Skip to content

GreatLakesCruises.com is a sales agent for every cruise line that operates on the Great Lakes.

  • info@greatlakescruises.com
  • +1-888-756-9008
  • Cruise the Great Lakes

    Cruise the Great Lakes

    • Lake Superior Cruises
    • Lake Ontario Cruises
    • Lake Michigan Cruises
    • Lake Huron Cruises
    • Lake Erie Cruises
    • New England Cruises 
    • Lake Superior Cruises
    • Lake Ontario Cruises
    • Lake Michigan Cruises
    • Lake Huron Cruises
    • Lake Erie Cruises
    • New England Cruises 

    Navigate North America's Most Iconic Waterway

    St. Lawrence Seaway cruises take travelers along the world’s longest deep draft commercial waterway, which connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. 

    Learn More
  • Great Lakes Cruise Lines

    Great Lakes Cruise Lines

    Victory Cruise Lines

    Ponant Explorers Cruises

    St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

    Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

    Windstar Cruises

    Seabourn Cruises

    American Cruises

    Silversea Cruises

    Viking Expedition Cruises

    Tauck Cruises

    Pearl Seas Cruises

    American Queen Voyages

    Set Sail in 2026 or 2027

    Top departures fill up fast — explore upcoming seasons now and secure your spot on the Great Lakes.

    2026 | 2027
  • Cruise Itineraries

    Cruise Itineraries

    Victory Cruise Lines

    • Pearl Seas 16 Day -great Lakes And St. Lawerence Seaway Cruise (2025-2026)
    • Pearl Seas 15 Day -great Lakes Explorer Cruise (2025 - 2026)
    • Pearl Seas 12 Day -great Lakes & Georgian Bay (2025 -2026)
    • Pearl Seas 8 Day -great Lakes Cruise (2025-2026)
    • Ponant Explorers | Lake Superior - A Life Size Expedition
    • Heart of the American Great Lakes | Ponant Cruises
    • A Voyage along the Great Lakes - with Smithsonian Journeys | Ponant Cruises
    • Great Lakes Collection | Viking Expeditions
    • Great Lakes Explorer | Viking Expeditions
    • Niagara & The Great Lakes | Viking Expeditions
    • Undiscovered Great Lakes | Viking Expeditions

    View All

    Great Lakes Cruise Guides & Resources

    Several cruise lines serve the Great Lakes region. Due to the size of the locks, large ocean-going vessels aren’t able to enter the Great Lakes.

    View Guides & Resources

  • More...

    Resources & About

    • About Us
    • FAQ’s
    • Destinations
    • Library
    • News
    • Contact
    • About Us
    • FAQ’s
    • Destinations
    • Library
    • News
    • Contact

    Featured Ports

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

    Ships

    • Victory Cruise Ships
    • Ponant Explorers Cruise Ships
    • Pearl Mist Cruise Ship
    • Viking Octantis Cruise Ship
    • Canadian Empress Cruise Ship
    • Star Pride Cruise Ship
    • Victory Cruise Ships
    • Ponant Explorers Cruise Ships
    • Pearl Mist Cruise Ship
    • Viking Octantis Cruise Ship
    • Canadian Empress Cruise Ship
    • Star Pride Cruise Ship
Contact Us
Find A Cruise

Sample Page

2 Column Layout with Image on Right

Prepare for a Great Lakes Cruise

The Great Lakes of North America are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. With a surface of over 94,000 square miles, they form an elongated inland sea with waves, winds, currents, depths and distant shores. The earliest evidence of human occupation in the region is estimated at 10,000 year ago, at the end of the last ice age. When you cruise the Great Lakes, you’ll have the chance to see all this history in person, learning even more with the aid of the enriching educational programs offered by our luxury cruise lines.

2 Column with Accordion and Paragraph

Staterooms

Each stateroom includes a bathroom with shower.

*Note: The Canadian Empress is only equipped with stairs between decks. Persons with mobility issues please contact us direct regarding stateroom accessibility and potential accommodations.
PREMIER STATEROOMS (Orange)

Located on St. Lawrence Deck forward.
Stateroom Numbers 24 & 25. 
Nicest rooms onboard. Each feature a Double four-poster brass bed.  

STERLING STATEROOMS (Yellow)

Located on St. Lawrence Deck Aft.

Stateroom numbers 3 and 4​
​
Note: Each room features 2 twin beds

OTTAWA STATEROOMS. (Green)

Located on Ottawa Deck Forwards towards Mid Ship Mid.
Portside Staterooms: 30, 32. 34
Starboard Staterooms: 27, 29, 31, 33, 35

Note: Each room in this category features 2 twin beds – with the exception of room number 34 that can accomodate a double bed.

