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Are you dreaming of cruising the Great Lakes but not sure where to begin? Great Lake Cruises is here to help you plan your perfect trip! There are five magnificent lakes to choose from, each offering different experiences. The key to planning your ideal cruise starts with learning about the Great Lakes and what they have to offer. Whether you're drawn to vibrant cities, historical charm, natural wildlife or scenic beauty, there's a Great Lake cruise that's perfect for you. Book now to speak with a cruise expert and start planning your Great Lakes adventure today! How to Choose the Right Great Lake for Your CruiseChoosing the right itinerary for cruising the Great Lakes depends on several factors:
Let’s explore each of the great lake’s unique features to help you find the one that fits your personality! Lake Superior Cruises: The Best for Nature Lovers & Adventure SeekersClick To Add TextLake Superior, the largest and deepest of the five Great Lakes, is famous for its rugged coastline, pristine parks, and dramatic cliffs. Ideal for those who love to adventure in the great outdoors, cruises on this lake feature excursions such as hiking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting, giving you the chance to see Wolves, Caribou, and More! Lake Superior also features some of the best great lakes cruise destinations like Thunder Bay and the Apostle Islands! Along with getting to see these beautiful views on the cruise, many of our cruise lines, like Viking Cruises, offer small boat tours. These give you the chance to get closer to the scenery and see things you may never get the chance to see otherwise. Explore our available Lake Superior cruises to immerse yourself in beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures! Lake Michigan Cruises: Urban Charm and Scenic Beauty CombinedLooking for the best of both worlds? Lake Michigan features destinations that give you the chance to see opposite ends of the spectrum from modern day city life in Chicago to taking a step back in time at Mackinac Island. Lake Michigan offers a mix of cosmopolitan cities and picturesque coastal towns. Experience Chicago’s iconic skyline, see Milwaukee’s historic lighthouse and museums, visit the botanical gardens or wildlife sanctuary in Green Bay, or unwind on the sandy shores of Muskegon and Mackinac Island Explore our available Lake Michigan cruises for a blend of urban charm and natural beauty. Lake Huron Cruises: Tranquility and Hidden Gems AwaitLake Huron is a treasure trove featuring many less traveled destinations and quiet islands with peaceful inlets. Visit Georgian Bay, home to 30,000 Islands, originally thought to be a 6th great lake, the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. This lake is perfect for those seeking a quiet break from reality to renew and refresh! Though Lake Huron features many less traveled destinations, there are still some fun stops and destinations! You can visit the lighthouses at Cheboygan State Park to get the best and most picturesque views of Lake Huron. USS Edson at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum is also a possible excursion on Lake Huron giving you the chance to learn more about the Vietnam Era. Mackinac Island is also a stop on this lake, giving you the chance to go back in time and see what life is like without motor vehicles since they are not allowed on the island. It is truly an unmatched experience! Explore our available Lake Huron cruises to uncover hidden gems and serene escapes. Lake Erie Cruises: Historical Sites and Cultural ExperiencesLake Erie caters to lovers of history, culture, and wine! Lake Erie features one of the most popular great lakes destinations, Niagara Falls. From this great lake, you will get the chance to see Lake Erie drop into Lake Ontario creating three famous waterfalls Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. With stops like Lake Erie's South Bass Island, also known as Put-in-Bay, you’ll have the chance to catch a glimpse of history and visit award-winning vineyards! Lake Erie also offers relatively short cruising distances that make it ideal for shorter cruise itineraries! Explore our available Lake Erie cruises for a quick getaway packed with historic and cultural experiences. Lake Ontario Cruises: Gateway to Canada and City LifeFor a cosmopolitan cruise with international flair, Lake Ontario is your gateway to Toronto, Niagara Falls, and more! It’s ideal for international travelers or anyone seeking a mix of urban adventure and natural wonders. Marvel at Lake Ontario's side of Niagara Falls, and see the beautiful site where Lake Erie's falls into Lake Ontario creating the beauty of Niagara Falls. Toronto gives you the chance to stroll through different vibrant neighborhoods and features an array of unique cuisine, historical significance, and is a must-see destination. Explore our available Lake Ontario cruises for urban adventure and scenic beauty. Still Not Sure? Let Great Lakes Cruises Help You DecideEach of the Great Lakes offers a different cruising experience, from wild adventure to luxurious relaxation. Whether you're planning a family trip, romantic getaway, or a solo adventure, our experts can help you find the perfect itinerary that visits your bucket list destinations!
