great lakes river cruises 2023

Great Lakes Cruises

8 best great lakes cruises for 2024-2025, a voyage along the great lakes – with smithsonian journeys, great lakes - masterpieces of nature, expedition in the heart of the american great lakes, lake superior – a life-sized expedition, great lakes - wilderness and history on vast lake backdrops, great lakes and st lawrence river - unlocking the american dream, great lakes of north america: milwaukee to toronto, st lawrence river and nova scotia - canada's lifeline amidst indian summer colors, top great lakes cruise ships for 2024-2025, great lakes cruise tips & travel guide, top cruise ports in the great lakes.

• Lake Superior
• Lake Michigan
• Lake Ontario

Best time to take a Great Lakes cruise

• Cleveland 
• Niagara Falls (Port Colborne)
• Toronto 
• Montreal 
• Quebec City  ( Quebec )
• Mackinac Island
• Sault Ste. Marie

How to choose a Great Lakes & St. Lawrence River Cruise

The best great lakes for cruising, top things to see and do on a great lakes cruise, faqs: great lakes cruises, top great lakes travel destinations.

• North America

Great Lakes Trips by Activity

• Great Lakes hiking (5)
• Great Lakes urban exploration (4)
• Great Lakes village visits (3)
• Great Lakes small ship cruises (3)
• Great Lakes kayaking (3)

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Great Lakes Collection

Join Viking for a unique expedition across the historic waterways of all five of the majestic Great Lakes! Experience culture-rich urban centers and admire the awesome power of thundering Niagara Falls. Explore the granite islands and sheltered inlets of Georgian Bay and traverse the famous Soo Locks. Study the aquatic ecosystems of the lakes and venture into the dense boreal forests that line the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

Ports of call include: Duluth, Minnesota | Mackinac Island | Alpena, Michigan | Windsor, Ontario | Cleveland, Ohio | Toronto

Cruise Details

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*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees. Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

1 Duluth, MN Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Duluth was named for French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, who explored the St. Louis River in 1679. In 1808, famed merchant John Jacob Astor established the American Fur Company. Copper and iron ore mining swelled the population in the 1850s, while construction of channels and locks to the east allowed larger ships to access the city. Today, Duluth celebrates its history and culture with a wide array of museums and landmarks, including its famed Aerial Lift Bridge spanning the Duluth ship canal.

2 Thunder Bay, ON Thunder Bay is known as “Canada’s Gateway to the West” for its location at the final navigational point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior. Originally founded as a fur trading post, a settlement was established in 1803 and Fort William was erected. In 1970, Fort William and neighboring Port Arthur were merged to form the City of Thunder Bay. Today, it is one of Ontario’s most vibrant cities and a center of art and culture. Its Waterfront District is beloved for its views across the bay of the Sleeping Giant, a long line of mesas that resemble a giant lying on its back.

3 Sail Lake Superior Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes and one of the largest bodies of freshwater in the world. Its scenic shoreline is dotted with deep bays, hidden inlets and high cliffs that lead to thick boreal forests. As you sail today, attend an informative lecture or watch a film on our 8k laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula, one of the world's most advanced venues for learning at sea. This indoor-outdoor experience allows nature to take center stage with its retractable floor-to-ceiling windows that unveil 270° views.

4 Sault Sainte Marie, MI Founded by French missionaries in 1668, Sault Sainte Marie is Michigan’s oldest city and one of the oldest in the US. It is also home to the famous Soo Locks, a series of parallel locks that make river travel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron possible, thereby linking Superior to the lower Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Opened in 1855 to allow ships to bypass the St. Marys River’s 21-foot fall over roiling rapids, this innovative lock system was one of the great engineering projects of its day. Today, it guides ships past Sault Sainte Marie and its twin city in Ontario.

5 Mackinac Island, MI Steeped in the charms of simpler times, Mackinac Island is a gem of the Great Lakes. Located in the Straits of Mackinac where Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas are closest and Lakes Huron and Michigan meet, this bucolic haven preserves gilded Victorian-era treasures along car-free streets traversed by horse-drawn carriages. The perimeter road is the only state highway in the US that does not permit motor vehicles. More than 80% of Mackinac is protected as a state park, from its Greek Revival Grand Hotel and British-built Fort Mackinac to its preserved wilderness areas.

6 Door Peninsula (Algoma), WI Algoma is the gateway to the scenic Door Peninsula, a slender limestone peninsula projecting out into Lake Michigan. It was first explored by French missionaries and fur traders during the 17th century, who named it Port des Mort, or “Death’s Door,” because of the treacherous waters separating the peninsula from nearby Washington Island. The peninsula is also the westernmost edge of the Niagara Escarpment, a prehistoric ridge that stretches more than 650 miles across the Great Lakes region, and is home to boreal forests, rugged rock formations and sandy beaches.

7 Alpena, MI Alpena is the second-largest city in the northern region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The town faces Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay and is home to Alpena Light, a brilliant red steel structure built in 1914. After its founding in 1840, fishing and logging were introduced to bolster its economy; today it is home to one of the largest limestone quarries in the world. Two of its architectural gems are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the art deco County Courthouse and the late-Victorian IOOF Centennial Building, once the city’s courthouse.

8 Georgian Bay (Frazer Bay), ON Frazer Bay is located off a remote finger of land on the eastern tip of the North Channel in Ontario’s Georgian Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its eponymous hill reaches almost 600 feet, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The bay lies near Killarney Provincial Park, a vast wilderness of lakes and Eastern mixed forest framed by glacier-sculpted pink granite cliffs. Across the channel lies scenic Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater lake island and itself home to another 108 freshwater lakes—some with islands of their own.

9 Georgian Bay (Killarney), ON Killarney was founded by a French-Canadian fur trader in 1820; he named the post Shebahonaning, or “canoe passage.” Its location on the northern shore of Georgian Bay made it ideal for trading. Nearby, the stunning cliffs of the La Cloche range rise dramatically above the shores of Lake Huron. These remarkable mountains are the pinnacle of Killarney Provincial Park, a vast wilderness of lakes and Eastern mixed forest. This breathtaking expanse of protected land is laced with hiking trails and—true to Killarney’s original name—canoe routes that link the area’s lake system.

10 Georgian Bay (Parry Sound), ON Parry Sound boasts the world’s deepest natural freshwater port. The town was established at the mouth of the Seguin River in 1857 near the Ojibwe village known as Wasauksing, or “shining shore.” The arrival of the railroad during the late-19th century gave Parry Sound new importance as a stop on the transcontinental Canadian Pacific line. For art lovers, nearby Algonquin Provincial Park is best known for its majestic wilderness, captured on canvas by the Group of Seven, a cadre of early 20th-century Canadian landscape painters inspired by their country’s natural world.

11 Windsor, ON Windsor is situated on the south bank of the Detroit River across from Detroit. Several transportation routes connect the two cities, including the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest international border crossing in North America. Its strategic location has made Windsor a major Great Lakes port and a center for industry, even earning itself the moniker, “The Automobile Capital of Canada.” Historically, it was an important stop along the Underground Railroad prior to the Civil War and a key port for the smuggling of alcohol into the US during Prohibition.

12 Cleveland, OH Cleveland sits on the shores of Lake Erie at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and is a major port along the St. Lawrence Seaway. This industrial city is also a gateway to the Cuyahoga Valley and its namesake national park, a region of reclaimed nature covering 51 square miles of landscape between Cleveland and Akron. A mix of forests, wetlands and canals, as well as the majestic cascade of Brandywine Falls, the park has more than 125 miles of hiking trails that crisscross the land, including one that runs along the former route of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

13 Niagara Falls (Port Colborne), ON Port Colborne proudly proclaims itself the “Gateway to Navigation.” It is also the gateway to North America’s largest and most powerful cascade, Niagara Falls. Epic in its scope and volume, the falls hurl 42 million gallons of water down 20 stories every minute. Its mile-wide length straddles the Canadian and US borders and is split by islands into three smaller cataracts: Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls. Long a storied destination for young honeymooners, today the mighty torrent is a thrill for visitors.

