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8-Day Cruise | Toronto to Milwaukee | 2025-2026
| Day 1 | Embark in Toronto, Ontario | Day 5 | Little Current, Ontario |
| Day 2 | Scenic Cruise of Lake Erie Port Colborne, Ontario | Day 6 | Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan |
| Day 3 | Scenic Cruise of St Clair River & through Detroit, Michigan | Day 7 | Scenic Cruise of Lake Michigan & Mackinac Island, Michigan |
| Day 4 | Parry Sound, Ontario & Scenic Cruise of Lake Huron | Day 8 | Disembark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Departing From:
Toronto, ON to Milwaukee, WI. (or reverse)
Ports of Call:
Toronto, ON · Port Colborne, ON · Parry Sound, ON · Little Current, ON · Sault Ste. Marie, MI · Mackinac Island, MI · Milwaukee, WI
Rate starts at
$8,130 USD
(per person, on select sailings.)
Choose Book Now for the best
available pricing on this cruise. *
**Optional Upgrade – Pre-Cruise Packages can be reserved up to 30 days prior to sailing.
*Cruise Rate includes all applicable Port Charges .
Shore Excursions are still in the planning stages and are subject to change.
Day 1 | Toronto, ON
Day 2 | Port Colborne, ON · Sail Lake Erie
Day 3 | Sail through Detroit, MI & St. Clair River
Day 4 | Sail Lake Huron · Parry Sound, ON
Day 5 | Little Current, ON
Day 6 | Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Day 7 | Mackinac Island, MI · Sail Lake Michigan
Day 8 | Milwaukee, WI
Reverse Itinerary also available.
Departing from Toronto Aug 28 Le Champlain
Departing from Milwaukee Oct 11 Le Champlain
OPTIONAL UPGRADE | Pre-Cruise Experience
Duration: 2-Days/1-Night
Prior to your cruise, explore the magnificent city of Toronto. This multicultural city features over 180 languages and dialects, and features a number of districts worth visiting. Film connoisseurs are bound to recognize the Toronto, as it’s been the setting of countless movies as the 4th most filmed city in the world.
Day 1: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Fly into the Pearson International Airport of Toronto, where transportation awaits to bring you to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. At the hotel’s hospitality desk, friendly staff will welcome you and provide recommendations for dining venues and attractions to explore.
That evening, you’ll have the chance to join a welcome cocktail reception with fellow pre-cruise travelers before grabbing dinner at a place of your choosing.
Day 2: Toronto & Embarkation
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before checking out and embarking on a full-day tour of the city. Riding in your coach with a driver and guide, you’ll drive around to the best of Toronto. Visit the business district’s CN Tower and the affluent Yorkville neighborhood, known for its shops and being a destination for celebrities. Explore the waterfront Queen’s Quay district, with its all-new waterfront parks and commercial areas before heading to the Royal Ontario Museum. At the museum, you’ll see countless pieces of art from around the world, including Native American, African, Asian, and European works.
After the Royal Ontario Museum, you’ll stop for an independent lunch with plenty of time to relax. Once lunch is over, you’ll proceed to the next set of destinations on your Toronto tour.
Head to the beautiful Berczy Park to see its two-tiered fountain, then off to the historic St. Lawrence Market. Once Toronto’s City Hall building, the St. Lawrence Market was opened in 1902, and still continues to grow. Next, drive to the famous cobblestone Distillery District, where abandoned distilleries have been renovated to house numerous art galleries, coffee shops, and hip boutiques for the Toronto’s art community. Finally, once your visit is over, your motorcoach will bring you to the pier to board the Le Bellot in the late afternoon.
Hotel:
Stay at the elegant Fairmont Royal York, Toronto’s most recognized hotel and a fixture upon its skyline. Located in Old Toronto, the hotel was recently renovated to offer the best amenities, including two restaurants, a health club, spa, and pool. Stepping outside the hotel, you’ll have access to countless dining options and attractions within walking distance.
