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
    • American Queen Voyages
    • Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Ponant Explorers Cruises
    • Seabourn Cruises
    • Silversea Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
    • Viking Expedition Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen Itineraries >
        • American Queen 16 Day - Chicago Roundtrip (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 13 Day - Montreal to Chicago (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Detroit (2023)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Toronto to Chicago (2023-2024)
      • Pearl Seas Itineraries >
        • Pearl Seas 12 Day - Great Lakes & Georgian Bay (2022-2023)
        • Pearl Seas 8 Day - Great Lakes Cruise (2022-2023)
      • Ponant Itineraries >
        • Ponant 8 Day - Voyage Along the Great Lakes with Smithsonian Journeys (2022-2023
        • Ponant 8 Day - Great Lakes of North America (2022-2023)
      • Viking Itineraries >
        • Viking 15 Day - Great Lakes Collection Cruise (2023)
        • Viking 8 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Niagara & the Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Undiscovered Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
    • Canada & St. Lawrence Cruise Itineraries >
      • Pearl Seas 16 Day - Canadian Maritime & St Lawrence Seaway (2022-2023)
      • Pearl Seas 11 Day - Canada & New England Fall Foliage (2022-2023)
      • Ponant 13 Day - St Lawrence River to the American East Coast
      • Viking 16 Day - Canada & the Atlantic Coastline (2023)
      • Viking 13 Day - Canadian Discovery Cruise (2022)
      • Windstar 12 Day - Southeast Canadian Explorations (2022-2023)
    • Canada & New England Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Boston (2022-2024)
      • American Queen 9 Day - Boston to St John (2022-2023)
  • Engage an Expert
  • Great Lakes Cruise Ships
    • American Queen | Ocean Voyager & Ocean Navigator
    • 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
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    • Canadian Maritime Cruises >
      • Charlottetown PEI Cruises
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    • 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
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    • 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
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      • Great Lakes Video
  • Great Lakes Cruises Library
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Great Lakes Cruises

Cruise the Great Lakes

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

While 2022 Great Lakes cruises have finished sailing, spaces on 2023 Great Lakes cruises and 2024 Great Lakes cruises are currently open, and our experts can help you get the best deal possible through our industry insider connections.

​One of our most frequently asked questions is, "Do you charge fees for your service?" We don't add any extra charges, since we're paid by the cruise lines themselves. So, you can be sure you're getting the best deal possible on your cruise when you travel with Great Lakes Cruises.

Due to extraordinary demand, most cruise lines' call centers are completely overwhelmed. If you're having trouble reaching the cruise lines directly, give us a call at +1-888-756-9008. We work directly with every Great Lakes cruise line and most of North America's small ship lines too -- utilizing our extensive networks to book you the perfect cruise.

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.
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 EXPERTS
Or call us Toll Free at +1-888-756-9008
​

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

Lake Superior's North Shore Nominated for Expedition Cruise Initiative of the Year

Battle Island Lighthouse Lake Superior Great Lakes cruises
Battle Island Lighthouse on Lake Superior's North Shore Inside Passage
For the past several years, cities and towns along Lake Superior such as Thunder Bay, Silver Islet, Red Rock, Rossport, and Terrace Bay have collaborated with the Great Lakes Cruise Association to establish a new cruise route -- known as the Lake Superior North Shore Inside Passage. ​In early August 2022, Seatrade, an industry news source, announced that the the North Shore Inside Passage was one of three nominees for 2022's Expedition Cruise Initiative of the Year.
In July 2022, our team had the chance to travel this same route to see the massive amount of work that's been done to showcase the region's charm and beauty. We're excited to see more Lake Superior cruises showcase the urban life, nature, and history of the North Shore. Currently, American Queen Voyages and Viking Expedition Cruises already offer cruises to the area.

More to 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. Cruising 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.
Map of the 5 Great Lakes
Map of the 5 Great Lakes

Great Lakes Library

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​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

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, this state-by-state list will help you narrow down your choices:
​
  • 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
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 2023 & 2024 Itineraries

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

New for 2023 | Viking Cruise Lines brings their luxury river cruise pedigree to the wonders of the Great Lakes. Viking's Undiscovered Great Lakes Itinerary will wow you in 2023.

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

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.
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 
  • 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

Victory Cruise Lines Great Lakes Cruises
Pearl Seas Great Lakes Cruises
Windstar Cruises Great Lakes Cruises
Viking Expeditions Great Lakes Cruises
Ponant Explorer Great Lakes Cruises
Hapag Lloyd Great Lakes Cruises
American Queen Cruise Lines
Pearl Seas Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Viking Expeditions Cruises
Ponant Explorer Cruises
Hapag Lloyd Cruises
Updated 12-28-22 MR

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
1395 Brickell Ave, Suite 800
Miami FL 33131
​Toll Free: +1-888-756-9008
​Email: info@GreatLakesCruises.com

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© COPYRIGHT 2023
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
 GREAT LAKES CRUISES
Part of the Authentic Voyages Group
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  • 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
    • American Queen Voyages
    • Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
    • Pearl Seas Cruises
    • Ponant Explorers Cruises
    • Seabourn Cruises
    • Silversea Cruises
    • St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
    • Viking Expedition Cruises
    • Windstar Cruises
  • Cruise Itineraries
    • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen Itineraries >
        • American Queen 16 Day - Chicago Roundtrip (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 13 Day - Montreal to Chicago (2023-2024)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Detroit (2023)
        • American Queen 11 Day - Toronto to Chicago (2023-2024)
      • Pearl Seas Itineraries >
        • Pearl Seas 12 Day - Great Lakes & Georgian Bay (2022-2023)
        • Pearl Seas 8 Day - Great Lakes Cruise (2022-2023)
      • Ponant Itineraries >
        • Ponant 8 Day - Voyage Along the Great Lakes with Smithsonian Journeys (2022-2023
        • Ponant 8 Day - Great Lakes of North America (2022-2023)
      • Viking Itineraries >
        • Viking 15 Day - Great Lakes Collection Cruise (2023)
        • Viking 8 Day - Great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Niagara & the Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
        • Viking 8 Day - Undiscovered Great Lakes Cruise (2022)
    • Canada & St. Lawrence Cruise Itineraries >
      • Pearl Seas 16 Day - Canadian Maritime & St Lawrence Seaway (2022-2023)
      • Pearl Seas 11 Day - Canada & New England Fall Foliage (2022-2023)
      • Ponant 13 Day - St Lawrence River to the American East Coast
      • Viking 16 Day - Canada & the Atlantic Coastline (2023)
      • Viking 13 Day - Canadian Discovery Cruise (2022)
      • Windstar 12 Day - Southeast Canadian Explorations (2022-2023)
    • Canada & New England Cruise Itineraries >
      • American Queen 11 Day - Montreal to Boston (2022-2024)
      • American Queen 9 Day - Boston to St John (2022-2023)
  • Engage an Expert
  • Great Lakes Cruise Ships
    • American Queen | Ocean Voyager & Ocean Navigator
    • 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