14 Welland Canal, Canada The Welland Canal is one of Canada’s greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. Built from 1824 to 1833 to bypass the Niagara River and its mighty falls, the Welland comprises eight locks that lift or lower ships a total of 326 feet between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This vital canal is the spine of the peninsula’s trade and industry, with numerous docks receiving ships and roadways crossing the water. Viking’s latest expedition vessels are purpose-built to traverse this impressive waterway, allowing ships to dock safely while navigating this important crossing.

15 Toronto, ON Toronto is beloved by many as one of Canada’s boldest and most innovative capitals. Hugging the shores of Lake Ontario and facing the picturesque Toronto Islands, it was founded by British loyalists fleeing the American Revolution in 1793. Today the city is a pleasure to explore on foot, whether strolling past the Victorian bay-and-gable homes of Rosedale, or the historic enclave of Wychwood Park, an Ontario Heritage Conservation district. The city’s Distillery District is home to North America’s largest preserved collection of Victorian industrial architecture. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.

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Great Lakes cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

The Great Lakes probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of cruising. But in recent years, the region has grown enormously as a cruise destination — and for good reason. Touring the Great Lakes by ship is by far the easiest way to see a wide range of the area's attractions — from vibrant cities to natural wonders — in a single trip.

When planning Great Lakes cruises, you have many things to consider: when to go for the best Great Lakes cruise experience, which cruise line is best suited to your travel style, the best Great Lakes cruise ports to visit and which shoreside activities you want to prioritize. It's not the kind of trip you want to throw together at the last minute, especially since the best fare deals typically go to organized travelers who book early.

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Here, The Points Guy offers up a guide to everything you need to know about planning a sailing in the Great Lakes.

Why cruise the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes region may not be a bucket list destination on the scale of Alaska or Antarctica. But it has a lot to offer — more than many people may realize.

Along the banks of the five lakes that are at the core of the region — Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior — you'll find some of Middle America's greatest cities, charming small towns, historic sites and wonders both natural and human-made. Plus, there are the lakes themselves, which together are roughly the size of the U.K. and make up the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. Accounting for 21% of all the world's fresh water, they truly are a marvel.

All this can be seen via an overland trip, of course, and many people explore the Great Lakes region by car or on motorcoach tours. But the region is so sprawling — the Great Lakes touch eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario — that logistically it's almost impossible to experience the area in a broad way on a single trip without going by ship.

On a single Great Lakes cruise, you can see the world-class architecture and museums of Chicago, take a carriage ride through the carless streets of Mackinac Island, Michigan, and gaze upon the splendor that is Niagara Falls along the New York border — all without having to get behind the wheel of a car or unpacking and re-packing your suitcase more than once.

When do cruises go to the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes cruise season is a short one, due mostly to the weather. With winters being cold and snowy in the region, cruise lines stick to the warmer months of May to September for Great Lakes sailings.

The weather isn't the only limiting factor. The cruise season in the Great Lakes is also limited in its length by the opening and closing of the St. Lawrence Seaway — the system of locks, canals and channels that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Cruise vessels that operate in the Great Lakes can't access the region until the locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway open for the summer, something that typically happens the last week of March. They need to be out of the Great Lakes before the St. Lawrence Seaway closes for the winter (typically in December).

Great Lakes cruise weather can be chilly at the start of the season, with low temperatures in the 40s in May in some areas and highs in the 60s. It warms up considerably by July and August, with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and the price. Cruises at the beginning of the Great Lakes cruise season in May are generally a bit less expensive than those in June, July, August and September.

Best Great Lakes itineraries

A relatively small number of ships sail in the Great Lakes during any given year. But, even so, they offer a wide range of Great Lakes itineraries. Some of the ships that operate in the region will alternate between three or even four different routes during the short summer season, giving you lots of choices.

Lengthwise, you'll find Great Lakes voyages ranging from seven to 15 nights. Some of the sailings travel across all five of the Great Lakes. Others focus on just three or four of the interconnected bodies of water. 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. In some cases, these latter trips include travel all the way to Montreal.

The diversity in Great Lakes itineraries extends to their start and end points. A large percentage of all Great Lakes cruises begin or end in Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto. But there also are Great Lakes sailings that begin or end in Thunder Bay, Ontario; Duluth, Minnesota; Montreal and Detroit.

In most cases, Great Lakes sailings are one-way trips. You'll start in, say, Toronto, and work your way west to Chicago — or vice versa.

Some Great Lakes itineraries only include stops at relatively small towns such as Midland, Parry Sound and Little Current in Ontario; and Muskegon, Marquette and Houghton in Michigan. Others mix in calls at some of the bigger cities of the Great Lakes region, notably Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto. On longer sailings, vessels often will overnight in such places as Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Thunder Bay.

Car-free Mackinac Island at the top of Michigan is a common stop on Great Lakes voyages, as is Niagara Falls, which sits between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Pro tip: If your Great Lakes cruise begins or ends in Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto, add a pre- or post-cruise stay of a night or two in the cities to see them in more depth.

Best Great Lakes cruise lines

Most of the world's biggest cruise lines — including Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line — can't operate in the Great Lakes because their ships are too big to enter the region through the St. Lawrence Seaway. This has turned the Great Lakes into an exclusive zone for a handful of smaller cruise operators that focus on very small vessels.

The two main players in Great Lakes cruising are Viking (a newcomer in 2022) and Pearl Seas Cruises. Each has one vessel devoted to the region (Viking Octantis and Pearl Mist, respectively).

Both cater to a generally older crowd, which is the main market for Great Lakes cruises. Viking's itineraries have the most outdoorsy options, while Pearl Seas Cruises offers trips with a lot of small-town stops.

Two more lines that occasionally operate sailings in the region are German line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and France-based Ponant. Tour organizer Smithsonian Journeys also occasionally offers Great Lakes sailings using chartered Ponant vessels.

All of the above lines operate ships in the Great Lakes that carry fewer than 400 passengers. Some carry as few as 202 passengers. In general, the vessels are intimate and relatively high-end, with pricing to match.

As a rule, Great Lakes sailings don't come cheap. For example, seven-night Viking sailings in the region start at $5,995 per person.

Things to do in the Great Lakes

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.

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. Another destination that Viking visits, Silver Islet, Ontario, brings the opportunity for a trail walk through Ontario's 94-square-mile Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — a rocky, forested park named for a long line of mesas that resemble a giant lying on its back.

The city-oriented stops that Viking and the other lines make, such as visits to Milwaukee or Chicago on Lake Michigan, give you time to explore the urban sensibility of the region. Brew-town Milwaukee offers the chance to explore the city's craft beer and brewing scene or to take a walking tour to the city's many outdoor sculptures. Chicago is famous for its world-leading architecture (which you can see on walking and boat tours), its Magnificent Mile lined with more stores than you've probably ever seen in one place and its world-class cultural institutions.

Then there are stops at quieter places such as Mackinac Island, where your sightseeing might include an excursion by horse-drawn carriage to historical sites. Of the three main lines operating in the Great Lakes, as noted above, Pearl Seas Cruises focuses the most on the region's small towns, with fewer stops at bigger cities.

