from dozens of itineraries as you explore iconic destinations along the Great Lakes. From the rich history of Mackinac Island and French Canadian villages to the breathtaking shoreline of Lake Superior and the cultural epicenters of iconic cities such as Detroit and Chicago, you can create memories to last a lifetime.

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These ships offer intimate experiences combined with crewmembers who anticipate your every want and need. It’s everything you desire on a larger cruise ship, minus everything you wish you could cast away. Adventure is on the itinerary. We invite you aboard one of our participating cruise lines.

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Great lakes cruise benefits, enjoy a more intimate cruising experience, visit multiple u.s. and canadian ports, experience excursions rich with culture and history, traverse along a safe and secure border, featured ports.

Experience unique ports of call in the surrounding states and provinces as you cruise through the magnificent Great Lakes. Discover hard-to-reach destinations, thriving cities, and breathtaking landscapes.

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America’s Great Lakes are a little-known, unspoiled wonderland, boasting diverse natural beauty, scenic wildlife and some of the most interesting cities in North America. Over 750 miles across with 10,000 miles of coastline, the Great Lakes cover an area twice as large as Pennsylvania. Glide silently by kayak past otters in Georgian Bay, hear the roar of Niagara Falls, hike through verdant old forests or visit Canada’s prominent museums to marvel at art inspired by these shores. Here are some highlights you may experience during your journey:

• Explore the largest freshwater ecosystem on earth—the Great Lakes
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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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Look inside huge, luxurious Viking Polaris, Octantis cruise ships

• Updated: Jun. 06, 2024, 1:04 p.m. |
• Published: Jun. 06, 2024, 12:47 p.m.

• Justine Lofton | [email protected]

These huge Great Lakes cruise ships have been traversing the Great Lakes for three years - and they’re still a sight to see.

The Viking Octantis debuted on the freshwater seas in 2022. The vessel was joined by its identical sister, the Viking Polaris, in 2023. The cruise line is now in its third season of Great Lakes itineraries.

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• American Queen Voyages

Ocean Navigator

Former names: ms victory ii, sea discoverer, cape cod light.

Cruise line Victory Cruise Lines (American Queen Voyages)

Ocean Navigator current position

Ocean Navigator current location is at US East Coast (coordinates 43.64055 N / -70.26629 W) cruising en route to Portland ME. The AIS position was reported 1 hour ago.

Specifications of Ocean Navigator

•   Review
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Ocean Navigator Review

Review of ocean navigator.

The 2004-built Ocean Navigator cruise ship (fka "MS Victory II") was launched as "Cape Cod Light" and previously operated also under the name "Sea Discoverer". In 2017, the boat was acquired and upgraded by VCL-Victory Cruise Lines ( AQSC ) and scheduled to enter service/start operations for VCL in early summer 2018.

After resuming service in 2022 (following the 2-year hiatus due to the Coronavirus crisis) the boat was renamed from "Victory 2" to "Ocean Navigator".

From the same series (sistership) is the fleetmate Ocean Voyager (formerly Victory 1, Cape May Light, Sea Voyager, Saint Laurent). Both ships resemble the traditional US coastal steamboats of the late 19th century. They both started operations with itineraries on the Great Lakes , Canadian Maritime, East Coast USA and Southern USA.

The vessel (IMO number 9213131) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311050300) and registered in Nassau .

Later in 2024, the ship will be renamed "Victory II" and reflagged to the USA.

History - construction and ownership

The 220-passenger ship Ocean Navigator was launched in 2004 (as "Cape Cod Light") by Atlantic Marine (shipyard Jacksonville Florida /now BAE Systems Southeast Florida). The vessel was originally built for Great Lakes Cruises (USA company) and designated for expedition voyages with itineraries in Central and South America.

The cruise ship was acquired in July 2017 from Clipper Group (Bahamas-based international company specializing in dry-bulk shipping). The vessel's current owner is the Copenhagen -based Albatros Travel company specializing in polar expedition cruises and tours. The company Cruise Management International Inc provides the ship's deck and engine management, while the sister-company CMI Leisure Management Inc handles the onboard hotel operations.

In November 2018, American Queen Voyages (fka AQSC) signed an agreement to purchase the brand "Victory Cruise Line", as well as its chartered (from Sunstone Ships) vessels. Victory Cruise Line had a separate fleet and management and operated as a subsidiary company of AQSC.

Following the bankruptcy of Hornblower Group in 2024 (February), American Queen Voyages was placed for sale. Hornblower was sold to Strategic Value Partners and announced reorganization plans, focusing on its other subsidiaries. In April 2024, both AQV's coastal ships (Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager) were auctioned and sold for a total of US$1,901,000 (or US$950,500 per vessel) to John Waggoner (AQSC's  Founder). The back up bidder (US$1,801 million) was Ship Management Group LLC. In May, the new shipowner announced that following a drydock refurbishment period, both boats would be chartered to/start services for the restored Victory Cruise Lines. Under their previous names - Victory I (Ocean Voyager) and Victory II (Ocean Navigator)- both would be deployed on the Great Lakes.