Are you Ready to start cruising the Great Lakes? Engage an expert today or learn more about the lakes and their itineraries at our cruise the Great Lakes page. Book a Great Lakes Cruise TodayAre you looking for an unforgettable luxurious cruise on the Great Lakes? Book with our experts today and let us help you book your dream cruise today! Essentials for First-Time Great Lakes Cruise TravelersIf you're new to cruising the Great Lakes, you're in for a one-of-a-kind adventure. The Great Lakes offer an incredible blend of natural beauty, history, culture, and bucket list destinations. At Great Lakes Cruises, we specialize in helping travelers plan and book the cruise that best fits their must-see destinations and price point! We have been doing this for a while now, so let us help put your mind at ease for your first, but most likely not last, cruise on the Great Lakes. Whether you want to see scenic beauty, dive into the culture of other places, or enjoy the luxury of being on the cruise, GLC is here to guide you every step of the way. When Is the Best Time to Book a Great Lakes Cruise?Cruise ships on the Great Lakes are much smaller than those that you would see on an ocean cruise, making them more exclusive with less availability. Due to this fact, we suggest booking at least 6 to 12 months in advance to secure your spot and get the best cabins available! Booking well in advance also gives you the chance to secure some of the most desired itineraries before those are fully booked! We are here to help you book early and secure the best of the best! How Many Cruise Lines Are There?There are a lot of options available when it comes to cruises on the Great Lakes. These are some of the top cruise lines we work with! Victory Cruise LinesVictory Cruise Line is the hallmark of North American cruising specializes in scenic coastal cruises across the Great Lakes. Pearl Seas CruisesPearl Seas Cruises bring small ship luxury cruises to the Great Lakes with an outstanding on-board experience. Pontant Explorer CruisesPontant Explorer Cruises are a french cruise line is known for its incredible excursions, outstanding French cuisine, and luxurious amenities. Viking Expedition CruisesViking Expedition Cruises are known for inventing modern river cruises and continuing to refine it as an art. Tauck CruisesTauck Cruises are known for their inclusion of expansive shore excursions and tours aboard luxury cruise ships. How Many Days Are Great Lakes Cruises?The length of a cruise on the Great Lakes varies based on the destinations and the cruise lines. They typically range anywhere from 7 days to 16 days. The shorter ones typically only cover 1 or 2 lakes, and the longer ones cover a larger area and possibly all of the great lakes. Whether you are ready for a week long cruise or a two week long cruise we are here to find the one that best suits your needs! What Is the Cost of a Great Lakes Cruise?The cost of a Greats Lakes Cruise varies depending on the cruise line you choose, the itinerary, the length of cruise, the destinations, the excursions, and the cabin you choose. There are more budget friendly options that are around $6,000 per person, or more luxury options that range depending on the level of luxury you are looking for. You can visit our Great Lakes cruises 2025 and Great Lakes cruises 2026 pages for detailed pricing and availability! When Is the Cruising Season on the Great Lakes?Cruise Seasons on the Great Lakes fall between the months of May and October and you can experience every season except Winter on a Cruise on the Great Lakes. SummerSummer brings out all of the exciting and fun excursions including water-sports and other fun outdoor activities. FallDuring the fall, the leaves start to change colors and you get the chance to see the real beauty of all of the fall foliage. SpringDuring Spring everything is blooming so you get to see the beauty in bloom, this time also is a less crowded time. WinterDuring the Winter time, the Great Lakes freeze over so cruising is not quite possible! No matter what season you go, as long as it is not Winter, you will have a wonderful time and get to enjoy the beauty of nature. How Many Great Lakes Will I Visit?There are a total of 5 Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Some cruises visit all 5 of them while others may only visit 1 to 3 of the great lakes. The amount of great lakes that you will ultimately visit will depend on the cruise you choose! Many of the shorter cruises focus on Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario, while others may take you to all 5! No matter how many lakes you visit, you will enjoy your trip and make lasting memories! What to Expect Onboard: Ships, Cabins, and AmenitiesFor a cruise on the Great Lakes, you can expect a small luxury cruise ship that focuses on comfortability, luxury, and elegance. Because of the size, these cruises are more exclusive as the ships only hold around 100 to 200 guests creating a more intimate experience compared to that of an ocean cruise. Though these cruise ships are smaller, they still offer an array of cabin options, ranging from small cozy cabins that offer a more intimate experience or full on suites with private balconies providing a more luxury option. The cruise ships also feature a delicious cuisine typically focusing on elegance and local cuisine! It is a great chance to enjoy a romantic dinner and try some yummy foods! They also provide excursions at some destinations and provide onboard entertainment as well! Entertainment can range from performances, to lectures, and tastings. Planning Shore Excursions and ActivitiesGreat Lakes Cruises visit gorgeous destinations and while some include specially curated excursions, others do require that you plan and book your own excursions! This is where we come in! We can help you plan your excursions ahead of time so by the time you are on your cruise you have no stress and soak up every bit of the relaxation that a great lakes cruise includes. Some areas offer city tours, water-sports, kayaking, or other fun activities! Whatever your style of adventure is, we will find the excursion that suits you! Must-See Destinations on a Great Lakes Cruise ItineraryOn a Great Lakes Cruise you will visit a plethora of must see destinations! Here are some of the top must-see destinations! Mackinac Island, Michigan
Visiting Mackinac Island feels like stepping back in time—no cars, just bikes and horse-drawn carriages. Don’t miss Fort Mackinac, where you can tour restored 1880s buildings and learn about its history with both the British and American armies.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls, Ontario is a must-see destination, where the Niagara River flows from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, creating the stunning Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Chicago, Illinois
Cruising the Great Lakes from Chicago is an unforgettable way to explore the region’s natural beauty, historic towns, and vibrant cities. From stunning shorelines to iconic landmarks, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is a vibrant cruise destination on Lake Ontario, offering a mix of city energy, culture, and waterfront charm. From its iconic skyline to diverse neighborhoods, it’s a perfect starting or ending point for a Great Lakes adventure.