One thing that all three of the main lines operating in the Great Lakes have in common is that they include tours during at least some stops and sometimes every stop in their base fares. Pearl Seas Cruises and Viking are particularly known for including lots of shore excursions in their base fares.

Included tours are part of what you're paying for when you pay the high prices noted above. So you can go off on your own in any of the places these ships visit. But you might just have a no-extra-charge outing including many of the highlights of each place already planned for your voyage.

Best Great Lakes cruise ports

The best Great Lakes cruise ports include the handful of relatively big cities in the region, such as Chicago, that are loaded with cultural sites, nightspots and restaurants, as well as charming small towns such as Holland, Michigan. Great Lakes cruises also bring days that are all about getting up close to wonders both natural and human-made — from towering Niagara Falls to the engineering marvel that is the Welland Canal.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Known as "Canada's Gateway to the West" because it's the final navigational point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is one of Ontario's most vibrant cities and a center for art and culture. It's also a hub for outdoorsy pursuits including mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and angling, as it's nestled within boreal forests.

Great architecture and cultural institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago — along with lots of nightlife, shopping and world-class dining — make Chicago the premier city destination in the Great Lakes region. Many Great Lakes cruises begin or end in Chicago, with some including an overnight in the city, allowing time to explore. Don't miss a stroll down the Magnificent Mile and a sightseeing boat ride on the Chicago River (a great way to get an overview of the city and see some of its architectural gems).

Wisconsin's biggest city is often surprisingly delightful to first-time visitors, home as it is to a Santiago Calatrava-designed art museum with a world-class collection, a Harley-Davidson Museum that our sister site Lonely Planet has dubbed "badass" plus stylish eating and shopping enclaves. Settled by Germans in the 1840s, "Brew City," as it's known, also is a mecca of sorts for beer lovers — and not just because it's home to the original Miller Brewing Company complex, which is open daily for tours. You'll also find lots of craft breweries that you can visit on your own or as part of a tour, and you can tour (and drink at) the original Pabst Brewery.

Holland, Michigan

As the name suggests, Holland is a little bit of The Netherlands transported to the Americas. Settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1800s, it's home to the annual Tulip Time Festival, which takes place every May, and offers up such Holland-themed attractions as Windmill Island Gardens, where you'll find a working Dutch windmill, canals and dikes. Holland's downtown is a charmer with cobblestone sidewalks and more than 100 specialty shops, breweries and restaurants.

Sault Saint Marie, Michigan

Located at the northeastern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Sault Saint Marie is the site of the Soo Locks, a marvel of engineering that connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The locks themselves are the big attractions in Sault Saint Marie — head to the observation deck at Soo Locks Park to watch freighters passing by and learn more at the Soo Locks Visitor Center.

But there are other allures, including the Museum Ship Valley Camp. It's a retired Great Lakes freighter (named Valley Camp) that you can climb into and explore. In addition to touring the living quarters for its 29-person crew, you'll find a 20,000-square-foot maritime museum in its cargo hold with exhibits on the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald and more.

Mackinac Island

The Jewel of the Great Lakes has been a summer getaway for Midwesterners since the Victorian era and it retains much of its Victorian-era charm. The iconic attraction on the island is the 135-year-old Grand Hotel , with its seemingly endless, rocker-lined front porch (the longest in the world). Afternoon tea in the hotel's parlor, or a game of croquet at its Tea Garden, are among Mackinac Island's allures. Tours in a horse-drawn carriage are another popular pastime; cars are banned on the island, leaving horse-drawn carriages as one of the main ways of getting around, along with bicycles. When visiting, don't miss Fort Mackinac, which dates to the 1700s.

Niagara Falls

Located on the short waterway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls is one of the world's most spectacular waterfall complexes (it's actually three waterfalls, not one) with a flow rate greater than any other waterfall in North America and a vertical drop of more than 160 feet. Visitors can take it in both from viewing areas on land and from a tour boat.

Note that Great Lakes cruise vessels don't travel directly on the 36-mile-long strait that connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, which is known as the Niagara River (lest they go plunging over the falls). Instead, they use the Welland Canal — another marvel of engineering and an attraction in its own right.

Motor City should probably be called Museum City, as it's home to a wonderful array of museums worth a visit, from The Detroit Museum of Art and the Motown Museum to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. Passengers on Great Lakes cruises will find that stops in Detroit often revolve around an included visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, a sprawling history museum complex that is home to the limousine that President Kennedy was in when he was assassinated, George Washington's camp bed, Buckminster Fuller's prototype Dymaxion house, the bus on which Rosa Parks was arrested and countless other rare artifacts.

When to book a Great Lakes cruise

The best time to book a Great Lakes cruise is right when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins and often the best fares.

Because the Great Lakes has such a short season with a limited number of ships, sailings in the region are often in high demand and people plan early. Newcomer Viking, notably, has told TPG it has seen brisker sales this year for its Great Lakes trips than sailings to Antarctica — one of the world's ultimate bucket list destinations.

If you wait to book, you're not entirely out of luck. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season" ). You can take advantage of discounted fares and other perks. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in a gateway city such as Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto and don't need to book flights. While some less preferred sail dates or cabin categories may have availability a few months out, spurring cruise lines to drop rates, you might have trouble finding affordable airfare and pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations that do not eat up your cruise savings.

What to bring on a Great Lakes cruise

When it comes to packing for a Great Lakes cruise, your mantra should always be: dress in layers. It can be chilly in the morning in the more northerly parts of the Great Lakes, particularly at the start of the Great Lakes cruising season, but then warm up fast.

If you're planning to do some outdoorsy pursuits, such as kayaking or hiking, be sure to bring appropriate activewear. And don't forget to pack a rain jacket, if not a complete rain gear outfit, including a wide-brimmed waterproof hat, rain pants and waterproof shoes or boots.

Also, and this is critical: Don't forget your passport. Many of the places you'll visit in the Great Lakes will be in the United States and do not require a passport. But every Great Lakes cruise includes at least a few — and sometimes many — stops in Canada, where a valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card is required to enter if you're a U.S. citizen.

Bottom line

There's a lot to see and do in the Great Lakes region, and it's hard to argue that there's a better way to see and do it than on a cruise. Cruise vessels departing from such cities as Chicago and Toronto can take you to all of the highlights of the region — from the breweries of Milwaukee to thundering Niagara Falls — in a single trip. That's something that you'll be hard-pressed to accomplish any other way.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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This New Viking Cruise Will Take You to All 5 Great Lakes in 15 Days

The journey starts in Toronto and sails to Duluth, Minn.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

If ever you've wanted to experience all five of North America's Great Lakes in a single trip, here's your chance.

Viking Expeditions launched a new 15-day Great Lakes itinerary for summer 2023 starting in Toronto and sailing to Duluth, Minn. — giving passengers the chance to experience each of the five Great Lakes.

The journey includes stops in Niagara Falls , Door County in Wisconsin, and Michigan's Mackinac Island , a car-free oasis where horse-drawn carriages are a preferred method of transportation.

Mackinac Island is considered a national historic landmark. It's home to one of the few Revolutionary War fortresses that remain intact and Victorian-era architecture that evokes the charm of another era.

City stops include Cleveland , home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Detroit, where you'll find the Henry Ford and Motown museums and a lively Greektown where you can indulge in your wildest Halloumi dreams.

The new itinerary is among a handful Viking operates on the Great Lakes and one of a few new trips the cruise line has unveiled for 2023. It's set to take place aboard the new Viking Polaris, which can accommodate 378 guests in its 189 staterooms.

Other new Viking itineraries include a 14-day Patagonian shores and Chilean fjords journey from Santiago, Chile, to Ushuaia, a town that's been lovingly nicknamed "the end of the world."