Decks and Cabins

Ocean Navigator features a beautifully appointed interior with only 110 staterooms . Its stylish staterooms offer high thread-count bedding, premium mattresses, pillow menus and L'Occitane bath amenities. Passengers enjoy free WiFi Internet access and 24-hour room service, as well as nightly turndown service. The stateroom entertainment systems feature LCD-TVs with satellite programming and radio/alarm clocks with iPod Docking Station. Outside staterooms include armoires and picture windows for panoramic views.

The boat has 5 passenger decks , of which 4 are with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Ocean Navigator ship's dining options include the Shearwater Dining Room, Tavern and Outdoor Grill. Guests can enjoy fine a la carte dining in the main restaurant or the outdoor Cliff Rock Grill & Bar. they can treat themselves to fresh "hot rock" cooking at Cliff Rock, savor regionally inspired cuisine and western classics at Shearwater Dining Room, indulge in delightful afternoon tea service, complete with cakes and cookies, mingle with old and new friends in ship's English-style Seascape Tavern.

The boat has an Observation Lounge, Sun Deck, Terrace and Boutique. Expertly led shore excursions are included. Listen & Learn Aboard program is hosted by experts in culture, history and natural wonders of the places visited.

Itineraries

Ocean Navigator's/MV Victory 2's itinerary program started with the "Inaugural Cruise" from Detroit Michigan on July 27, 2018. The ship's cruise calendar has regularly scheduled 7-night Canada and New England cruises between Massachusetts USA (departures from Boston and Gloucester ) and Nova Scotia Canada ( Halifax ). Other itineraries include St Lawrence Seaway , Lake Michigan and the Canadian Maritimes, plus the company's first cruises on Lake Superior (bordering Ontario Canada and Minnesota USA).

The ship's itineraries are themed "New England Splendour" (between Halifax NS and Boston MS), "St Lawrence Seaway and French Canadian Maritimes" (between Halifax NS and Detroit MI ) and "Western Lake Superior" ((Wisconsin and Michigan, between Milwaukee WI , Thunder Bay MI and Detroit MI).

After summer 2018 season, the boat started Victory Cruise Line's new Mexico cruise itinerary program with roundtrips from homeport Miami.

• For 2019, Victory Cruise Lines planned an inaugural 9-night Yucatan Mexico cruise itinerary leaving roundtrip from Miami Florida . The voyage visits 3 of the most popular Mayan ruin sites in the Mexican states Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo.
• During company's Inaugural Mexican season (January through May 2019), the offered travel packages include all-inclusive 3-day pre- and post-cruise hotel stay in Campeche or 12-day all-inclusive "land and cruise" package.
• Passengers booking by May 31 (2018) received USD 1,000 pp discount. "Grand Mayan Experience" itinerary was scheduled for departure from PortMiami on January 4, 2019.
• The inaugural "Grand Mayan Experience" season 2019 (Florida to Mexico) was divided into 2 parts - January-May, and November 2019 through May 2020.

For season 2019 (May through October), Victory Cruise Line scheduled 10-day Great Lakes cruises operated with all-inclusive deals. Victory 2 ship was homeported in Montreal and Detroit , with route ports Quebec City , Kingston, Toronto (crossing Welland Canal between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie), Port Colborne / Port Weller (gateways to Niagara Falls) and Cleveland . This "French Canada and Great Lakes" itinerary on MS Victory 2 in 2019 was offered on (departures) May 28, June 6, July 12-21-30, August 8-17-26, October 10. Unique was the scenic cruising on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, St Lawrence River, Thousand Islands archipelago (Canada-USA border). Prices started at USD 6390 per person (double occupancy fares).

For season 2021 (November through December), for the Victory 2 ship was scheduled a new 11-day itinerary themed "Yucatan's Mayan Cruise Tour" roundtrip from Cancun (Cozumel, Mexico) . Land trips are led by bilingual tour guides and on premium motorcoaches transporting tourists to the Mayan city Chichen Itza.

The Yucatan's Mayan Cruise Tour includes an optional flight to Cancun (overnight hotel stay), excursion to Tulum and embarkation in Cozumel (Day 2), Costa Maya (Day 3), Gulf of Mexico cruising (Day 4), Progreso (Day 5), Campeche (Days 6-7 / overnight), Gulf of Mexico cruising (Day 8), Progreso/Valladolid (Day 9), Valladolid/Cancun (Days 10-11 / overnight hotel stay). First departure was planned for Nov 17th (2021). Prices started from USD 3300 pp (with double occupancy).

Ocean Navigator's "maiden season" (inaugural cruise under the new ship name) was scheduled to start on April 10, 2022. The program was based on Great Lakes itineraries.

