GREAT LAKES CRUISES
  • Cruise the Great Lakes
    • Lake Erie Cruises
    • Lake Huron Cruises
    • Lake Michigan Cruises
    • Lake Superior Cruises
    • Lake Ontario Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises
    • New England Cruises
    • Great Lakes Attractions
  • Great Lakes Cruise Lines
    • Victory Cruise Lines
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Ponant Explorers Cruises
    • Viking Expedition Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
    • Tauck Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
    • Other Lines >
      • Seabourn Cruises
      • Silversea Cruises
      • Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries >
      • Pearl Seas Itineraries >
        • Pearl Seas 16 Day - Great Lakes and St. Lawerence Seaway Cruise (2025 - 2026)
        • Pearl Seas 15 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2025 - 2026)
        • Pearl Seas 12 Day - Great Lakes & Georgian Bay (2025 - 2026)
        • Pearl Seas 8 Day - Great Lakes Cruise (2025 - 2026)
      • Ponant Itineraries >
        • Ponant 11 Day - Lake Superior - A Life Size Expedition
        • Ponant 10 Day - Heart of the American Great Lakes (2025-2026)
        • Ponant 8 Day - Voyage Along the Great Lakes with Smithsonian Journeys (2025-2026)
      • Victory Cruise Lines
      • Viking Itineraries >
        • Viking 15 Day - Great Lakes Collection Cruise (2025-2026)
        • Viking 8 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2025-2026)
        • Viking 8 Day - Niagara & the Great Lakes Cruise (2025-2026)
        • Viking 8 Day - Undiscovered Great Lakes Cruise (2025-2026)
  • Engage an Expert
  • Great Lakes Cruise Ships
    • Pearl Seas | Pearl Mist
    • Ponant | Explorers Cruise Ships
    • Victory | Victory I and Victory II
    • Viking | Expedition Cruise Ships
  • Destinations
    • Illinois Cruises >
      • Chicago IL Cruises
    • Maine Cruises >
      • Bar Harbor Maine Cruises
      • Portland ME Cruises
    • Canadian Maritime Cruises >
      • Charlottetown PEI Cruises
      • Halifax Nova Scotia Cruises
    • Massachusetts Cruises >
      • Boston MA Cruises
    • Michigan Cruises >
      • Detroit MI Cruises
      • Holland MI Cruises
      • Houghton MI Cruises
      • Mackinac Island MI Cruises
      • Marquette MI Cruises
      • Muskegon MI Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie MI Cruises
    • Minnesota Cruises >
      • Duluth MN Cruises
    • New York Cruises >
      • Alexandria Bay NY Cruises
      • Amsterdam NY Cruises
      • Buffalo NY Cruises
      • Clayton NY Cruises
      • Kingston NY Cruises
      • Niagara Falls NY Cruises
      • Oswego NY Cruises
      • Sylvan Beach NY Cruises
    • Ohio Cruises >
      • Cleveland OH Cruises
    • Ontario Cruises >
      • Little Current ON Cruises
      • Midland, ON Cruises
      • Niagara Falls ON Cruises
      • Niagara on the Lake ON Cruises
      • Parry Sound ON Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie ON Cruises
      • Thunder Bay ON Cruises
      • Toronto ON Cruises
    • Quebec Cruises >
      • Gaspé QC Cruises
      • Montreal QC Cruises
      • Quebec City QC Cruises
      • Tadoussac, Quebec
    • Thousand Island Cruises
    • Wisconsin Cruises >
      • Apostle Islands WI Cruises
      • Green Bay WI Cruises
      • Milwaukee WI Cruises
      • Sturgeon Bay WI Cruises
    • Great Lakes Highlights >
      • Great Lakes Lighthouses
      • Great Lakes Locks and Canals
      • Majestic Skylines
      • Natural Wonders
      • Native American Cultures of the Great Lakes Region
      • Great Lakes Sporting Arms
      • Great Lakes Cruising Coalition
      • Great Lakes Gardeners
      • Great Lakes Trolling Flies
      • Great Lakes Video
  • Great Lakes Cruises Library
    • Great Lakes Literary History
    • Great Lakes Book
  • Great Lakes Cruise News
  • Contact

GREAT LAKES CRUISES

Cruise the Great Lakes

Let our Great Lakes Cruises experts assist you in selecting the perfect voyage to match your travel preferences. We work with all of the cruise lines serving the region, both big and small, and guide you on the trade-offs between the various itineraries, ships and destinations.