A new Panama and South America itinerary will take guests through the famous Panama Canal and along the western coast of South America, stopping at ports in Lima, Peru ; Quito, Ecuador; and Cozumel in Mexico.

Prices for the Panama itinerary start at just under $10,000. Prices for Chilean fjords itinerary start at $9,000, while pricing for the Great Lakes itinerary start at just under $14,000.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a travel writer who loves historic plaques, wandering new streets, and walking on beaches. Find her on Facebook and Instagram .

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Our Distinctive A+R Style

• Immerse in the Victorian-era ambiance of Mackinac Island as you explore by horse-drawn carriage and visit historic Fort Mackinac. 
• Delve into fascinating chapters of music history at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, designed by I.M. Pei. 
• Cruise through the Great Niagara Gorge to feel the spray and mighty roar of Horseshoe Falls. 
• With a pre-cruise night at our deluxe hotel and 9 nights your choice of outside stateroom; Open Bar; 27 meals; a complete program of shore excursions; and chauffeured airport transfers

Show all itinerary details

Welcome to Toronto

Intercontinental Toronto Center - Toronto, Canada

On arrival, you’ll be met and chauffeured to our deluxe city-center hotel for your pre-cruise stay in Toronto. The balance of this day and evening are yours to relax and enjoy as you wish in this cosmopolitan city.

Enjoy Toronto + Embark the mv Ocean Voyager

Ocean Voyager

After breakfast, A+R guests have this morning at leisure to discover the sights and charms of Toronto at their own pace. Later this afternoon, we’ll take you to the pier where the intimate and stylish mv Ocean Voyager  awaits. Settle in to your outside stateroom and then join your fellow travelers for an elegant dinner with wines, cocktails and beverages.  Meals B+D

Thrill to Niagara Falls

A thrilling Hornblower Cruise will take you through the Great Niagara Gorge and past Bridal Veil Falls into the very heart of Horseshoe Falls - where the mighty spray and thundering roar of Niagara will virtually envelope you!  Meals B+L+D

Fine Art + Rock & Roll

Surprising detroit.

America’s source of industrial innovation and creativity, Detroit has figured both in the development of the automobile and in the “Motown” sound during the 20th Century. Embark on a narrated driving tour through Detroit, the largest city in Michigan. Brimming with renewed energy, Detroit is made up of unique cultural communities and architectural wonders. As you traverse the city streets, your local guide will provide thoughtful commentary that will allow you to discover the many marvels of the city from exquisite art to innovative engineering. Visit the Fisher Building, one of the most recognizable towers in Detroit’s skyline. Explore the Arcade and see why this National Historic Landmark is considered an artistic masterpiece. At the Ford Piquette Plant, dive deep into the history of the Ford Motor Company as your local guide shows you how this factory put the world on wheels. Meals B+L+D

Cruising Lake Huron

Enjoy this day of cruising – enriched by our shipboard experts, fine dining, congenial camaraderie with your fellow passengers and our Open Bar. Meals B+L+D

The Soo Locks + Sault Ste. Marie

You might wish to arise early this morning as the  mv Ocean Voyager  transits through the historic Soo Locks where freighters, barges and tugboats traverse the 21-foot drop of the St. Mary’s River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The first lock here was built in 1855 and the canal was navigated by 27 vessels during its first year of operation. Today, more than 10,000 ships hauling 86 million tons of cargo pass through these historic parallel locks each year, even though they’re closed during the winter when ice shuts down shipping on the upper Great Lakes! 

Today you can join your fellow passengers for flexible Hop-on Hop-off touring. Exploring at your own pace, you’ll be able to visit a number of the town’s highlights including the Valley Camp Museum. Here in the enormous hold of a cargo ship that plied the Great Lakes from 1917 through 1966, you’ll find fascinating exhibits that trace the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. Other sightseeing stops afford the chance to visit the River of History Museum, to see the historic homes of Water Street, and to marvel at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, one of the oldest churches in the United States.  Meals B+L+D

Mackinac Island

With no cars allowed on the island, your horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambience of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about the island's history and see spectacular turn-of-the-century summer homes built by early captains of American industry. High atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, your tour of Fort Mackinac delves into its strategic importance during the War of 1812.   The  Grand Hotel is famed for its colonnaded verandah. Opened in 1887, it’s still the longest front porch in the world. As you take in the breathtaking views from this hilltop setting and walk through the Grand’s elegant interior spaces, you may recognize them from  Somewhere in Time , the 1980 film starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour that was filmed here. Meals B+L+D

Escanaba “Esky” Michigan

Cruising on lake michigan.

Delight in another day of cruising as we navigate south toward Chicago . Take in the scenery from the expansive Observation Deck, enjoy congenial conversation in the Lounge, or join a final talk with our engaging Great Lakes experts. Elegant dining in two distinct venues – the Coastal Dining Room and the casual al fresco Grill - and our Open Bar enhance your day at sea.   Meals B+L+D

Step off in Chicago

After a final breakfast onboard, you’ll step off the ship in Chicago and be chauffeured to the airport for your homeward flight.  Meals B

13-Day Voyages including Montreal and the 1,000 Islands  

Please note, we carry more than 16 guests on this program. Port charges $459 per person are not included

Family + Friends

Pay-in-full.

Every A+R Journey is carefully crafted with more than 7 decades of expertise helping our guests to experience the world in a more authentic and caring way. Choose from more than 105 Original Journeys With Never More than 16 Guests or book your tour as a Completely Private Experience – whether it’s just the two of you, a small group of friends, or your entire family.

Exciting Discoveries on our Small Ship Cruise

Our a+r library, about your journey... america's great lakes, similar trips.

Discover the Great Lakes + St. Lawrence

Starting from Chicago, our exclusive journey across all five of our Great Lakes and down the storied St. Lawrence is highlighted by our 11-night cruise aboard the stylish, 202-guest Ocean Voyager . Enriched by a complete program of shore excursions showcasing the history, beauty and rich maritime heritage of the region, our all-inclusive cruise is enhanced by elegant shipboard dining, an Open Bar and engaging shipboard experts.

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Toronto, Ontario to Duluth, Minnesota
• Duluth, Minnesota to Toronto, Ontario

Great Lakes Collection

• From $13,995
• 10 Guided Tours
• 2 Countries
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Toronto, Ontario to Duluth, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota to Toronto, Ontario

Great Lakes Collection Map

Legendary waters & scenic landscapes

Join Viking for a unique voyage across the historic waterways of all five of the majestic Great Lakes. Experience culture-rich urban centers and admire the awesome power of thundering Niagara Falls. Explore the granite islands and sheltered inlets of Georgian Bay and traverse the famous Soo Locks. Study the aquatic ecosystems of the lakes as you journey and venture into the dense boreal forests that line the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

SPRING SALE

Viking Inclusive Value

We include more features & services than others

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary landing or shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center.

