While we're passionate about our signature West Coast cruises, we've discovered something incredible: the Great Lakes offer that same spirit of exploration and cultural discovery that makes Alaska and California cruising so special. These vast freshwater lakes provide the perfect playground for cruise enthusiasts who love sustainable tourism, authentic cultural experiences, and the thrill of discovering hidden gems.
Your Great Lakes Cruise Options
The beauty of Great Lakes cruising is the variety of ship styles and experiences available, each catering to different preferences while maintaining that intimate, discovery-focused approach we love.
Viking Expeditions
Viking brings their signature expedition-style cruising to the Great Lakes with ships designed for up to 378 guests. These vessels feature Zodiacs and kayaks for up-close exploration, plus onboard historians and naturalists who bring the region's maritime heritage to life. Perfect for travelers who want expedition-level adventure with Viking's refined Scandinavian hospitality and educational focus.
Victory Cruise Lines
Recently revived under founder John Waggoner, Victory operates the elegant Victory I and Victory II (190 guests each) with all-inclusive Great Lakes cruising that hits all five lakes. These purpose-built ships offer that perfect balance of intimate luxury and accessibility to smaller ports that larger vessels can't reach. Ideal for experienced cruisers who appreciate personalized service and want to explore both iconic cities and hidden Great Lakes gems.
Pearl Seas Cruises
Operating the Pearl Mist primarily in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, Pearl Seas focuses on "Luxury Adventure" with an emphasis on regional culture and natural beauty. Known for their exceptional repeat guest rate and intimate ship experience, they appeal to travelers seeking refined comfort while discovering the cultural richness of the region.
International Luxury Small Ships
European luxury cruise lines are expanding into Great Lakes cruising, bringing their sophisticated small-ship expertise to these magnificent inland waters:
- Ponant (French) - operates luxury expedition ships with their signature French elegance and exploration focus, offering "Heart of the American Great Lakes" itineraries
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (German) - brings their expedition expertise with itineraries covering all five Great Lakes, featuring Zodiac landings and specialized expedition teams
- Other European operators - various luxury lines are discovering the appeal of North America's largest freshwater lakes, offering the same high-end amenities and service standards you'd find on their Mediterranean or Arctic expeditions
These international operators are perfect for travelers who want that elevated luxury experience and sophisticated European service while exploring closer to home.
Picture this: you're sailing through waters so expansive they feel like oceans, yet you're exploring uniquely American maritime heritage and charming lakeside communities that most travelers never experience. The Great Lakes region embodies everything we love about West Coast cruising - environmental consciousness, cultural depth, and those "wow" moments that create lasting memories.
What makes Great Lakes cruising truly special is access to some of North America's most exotic and remote destinations that simply can't be reached any other way. You'll explore the pristine wilderness of Georgian Bay with its 30,000 islands and dramatic granite coastlines, discover the untouched beauty of Wisconsin's Apostle Islands where sea caves and historic lighthouses dot the Lake Superior shoreline, and cruise along Michigan's Upper Peninsula coastline - a rugged, sparsely populated region that feels more like the Canadian wilderness than the American Midwest. These are places that most people will never experience without taking a ship, offering that same sense of authentic discovery that draws us to Alaska's remote fjords or Baja's hidden coves.
What excites us most about Great Lakes cruising is how it mirrors the intimate, discovery-focused experience of our favorite West Coast itineraries. Just as we love exploring the pristine wilderness of Alaska or the authentic culture of Baja Mexico, the Great Lakes offer their own version of off-the-beaten-path adventure. You'll visit historic ports like Mackinac Island with its horse-drawn carriages and Victorian charm, explore the maritime museums of Duluth, and witness the engineering marvel of the Soo Locks.
The fall foliage season transforms these cruises into floating color tours that rival any scenic route on land. Imagine watching the shoreline explode in brilliant reds and golds from your ship's deck - it's the kind of natural spectacle that speaks to anyone who's been moved by an Alaskan sunset or California coastal vista.
These cruises also appeal to the tech-savvy, environmentally conscious traveler. Many Great Lakes vessels feature cutting-edge clean technology, and the region's focus on freshwater conservation aligns perfectly with the sustainable tourism values we champion. Plus, the smaller ship sizes create that intimate, community feeling that West Coast cruise lovers appreciate - where you actually get to know your fellow passengers and crew.
Whether you're drawn to the shipping history of the Great Lakes, the stunning fall colors, or simply the novelty of cruising America's inland seas, this region offers the same sense of discovery and cultural immersion that makes our West Coast cruises so memorable. It's proof that incredible cruise experiences aren't limited by geography - they're defined by that spirit of exploration we all share.
