At one time, Lake Superior cruises along the North Shore were the last subject someone would think of when conversing about the largest of North America’s Great Lakes. Superior was known as a major industrial center for the continent, producing all manner of things. Over the years, it was the fur trade, then it was mining – namely, precious metals like copper and silver – and lastly, mills for paper and other mass-produced goods. As society progressed, these industries, with their mines and factories, largely began to shut down facilities located in the towns and cities surrounding the lake.
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 Cruising
Once 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.
In late July, Stephen brought several cruise planners along the route in a 30-foot rigid inflatable boat, where they hopped between cities and islands that highlighted the best the region has to offer. A member of our team also had the chance to join this adventure while it showcased the North Shore’s potential for several of the world’s top expedition cruise lines. It quickly became a favorite for those along the journey, a perfect mix of cities and nature.
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
With all of these incredible attractions found along the exploratory North Shore Inside Passage, it’s easy to see why the area would appeal to those who cruise the Great Lakes. Currently, three of the cruise lines that traveled with Stephen and the Great Lakes Cruise Association have already committed to destinations along the route, helped along by the development of brand-new cruise terminals and other infrastructure built by local governments.
While more are sure to commit to visiting Thunder Bay and other North Shore destinations down the road, we’re excited to witness these new developments to the Great Lakes cruising scene, and even more excited to share an all-new part of Lake Superior with our clients.
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.