Soo Locks, Michigan
In Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the Soo Locks connect Lake Superior and Lake Huron and are the largest in the U.S., operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. On a Great Lakes cruise, you can take a Soo Locks boat tour to experience the locks in action—rising or lowering with 22 million gallons of water. There are also dinner and lighthouse tours, and Viking Cruises stops here on their Undiscovered Great Lakes itinerary.
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
The Apostle Islands, along Lake Superior, are full of stunning rock formations, sea caves, cliffs, and historic lighthouses. It’s a dream for adventure lovers—with kayaking excursions in 18ft tandem kayaks that let you get up close to the rocks and wildlife. If you're craving adventure, this stop is a must!
Packing Tips for Your Great Lakes CruisePacking for a Great Lakes Cruise may leave you questioning exactly what you may need on your trip! Due to the fact that the weather and activities vary you may want to make sure you pack for diverse needs! Here are a few of the must haves when you go on a cruise!
Cruise the Great Lakes with GLCAt Great Lake Cruises we’re here as the expert to help you plan your entire trip starting with picking the right cruise line and itinerary all the way to booking the excursions and adventures that you want to take part in during your trip. Let us help simplify the process and take the stress of your shoulders so you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation! We will ensure your trip is seamless and one you will never forget!
The most adventurous cruise line of the Great Lakes, Viking Expedition Cruises has just announced a limited-time sale to make their incredible cruises an even easier choice. Until October 31st, Viking will include free roundtrip airfare and their premium silver spirits beverage package with all Great Lakes itineraries and their St. Lawrence Seaway cruise. Free Roundtrip AirfareIt's no secret that one of the trickiest parts of cruising can be getting there -- especially with airfare slowly making it back to normal. Free flights to your cruise and back home can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars too. Essentially, this means you can focus less on what many consider the most stressful part of travel and more on what matters -- having the time of your life. Free Premium Silver Spirits PackageAnd, that's made even easier with the sale's other inclusion: Viking's Premium Silver Spirits package. While wine and beer are included aboard Viking's North American voyages, cocktails and liquor are not. With the package, which ordinarily costs $20 a night per person, you're able to order these beverages to your hearts desire. Over at the end of October, this sale encompasses all of Viking's Great Lakes cruises, as well as their top New England and Saint Lawrence Seaway itinerary. Find all of Viking Expedition's cruises here:
These once-bustling areas were impacted severely by this, and towns once full of thousands of residents dwindled down to the hundreds as many sought employment elsewhere. Still, Lake Superior’s North Shore communities held on, maintaining several local industries while creating a new one – tourism. Surrounded by virtually untouched, magnificent nature, this next endeavor was an obvious choice. Initially, North Shore tourism was only regional, bringing in visitors from nearby areas for weekend getaways and outdoor adventures. Attractions like Silver Islet, known for its underwater silver mine, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Battle Island, and Kakabeka Falls (the Niagara of the North) were the most popular places to visit, located close to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Countless others were found along the Lake Superior region, leaving the North Shore dotted with locales primed for tourists. Conveniently, many of these destinations could be reached by Lake Superior boat tours, allowing an even better experience of the massive, seemingly endless Great Lake. Primed for Expedition CruisingOnce locals and Great Lakes tour operators began to see the potential held for Lake Superior cruises, it was only a matter of time before it was proposed as an all-new destination for expedition cruising. This charge was led by Stephen Burnett, executive director of the Great Lakes Cruise Association, with the establishment of the “Lake Superior North Shore Inside Passage.” This new route would take a Great Lakes cruise ship along the top portion of the lake, from Thunder Bay to the beachfront city of Terrace Bay.