Space for the 2025 Great Lakes cruises and 2026 Great Lakes cruises are currently booking fast and there will not be much availability left if you delay. Our experts are here to help!
Due to extraordinary demand, most cruise lines' call centers are completely overwhelmed. Instead, call us directly at +1-888-756-9008. Using our extensive network of cruise lines, we will sort out all the details of your Great Lakes cruise and get you on the best cruise possible - all for no extra cost to you!
CALL US AT +1 888-756-9008
ENGAGE OUR CRUISE EXPERTS

Countless Ways to Enjoy a Great Lake Cruise

There are many cruise lines on the Great Lakes, each with their own shore excursions, inclusions, and unique features. Choosing a cruise and booking it can quickly feel like a full-time job. Because of this taxing and often daunting task, we've made it our mission to help you navigate it all.
Combined, our team has multiple decades of experience in the Great Lakes and North American cruise industry. We do all the hard work of learning the cruise lines, getting to know the ships, and keeping track of each and every Great Lakes cruise itinerary.

Completely Free Service

​One of our most frequently asked questions is, "Do you charge fees for your service?" Since we're paid by the cruise lines themselves, there are not added charges. In fact, we work to make sure that the quote we get you directly from the cruise line, is the absolute lowest on the market. You can be sure you're getting the best deal possible on your cruise when you travel with Great Lakes Cruises.


Book Your Great Lakes Cruise With Confidence

We match you with the perfect cruise every time using the Engage our Experts Survey below. Once you submit it, our team of real-life experts analyzes that information before contacting you with a specific selection of offerings that meet your desires.
Ready to get started?
ENGAGE OUR GREAT LAKES EXPERTS
CALL US AT +1-888-756-9008

Our Favorite Great Lakes Cruise Destinations

You'd be surprised at the number of cities, towns and villages included in the ports of call for our cruises. If you're interested in a particular region of the American Great Lakes and their Canadian counterparts, this list will help you find out more about it:
​
  • Illinois Cruises
  • Maine Cruises 
  • Maritime Provinces of Canada
  • Massachusetts Cruises
  • Michigan Cruises
  • Minnesota Cruises
  • New York Cruises
  • Ohio Cruises
  • Ontario Cruises
  • Quebec Cruises
  • Thousand Island Cruises
  • ​Wisconsin Cruises

Prepare for a Great Lakes Cruise

​The Great Lakes of North America are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. With a surface of over 94,000 square miles, they form an elongated inland sea with waves, winds, currents, depths and distant shores. 

The earliest evidence of human occupation in the region is estimated at 10,000 year ago, at the end of the last ice age. When you cruise the Great Lakes, you'll have the chance to see all this history in person, learning even more with the aid of the enriching educational programs offered by our luxury cruise lines.

Contact our team of expert Great Lakes Cruisers for more help in planning and preparing your voyage across these historic waters.
SEE ALL OUR GREAT LAKES CRUISE ITINERARIES
SEE ALL OUR CANADA & ST LAWRENCE CRUISE ITINERARIES
SEE ALL OUR NEW ENGLAND & CANADA CRUISE ITINERARIES

Featured Great Lake Cruises 2025 & 2026 Itineraries & News:

We work closely with all major Great Lakes cruise lines to bring you the very best experiences:

2025 & 2026 Victory Cruise Lines | Victory Cruise Lines has just made a triumphant return to the world of Great Lakes Cruising. Contact us for the best rates on your next adventure with Victory.

2026 Viking Itineraries | Great Lakes cruise rates for Viking Expedition Cruises have just been released!  Please give us a call for pricing.

New for 2025 & 2026 | Pearl Seas Cruises has launched 2 new itineraries.  The 15 Day Great Lakes Explorer Cruise will be sailing all 5 Lakes along with a a new 16 Day St. Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes Cruise departing from Quebec City. 

New for 2025 | Viking Cruise Lines brings their luxury river cruise pedigree to Great Lakes cruising. Viking's Undiscovered Great Lakes Itinerary will wow you in 2025.

An Extravagant 16-day Cruise | Pearl Seas' Canadian Maritime & St. Lawrence Seaway Cruise winds you through Quebec, Nova Scotia and Maine on a St. Lawrence Seaway cruise.

Continental Luxury in North America | Ponant brings their French hospitality standard to a fascinating Ponant Explorers' Great Lakes of North America 8-day cruise itinerary.

Learn more about each Great Lake

Select one of the buttons below to find out more about each Great Lake's cruise destinations and sights.
lake erie cruises rubes landing coast
Lake Erie Cruises
Lake Huron Cruises flowerpot island
Lake Huron Cruises
Lake Michigan Cruises
Lake Michigan Cruises
Lake Ontario Cruises Toronto City
Lake Ontario Cruises
Lake Superior Cruises Northern Shore
Lake Superior Cruises
Map of the 5 Great Lakes
Map of the 5 Great Lakes
What's so Great About the Great Lakes? - by Cheri Dobbs and Jennifer Gabrys. "The North American Great Lakes — Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior — are so big that they border 8 states and contain 23 quadrillion liters of water. They span forest, grassland, and wetland habitats, supporting a region that’s home to 3,500 species. But how did such a vast and unique geological feature come to be?"