Inclusions:
Not Included:
Note:
Hotel contact information:
The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front St W
Toronto, Canada
M5J 1E3
Telephone: +1 416 368 2511
Cost Per Per Person: $750 USD
Located to the south of Lake Huron and connected to Lake Ontario by the Welland Canal, Lake Erie, which owes its name to one of the Amerindian tribes which peopled its banks before the arrival of the French in the 17th century, is remarkable for its unique ecosystem. Its shallow fish-filled waters make it an excellent fishing spot, while its banks, famous for their many migratory birds, attract photographers and ornithology enthusiasts.
Port Colborne is a small port city located in southern Ontario, at the mouth of the Welland Canal. It is well-known for one of the longest locks in the world: measuring 420 metres, this lock, the 8th in the canal, has an observation footbridge and marks the final transit point before the Erie Canal. In addition to the discovery of this tremendous hydraulic infrastructure, this port of call will be your privileged access point to the famous Niagara Falls, renowned all over the world for their spectacular beauty. Located on the river of the same name, which means “water thunder” in Amerindian language, these wonders of nature are among the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Duration: 4.0 hours
Arrive in Port Colborne to begin a motorcoach journey along the Niagara River. Drive through the valleys the river runs through and into Chippawa, Ontario, where the Battle of Chippawa took place during the War of 1812. As your journey continues, driving along the widest of the waterfalls making up Niagara Falls, Horseshoe Falls, in Ontario. The drive ends upon arriving at Hornblower Landing, where you’ll embark on a 20-minute boat tour of the falls that brings you almost all the way up to the waterfall.
While this excursion includes very little walking, you may want to pack a rain coat!
Cost Per Per Person: Included with cruise fare
Forming a natural line of separation between the United States and Canada, the St. Clair River, which flows from Lake Huron into Lake St. Clair, is a significant element of the Great Lakes Waterway. Used in the 18th century for the fur trade by the French colonists of North America who sailed it on small boats to trade with the Amerindians, it was then travelled by freighters transporting lumber, iron ore and copper from the Great Lakes region to the cities of the Rust Belt.
During your navigation along the Detroit River, an important commercial waterway linking Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair to Lake Huron, you will sail along the largest city in Michigan. You’ll then enjoy panoramic views over the skyscrapers of the former Motor City, jewel of the automotive industry, Fordism and Motown music in the 20th century. You’ll also be able to admire the Ambassador Bridge, which spans the river and enables access to Windsor, on the Canadian shore of the river. This steel suspension bridge, over two kilometres long, was constructed in 1929. This bridge alone carries over 25% of trade between the United States and Canada.
The charming city of Parry Sound enjoys an exceptional natural setting in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, east of Georgian Bay. A holiday destination favoured by the province’s inhabitants, the city and its surroundings offer a condensed version of all that the Great Lakes region has to offer: windswept forests of conifers, rocky shores characteristic of the Canadian Shield, beaches of fine sand, clear and calm waters producing magnificent reflections that change with the time of day and luminosity… A real paradise for fauna and flora, the place will delight fans of nature and photography.
A natural border between the American State of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario, Lake Huron is one of the five American Great Lakes and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Comprising the main lake, Saginaw Bay, the North Channel and Georgian Bay, and home to around 30,000 islands, it offers varied coastal landscapes and unique views. From your ship, you’ll thus be able to admire the wild beauty of the wooded and at times craggy coastline of Manitoulin Island, or the spectacular cliffs of the Bruce Peninsular.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Duration: 3.5 Hours
From the pier, walk a short distance to your coach for a 30-minute drive to Killbear Park.
Located on the Eastern Shore of Georgian Bay, listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this park offers a diverse landscape from the granite rocks to the soft sandy beaches and the thick green forests. The fluctuating water levels of the Great Lakes have created a varied range of shoreline ecosystems.
Follow your guide on a one and a half hour walking tour through the park.
Learn about Killbear’s rocks of today which were once buried deep under a mountain range called the Grenville Mountains, and rivalled today’s Himalayas in size. The park’s predominant rock type is gneiss not granite. Signs that the glaciers scoured Killbear are impressed on its rocks and you can learn how to read them. With its mix of sandy beaches, rugged shoreline, windswept pines and views of the 30,000 islands, there are scenic views everywhere at Killbear.
Continue to the Visitor Centre, showcasing the dramatic Precambrian Shield. The Visitor Centre has exhibits pertaining to the flora and fauna, as well as the local history and geology of the area. The park has a live Massasauga rattlesnake and Eastern fox-snake on display. These two animals are both classed as species at risk and are listed as threatened in Ontario. They are the unofficial mascots of the park, and the park has undertaken years of research into these animals. The Visitor Centre portion of the visit include a self-guided tour of the Visitor Centre, and a walk along a 100-metre smooth path to the rugged rocky shoreline for a discussion on the geology of the area.
This tour involves approximately 3 km (1.8 mile) of walking on forest trail and polished rocks. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes. Trail can be slippery when wet. The tour of the visitor’s centre is self-guided, some of the displays have informative plaques in English and French.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
Duration: 3 Hours
Explore the diverse natural habitat of the Thirty Thousand Islands with this excursion. You’ll embark on a 132-foot tour ship – the Island Queen – which was created specifically for touring the region. This small cruise ship features plenty of room, comfortable seating options, and a snack and drink bar.
During the cruise, you’ll get up close with this part of the Thirty Thousand Islands, designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Explore a range of geological features, forests, and more with this guided boat tour on the Georgian Bay.
This excursion features almost no walking other than around the boat and boarding. The vessel is also wheelchair accessible.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
A small port town located along the North Channel of Lake Huron, Little Current is considered to be the gateway to Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. The town’s emblematic construction, the Little Current Swing Bridge built in 1913, provides the only land access to the island, peaceful lands whose name means “the island of spirits” in the local dialect. A real haven of peace, sheltering wild nature and some hamlets, the place is ideal for outdoor activities such as horse-riding and hiking.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Duration: 4.5 Hours
TRADITIONS OF MANITOULIN ISLAND
From the pier, board your coach for the 30-minute narrated transfer providing an overview of Manitoulin Island’s rich native and nautical history, as well as other interesting commentary on the way of life on the world’s largest freshwater island.
The first stop is at the Immaculate Conception Church, a spiritual focal point of the native community that brings together the beliefs and customs of both the native Ojibwe culture and the Catholic Church.
Cross the street and visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation for an interpretive tour of the heritage museum and art gallery. There, you will have the opportunity to attend to a demonstration of indigenous crafts, such as traditional beadwork or dreamcatcher.
In the amphitheatre, after a smudging ceremony you will attend a traditional aboriginal dance and drum presentation, called “Pow-Wow” by the Native American people, in order to honour their culture and heritage, and a secular tradition helping to gather people from different countries together.
The excursion concludes with a 30-minute return transfer back to town.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
Duration: 4.0 Hours
The Cup and Saucer Trail, located 18 kilometres west of the port of Little Current, is one of Manitoulin Island’s premier tourist destinations. This unique hiking trail offers a panoramic view from 250-foot high cliff lookouts.
From the pier, board your coach for the scenic 30-minute drive to the foot of the trail. The hike takes about one hour to reach the summit and another hour to hike back down to the parking lot.
At 352 metres (1, 160 feet), the Cup and Saucer is the highest point of Manitoulin island. The cliffs are at an altitude of 70 meters (230 feet) and the view on the forests and lakes are just incredible. Depending on the season, enjoy the fall colours at their best.
Upon returning at the base of the trail, you will be treated to a selection of Canadian wines and cheeses and locally smoked rainbow trout.
