Monday, April 1, 2024

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

great lake cruise

Northwest Ontario's largest city, Thunder Bay is a vibrant community surrounded by natural wonders, including thousands of square miles of Canadian wilderness and over 150,000 lakes and rivers. Immerse yourself in the heart of Duluth's maritime history with our captivating lakefront exploration. Your adventure begins with a walk towards the awe-inspiring Aerial Lift Bridge, an engineering marvel that has stood as a proud sentinel over Duluth's harbor for over a century. Witness the blend of innovation and history as you learn about its transformation from the first transporter bridge in the U.S. in 1905 to the magnificent vertical lift bridge you see today. This path leads to the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, with a wealth of information regarding life on the Great Lakes. Delve into the rich tapestry of maritime lore, where tales of ships and sailors come to life.

Viking Great Lakes Explorer

Discover hard-to-reach destinations, thriving cities, and breathtaking landscapes. Longer cruises on the Great Lakes trace a similar route from Chicago, adding stops at Cleveland, Ohio and Buffalo, NY, both on Lake Erie. A stop is made at the Lake Ontario port of Rochester, NY, before entering the Erie Canal, passing through New York Harbor and ending in Warren, RI. In the end, the most important decisions are which ports you want to visit and for how long you wish to cruise the Great Lakes on a ship.

Three Rivers: Danube, Main & Rhine

Visit Detroit, commonly known as The Motor City, though equally famous as the birthplace of Motown Records. Explore the Killbear Provincial Park in Parry Sound, where a local naturalist will educate you on the unique ecology of the Georgian Bay. Take Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride in Mackinac Island, past the famous Grand Hotel, and tour the homes of wealthy lumber barons in Muskegon. End your journey in Milwaukee with a visit to the legendary spots that make this city famous, including the Harley-Davidson Museum. On this comprehensive 15-night St. Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes cruise, explore the breathtaking landscapes, historic harbors, and cosmopolitan cities that make this region incredible.

Cuba: A Cultural Odyssey

The accompanying two-story museum shares the experiences of local heroes who served in World War II. Next visit the SS Milwaukee Clipper, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and designated a National Historic Landmark. Known as the “Queen of the Great Lakes,” the SS Milwaukee Clipper was a 361 foot passenger and package freight steamer that was commissioned in 1904 for service on the Great Lakes. Built seven years prior to the RMS Titanic, the ship was recognized as the epitome of first class travel on the Great Lakes. After many years of service, the ship’s original wooden superstructure was replaced with an all steel, streamlined superstructure.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Stop at the Muskegon Heritage Museum where you will learn about the economic, industrial, and social history of the region. View products made in Muskegon including the original Raggedy Ann dolls, a functioning Brunswick Bowling Lane pin setter, and more! Next, visit the LST 393 Veterans Museum and step aboard the LST, one of two LSTs remaining out of 1051 built during WWII. Explore the historic warship and view thousands of artifacts that serve as a museum and memorial. Our exclusive category R staterooms are over 450 square feet and are located in the premier sections of the ship offering an enhanced cruising experience. Each well-appointed room comes with sliding glass doors which lead out to a furnished balcony.

great lake cruise

Canada's Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls

With winters being cold and snowy in the region, cruise lines stick to the warmer months of May to September for Great Lakes sailings. With Pearl Seas Cruises, every moment of your Great Lakes voyages are carefully curated to ensure an unforgettable experience. Discover the wonders of the Great Lakes region in ultimate comfort and style, and create memories to last a lifetime. We suggest that prior to departure you check a newspaper or the weather forecast on the Internet for up-to-date information.

Stroll along the Midland Harbor, a picturesque destination featuring a large statue of the trumpeter swan, considered the symbol of Midland. For bird lovers, the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is a habitat for Trumpeter Swans, Black Terns, and Least Bitterns. Led by experienced and friendly guides, paddle along the calm and serene waters of Georgian Bay, taking in the picturesque scenery around you. From rugged rock formations to peaceful coves, explore the natural beauty of the area at a leisurely pace, perfect for beginners or those who have never kayaked before.

Great Lakes Cruising: Variety of Attractions - Cruise Industry News

Great Lakes Cruising: Variety of Attractions.

Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Visit the renowned Detroit Institute of Arts, a remarkable museum located in the heart of Midtown with more than 65,000 works. For some exercise, take a walk along The Dequindre Cut Greenway, a two-mile urban recreational path that offers a pedestrian link between the East Riverfront and historic neighborhoods. Our Category SGB staterooms are designed specifically with our single travelers in mind. At over 200 square feet, these staterooms have interior entrances, large opening windows, and private balconies offering panoramic views. With exhilarating speeds of up to 38mph, cruise Midland Harbor and the 30,000 Islands region aboard the Tobermory Flash, an all-aluminum, open-air speedboat. Along the way, the captain's live commentary will include points of interest, historic facts, and fascinating legends about the region.

Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island

The island is home to the palatial Grand Hotel, which lays claim to the longest porch in the world. Since 1887, the Grand has hosted many presidents, as well as the likes of Mark Twain and Thomas Edison (who first demonstrated his phonograph on the hotel's iconic porch). Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

With spacious, comfortable forward-facing seating, this speedboat allows you to take in all the scenic highlights, including excellent views of Beausoleil Island, Bone Island, Honey Harbor, and more. Located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron, Parry Sound is a picturesque port town with charming cottages and spectacular views. As you cruise the Georgian Bay, enjoy its serene beauty from the ships’ sun deck where you can admire views of Flowerpot Rocks, windswept pines, rugged coast, and clear blue waters. Embark on an awe-inspiring half-day kayaking through the picturesque waters of Baawaating (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario). Navigate the serene St. Mary's River towards the scenic Bellevue Park, marveling at the captivating landscapes that unfold before you. Our seasoned guides, well-versed in indigenous culture, will accompany you on this enriching expedition, imparting their wisdom about the local ecosystem, traditions, and history.

Board your motorcoach and journey to the historic Union Depot, now home to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Your guide will set the stage, by first sharing the industrial significance of the area in route to the depot. Upon arrival at the depot, don’t miss the Iron Range No. 227, a “Yellowstone”-style locomotive that was one of the biggest steam engines ever built. After exploring the depot, board your vintage train car for a trip on the North Shore Scenic Railroad, a heritage railroad that runs through Duluth and will take you along the shore of Lake Superior. As you ride, enjoy narration, including the history of Duluth, its harbor, and the importance of the railroads to the development of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Explore an actual Great Lakes Freighter at The Museum Ship Valley Camp, which houses a 20,000 square foot museum with over 100 exhibits inside her massive cargo.

After breakfast on board, begin your journey home, reflecting upon the incredible experiences you’ve had and the wonderful new friends made. Stop at the Motown Museum in Hitsville, U.S.A., where the world’s biggest independent record company was born. It was in this very house that Berry Gordy produced an assembly line of hit songs from legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and many more.

The blend of the native Ojibwa with the French and English settlers resulted in the rich and diverse culture of this incredible destination. Detroit is commonly known as The Motor City, as Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler have been producing cars there for more than a century. Though, it’s equally famous as the birthplace of Motown Records, and for its many beloved sports teams. Enjoy a breathtaking aerial adventure which departs from our floatplane base in Parry Sound Harbor and follows Georgian Bay’s rugged coastline.

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