Self-service launderettes

Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge

24-hour room service

Kayaks, Zodiacs & Special Operations Boats — A Viking Expedition Kit with a variety of equipment to explore at no extra charge

Keepsake Viking expedition jacket (on polar itineraries)

All Viking excursion gear needed for any relevant excursions

Your Stateroom Includes:

King-size bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

55" OLED flat-screen TV featuring CNN, CBC, MBC2, beIN Sports

Interactive TV with complimentary movies and documentaries, as well as Viking.TV proprietary content, lectures and expert interviews

Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections

Floor-to-ceiling heated drying closets for expeditions gear

Spacious glass-enclosed shower

Heated bathroom floor

Anti-fog mirrors

Premium Freyja® toiletries

110/220 volt outlets & USB ports

Meopta Optika MeoPro 8x42 binoculars

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

Explore more before or after your expedition. Ask your Viking Expert for more information. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Georgian Bay

From $2,799 | 3 Nights

Pre: Toronto

From $1,099 | 2 Nights

Post: Duluth

From $1,399 | 2 Nights

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Cruising the Great Lakes: Chicago to Toronto

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• 2024 Eastbound
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Uniquely Tauck

experience with tauck

View the distinctive architectural styles of the Chicago skyline on an informative river cruise in Chicago, hearing the stories behind iconic works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and others

Enjoy an early morning, private opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

tauck value includes

Gratuities to Tauck Directors, ship staff and local guides

Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $4,500

Two nights in Chicago at your choice of Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park or Four Seasons Hotel Chicago (additional cost)

Two nights in Toronto at your choice of Fairmont Royal York or Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (additional cost)

Seven nights aboard a Ponant ship, cruising Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Michigan

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

Cultural journeys and expeditions

The mighty Great Lakes have played a vital role in the history and cultural fabric of North America for centuries... explore their storied waters... and unique cities and towns... that have grown along their shores...

See for yourself what small ship cruising is all about, the majesty of niagara falls, experiencing the thunder of niagara falls on the us-canadian border.

North America's most powerful waterfall – and one of its most famous and often-visited natural treasures – Niagara Falls actually comprises three distinctive waterfalls on the Niagara River, perched on the border of Ontario, Canada and New York. Every minute, some six million cubic feet of water plunges over the crests of the Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls and tumbles down nearly 200 feet into the rocky gorge below into a thundering cauldron of water and mist. Experiencing the raw power of Niagara Falls firsthand is something you'll never forget... and just what you'll do as you first view the falls from a panoramic spot high above... then don a hooded raincoat and board a private boat for an up-close – and very wet – encounter with this iconic "wonder of the natural world."

Traverse the Welland Canal

A marvel of engineering two centuries in the making....

Comprising eight locks that enable ship traffic to travel between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario by bypassing the Niagara River and Niagara Falls, the Welland Canal is a 200-year engineering marvel that actually represents four successive canals. Originally designed and built in the 1820s, a second canal replaced it in the late 1840s, and a third opened in 1887. The construction on the fourth and current Welland Canal – which your ship on "Cruising the Great Lakes" will traverse in about 11 hours, accompanied by an expert guide – began before World War I was not completed until 1932 and expanded some 40 years later.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Step back in time on michigan's mackinac island.

Vehicle-free Mackinac Island – off the Michigan coast in the Straits of Mackinac connecting Lakes Michigan and Huron – has been a popular retreat since 19th-century industrialists built imposing summer "cottages" here, and remains serenely lost in time. The only way to get around is by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage, as you make your way past impeccable Victorian mansions and out to the fringes of forest, marshes, beaches and 19th-century Fort Mackinac. The island is home to the palatial Grand Hotel, which lays claim to the longest porch in the world. Since 1887, the Grand has hosted many presidents, as well as the likes of Mark Twain and Thomas Edison (who first demonstrated his phonograph on the hotel's iconic porch).

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Welcome Aboard

• Le Champlain

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Deluxe Suite

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Prestige Suite

(Two combined Prestige Staterooms)

Privilege Suite

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Owner's Suite

Deluxe Stateroom

Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

Nights 1-2 Option 1

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park

Chicago, Illinois

Nights 1-2 Option 2

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

Nights 3-9 On Board

Tauck Small Ship

Nights 10-11 Option 1

Fairmont Royal York

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Nights 10-11 Option 2

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Your Journey

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Eastbound: Chicago → Toronto

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Westbound: Toronto → Chicago

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Four Seasons Hotels Additional Cost Per Person:

Four Seasons Hotels, Chicago and Toronto:  Double $795, Single $1,590, Triple $530 

Hotel accommodations on this cruise are at Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park and Fairmont Royal York (Toronto); if you wish, hotel accommodations at Four Seasons hotels in Chicago and Toronto are available (additional cost per person, subject to availability).

About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally , you will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay for entry into Canada; however, you do not need a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact the embassies or consulates of the United States and Canada to determine what travel documentation is required.

Please Note: Longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

Cruise Regulations

International Maritime Security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to us prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN:  If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $1,500 per person

Final Payment is due to Tauck  60  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Cruise Protection Product

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection

Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON and Tauck will  reduce the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your cruise departs. Certain terms and restrictions apply (see below*).

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey. Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  Should you cancel for covered reasons, the plan reimburses cancellation fees imposed, up to your total trip cost. 
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Cruise Protection is  $699  per person.

This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Cruise & Event Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your reservation. Cruise & Event Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit   affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACCREDOM

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply for this tour.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan:

120 days or more before departure: Loss of cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection fee per person 119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person 59 – 1 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan: 120 days or more before departure: $1500 per person 119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person 59 - 1 days before departure: Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

Tour Interruption Fees

If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

Partial Room Cancellation

A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation and transfer terms outlined herein. Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

The Ponant Explorer-Class Ship is registered in France. If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly. 

The Ponant Explorer-Class ship has a licensed and registered physician onboard for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. The ship's small infirmary is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents, and is not intended to or capable of providing on-going treatment of pre-existing medical conditions.

VACCINATIONS

If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Canada. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries on the itinerary to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.

You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain that may, at times, be uneven, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Therefore, roads and walkways may present difficulties for some guests with physical disabilities. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do is at your discretion. Pack sturdy, comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in in order to appreciate fully the sometimes challenging terrain.

Onboard ship, health and fitness devotees will find a spa and fitness center on Deck 7.

We regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.  Guests must advise Tauck of any food allergies or special dietary needs at the time of booking.

Smoking is not permitted on the motor coaches or inside the ship, including inside staterooms. Smoking is only permitted on the outer decks in the designated smoking areas. These regulations pertain to e-cigarettes as well.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

Temperatures in this region typically range in the 70s to 80s degree Fahrenheit (21 to 27º C) during the summer and can range from the 40s to 70s degree Fahrenheit  (5 to 21ºC) during the spring and fall; be prepared for occasional extremes. We suggest that prior to departure you check a newspaper or the weather forecast on the Internet for up-to-date information. To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov , by clicking here .

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov , by clicking here .

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2023 Great Lakes Season to See 8 Ships — Small Ship Cruising at its Best!

Aug 24, 2022 | 0

The 2023 Great Lakes Season

by Ted Scull

For the 2023 Great Lakes season, it’s a happy fact that all the 2022 cruise lines are returning, an indication that this once on-again off-again Canadian American cruising region has established both awareness and a following.

There will be a total of eight ships on the Great Lakes in 2023.

To reach the five Great Lakes, ships enter the region via the Gulf of St. Lawrence, then a narrowing river of the same name flowing past Quebec City and Montreal. They then use the St. Lawrence Seaway and sail on past Kingston, Canada’s original capital.

Most vessels cross Lake Ontario to tie up at Toronto, the eastern terminus for many Great Lakes itineraries.

The growing list of companies includes two veteran lines, with the longest-serving ship, the 210-passenger Pearl Mist , an operation connected to American Cruise Lines. The ship is registered in the Republic of the Marshall Islands located in the Pacific Ocean that was once a U.S. possession. The crew will be international, unlike the sister company American Cruise Lines.

The 210-pax Pearl Mist. * Photo: Pearl Mist Cruises

One 8-day itinerary starts in Toronto with a road transfer north to Midland, Ontario on Lake Huron for calls amongst the hundreds of islands. The ship pauses at carless and historic Mackinac Island then enters Lake Michigan and sails south to Milwaukee, the disembarkation port, and an interesting city that many tourists miss because of its proximity to Chicago.