More on the Lakes

Elevations of the Great Lakes

Great lakes cruises water elevation map
Elevation Profile Map

Ice, Ice Baby

You can book a Great Lakes Cruise for spring, summer or fall. Why not winter? The answer is ice.
ice on the great lakes 2018
The Great Lakes, February 2018, NOAA satellite
Lake Superior is 77% covered with ice. Lake Michigan is 51% covered. Lake Huron 81% covered, with only 19% open water! Lake Erie is 91% covered. Lake Ontario is only 15% covered. Read more about 2018 ice coverage of the Great Lakes at MLive.com 

Great Lakes Library

Picture
​To explore more of the Great Lakes, from their histories to their myths and mysteries, visit our hand-curated Great Lakes Cruise Library.
Great Lakes Cruise Library
  • Imperial
  • Metric
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Great Lakes
​By the Numbers

Highest Elevation
601 ft (Lake Superior)
Lowest Elevation
243 ft (Lake Ontario)
Surface Area
94,250 mi²
Drainage Area
201,460 mi²
Volume of Water
5,439 mi³
Avg Depth
260 ft
Max Depth
1,332 ft
Length (N-S)
497 mi
Length (E-W)
750 mi
Length of Shoreline
10,210 mi*
Avg Surface Temp
48º F
Retention Time
320 years
*Total shoreline length is greater than the sum of the shoreline length for the lakes because it includes the connecting channels (but not the St. Lawrence River).

​
Read more on the "Physical Features of the Great Lakes" from the EPA ​.

Great Lakes
By the Numbers

Highest Elevation
183 m (Lake Superior)
Lowest Elevation
74 m (Lake Ontario)
Surface Area
244,160 km²
Drainage Area
521,830 km²
Volume of Water
22,684 km³
Avg Depth
79 m
Max Depth
406 m
Length (N-S)
800 km
Length (E-W)
1,200 km
Length of Shoreline
17,017 km*
Avg Surface Temp
9º C
Retention Time
320 years
*Total shoreline length is greater than the sum of the shoreline length for the lakes because it includes the connecting channels (but not the St. Lawrence River).

​
Read more on the "Physical Features of the Great Lakes" from the EPA ​.

Learn more about Great Lakes Cruises

Great Lakes Cities
Great Lakes Cities
Great Lakes First Nations
Great Lakes First Nations
Great Lakes Lighthouses
Great Lakes Lighthouses
Great Lakes Natural Wonders
Great Lakes Natural Wonders
Great Lakes Technologies
Great Lakes Technologies

Our Great Lakes Cruise Lines

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Victory Cruise Lines
Pearl Seas Great Lakes Cruises
Pearl Seas Cruises
Ponant Explorer Great Lakes Cruises
Ponant Explorer Cruises
Viking Expeditions Great Lakes Cruises
Viking Expeditions Cruises
Updated 01-27-25 BB

CRUISES BY CITY

Alexandria Bay Cruises
Amsterdam Cruises​
Apostle Islands Cruises
Bar Harbor Cruises
Boston Cruises
Buffalo Cruises
Clayton Cruises
Charlottetown Cruises

Chicago Cruises
Cleveland Cruises
Detroit Cruises
Duluth Cruises
Gaspe Cruises
Green Bay Cruises
Halifax Cruises
Holland Cruises
Houghton Cruises
Kingston NY Cruises
Little Current Cruises
Mackinac Island Cruises
Marquette Cruises
​
Midland Cruises
Milwaukee Cruises
Montreal Cruises
Muskegon Cruises
Niagara Falls NY Cruises
Niagara Falls ON Cruises
Niagara On The Lake Cruises
​Oswego Cruises
Parry Sound Cruises
Portland Cruises
Quebec City Cruises
Sault St. Marie MI Cruises
Sault St. Marie ON Cruises
Sturgeon Bay Cruises
Sylvan Beach Cruises
​Tadoussac Cruises
Thunder Bay Cruises
Toronto Cruises

CRUISES BY WATERWAY

Lake Superior Cruises
Lake Michigan Cruises
Lake Huron Cruises
Lake Erie Cruises
Lake Ontario Cruises
St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises

CRUISES BY STATE OR PROVINCE

Canadian Maritimes Cruises
​Illinois Cruises

Maine Cruises
Massachusetts Cruises
Michigan Cruises
Minnesota Cruises
New York Cruises
Ohio Cruises
Ontario Cruises
Quebec Cruises
Thousand Island Cruises
Wisconsin Cruises
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Miami FL 33131
​Toll Free: +1-888-756-9008
​Email: [email protected]