In 2023, AQV's Ocean Navigator introduced the 9-day "Immersive Yucatan Exploration Cruise Tour" (from Cozumel to Cancun/first departure Feb 3rd). The voyage included an overnight hotel in Cozumel (included ferry travel to Playa del Carmen and bus travel to Tulum Mayan Site and back to Cozumel), departure from Cozumel (Day 2), an overnight port stay in Campeche (Days 4-5), an overnight port stay in Progreso (Days 6-7, including bus travel to Merida and back to Progreso), followed bus travel/tours to Valladolid and Chichen Itza (Days 8-9), and the cruisetour ended in Cancun. Prices started from USD 3800 pp (with double occupancy).

Victory Cruise Lines deals

Follows the list of onboard amenities and services offered complimentary to all passengers (cruise price inclusive) regardless of cabin grades:

• accommodation: sleeping area (2 twin beds or 1 queen bed / excepting Owners Suites and Category E (with 1 fixed queen bed, 100% Egyptian cotton bedding sets, premium mattresses), en-suite bathroom (robes, slippers, make-up mirror, hairdryer), electronic safe (in the closet), individual climate control, flat LCD TV (satellite programming), direct dial phone (outside line), radio (alarm, docking station)
• daily housekeeping, nightly turndown service
• daily tour (1 excursion in each cruise port)
• complimentary drinks (coffee, tea, bottled water, soft drinks, house brand beers and wine by the glass with all lunches and dinners)
• all onboard meals
• brunch time Consume and Afternoon Tea service

Victory Cruise Line/AQV fares were inclusive of all daily-scheduled tours (excursions ashore), including full-day Niagara Falls and  Mackinac Island (Lake Huron) . Deals were also inclusive of alcohol (beer and wine) at lunch and dinner.

Not included in the cruise deals are:

• flights (domestic or international airfare to and from the port destination)
• Other beverages (not mentioned above)
• gratuities (onboard and onshore excursions), port charges, cruise insurance.

Victory Cruise Line's closest competitor (in both USA and Cuba) is Pearl Seas Cruises.

Ocean Navigator - user reviews and comments

Photos of ocean navigator.

Ocean Navigator ship related cruise news

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Other Victory Cruise Lines cruise ships

• Ocean Voyager

Ocean Navigator Wiki

Due to extended drydock refurbishment in Europe, boat's Maiden Voyage (pre-scheduled for May 20 from Boston MA) was re-scheduled for July 27 leaving from Montreal (Quebec Canada) . The 9-night "Great Lakes Cruise" includes overnights in Montreal, Quebec City, St Lawrence Seaway, Thousand Islands, Toronto , Kingston, Niagara Falls, Cleveland. The inaugural cruise ended in Detroit MI on August 5. Cruise-only fares started from GBP 3,320 pp. Ship's 2018 summer program had scheduled voyages between Detroit-Halifax and along Atlantic Canada-New England.

In mid-November 2018, the shipowner AQSC (now American Queen Voyages) announced an agreement to acquire the brand "Victory Cruise Line", that includes purchasing its two chartered (Sunstone Ships-owned) vessels Victory I (2001-built/now Ocean Voyager) and Victory II (2004-built). To AQSC fleet was also added the newbuild Ocean Victory (2021) - Sunstone-owned vessel operated under a charter. All the 3 ships stay in a separate fleet - under the "Victory Cruise Line" brand. Transaction terms (and price) were not disclosed. The acquisition deal was closed in mid-January 2019.

Viking Starts Third Great Lakes Season

• May 31, 2024

Viking is celebrating the start of its third season in the Great Lakes, with the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris deployed in the region.

The season features itineraries that operate between Toronto and Duluth and explore all five Great Lakes until early October when both ships return to Antarctica.

Additionally, two new itineraries in the Great Lakes for 2026 are now open for booking. The 10-day Great Lakes Treasures voyage sails roundtrip from Milwaukee, with new ports of call for Viking, including Chicago, Canada’s Fathom Five National Marine Park and Benjamin Islands. The 17-day Niagara and Great Lakes Treasures voyage sails between Toronto and Milwaukee, with visits to Niagara Falls, Canada’s Point Pelee National Park and a transit of the Welland Canal.

“The Great Lakes region is a phenomenal place that is close to home for many of our guests, but one that few have yet to fully discover. With more than 10,000 miles of coastline, world-class cities and remote wilderness areas, it is truly a destination that is best explored by ship,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman and CEO of Viking. “We would like to thank our local partners for the warm welcome once again, and we look forward to introducing more curious travelers to the Great Lakes this season and in future years.”

Highlighted 2024-2026 Great Lakes season:

• Great Lakes Treasures voyage (10 days; roundtrip Milwaukee)
• Niagara and Great Lakes Treasures (17 days; between Toronto – Milwaukee)
• Great Lakes Collection (15 days; between Toronto – Duluth)
• Niagara and the Great Lakes (eight days; between Toronto – Milwaukee)
• Undiscovered Great Lakes (eight days; Thunder Bay – Milwaukee
• Canada and East Coast Explorer (15 days; between Toronto – Fort Lauderdale)

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