The ship reverses its run and returns to Midland and a road transfer to Toronto.

A longer 11-day itinerary embarks at Toronto, passes through the Welland Canal, calling at ports in four of the five lakes en route to Milwaukee. This itinerary then operates in reverse.

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American Queen’s Coastal Pair Rules the Great Lakes

American Queen Voyages offers the most cruises with a pair of 202-passenger ships, the Ocean Voyager and the Ocean Navigator.

A series of 11-day cruises begin in May embarking in Toronto and traversing four lakes en route to Chicago, where the ship then returns along the same route.

RELATED: Karl Zimmermann Cruises the Great Lakes for the First Time Aboard the Ocean Voyager .

Other city pairs are Montreal — Chicago, also 11 days, and shorter itineraries between Montreal and Detroit.

The longest is 16 days, a round trip from Chicago that includes sailing through the Soo Locks into Lake Superior.

A few of the massive Great Lakes cargo vessels should be in transit.

The 202-pax Ocean Voyager. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann

Several Oceangoing Ships Join the Great Lakes Party

Deepsea ships include three lines, two relatively new to the area.

Germany’s Hapag Lloyd Cruises’ 230-passenger Hanseatic Inspiration undertakes numerous cruises for both English and German speakers on varied length itineraries throughout the summer.

The pool deck of the new 230-passenger Hanseatic Inspiration. * Photo: Hapag-Lloyd

Embarkations take place in Toronto, Windsor (opposite Detroit), Milwaukee, and Detroit.

The final cruise of the season, Milwaukee to Halifax lasts 18 days and is one of the longest inland waterway transits found anywhere.  A single cruise includes all five lakes with the most comprehensive itinerary of any line exploring Lake Superior.

Germans like northern climates and many 19th-century Germans settled in the Great Lakes region, hence German visitors dominate the passenger lists. However, the cruises operate fully bi-lingual and many German passengers will speak English.

Viking Expedition Cruises sends both of its new 2022-built 378-passenger expedition ships to the Great Lakes for 2023. Viking Octantis  and Viking Polaris will cruise from Toronto via Lakes Erie, Ontario, Huron, Michigan, and Superior on the most far-reaching 15-day trip to Thunder Bay, located on the far western shores of Lake Superior.

The new Viking Polaris as it will look in Toronto next season for its Great Lakes cruises. * Photo: Viking

Cruises operate from early June to September 2023.

An exception to our upper-end 300-passenger limit permits sharing this most ambitious undertaking.

RELATED: Anne Kalosh tells us about Viking’s flurry of new arrivals.

Ponant Cruises operates two 7-day cruises in conjunction with Smithsonian Journeys aboard the 184-passenger Le Bellot and Le Dumont-d’Urville , departing in late August and early October 2023.

Both, embarking in Toronto, transit the Welland Canal, visit Niagara Falls, call at Lake Huron’s island district and Victorian Mackinac Island, and terminate in Milwaukee.

Approaching the Welland Canal. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann

Regular departures follow this route both westbound and eastbound.

The late summer and early fall dates are more peaceful than the height of summer and provide an unusual opportunity for visiting the Great Lakes.

RELATED: Enjoy Ted’s Overview of Cruising the Canadian American Great Lakes.

RELATED: 6 Small Ship Lines that Cruise the Great Lakes.

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© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

Theodore Scull

I am happiest near water, over water or better still on a conveyance moving through water. When my brother Sandy and I were deemed old enough, mother took us to Europe by ship.

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The Best River Cruises In North America You Have To Try

Posted: December 11, 2023 | Last updated: April 25, 2024

Rolling on the river

Viking Mississippi Holiday Season cruise, USA

It’s never too early to start planning a Christmas markets cruise, and as much as we love the ones in Germany and Austria, nothing beats a festive float down the Mississippi. Highlights on  this cruise , which snakes from Memphis to New Orleans, include stop-offs at Natchez, whose many historic buildings are festooned with Christmas lights, and Vicksburg, whose independent boutiques are great places to pick up presents. This is also a great cruise for twitchers – a huge number of bird species flock to this stretch of the Mississippi for winter. 

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M.S. Dixie II Lake Tahoe cruise, California, USA

Say hello to one of America’s most spectacular lake cruises. Your mode of transport for this sail across Lake Tahoe will be the M.S Dixie II – the lake’s biggest boat. The sunset dinner cruises are popular with couples, although we recommend the scenic daytime tours, which are a great way to explore North America’s largest alpine lake. This high-altitude body of water spreads into two states (California and Nevada), contains enough water to cover California with 14 inches of water and is deeper than the Empire State Building is tall.  

Le Petit Navire Lachine Canal tour, Québec, Canada

If crowded cruise liners and transatlantic crossings don’t appeal, consider this leisurely sail along Canada’s 14-kilometer Lachine Canal, which slices through the southern section of Montréal, a city famous for its historic architecture. Don’t know your dingle from your dewater? You’ll gain a wonderful insight into the construction of this historic waterway as you pass through its locks, and you’ll also enjoy fantastic views of Montréal’s skyline. Your mode of transport is rather special too – a carbon-neutral, zero-pollution electric propulsion boat. 

American Cruise Lines Alaska Inside Passage cruise, Alaska, USA

Alaska’s Inside Passage is an inland route weaving between islands on the Pacific Northwest coast and along glacier-lined fjords. Inside Passage cruises offer a different perspective on Alaska to coastal cruises, relying on smaller ships to reach more remote ports of call. Highlights of this cruise include the Strait of Georgia, where you’ll sail between Vancouver Island and British Columbia, and the glacier-fed waters of Frederick Sound – a brilliant whale watching spot.

Now check out the fabulous cruising facts you won't believe

Northwest Pioneers Cruise, Oregon and Washington, USA

As much as we love the mighty Mississippi, this brilliant river cruise , which wiggles through Oregon and Washington, is a fantastic reminder that there are plenty of other breathtakingly beautiful waterways to explore. On this adventure, you’ll sail along the Columbia River – the largest in America’s Pacific Northwest – and Snake River, which is the Columbia River’s largest tributary. It’s a great way to see some of America’s most underrated destinations, including the town of Astoria, which is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies.

American Cruise Lines Puget Sound and San Juan Islands Cruise, Washington, USA

This seven-day cruise provides a brilliant insight into one of America’s most wildlife-rich regions: Washington state’s Puget Sound, America’s second largest estuary; and the San Juan Islands, a cluster of 172 islands and reefs where you’re likely to spot wildlife including whales and eagles. Don’t miss the chance to explore Port Townsend, sandwiched between Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and famous for its Victorian-era architecture. 

Viking America’s Heartland cruise, Upper Mississippi, USA

This is one of the best Mississippi cruises for anyone keen to learn about the people who shaped this part of the US, whether it’s the Norwegians who migrated here during the 1800s or the farmers who made this region one of America’s top culinary destinations. Stops include the Missouri city of St Louis, once known as the Gateway to the West; Hannibal, which was the setting for Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn;  and the Iowan city of Dubuque, home to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

Viking Heart of the Delta cruise, USA

An eight-day cruise between Memphis and New Orleans, Viking’s Heart of the Delta cruise takes in the Mississippi’s best bits, including many listed monuments and buildings. For history buffs, highlights will include St Francisville, where there’s a whopping 140 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Natchez, which has more listed buildings than any other American city. If you’re short on time, put Stanton Hall, which was built in the 1850s, at the top of your list – this Greek revival-style property is famous for its ornate mirrored parlors.  

