Group Tour Magazine - August 2023 - 21

" Great Lakes
and St. Lawrence
cruising has proven
to be a growth
industry that brings
signifi cant value to
the region's ports. "
-David Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan
and board chairman of Cruise the Great Lakes
Lakes, where it now operates two expedition
vessels designed specifically to reach this
region of North America-Viking Octantis
and Viking Polaris. The sister ships each
host 378 guests in 189 staterooms, and off er
more indoor and outdoor viewing areas
than its other ships, allowing guests to get
up-close with the region's natural beauty.
Meanwhile, Pearl Seas Cruises' Pearl Mist
has cruised on the Great Lakes since 2014.
The 210-passenger ship debuted a major
interior redesign to kick off this year's cruise
season, complete with fresh color palettes,
new furniture, and regionally inspired artwork.
Another longstanding cruise company
is St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, which
has a 43-year history of cruising on Canada's
rivers with its 64-passenger Canadian
Empress. " We like to think of our particular
St. Lawrence River region as the gateway
to the Great Lakes, " says Daniel Beals, marketing
coordinator at St. Lawrence Cruise
Lines. " Th e St. Lawrence Seaway has a huge
impact on the larger region and eff ectively
connects it all as one water system.
" River cruising is different from ocean
or even Great Lakes cruising due to the
sheltered waters and proximity to land, "
Beals explains. " Th e Canadian Empress is a
small ship that was built specifi cally for the
river, and the draft of the vessel allows the
ship to stop at many of the small towns
and ports along the river that could not
be reached by a larger vessel. As such, [our
cruises emphasize] the culture and history
of the ports along the river that harkens back
to the initial exploration of the St. Lawrence
and Ottawa rivers. "
POPULAR PORTS
Typically, Great Lakes cruise itineraries call
on five to 10 ports during their freshwater
voyages, visiting both small and large communities
throughout the region. Groups can
discover the rich history of Mackinac Island,
Michigan, and French-Canadian villages;
take in the breathtaking shoreline of Lake
Superior; and be immersed in the vibrant
cultural epicenters of cities such as Detroit,
Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
Cruising ports abound in Michigan, the
" Great Lakes State. " For groups looking for
charm and a slower pace, Mackinac Island
is the port for them. Situated on Lake Huron,
the island offers the simple life-no cars or
chain hotels, the lulling clomps of horses and
buggies on the streets, and lots of history
and fudge to go around. Port excursions can
include carriage tours, a visit to Fort Mackinac,
and lunch at the esteemed Grand Hotel.
Meanwhile, Muskegon is another popular
cruise ship location, with top excursions like
the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, Hackley &
Hume Historic Site, Muskegon Museum of
Art, and the Heritage District. Nearby in
Holland, cruisegoers can stroll and shop along
downtown's cobblestone streets, snap a photo
of the iconic " Big Red " lighthouse, and see an
authentic Dutch windmill at Windmill Island
Gardens. On the east side of the state, Detroit
shines bright with entertainment and attractions,
including the Motown Museum, Detroit
Institute of Arts, and Detroit Tigers baseball
at Comerica Park.
In Minnesota, Duluth is located on the
far western shores of Lake Superior, off ering
rugged adventure and relaxation galore.
Groups enjoy riding the North Shore Scenic
Railroad, exploring the Great Lakes
Aquarium, and hiking the Lake Superior
Trail. Meanwhile in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
cruises dock in the heart of downtown,
where arts, entertainment, and Midwest
charm collide. Cruise passengers enjoy
visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum, the
Milwaukee Public Market, the Milwaukee
Art Museum, and more.
In Canada, St. Lawrence River Cruise
Lines' small ship lends itself to visiting the
small ports along the St. Lawrence and
Ottawa rivers, as well as Montreal, Ottawa,
and Quebec City. " We are especially popular
with senior travelers and couples who are
seeking a cruise that showcases the beauty
and history of the Thousand Islands and
the St. Lawrence Seaway, " Daniels says. " All
shore tours are included in the cruise fare,
and there is an emphasis on local community
museums and local points of interest. "
Favorite shore excursions include Upper
Canada Village near Morrisburg, Ontario,
and Omega Park in Quebec, Daniels says,
adding, " However, the most popular cruise
experience that shows up in our passenger
comments is that the warmth and intimacy
of the Canadian Empress is a great
place to meet new friends from other areas
of the world, and many passengers come
away from the experience with new lifelong
friends with a shared interest in travel. "
grouptourmagazine.com
21
PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT) PONANT CRUISE SHIPS, UNSPLASH/AKIRA HOJO, PEARL SEAS CRUISES,
SUZY LAMONT PHOTOGRAPHY/ST. LAWRENCE CRUISE LINES

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Group Tour Magazine - August 2023

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