Participants must be in reasonably good physical condition as some sections of the trail are steep and a good pair of hiking boots is recommended. The paths can be muddy and slippery when wet. The entire trail is approximately 9.5 km (5.9 miles) in length and takes about 2.5 hours to complete, with an elevation gain of 70 metres (230 feet), allowing for plenty of time for photos. There is one local guide for every 6 passengers taking part in the excursion.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
Durations: 3.5 Hours
From the pier, you will board your coach for the short drive to the kayaking centre.
On arrival, you will meet your instructor for a safety briefing, orientation and information on the river and Lake Kagawong.
The Kagawong River flows from Lake Kagawong and empties into Mudge Bay on the North Channel of Lake Huron. The river falls over a limestone bluff at Bridal Veil Falls and is one of the most visited and beautiful waterfalls in Northern Ontario. This is the same geological formation as the mighty Niagara Falls.
You will be kayaking on the first part of the Kagawong River, which flows in a northerly direction out of the Lake and passes under Highway 540, just above Bridal Veil Falls. Here the water is calm, the current is gentle, the wetlands on either side of the river provide cover from prevailing westerly winds and the water is no more than 1.5 metre deep.
While silently kayaking the clean, cool waters of the Kagawong River, you might see beaver, muskrat and waterfowl migrating from the Canadian Arctic to warmer winter climates in the south.
At the conclusion of the one-hour kayaking ride, you will walk the riverside trail to the Bridal Veil Falls viewing platform. Not only will you have a great view on the falls, but also on the river, which is especially interesting in late September – mid October, when there is a salmon run of thousands of fish.
On the way back to Little Current, a stop will be made at a family owned business. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and reward your kayaking efforts with a taste of small batch Manitoulin Chocolate.
All participants will be asked to sign a waiver. Life-jackets are provided and must be worn. Wear clothing you do not mind getting wet. Your belongings will be stored in a waterproof container. There will be one instructor for every six paddlers participating. There is a choice between one and two-seater kayaks. You will be kayaking the same way out as back. Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
Located to the east of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Separated from its Canadian twin city by St. Marys River, it is famous among other things for its locks, known as either the Sault Locks or the Soo Locks, which enable ships to travel the metres in change in elevation between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. These locks, which date back over 160 years, are considered the most important in the world due to their shipping traffic. Make sure you visit the Museum Ship Valley Camp where you can visit the interior of a former freighter that sailed on the Great Lakes for more than 50 years.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Duration: 6.75 Hours
Visit the Sault Lock Viewing Station and Interpretive Center with the first part of your excursion via motorcoach. At this attraction, you’ll get to see the lock in action and learn about the history and construction of the famous Soo Locks. You’ll also have the opportunity to catch a 30-minute film documenting these engineering marvels and their use over the years.
After your visit, head back to the ship in your motorcoach for a delightful lunch and to prepare for the next leg of the excursion.
The afternoon portion brings you to the Valley Camp Museum Ship, a historic Great Lakes freighter that was in use for nearly half a century. Explore the entire ship, including its cargo hold-turned-museum, which hold hundreds of paintings and artifacts that document Lake Superior’s maritime history. In the hold, you’ll even be able to see lifeboats from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which tragically sunk in 1975. The SS Valley Camp is registered on the US National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its continued protection.
Once you wrap up at the museum, your group will head next door to board a chartered Soo Locks tour boat. On this small boat, you’ll have the chance to cruise the St. Mary’s River to the locks themselves, where you’ll float upon the rising waters before heading under the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. You’ll continue into Canadian waters to see Canada’s largest operational steel plant, the Canadian Lock, and the St. Mary’s Rapids before returning to your starting point to head back to your Ponant ship.
U.S. immigration formalities cannot be done on the ship or at the port, but exclusively at the U.S. border. You must bring your passport with you. This tour involves approximately 0.6 miles of walking and some steps.