James River Batteau Company Batteau River tour, Virginia, USA

Short on time? Opt for this scenic river tour . Your mode of transport for this float along Virginia’s James River will be one of the beautiful wooden boats which have sailed this waterway for years. The two-hour tour along the river, which is Virginia’s longest, is a great way to see its wildlife – bald eagles, river otters and ospreys are regularly spotted. It’s a rather relaxed affair, and passengers are encouraged to cool off with a swim in the river. 

Discover the beloved cruise ships that will never sail again

American Queen Voyages Clarkston to Portland cruise, USA

A brilliant cruise for history fans, this 10-day Snake River and Columbia River cruise starts in Clarkston and finishes in Vancouver, Washington – the route undertaken by explorers Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark in the early 1800s. It’s also a route lined with natural wonders, including Columbia Gorge, which slices through the Cascade Mountains, and Idaho’s Hell’s Canyon, which is deeper than the Grand Canyon and can be explored on a high-speed boat ride. The Columbia River stretch is where you’re most likely to see bison, elk and deer too. 

American Queen Voyages Memphis to Nashville cruise, USA

This nine-day Memphis to Nashville   cruise is a fantastic way to check out some of the southern state’s prettiest towns, whether it’s Paducah in Kentucky, famed for its arts and craft museum or Clarksville, Tennessee. The latter is famous for its breweries, distilleries and wineries, while historic sites include the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, where you can learn about the town’s famous former residents, including Wilma Rudolph – the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games. 

American Queen Voyages Mighty Mississippi Red Wing to New Orleans, USA

Can’t get enough of the Mighty Mississippi? Take a deep dive on  this 16-day cruise between Red Wing and New Orleans. It’s a fantastic way to discover the landscapes which surround America’s second longest river. The Minnesotan city of Winona, for example, is built on a sandbar and dates back to 9,500BC. The excursions on this cruise are fantastic too. Our favorite? In the town of Hannibal, Missouri, you’ll get the chance to make your very own clay pot out of Mississippi mud. 

Adventure Life Rivers of Adventure and Wine cruise, Oregon, USA

Your transport for this food and wine-themed cruise along the Columbia River is the Wilderness Legacy, a beautiful vessel designed to resemble a Victorian steamer. During the cruise, which starts and finishes in Portland, you’ll visit some of Oregon’s most important historical sites, but it’s the food and wine-themed stops that really set it apart. In the Hood River Valley, you can sign up for cycle rides between local vineyards, and in the Washington city of Walla Walla, you’ll visit a local chocolatier, olive oil producer, and brewery.  

American Queen Voyages St Louis to Cincinnati cruise, USA

Get more bang for your buck from your river cruise by signing up for American Queen Voyages’ exploration of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Stop-offs on this spectacular paddle steamer cruise include the Illinois city of Alton, which has a rich history and became a base for abolitionists in the 1800s, and Henderson in Kentucky. It’s another cruise with fantastic excursions, our favorite of which is a jet boat ride along a stunning section of the Ohio River near Carrollton, Kentucky. 

American Queen Voyages Montréal to Detroit cruise, Canada and US

An 11-day cruise between two very different cities, this Montréal to Detroit sailing provides plenty of opportunities for urban explorations – you’ll visit Montréal, Québec City , Toronto and Cleveland, as well as quaint riverside towns such as Gananoque, in the heart of the Thousand Islands archipelago in Eastern Ontario. This particular cruise offers fantastic value for money – the cost of your sailing covers a wide range of excursions, including visits to Toronto’s CN Tower and catamaran tours of Niagara Falls.

St Lawrence Cruise Lines, Canada’s Capital North cruise, Canada

This Ottawa River cruise is a great way to explore two very different regions of Canada – more specifically Ontario and Québec. The six-day sailing is packed with fascinating stop-offs, including the wildlife-filled Thousand Islands, which straddle the border between America and Canada, and Fort Wellington, built in 1812. Love a lock? For many passengers, the highlight of this river cruise is the famous Carillion Lock, an enormous 182-tonne structure which has a flow rate of 2,000 cubic meters of water per second. 

Pearl Seas Cruises Great Lakes and Georgian Bay cruise, US and Canada

Sign up for this 11-night cruise from Toronto to Milwaukee and you’ll get the chance to see four of the most beautiful Great Lakes, with time to visit attractions lining the route. For many, the highlight is Georgian Bay, where 30,000 islands form the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, and where you’ll be able to check out destinations such as traffic-free Mackinac Island by horse-drawn buggy. There are plenty of big hitters too – you’ll take a guided tour of Niagara Falls and visit the legendary Henry Ford Museum in Windsor, Ontario. 

Le Boat Rideau Canal Cruise, Ontario, Canada

For something completely different, consider hiring your own river boat for a bespoke exploration of Canada’s Rideau Canal. The waterway, which is the oldest continuously-operated canal system in North America, is regarded as one of the world’s greatest engineering feats, and the UNESCO-listed canal is lined with historic sites. Your mode of transport? A luxury river boat kitted out with a kitchen, spacious bathrooms and sun deck. They’re surprisingly easy to drive too, thanks to powerful thrusters which make navigating locks a breeze. 

American Cruise Lines Hudson River cruise, New York, USA

This New York round trip  takes in the Hudson River’s best bits, busting the myth that its most spectacular section weaves through the Big Apple. You’ll explore it on the American Star, which has room for just 100 passengers and offers several stop-offs in the beautiful Catskill Mountains area. The cruise is especially popular with fans of architecture, who come to admire historic buildings such as the Vanderbilt Mansion (the former home of Franklin D. Roosevelt). 

Viking Great River cruise, Mississippi, USA

This is another fantastic option for history buffs – a Mississippi River cruise filled with visits to some of America’s most important historic sites. In Red Wing, Minnesota, you’ll learn how New Englanders joined forces with German and Irish migrants to farm the fertile landscape, and in Burlington, Iowa, you’ll discover how the arrival of both steamboats and the railroad transformed this once sleepy town, filled with listed buildings. Don’t miss the chance to stand under the famous Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri – a crossroads for nineteenth-century explorers. 

US Mailboat Cruises of Lake Winnipesaukee on the M/V Sophie C, New Hampshire, USA

Another fantastic option for anyone short on time, this cruise takes place on America’s oldest floating post office – a beautiful vessel which launched on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1945. During the two-hour cruise, you’ll visit several of Lake Winnipesaukee’s 253 islands, many of which were once home to indigenous people such as the Pennacooks. Don’t forget to send a postcard home – you’ll be able to post it on the boat, complete with an M/V Sophie C stamp.  

Craving a cruise? Check out our guide to the world’s most beautiful cruise ships

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Summer's coming and the time is right for Okoboji. Here are 7 things to do at the lake

With summer just weeks away, it's time to think about relaxing days on Iowa's Great Lakes.

Okoboji, in northwest Iowa, is a favorite summer gathering spot for Iowans. Here are seven ways to enjoy a week or weekend in and around the clear, cool water.

Visit Arnolds Park

Nothing is more classic than Arnolds Park and its boardwalk. An old-school amusement park on the lakeshore, it has entertained and enchanted generations of Iowans since it opened on West Okoboji Lake in 1889.

The park features a boardwalk on the lake with ice cream shops, restaurants and places to buy Okoboji-branded souvenirs. But the centerpiece is The Legend roller coaster. Built in 1930, the genuine wood-framed coaster features a figure-eight layout that covers 2,000 feet of track in one minute. A six-year restoration was completed in 2023, with a new paint job, new concrete and a refurbishment of the first section of the track.

The Legend may be old, but it's mightier than ever. It still has the bumps typical of wooden coasters, but they're gentler than before and the ride is more enjoyable.