Aside from Thunder Bay, the journey brought the small group of cruising experts to the communities of Silver Islet, Red Rock, and Rossport. In between these destinations, they stopped at locations like Battle Island, where they climbed the historic Battle Island Lighthouse. Famously, the lighthouse had several of its top-level windows broken by a wave during a dangerous 1977 storm, 117 feet above the water below. Other finds included the Silver Islet Mine, a now underwater chasm that continues almost 1300 feet into the lakebed, and the Fort Williams Historical Park, the site where the North Shore’s fur trade took off due to a collaboration between the French Canadian and Ojibwe peoples. More Great Lakes Cruise Ships to Visit the North Shore
To learn more about current cruises that visit Thunder Bay and the North Shore, engage our experts today – we're happy to be your personal Lake Superior cruising guide.
 Thunder Bay, Ontario "Since April 1, 2022, Canada has updated its policy on travel, now allowing visitors who are vaccinated and carrying proof of it to enter the country." A fixture of the Great Lakes cruise industry, Canada announced that it will begin charting a new way forward for its pandemic-era travel. This comes after years of travel restrictions that have protected citizens, but posed a challenge to all forms of travel to Canada and the businesses that benefit from it. For most as of late, a negative COVID test or quarantine was required for entry. Since April 1, 2022, Canada has updated its policy on travel, now allowing visitors who are vaccinated and carrying proof of it to enter the country. While not requiring a negative test might seem like a simple change to some, this re-opens cruise lines to the prospects of cruising to and from Canada.
With virtually every cruise line requiring full vaccination, travelers will once again be able to visit the lovely cities and towns of Canada with ease. The country draws millions of visitors each year across all its Great Lakes cruises destinations, from the incredibly diverse metropolis of Toronto all the way to the naturally beautiful Thunder Bay on the Lake Superior North Shore.
Check out our current Great Lakes cruise itineraries to book your next visit to Canada.
 At the end of March 2022, the US cruise industry saw CDC travel health warnings for COVID dropped. This comes after nearly two years of hard work, all beginning with the cancellation of countless 2020 cruises worldwide. From that point, Great Lakes cruise lines and oceanic cruise lines alike have labored tirelessly to create the safest possible environments aboard their ships. Socially distanced spaces, all-new and always-updating cleaning protocols, and vaccine mandates have allowed our favorite cruise lines to continue doing what they do best. An Acknowledgement of Hard Work
On each and every one of our Great Lakes cruises, continuously evolving protocols that ensure guest safety allow you focus on the adventure, the history, and the magnificence of the lakes themselves. In addition, the same also goes for our St. Lawrence Seaway and New England voyages. 2022 Cruises Almost Filled as a ResultWith the removal of the CDC's travel health warning and the continued popularity of close-to-home vacations, our cruises have filled up fast, and are almost completely booked for 2022. Next year, North American cruising is only expected to pick up speed; we're already beginning to see spots fill up! To learn more about our 2023 Great Lakes cruises and other offerings, Engage our Experts today.
 New for the 2022 Great Lakes cruise season, American Queen Voyages has announced overnight stays in key ports of call, allowing passengers more time to explore their favorite destinations. This comes at a time when more and more cruisers are requesting an extended amount of time to explore destinations. While a quick tour might suffice for most spots, cities like Toronto, Ontario simply can't be explored in a day. These new assortment of Canada and Great Lakes cruises from American Queen seek to tackle that issue by offering that most valuable thing -- time. On these limited new itineraries from the former Victory Cruise Lines, you'll stop in exciting destinations that feature a whole new suite of excursions -- from evening activities like beach sunsets to nighttime tours. The following American Queen Great Lakes cruises give you the freedom to explore more, all while aboard the classic Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator.
What We Love About ItWith our affinity for the Great Lakes, we greatly enjoy any opportunity to spend time in the cities that American Queen's added. Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal, and Mackinac Island are extremely popular destinations for cruisers, each offering a unique experience that's packed with history, great dining, architecture, and more.
Cruisers are able to give direct feedback to the business, streamlining the communication process so that voyages are tailored to the desires of those actually cruising the Great Lakes. Essentially, guests are the ones who shape the future of Great Lakes cruising. We look forward to keeping you updated with more developments from American Queen and our other Great Lakes cruise lines as North American cruising continues to grow.
