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Great Lakes Destinations

Themes of The Great Lakes

Our Top Great Lakes Ships

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.

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

Canadian Provinces on the Great Lakes

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.

Great Lakes Cruises & Other North American Sailing

Explore More Great Lakes Cruise Themes

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

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

Suggested Great Lakes Destinations

Cleveland Cruises

Clayton, New York

Buffalo