Sailing the Great Lakes on Viking Octantis
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As noted above, the Great Lakes offer a wide mix of attractions and experiences. During a Great Lakes cruise, you might find yourself climbing aboard the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit on one day and kayaking through the wild marshlands of Point Pelee, Ontario, the next. With winters being cold and snowy in the region, cruise lines stick to the warmer months of May to September for Great Lakes sailings. Be awed through the cruise to Niagara Falls as our local expert guide shows you the best vantage points. Discover the history of American Music at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, visit Motor City Detroit, and stop in Sainte-Marie, Ontario’s first European community. "We've had opportunity in the last two years to get them (the ships) prepped and ready for this itinerary," he said.
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Discover one of the many beautiful scenic lookouts or check the area’s variety of museum and cultural attractions. Find out why the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) was voted the No. 1 art museum in the United States by USA Today readers last year. With a collection of more than 65,000 artworks in over 100 galleries, the museum has one of the largest and most significant art collections in the U.S. spanning from ancient Egyptian and European works to contemporary art.
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Of the two lines operating in the Great Lakes, Viking has the greatest focus on outdoorsy stops such as Point Pelee (a tiny sandspit that juts into the northwestern corner of Lake Erie and is famous as a stopover for migratory birds). Some of Viking's sailings include a call at Alpena, Michigan — the gateway to a National Maritime Sanctuary, where passengers can kayak past shipwrecks in shallow waters. On this 7-night voyage, enjoy the beautiful and clear waters of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world. From the perfect comfort of the Pearl Mist, sail among the 30,000 Islands and visit the many remarkable destinations along the way.Explore the delightful town of Holland, home to the only authentic Dutch windmill in North America. Wind down with the slow-paced lifestyle of Mackinac Island where visitors and residents travel by bicycle, horse-drawn carriage, or on foot.
Great Lakes & Georgian Bay Cruise
Ocean Navigator is boarding passengers in Savannah today for a cruise up the U.S. East Coast en route; the first Great Lakes sailing is May 9, from Toronto. Mackinac Island, with its car-less horse-drawn carriages, historic fort and the Grand Hotel is a destination like no other and should be experienced aboard a Great Lakes small ship cruise. Rides on all these ‘toys’ are included with the cruise and the crew takes them out whenever possible. We enjoyed our zodiac rides to and from excursions and loved exploring in the SOB, which launches from a slipway inside “The Hangar” and has individually suspended seats for an incredibly smooth ride at high speeds. And we got up early (with more than 50 other passengers) to witness the weekly -- for now -- launching of a weather balloon off the top deck.
As of press time, Canada requires cruise passengers age 12 and up to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (some cruise lines require passengers age 5 and up to be vaccinated) and to have completed ArriveCAN health forms prior to arrival. The onboard lab where scientists, including from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will conduct research and experiments is another wow factor, as is the 20-person expert expedition team onboard. In addition to the submarine, the ship also carries Zodiacs and kayaks (for use in Canadian waters). It’s the kind of ship without a lot of activities, where passengers are happy to occupy themselves with views, reading, or conversation.
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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. 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.
Great Lakes cruising expected to bring $200M, 20,000 passengers to region in 2024 - MLive.com
Great Lakes cruising expected to bring $200M, 20,000 passengers to region in 2024.
Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Thanks to its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Viking Octantis (and Viking Polaris) have joined the sanctioned list of 102 other weather balloon launch stations sanctioned by the U.S. The balloons have transmitters that collect data on wind, temperature, and pressure. And once the balloon was out of sight, passengers rushed to Expedition Central to watch the real-time data arriving on the computers. (The two subs on Viking Polaris will be named, you guessed it, George and Ringo).
Great Lakes cruise business -- and Cleveland’s port -- take a hit with American Queen shutdown - cleveland.com
Great Lakes cruise business -- and Cleveland’s port -- take a hit with American Queen shutdown.
Posted: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Even better, AQV will be docking its overnight ships at Navy Pier in Chicago -- an advantage no one else has. On board of these, tourists will be provided with more than just regular cruising experience. Viking Cruises has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA scientists will join expeditions in the Great Lakes to conduct research. There is a chance that scientists may also offer lectures to Viking guests during cruises.