 Lake Michigan and Chicago, Illinois This past Tuesday, February 15, 2022, the US' Center for Disease Control announced a change to its current Travel Health Notice. Based on a series of events, from general COVID cases dropping to cruise lines establishing an extensive private network of preventative protocols, the CDC lowered its risk warning from "Very High" to "High." Changing to just a High warning level puts cruising at the same level of risk as visiting countries that have weathered the pandemic decently well, due to high vaccination rates and other factors. Countries like South Africa and Indonesia ranked similarly on the list, all unrecommended for those not vaccinated, but safe for those that are. For comparison, cruising now ranks as safer than visiting popular European countries like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, who still maintain a Very High warning according to the CDC. This new change follows months of hard work by cruise lines to establish next-level safety procedures for travelers. While the recent CDC guidelines for cruise ships have now become voluntary, you'll find safety requirements are still standard across all Great Lakes cruise lines. On board sanitation procedures, vaccination requirements, and other safety precautions now accompany vast networks of on-call doctors and medical professional testing. It's no wonder then that cruising has been lowered to just a High warning level. The industry has invested lots into making this one of the most well thought-out means of travel in our modern era, ensuring that the immersive experiences, cultural adventures, and delicious cuisine offered by cruising aren't lost on travelers. We look forward to keeping you updated as our small ship cruise industry continues to evolve.
Updates to the CDC's Conditional Sail OrderIn recent news, the United States' Center for Disease Control (CDC) has announced a change to its existing Conditional Sail Order. Mandatory for all cruise lines visiting US ports, the Conditional Sail Order required each ship to adhere to strict guidelines regarding safety and sanitation. The CSO reached its expiration on January 15, 2022, transitioning to a voluntary measure. Despite the Conditional Sail Order no longer being mandatory for ships visiting the US, the CDC plans to continue to offer recommendations for cruise lines that wish to remain compliant. Fortunately for our Great Lakes cruise lines, the previously required CSO functioned as the very baseline for established safety protocols. Already using much smaller ships than cruise lines Carnival and Norwegian, cruises on the Great Lakes keep travelers safe with less exposure to COVID. This is in part due to fewer travelers, even more limited capacity, and robust safety measures. In addition, most Great Lakes cruises come to port in Canada at some point, where they still have to meet practical guidelines for pandemic safety. Cruise Lines Begin to Require Booster VaccinesAs of late, we've seen Great Lakes cruise lines' COVID vaccine mandates updated to combat the newest Omicron variant. All of the current cruise lines sailing in North America require travelers to be vaccinated, but several are taking steps to prevent the latest variant's spread by requiring booster shots as well. With these additional and existing safety protocols, our cruise lines are continuing to make small ship cruises on the Great Lakes one of the safest ways to travel. Here are our current cruise lines requiring a COVID booster:
Hapag Lloyd recently announced that it's adventurous cruise ship, the Hanseatic Inspiration, would be returning to North America in the year 2023 to cruise the Great Lakes once again. After many hurdles caused by the travel industry's pandemic slump, ourselves and many others were overjoyed to learn that Hapag Lloyd would finally be making a comeback. The cruise line is known for its immersive German-speaking -- but English-friendly -- adventures that offer voyagers the chance to travel in places many other ships can't. Aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration, cruisers are given an intimate experience filled with culinary and natural excursions. Only carrying up to 230 passengers, the ship is one of the smallest vessels among our Great Lakes cruise lines. With its small size and a uniquely European feel, the Inspiration is one of the greatest new ways to explore the Great Lakes, providing an easy entry point for European travelers and a fresh point-of-view for those that've already cruised the lakes. For their 2023 return, the line plans to offer a total of five cruises across the Great Lakes and North America. Sailing from May to early July, voyagers will have the chance to visit popular Great Lakes destinations like Chicago, Toronto, and the famous Mackinac Island while traveling in fashion aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration. The Great Lakes cruises individually range from 10 to 15 days, allowing for plenty of time to take in the wonders. With excursions like whale watching from a rigid inflatable boat and carriage rides across scenic islands, these cruises are sure to impress new and experienced travelers alike. While many other lines have made their return in 2022, Hapag Lloyd's 2023 return is wonderful news for Great Lakes travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind cruise. At Great Lakes Cruises, 2023 already has us excited for the future of the lakes! Learn more about our upcoming 2022 and 2023 cruise itineraries.
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GREAT LAKES CRUISES
Part of the Authentic Voyages Group
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GREAT LAKES CRUISES
Part of the Authentic Voyages Group