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our GREAT LAKES CRUISE LINES

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​Viking Expeditions Cruises
​Windstar Cruises
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Seabourn Cruises
Silversea Cruises
​St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
Hapag Lloyd Cruises
© COPYRIGHT 2025
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
 GREAT LAKES CRUISES
Part of the Authentic Voyages Group
Picture
  • Cruise the Great Lakes
    • Lake Erie Cruises
    • Lake Huron Cruises
    • Lake Michigan Cruises
    • Lake Superior Cruises
    • Lake Ontario Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises
    • New England Cruises
    • Great Lakes Attractions
  • Great Lakes Cruise Lines
    • Victory Cruise Lines
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Ponant Explorers Cruises
    • Viking Expedition Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
    • Tauck Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
    • Other Lines >
      • Seabourn Cruises
      • Silversea Cruises
      • Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries >
      • Pearl Seas Itineraries >
        • Pearl Seas 16 Day - Great Lakes and St. Lawerence Seaway Cruise (2025 - 2026)
        • Pearl Seas 15 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2025 - 2026)
        • Pearl Seas 12 Day - Great Lakes & Georgian Bay (2025 - 2026)
        • Pearl Seas 8 Day - Great Lakes Cruise (2025 - 2026)
      • Ponant Itineraries >
        • Ponant 11 Day - Lake Superior - A Life Size Expedition
        • Ponant 10 Day - Heart of the American Great Lakes (2025-2026)
        • Ponant 8 Day - Voyage Along the Great Lakes with Smithsonian Journeys (2025-2026)
      • Victory Cruise Lines
      • Viking Itineraries >
        • Viking 15 Day - Great Lakes Collection Cruise (2025-2026)
        • Viking 8 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2025-2026)
        • Viking 8 Day - Niagara & the Great Lakes Cruise (2025-2026)
        • Viking 8 Day - Undiscovered Great Lakes Cruise (2025-2026)
  • Engage an Expert
  • Great Lakes Cruise Ships
    • Pearl Seas | Pearl Mist
    • Ponant | Explorers Cruise Ships
    • Victory | Victory I and Victory II
    • Viking | Expedition Cruise Ships
  • Destinations
    • Illinois Cruises >
      • Chicago IL Cruises
    • Maine Cruises >
      • Bar Harbor Maine Cruises
      • Portland ME Cruises
    • Canadian Maritime Cruises >
      • Charlottetown PEI Cruises
      • Halifax Nova Scotia Cruises
    • Massachusetts Cruises >
      • Boston MA Cruises
    • Michigan Cruises >
      • Detroit MI Cruises
      • Holland MI Cruises
      • Houghton MI Cruises
      • Mackinac Island MI Cruises
      • Marquette MI Cruises
      • Muskegon MI Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie MI Cruises
    • Minnesota Cruises >
      • Duluth MN Cruises
    • New York Cruises >
      • Alexandria Bay NY Cruises
      • Amsterdam NY Cruises
      • Buffalo NY Cruises
      • Clayton NY Cruises
      • Kingston NY Cruises
      • Niagara Falls NY Cruises
      • Oswego NY Cruises
      • Sylvan Beach NY Cruises
    • Ohio Cruises >
      • Cleveland OH Cruises
    • Ontario Cruises >
      • Little Current ON Cruises
      • Midland, ON Cruises
      • Niagara Falls ON Cruises
      • Niagara on the Lake ON Cruises
      • Parry Sound ON Cruises
      • Sault Sainte Marie ON Cruises
      • Thunder Bay ON Cruises
      • Toronto ON Cruises
    • Quebec Cruises >
      • Gaspé QC Cruises
      • Montreal QC Cruises
      • Quebec City QC Cruises
      • Tadoussac, Quebec
    • Thousand Island Cruises
    • Wisconsin Cruises >
      • Apostle Islands WI Cruises
      • Green Bay WI Cruises
      • Milwaukee WI Cruises
      • Sturgeon Bay WI Cruises
    • Great Lakes Highlights >
      • Great Lakes Lighthouses
      • Great Lakes Locks and Canals
      • Majestic Skylines
      • Natural Wonders
      • Native American Cultures of the Great Lakes Region
      • Great Lakes Sporting Arms
      • Great Lakes Cruising Coalition
      • Great Lakes Gardeners
      • Great Lakes Trolling Flies
      • Great Lakes Video
  • Great Lakes Cruises Library
    • Great Lakes Literary History
    • Great Lakes Book
  • Great Lakes Cruise News
  • Contact