This is partly due to the size of the locks that connect the lakes, as only the smaller ships can pass through them. Choose from dozens of itineraries as you explore iconic destinations along the Great Lakes. From the rich history of Mackinac Island and French Canadian villages to the breathtaking shoreline of Lake Superior and the cultural epicenters of iconic cities such as Detroit and Chicago, you can create memories to last a lifetime.
While cruising the Great Lakes & Georgian Bay, travel to picturesque port towns, view historic ships and lighthouses, and admire some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world. From quaint Victorian towns to the traditional villages of the native Ojibwe, enjoy a backstage pass to the culture, customs, and cuisine of the most magnificent sites in the region. Our Category SGB staterooms are designed specifically with our single travelers in mind. A comfortable getaway, these rooms are spacious with all modern amenities. At over 200 square feet, these staterooms have interior entrances, large opening windows, and private balconies offering panoramic views. Board our comfortable Motorcoach for scenic and narrated drive through Marquette.
Board the Muskegon, Michigan Trolley that circles the historic downtown throughout the day. Local guides will share stories of the public art, local museums, craft markets, and beautiful Victorian homes. Learn about the history of Muskegon and its people including Muskegon's rise to prominence during the lumber era. Visit local points of interest, including breathtaking Queen Anne style Victorian mansions, a historic train depot, the Fire Barn Museum, the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Heritage Museum of Business & Industry, and many more. While Great Lakes ships have traditionally been smaller, more modest coastal vessels, Viking is shaking things up by bringing a polar-class expedition ship to the region. French cruise line Ponant is also sailing the Great Lakes this fall and next with luxury expedition ships complete with underwater lounges.
Explore the beautiful and clear waters of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world. You will visit the delightful town of Holland, the slow-paced lifestyle of Mackinac Island, and marvel at the unique geologic formations and untouched wilderness that lines each Great Lake's coastal shores. Learn the history of Odawa Mnis (Manitoulin Island) and Wiikwemkoong, as you make your way to Canada’s only officially recognized unceded territory. Next travel to Holy Cross Mission ruins, the site of a Roman Catholic Parish church in the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Reserve, north-eastern Manitoulin island. End your journey, with an introduction to the residential school system specific to Odawa Mnis.
Explore the many historical structures that boast exhibits highlighting everything from military training and battles to medical treatments and family life within the fort.Next, travel to The Grand Hotel, founded in1887. Discover the rich history and tastefully preserved architecture of this National Historic Landmark, while enjoying the hotel’s shops and museums. Sit in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Immerse yourself in the heart of Duluth's maritime history with our captivating lakefront exploration. Your adventure begins with a walk towards the awe-inspiring Aerial Lift Bridge, an engineering marvel that has stood as a proud sentinel over Duluth's harbor for over a century. Witness the blend of innovation and history as you learn about its transformation from the first transporter bridge in the U.S. in 1905 to the magnificent vertical lift bridge you see today.
Some of the ships also offer sailings that combine travel on one or more of the Great Lakes with a passage through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Embark on an unmatched adventure through the breathtaking Great Lakes aboard Pearl Seas' luxury cruise ship. Our luxurious vessel is meticulously designed to provide the utmost comfort and sophistication as you explore the enchanting waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Superior, Lake Ontario, and Lake Huron. The new focus on Great Lakes cruises opens up a variety of ports that have rarely seen ships, with a season that runs early May through late September. While a few small cruise ships sailed the Great Lakes before the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn't necessarily a route that attracted much attention, particularly from American cruisers. Experience the rich maritime history and the natural beauty the Great Lakes offer.
Travel through Leelanau State Park on your way to Fishtown-Leland, featuring weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats. Enjoy a guided exploration of The Cleveland Museum of Art, one of the world’s premier museums. View its vast collection of famous works of art and works of antiquity, from medieval masterpieces to modern works, from Europe, America, and Asia.
Delight in an aerial adventure over Parry Sound Harbor and a guided bike ride around Georgian Bay. Enjoy a narrated cruise on the beautiful St. Mary’s River in Sault St. Marie and learn the rich 300-year-old history of the area and the story behind the Soo Locks. Explore Michigan’s pristine wilderness and scenic landscapes in Marquette, lined with miles of Lake Superior shoreline. Experience our most immersive exploration along The Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world. Take an exhilarating boat ride in Niagara Falls and come within feet of its misty spray.
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