ST. LAWRENCE STATEROOMS (Blue)

Located on St. Lawrence Deck.
Aft Cabins:  1 & 2
Portside Cabins: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 & 22
​Starboard Cabins: 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21 & 23

Note: Each room features 2 twin beds

Accordion Section For Cruise Line Page

The Finest French Cuisine

Faithful to their commitment to spreading the French way of life around the world, PONANT always pays special attention to the meals that are served throughout the day.  Talented chefs craft high end menus so you can enjoy the delights of a refined table. They share their passion for premium produce with passengers, enriched with inspiring flavours, locally sourced from the stopovers that we make along the Great Lakes.  Lenôtre pastries are baked on board, bread is made fresh daily by French bakers.  Organic baguettes, sandwich breads and specialty breads are always available as a buffet option with your breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

​Le Nautilus Restaurant

The elegant main restaurant, Le Nautilus, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a focus on French and European cuisine. Dining is open seating, and there are outdoor tables available in warmer weather months. Dinner is served in the French Gastronomic tradition along with one of the best wines from our cellar, as recommended by the sommelier.

Grill Restaurant

In the Grill the atmosphere is more relaxed with a buffet option. Open for lunch and dinner, indulge your taste buds with healthy gourmet buffet selections and a daily changing menu of grill options.

Special Diets

So that everyone’s tastes are catered to, special menus are available on request for guests with specific dietary requirements (low-fat, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc).

Incredible Experiences

Each itinerary has been thoughtfully created by PONANT to offer you a complete excursion experience that will enrich your cruise and make your trip unique. Guests will also enjoy onboard lectures and enrichment programs prior to excursions.

Marina Platform

Ponant’s Explorer Fleet has easier onboard access than on any other cruise ship visiting the Great Lakes.  Located on Deck 2 guests will be able to disembark and embark by Zodiac when participating in expeditions . 

Zodiac Shore Visits and Outings

During Expedition voyages, Le Champlain’s/Le Bellot’s/  fleet of Zodia make landing ashore in remote, seldom visited destinations safe and enjoyable, and enable guests to get as close as possible to your surroundings.  Zodiacs are designed to accommodate small groups of 10 gerts ad are easy to step on to from the

The Cruise Director on board will alert you before departure for any excursions you have booked or for Zodiac® trips, if you have opted for an Expedition cruise.

Good Times Together

A chic Scandi style pervades the public areas, with plenty of light and airy spaces to relax and socialise. While the private nature of each of these spaces has been preserved, they have also been laid out to let you enjoy some wonderful times together with other passengers or to relax in total tranquillity.

Blue Eye Lounge

A chic Scandi style pervades the public areas, with plenty of light and airy spaces to relax and socialise. While the private nature of each of these spaces has been preserved, they have also been laid out to let you enjoy some wonderful times together with other passengers or to relax in total tranquillity.

The Main Lounge is the ideal place to relax with a drink and enjoy the various activities that have been organised such as dancing classes or theme evenings.  The cosy piano bar is a Panorama Lounge with breathtaking views of the horizon.
The Outside Bar is a great space for relaxing that has access to the swimming pool and its solarium.

A Leisurely Life On Board

The Theatre

​The Theatre is the largest space on board with a seating capacity of 188. Equipped with the latest sound and lighting technology, a LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos. It plays host to onboard entertainment as well as conferences from our experts, naturalist guides and guests of honors.

Dedicated to leisure and relaxation, The Library is stocked with a wide range of books and board games.  On the deck below, you will find the PONANT Studio, an image and photo corner.  A photography and videography team escort you throughout your trip. These professionals capture the most beautiful moments of your cruise, which you can share with family and friends upon your return. 

Special area for children

All Ponant Explores have a special area for children onboard known as the Le Kids Club. Books, television, board games and consoles (PS4 or Wii™) are all provided for their use and enjoyment. (All staterooms have direct access to On-Demand Videos.​)

FAQs

When do American Cruise Lines sail the Great Lakes?

American Cruise Lines cruise the great lakes during the region’s warmest and most scenic months mainly May, June, July, and August.

Do I need a passport?
No, with American Cruise Lines’ Great Lakes Cruises no passport is needed for your trip as it does all stay within the U.S.
Do Alcoholic drinks cost extra?
No, food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are included in the all-inclusive experience.
Are excursions included?

Yes, daily guided excursions are included in every all-inclusive cruise offered by American Cruise Lines great lakes cruises. 

When was the American Patriot Built?

The American Patriot was built in 2025, offering a very modern experience.

How can I book?

Contact our Great Lakes Cruises experts to learn more about 2026 and 2027 sailings. They can provide more details into the itinerary, the all-inclusive experience, the dates available, and the price points for each itinerary.