Catch a concert

Next to Arnolds Park is Preservation Plaza. Unveiled last year, the plaza features a stage with a unique, wavy roof. A concert deck on the plaza has an outdoor bar and the upstairs portion of the deck is available for rental by sponsors and donors during summer concerts.

For music lovers, the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is just steps away.

The 2024 concert lineup at Preservation Plaza includes:

• REO Speedwagon June 14.
• Chase McDaniel June 15.
• Scotty McCreery June 28.
• Three Dog Night & Little River Band July 21.
• Cole Swindell July 26.
• Russell Dickerson Aug. 16.

Hang out at Miller's Bay

A short cruise or paddle from Gull Point State Park, Miller's Bay in West Okoboji Lake is a popular hangout for boaters. On hot days and on busy weekends thousands of people will cram into the small bay. It can feel claustrophobic sometimes, but it's a fun place to drop anchor, have a cold one and relax in the sun.

Stop at The Barefoot bar

Among the most popular stops on the lake for boaters is The Barfoot Bar on East Okoboji Lake, with its tropical-themed drinks and slushies. Its restaurant has pizza, burgers, tacos and other things that are easy to eat on a boat or on the go.

Most of all, Barefoot is known for its Full Moon Parties starting at 7 p.m. on nights with full moons in the summer.

This year's Full Moon Parties will be held May 23, June 21, July 21 and Aug. 19.

Ride a bike

Iowa is the home of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa and a fast-growing network of trails, so it should be no surprise that Okoboji is bike friendly. The 14-mile Iowa Great Lakes Trail winds its way through Milford, Okoboji and Spirit Lake, with spurs leading to other lakeside attractions.

The system loops around Big Spirit Lake, where it links across the border to the Loon Lake Trail in Minnesota's Loon Lake Park, adding even mileage for those seeking a longer, scenic ride.

Watch fireworks

There's nothing quite like watching fireworks over West Okoboji Lake. From the end of May through the end of August there are firework displays on most Friday nights and a handful of other nights throughout the summer. Fireworks shows typically begin after Preservation Plaza concerts around 10:15 p.m.

In 2024 fireworks displays will be held:

• June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
• July 4, 6, 13,20 and 27.
• Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Have a Charlie Boy

All northwest Iowans know the Charlie Boy, a Sioux City specialty. It's also the signature dish at the Okoboji affiliate of a Sioux City landmark, the Miles Inn, the perfect place to hang out when you're taking a break from the lake.

Charlie Boys are like Maid Rites, but better. Wrapped in wax paper, they're loose meat sandwiches with cheese, onions, mustard and ketchup. The meat has extra pepper in it to give it a kick.

Charlie Boys always hit the spot. The trick is not eating more than three at a time.

Philip Joens covers retail, real estate and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184, [email protected] or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

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LYNCHBURG, VA — Matt (Tugboat) Wilkinson pitches for the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League ... [+] in a game at Bank of the James Stadium.

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Williamson, all 6-foot-1 and 270 pounds of him, was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the 10th round last July and signed for $110,000. This season, he’s performing like a $900 million cruise ship for the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Class A Carolina League.

Last week, Tugboat struck out 15 of the 19 batters he faced over six hitless innings against Myrtle Beach. He walked one.

According to MLB.com, only two big-league pitchers have fanned 15 or more over six or more hitless innings since 1975 – future Hall of Famers Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer. The great Nolan Ryan did it three times.

Wilkinson was drafted out of Central Arizona Junior College in Coolidge, certainly an unlikely place to find a tugboat. He had 10 wins, a 1.07 ERA and 138 whiffs in 84 innings to earn 2023 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D1 Pitcher of the Year honors.

Tugboat turned pro instead of using his scholarship to play at Arizona State. A couple weeks later, he whiffed all three men he faced in his first inning as a pro for Cleveland’s club in the Arizona Complex League.

"I thought it was the best option for me," Wilkinson said on the MLB Network. "It was a tough decision for me. My junior college coach ended up going to Arizona State the same year I was going. I didn’t see myself growing as a pitcher at Arizona State so I thought it was the best decision to go, especially with the Cleveland Guardians."

In seven starts this year, he is 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA and astounding 63 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. He has walked 9 and allowed a measly 19 hits.

The 21-year-old lefty has three good pitches, though none particularly stand out. His fastball is usually around 92-93 mph. He also has a decent slider and changeup. What has stood out is his ability to command all three offerings with an elite spin rate. His fastball carries through the hitting zone well due to its’ spin, fooling batters.

He gained a bit of attention pitching for the Okotoks (Alberta) Dawgs of the Western Canadian Baseball League. He fanned 121 over 71 1/3 innings as a teen.

He’s been called Tugboat since age 7 in Ladner, British Columbia, when a friend said that’s how the chubby youngster looked when running the bases. "I love it, I love being called Tugboat," Wilkinson said.

A good nickname can make an impact for a player with talent as this anecdote by a Hall of Fame pitcher shows.

Tugs In The Majors

There have been seven big-leaguers unofficially nicknamed “Tug” or Tugboat”. Two of them were quite good.

NEW YORK: Thurman Munson bats in a game at Yankee Stadium on April 30, 1977. 19770430-056 1977 ... [+] Diamond Images

Thurman Munson, also called Squatty or Walrus, got such names because of his 5-11, 190 body that him perfect as a catcher nicknamed Tugboat pushing aside runners trying to score.

He was a seven-time AL All-Star in 11 seasons (1969-79) for the New York Yankees before dying in a crash on Aug. 2, 1979, while practicing takeoffs and landings in his new private plane in Canton, Ohio. He was only age 32.

Munson was the 1970 AL Rookie of the Year, won three gold gloves and had a .292 average with 113 homers and 701 RBI in 1,423 games.

OAKLAND: Manager Yogi Berra, Tug McGraw, and Willie Mays after the New York Mets won the second game ... [+] of the 1973 World Series at the Oakland Coliseum, 10-7 over the Oakland A's. McGraw pitched six innings in relief and retired the A's 1-2-3 in four of them.

On the other side of town, Frank (Tug) McGraw was a star reliever for the New York Mets (1965-74) and then the Philadelphia Phillies (1975-84).

The father of country music star Tim McGraw coined the term, “You Gotta Believe” for the 1969 Mets, who went from baseball’s laughingstock to World Champions. McGraw’s 9-3 record, 12 saves and 2.24 ERA that year sure helped.

In 1971 and 1972, he had a 1.70 ERA over 217 innings, all in relief, going 19-10 with 35 saves. That’s a workload unheard of today for a reliever – but didn’t keep him from pitching at a high level for more than another decade.

Overall, McGraw had 96 wins, 180 saves and 3.14 ERA in 824 games and more than 1,500 innings. In 26 post-season games, he had 3 wins, 8 saves and 2.24 ERA.

His mom nicknamed him for his aggressive breast feeding as an infant.

A One-Season Showboat

George Fisher played 14 seasons in the minors. The outfielder earned the nickname “Showboat” during a spectacular 92-game stretch for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fisher had played in 28 games total for the Washington Senators in 1923-24, then resumed his minor-league career in Minneapolis and Buffalo. When injuries decked the Cards in 1930, he hit .374 with 8 homers and 61 RBI for them. That helped St. Louis win the NL pennant. With the regulars healthy, Fisher got only two at-bats in the World Series. He doubled and struck out as the Cardinals fell to the Philadelphia Athletics in six games.

Then it was back to the bushes except for 18 games for the AL St. Louis Browns in 1932. Fisher hit .182, went back to the minors for 86 more games in 1933 and retired at age 34.

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