Order of the visits may vary. For this excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and dress warmly.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
Duration: 8.5 Hours
A 90-minute scenic drive takes you to Tahquamenon Falls State Park, where you’ll visit the 50-foot-tall, 200-foot-wide Upper Falls. For hikers in the group, a short walk down 93 steps will bring you right up to the base of Upper Falls with a brink viewing platform. Afterwards, enjoy a paved walk through the forest, where you’ll see all kinds of flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Area trees include beech, hemlock, and sugar maple, and wildlife include the likes of white-tail deer, red squirrels, chipmunks, black-capped chickadees, owls, woodpeckers, and more.
Stop in at a local pub for lunch with your group before embarking on a drive to the Lower Tahquamenon Falls. The Lower Falls are only about 20 feet tall, and made up of five different disjointed cascades. A half-mile boardwalk through the forest leads to a viewing platform, where you’ll be so close, you’ll feel Lower Falls’ mist.
After that bit of hiking, this tour brings you to the famous Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Located in Whitefish Bay on the shore of Lake Superior, you’ll be able to visit the Whitefish Point lighthouse, whose 1923 quarters once housed members of the US Coast Guard for a lifeboat rescue station. Tour the facility, including the tower itself and the museum, where you’ll find the bell of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sailed for years before tragically sinking in a 1975 storm, losing all of its crew.
Once you’ve toured the museum, you can explore the shoreline, just as the Ojibwe Nation and French explorers once did.
U.S. immigration formalities cannot be done on the ship or at the port, but exclusively at the U.S. border. You must bring your passport with you. This tour involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
You will sail the United States’ largest freshwater body, which gave its name to Michigan, one of the four states that border this lake measuring 500 km long and 200 km wide. The first colonists settled in the south at the end of the 17th century, on the site of the current megalopolis of Chicago. Wild landscapes of forests with sparkling colours, cliffs, golden sandy beaches and dunes as far as the eye can see stretch along its 2,600 km of shoreline. In the north, magnificent wind-swept islands rise out of the lake’s emerald waters. At 8 km long, the Mackinac Bridge, which spans the straits between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, is one of the world’s longest suspension bridges.
Close to the banks of Lake Huron in the State of Michigan, Mackinac Island promises a real journey through time. Originally inhabited by Amerindians, then occupied by French and British colonists, this small island measuring only a few km² still retains an atmosphere of yesteryear today, with its Victorian-style buildings and elegant horse-drawn carriages. Fort Mackinac, on the heights of the island, is a reminder of the conflicts that punctuated the history of this strategic place, a former fur trade centre. In addition to this scenery from the past, the island offers magnificent fine sandy beaches and is home to one of the oldest National Parks in the United States.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
Duration: 3.75 Hours
Tour one of the most popular destinations on the Great Lakes – Mackinac Island. This famed location is known for having no cars and being a vacation destination to multiple US presidents and historical figures, like Mark Twain and Thomas Edison. The island also played the setting of the classic 1980 film, Somewhere In Time, which starred Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.
Upon disembarking the Le Bellot at the main dock, join a narrated tour in a horse-drawn carriage that takes you around the best of Mackinac Island. Visit the 19th century Grand Hotel, famous from the Somewhere In Time film and for its hospitality. Drive in your carriage to Arch Rock, a natural landmark favored by photographers. Climb Surrey Hill to explore the Carriage Museum and a host of quaint shops. Lastly, arrive at Fort Mackinac, where a battle from the War of 1812 took place. Fort Mackinac is now a museum with multiple exhibits, along with historical re-enactments, where they even shoot off real cannonballs.
To end the Mackinac Island tour, you’ll have the chance to ride in your carriage or walk to the waterfront, where several shops and the Mackinac Island Fudge store await, before heading back to the ship.
This is an easy and relaxed tour, requiring little walking other than to and from your carriage and the ship. We recommend layered clothing and protection from the sun and rain.
Cost Per Per Person: Included
Nested on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, the largest city in the State of Wisconsin, harmoniously combines tradition and modernity. Industrial long ago, the city, known as Brew City because of its old breweries renowned all over the world, is experiencing a certain renaissance. While warehouses have given way to restaurants, bars, theatres and art galleries in the city centre, the district still retains traces of its manufacturing past. Further south lies Chicago, the economic centre of the Midwest, with an interesting mix of natural and urban landscapes: its immense skyscrapers, diverse architecture, many parks and magnificent beaches make the city a popular destination.
Traverse City is known nationally as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” as five of its counties make up the region that produces 40 percent of the annual tart cherry crop in the United States. Consistently voted one of America’s most charming small towns, it abounds in beautifully restored historic buildings, idyllic tree-lined neighborhoods, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Walk along the shoreline and admire the Grand Traverse Lighthouse one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Find your new favorite bottle of red, white, sparkling, or even cider on a visit to one of the local wineries. Stroll along Front Street in downtown, featuring a trove of independent bookstores, trendy boutiques, and a local distillery.
Olde Mission Peninsula Winery Experience
Old Mission Peninsula extends into Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay offering the ideal climate for growing varietal wine grapes which have been well recognized by wine enthusiasts the world over. On a scenic drive, enjoy the beauty of the Old Mission Peninsula and experience its award-winning wines. Along the way, visit three wineries, learn about wine production on vineyard tour, explore a wine cave, and be treated to two wine tastings and a full glass of your favorite variety.
Leelanau Tales & Trails
Relish the spectacular views on a scenic drive along the shoreline. Stop at Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center to learn the story of the Grand Traverse Band of Anishinaabek, led by a native guide. Enjoy a guided exploration of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a restored keeper’s dwelling, and climb the Lighthouse Tower for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan, Cathead Bay, Grand Traverse Bay and the Manitou Passage. Travel through Leelanau State Park on your way to Fishtown-Leland, featuring weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats. Here, you will be treated to smoked fish samples.
Located at the mouth of Saint Mary’s River, Sault Saint Marie was originally established by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. Saint Mary’s River connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron and has provided trade access between the United States and Canada for hundreds of years. The blend of the native Ojibwa with the French and English settlers resulted in the rich and diverse culture of this incredible destination.
Soo Locks Boat Adventure
Enjoy a live narrated cruise on the beautiful St. Marys River and actually “Ride through the Soo Locks.” Learn the rich 300-year-old history of the area and the story behind the locks as you view many interesting sites along the Michigan and Ontario shorelines. Travel under the International Highway Bridge that connects Soo, Michigan and Soo, Ontario, Canada. Get an up-close view of the over 100-year-old Hydroelectric Power Plant, still operating today to supply electricity to local residents.
Valley Camp Historic Sites
Explore an actual Great Lakes Freighter at The Museum Ship Valley Camp, which houses a 20,000 square foot museum with over 100 exhibits inside her massive cargo. The Valley Camp once held a crew of 29 men in her cabins. Visitors are able to view these cabins to see how Great Lakes sailors lived and worked aboard ship, from the nicely appointed Captain’s quarters to the plain accommodations lived in by the Oilers and the Coal Passers. View the Edmund Fitzgerald memorial and exhibit which features two lifeboats from the stricken vessel. Torn away during the sinking, these lifeboats are two of very few major artifacts recovered after the tragic demise. The exhibit also features a video presentation about the events that occurred on November 10, 1975 which caused the tragic loss of one of the Great Lakes’ largest freighters. In addition to the museum exhibits, the Museum Ship Valley Camp displays four 1,200 gallon aquariums stocked with various species of fish from the Great Lakes region.
Discovering Whitefish Island: An Indigenous Lead Interpretive Walking Tour
Join us on an Interpretive Indigenous guided exploration of Whitefish Island, located in the heart of Baawaating (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario). Led by knowledgeable and experienced indigenous guides, enjoy a journey through the island’s rich history and learn the significance to the local communities. Learn about the traditional uses of the island, the native flora and fauna, and the importance of preserving its cultural and ecological heritage. Listen to traditional hand drum songs and taste fresh bannock and cedar tea with locally harvested maple syrup.