Destinations Carousel

Our Favorite Great Lakes Cruise Destinations

You’d be surprised at the number of cities, towns and villages included in the ports of call for our cruises. If you’re interested in a particular region of the American Great Lakes and their Canadian counterparts, this list will help you find out more about it:

Illinois Cruises

Illinois Cruises

​Illinois cruises invite you to a home of rich culture, vibrant nature, and the great American city of Chicago. Whether you’re in the north, center, or south region of Illinois, you’ll be amazed by all the activities this state has to offer. Learn American history through central Illinois, also known as the Land of Lincoln. […]

Maritime Provinces of Canada

Maritime Provinces of Canada

With Canadian Maritime cruises, you’ll explore the eponymous providences of Canada — some of the most historically important and beautiful destinations that the country has to offer. Found in the eastern parts of Canada, the Maritime Provinces are made up by Prince Edward Island (PEI), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Popular among Canadian and St. […]

Chicago, Illinois Cruises

Chicago, Illinois Cruises

Prepare for a Great Lakes Cruise Embark on a Chicago cruise today, and visit one of America’s most iconic travel destinations, along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Chicago is not only the most popular travel destination across the great lakes, but across all of America! Chicago was founded as a town in 1833, but was settled […]

Henry Ford Museum, Detroit, MI

Henry Ford Museum, Detroit, MI

Great Lakes Gardeners

Great Lakes Gardeners

Great Lakes Gardeners The Great Lakes Region is home to a vast number of plant species that keep the lake’s surroundings beautiful and unique. Passengers that cruise the Great Lakes are often amazed by the region’s natural heritage and the gardening culture around it. Humidity and temperature vary around the coast of each of the […]

See All Our Great Lakes Cruise Destinations

In Content Call to Action

Book Your Great Lakes Cruise With Confidence

Over the years, the Great Lakes region has come to feel like a close personal friend to us, and we’re happy to introduce you.

Call Us At +1-888-756-9008
Engage Our Great Lakes Experts

Reviews Section

Traveler Stories & Reviews

William Carlos

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took

Ricky Charls

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took

John Carlon

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took

In Content Library Call to Action

Great Lakes Library

​To explore more of the Great Lakes, from their histories to their myths and mysteries, visit our hand-curated Great Lakes Cruise Library.
Great Lakes Cruise Library

Our Cruise Lines

Great Lakes Cruise Lines We Recommend

We work with every major cruise line sailing the Great Lakes, allowing us to match you with the experience that fits you best.

Victory Cruise Lines

Victory Cruise Lines

Budget Level $5,000
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua

Ponant Explorers Cruises

Ponant Explorers Cruises

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Our Webinars

Learn from our Great Lakes Experts & Watch Our Webinars

Several cruise lines serve the Great Lakes region. Due to the size of the locks, large ocean-going vessels aren’t able to enter the Great Lakes. This creates an opportunity to cruise on intimate vessels with a typical capacity of 300 guests or less.

The 5 Great Lakes & Their Ports of Call with Stephen Burnett

Webinar: Lake Ontario &Lake Erie Destinations, Ships & Itineraries with Stephen Burnett

The 5 Great Lakes & Their Ports

Ready to Start Planning Your Great Lakes Cruise?

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Cruises By City

  • Alexandria Bay Cruises
  • Amsterdam Cruises​
  • Apostle Islands Cruises
  • Bar Harbor Cruises
  • Boston Cruises
  • Buffalo Cruises
  • Clayton Cruises
  • Charlottetown Cruises
  • 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
  • Parry Sound Cruises
  • Portland Cruises
  • Quebec City Cruises
  • Sault St. Marie MI Cruises
  • Sault St. Marie ON Cruises
  • Sturgeon Bay Cruises
  • Sylvan Beach Cruises
  • ​Tadoussac Cruises
  • Thunder Bay Cruises
  • Toronto Cruises

Cruises By Waterways

  • Lake Superior Cruises
  • Lake Michigan Cruises
  • Lake Huron Cruises
  • Lake Erie Cruises
  • Lake Ontario Cruises
  • St. Lawrence Seaway Cruises

Cruises By State Or Province

  • Canadian Maritimes Cruises
  • ​Illinois Cruises
  • Maine Cruises
  • Massachusetts Cruises
  • Michigan Cruises
  • Wisconsin Cruises
  • Minnesota Cruises
  • New York Cruises
  • Ohio Cruises
  • Ontario Cruises
  • Quebec Cruises
  • Thousand Island Cruises

Our Great Lakes Cruise Lines

  • Pearl Seas Cruises
  • ​Viking Expeditions Cruises
  • ​Windstar Cruises
  • Ponant Explorers Cruises
  • Seabourn Cruises
  • Silversea Cruises
  • ​St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
  • Hapag Lloyd Cruises

Our Company

  • About
  • ​Subscribe
  • ​Contact Us
  • Engage an Expert
  • Yucatan Cruises
  • ​Cuba Cruises
  • ​New England Cruises
  • ​European River Cruises

Our Site

  • Great Lakes Cruises
  • 2025 Great Lakes Cruises
  • 2026 Great Lakes Cruises
  • 2027 Great Lakes Cruises
  • Great Lakes Destinations
  • Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries
  • Great Lakes Cruise Lines
  • Great Lakes Attractions

Contact Info

  • Add: 1395 Brickell Ave, Suite 800, Miami FL 33131
  • ​Toll Free: +1-888-756-9008
  • ​Email: info@GreatLakesCruises.com

© 2026 Great Lakes Cruises. ​All Rights Reserved.

Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube