GREAT LAKES CRUISES
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  • 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)
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  • Great Lakes Cruise Ships
    • American Queen | Ocean Voyager & Ocean Navigator
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  • Destinations
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Great Lakes Destinations

Themes of The Great Lakes

great lakes cruise destinations city skylines

Cruise Among Majestic Skylines

These destinations on the Great Lakes play host to extraordinary metropolitan centers: historical crossroads for centuries of agricultural, industrial, and cultural exchange. 
  • Chicago cruises explore a city of mythical proportions. With one of the most renowned skylines in America, amazing food, museums, and much more, Chicago is sure to impress.
  • Cleveland cruises immerse you in a city once essential to American industry. Once home to the industrialists of old, Cleveland is now a booming destination for sports, music, shoppers, and even beer.
  • Detroit cruises invite you to explore an architectural wonder. Discover the largest city in Michigan, one that without a doubt helped build America.
  • Milwaukee cruises have become a must for cruise lines as of late, with Viking Expeditions Cruises even making the city the beginning or end to all of its Great Lakes sailings. Find museums, unique districts, and more in this exciting city.
  • Toronto cruises tour Canada's largest city. With one of the most diverse metros in the world, Toronto has countless attractions and many districts to explore -- each with their own special draws.
great lakes cruises natural wonders

Sail Past Natural Wonders

Explore the wonders of the Great Lakes' deep waters, soaring cliffs, natural waterfalls and diverse wildlife among these awe-inspiring Great Lakes cruise destinations.​
  • Little Current cruises invite you to explore Manitoulin Island, the world's largest freshwater island. With McLean's Mountain Trail and Bridal Veil Falls, this natural beauty is a must.
  • Niagara Falls cruises visit both Canada and the United States. Here, you'll find parts of the falls in Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario. Made up of three different waterfalls, Niagara is one of the most famous natural destinations in the world.
  • Parry Sound cruises drop you off in the midst of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Find rare species of birds, animals, and fish amongst the tranquil splendor of the Georgian Bay.
  • Sturgeon Bay cruises are the gateway to Door County, Wisconsin. Find endless forests, five state parks, and the Door County Wine Trail -- featuring eight talented winemakers with acres of vineyards.
  • ​Thunder Bay cruises explore the best of Canada's nature. With astounding views of the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and miles of hiking trails, ever nature lover will certainly love Thunder Bay.

United States & Canadian Provinces


US States on the Great Lakes

  • Illinois Cruises
  • Maine Cruises
  • Massachusetts Cruises
  • Michigan Cruises
  • Minnesota Cruises
  • New York Cruises
  • Ohio Cruises
  • Wisconsin Cruises

Canadian Provinces on the Great Lakes

  • ​Nova Scotia Cruises
  • Ontario Cruises
  • Prince Edward Island Cruises
  • Quebec Cruises
  • ​Thousand Island Cruises

Great Lakes Cruises & Other North American Sailing


  • Lake Erie Cruises
  • Lake Huron Cruises
  • Lake Michigan Cruises
  • Lake Ontario Cruises
  • Lake Superior Cruises
  • Saint Lawrence Seaway Cruises
great lakes cruise destinations engineering technology

Navigation Technologies

Witness the extraordinary locks, canals, and lift bridges that make Great Lakes transportation possible among these cruise destinations.
  • Aerial Lift Bridge (Duluth, Minnesota). This Great Lakes cruising destination is a remarkable feat of engineering found just off Lake Superior. Allowing ships into the historic Duluth Ship Canal, the Aerial Lift Bridge raises its entire over-the-water portion with an elevator mechanism. Ships are then able to pass below. This rare style is one of only 227 aerial lift bridges in the world.
  • ​Soo Locks (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) ​cruises visit a man-made marvel that was built in 1855 to connect Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The busiest lock system in the world, between seven and ten thousand ships pass through the Soo Locks during the shipping season each year. Being too large to travel through the Welland Canal that bypasses Niagara Falls, larger domestic carriers (called lakers) need to travel through the Soo Locks.  Large ships that pass through the locks are approximately 1,000 feet long by 105 feet wide. The largest ship to pass through the Soo Locks is larger than three football fields in length.  The Paul R. Tregurtha measures 1,013 feet and 6 inches.  Smaller foreign ships (termed salties) can exit the Great Lakes by way of the St. Lawrence River and Atlantic Ocean.

Explore More Great Lakes Cruise Themes

great lakes cruises destinations lighthouses

Great Lakes Lighthouses

With our Great Lakes cruises, you'll have the opportunity to see -- and even visit -- several prominent lighthouses that are still in use today. Across the lakes, there are over 200 active lighthouses that continue to guide ships, preventing them from wreckage while inviting guests as popular Great Lakes cruising destinations.
Great Lakes Lighthouses
great lakes cruising native history destinations

Native American Cultures

The Great Lakes as we know them were once home to many Native American tribes. They were a resource -- not just for fish, water, and fur, but also iron and other metal ores. These First Nations used it all far before European settlers arrived, leaving behind cultural landmarks and traditions still passed down to their ancestors today.
Great Lakes First Nations

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

Suggested Great Lakes Destinations

great lakes destinations Chicago River ​Chicago, IL
Chicago River, ​Chicago, IL
destinations on the great lakes Henry Ford Museum, Detroit, MI
Henry Ford Museum, Detroit, MI
destinations of the great lakes Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH
Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH

CRUISES BY CITY

Alexandria Bay Cruises
Amsterdam Cruises​
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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
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Portland Cruises
Quebec City Cruises
Sault St. Marie MI Cruises
Sault St. Marie ON Cruises
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Sylvan Beach Cruises
​Tadoussac Cruises
Thunder Bay Cruises
Toronto Cruises

CRUISES BY WATERWAY

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CRUISES BY STATE OR PROVINCE

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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