Paddle and Learn: Interpretive Indigenous Guided Kayak Tour
Embark on an awe-inspiring half-day kayaking through the picturesque waters of Baawaating (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario). Navigate the serene St. Mary’s River towards the scenic Bellevue Park, marveling at the captivating landscapes that unfold before you. Our seasoned guides, well-versed in indigenous culture, will accompany you on this enriching expedition, imparting their wisdom about the local ecosystem, traditions, and history. As you traverse the waterways, keep an eye out for magnificent wildlife such as bald eagles and blue herons while learning about the area’s significance to Indigenous communities.
Lined with miles of Lake Superior shoreline, Marquette is the perfect city to explore Michigan’s pristine wilderness and scenic landscapes. Take a walk along one of its many pedestrian trails and admire the various historical lighthouses that adorn and protect its pristine shoreline.
Though area is known for its outdoor adventures, the arts and cultural scene is also very much alive, with an array of artists who invite you into their studios and galleries. Visit one of the area history museums, including the Iron Ore Heritage Museum, where you can learn about Marquette’s iron mining industry, which has flourished for more than 125 years.
Venture downtown to shop at chic boutiques, jewelry stores, and specialty shops. After, relax with a refreshment at one of the local breweries, wineries, or tap houses.
Historic Marquette Walking Exploration
Led by a local guide, enjoy a walking exploration of Historic Downtown Marquette. Admire the unique architecture of the many historic buildings of red and white limestone. View the Marquette County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stop at St. Peter’s Cathedral, known as the mother church of the Diocese of Marquette. Pass by an iron ore dock and a statue of Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan’s first European settlement. Admire the locally famous Harlow’s Wooden Man, built in 1875 by one of the founders of Marquette, Amos Harlow, who noticed a large cedar tree in the shape of a man and turned it into a sculpture that still stands more than 100 years later. Your fun adventure ends with a sweet treat!
Magnificent Marquette Sightseeing Excursion
Board our comfortable Motorcoach for scenic and narrated drive through Marquette. View iron ore docks and the many beautiful Victorian homes that embellish the city, including those in the East Side Home District. Admire Lake Superior Beach, Tourist Park, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and downtown Marquette. Stop at Marquette Maritime Museum & Lighthouse, a one-story, stone, hipped-roof Richardsonian Romanesque style structure built in 1891. Led by a guide, learn about the maritime history of Marquette, Lake Superior, and all the Great Lakes, as well as the sacrifices made by submarine veterans.
Enjoy an afternoon aboard Pearl Mist, cruising the scenic Keweenaw Waterway. From the comfort of your private balcony, bask in the beauty of soaring sandstone cliffs, carved by glaciers, and sparkling spring waterfalls. Your onboard expert will provide commentary as we pass unique wildlife, historic lighthouses, and geological features that are over 1 billion years old.
Northwest Ontario’s largest city, Thunder Bay is a vibrant community surrounded by natural wonders, including thousands of square miles of Canadian wilderness and over 150,000 lakes and rivers. Explore the historic buildings and public art displays of Thunder Waterfront and North Core. Delight in a scenic drive to Kakabeka Falls, which means ‘waterfall over a cliff’ in Ojibwe and is also nicknamed the ‘Niagara of the North’ due to its size and accessibility. Venture to Fort William Historic Historical Park for a guided exploration of this living museum, featuring reconstructed buildings and historians dressed in period clothing.
Waterfront & North Core Walking Excursion
Explore the historic buildings and public art displays of Thunder Waterfront and North Core. Visit the Lyceum Theatre, initially built in 1909 to accommodate travelling shows, later converting into a moving picture house in 1914. Stop at the Courthouse Hotel, a working courthouse until 2014, it was purchased a few years later and underwent an extensive five million dollar renovation to transform it into a boutique hotel. Explore CN Station, built by the Canadian Northern Railway between 1905 and 1906. Its success helped Port Arthur become a thriving transportation hub and port city and served as a station until 1977. As you explore the city, admire over 10 public art displays, ranging from large-scale outdoor sculptures to single paintings and prints.
Sights & Tales of Thunder Bay
Delight in a scenic drive to Kakabeka Falls, which means ‘waterfall over a cliff’ in Ojibwe and is also nicknamed the ‘Niagara of the North’ due to its size and accessibility. Upon arrival, you will have the option to remain at the viewing platform or proceed on to Mountain Portage trail for a guided nature walk to get a better view of the falls, gorge, and river. Venture to Fort William Historic Historical Park for a guided exploration of this living museum, featuring reconstructed buildings and historians dressed in period clothing. Visit the onsite Fort William fur trade post and learn about the city’s economic past in the fur trade industry. Along the way enjoy Finnish-style smoked fish samples and baked goods.
Located along the picturesque shores of Lake Superior, Duluth is the biggest inland harbor in the world, despite being 600 feet above sea level and over 2,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Both rugged and refined, the town is home to a world famous ariel lift bridge and charming neighborhoods filled with local breweries and restaurants.
Delve into its fascinating history with an exploration of the area’s many museums, including the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, which features immaculately restored locomotives, as well as exhibits that preserve, present, and interpret the history of railroading. Visit the famous 39-room Glensheen Mansion built with remarkable 20th-century craftsmanship, telling the story of the Duluth region. Later, discover dynamic works of art at The Duluth Art Institute.
Waterways of Industry
Join us on board for a scenic and in-depth look at Duluth from a historical, scientific, and ecological lens. Cruise through the harbor, where the industrial history of the city is on display, including the Great Lakes Tugboat Fleet and the Historic Grain Elevators. Continue up the St. Louis River towards the CN/Mesabi Taconite loading docks and the largest and most complete energy terminal on the Great Lakes, Midwest Energy. View the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge from below, as well as the Blatnik High Bridge with spectacular views of the North Shore. Along the way, your expert guide will provide highlights of the Lake Superior shoreline and 200 years of Duluth industrial history. Includes charcuterie snack box and one beverage.
Scenic Railways of Duluth
Board your motorcoach and journey to the historic Union Depot, now home to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Your guide will set the stage, by first sharing the industrial significance of the area in route to the depot. Upon arrival at the depot, don’t miss the Iron Range No. 227, a “Yellowstone”-style locomotive that was one of the biggest steam engines ever built. After exploring the depot, board your vintage train car for a trip on the North Shore Scenic Railroad, a heritage railroad that runs through Duluth and will take you along the shore of Lake Superior. As you ride, enjoy narration, including the history of Duluth, its harbor, and the importance of the railroads to the development of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Historic Glensheen
Join your guide on board your motorcoach for a short drive to this lakeside mansion, the former family home of late 19th-century lawyer, entrepreneur, and capitalist Chester Adgate Congdon. Completed in 1908, Glensheen cost the present-day equivalent of approximately $22 million. Enjoy the late Victorian opulence of this striking mansion, set amid 12 acres of English-style landscaping and formal terraced gardens. Your guide will share details of the grounds, before heading inside to marvel at the eclectic mix of styles that grace the mansion’s 39 rooms.
After breakfast on board, begin your journey home, reflecting upon the incredible experiences you’ve had and the wonderful new friends made.
**Optional Upgrade – Pre-Cruise Packages can be reserved up to 30 days prior to sailing.
Pre-Cruise Package Includes one night hotel stay, breakfast, city tour, luggage transfer & transportation to the ship.
Please call for pricing and details. 1-888-756-9008.
* Cruise fares quoted are in U.S. dollars, per person (based on double occupancy). Single Supplements also available.
Cruise Fares do not include, airfare, travel insurance, gratuites, shore tours personal expenditures or transportation costs incurred while traveling to and from embarkation ports.
Rates and Schedules are subject to change at any time.
