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The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system is a 3,700-kilometre marine highway with direct access to the major port cities and multiple picturesque destinations in the heartland of North America.
From the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, the Great Lakes offers experiences of a lifetime for passengers looking for a new destination to explore. This growing hub for luxury cruises includes the St. Lawrence River, all five Great Lakes and unique ports that dot the shoreline, all of them rich with historic, maritime and Midwestern charm. With the water an important part of everyday life, prime tourism attractions are close to berthing spaces.
The continued growth of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System’s cruise industry is a direct result of the many partnerships developed over the past decade. This team approach between the port authorities, tourism bureaus, state and provincial partners ensures a seamless operation and a wonderful experience for cruise ship owners, operators, itinerary planners and passengers throughout this stunning binational waterway.
For the 2024 navigation season, six cruise lines will operate eight vessels on the Great Lakes Seaway System, offering a wide range of itineraries between Canada and the USA. Collectively, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Pearl Seas Cruises, Plantours, Ponant, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines and Viking will make approximately 140,000 passenger visits to 37 destinations. And, with the anticipated return of the two former American Queen Voyages’ vessels purchased by Victory Cruise Lines in the 2025 season, the enthusiasm for Great Lakes cruising continues to grow.
Another contributing factor for the increase in passengers on the Great Lakes is the continued effort to raise awareness of the Great Lakes as a destination for cruise ships. Whether it’s direct educational outreach to the cruise lines and travel agents, or general conversation with friends and family, the enthusiasm experienced in telling the story about the cruise industry on the Great Lakes never gets old.
We have developed multiple new excursion options in various locations for the 2024 season, including on Flowerpot Island in Ontario, which is famous for its natural ‘flowerpot’ rock pillars, caves, historic light station and rare plants. Most visitors take a tour boat from the town of Tobermory to spend a half or full day on the island hiking the trails, viewing the scenery, picnicking or swimming, but as cruise passengers get to moor next to the island, they’re able to skip the commute.
Elsewhere in Ontario, Red Rock, which is surrounded by the world-famous Nipigon River, offers cruise visitors a pristine example of ‘getting closer to nature’ thanks to numerous inland lakes, fishing opportunities, and a continuously growing network of hiking trails.
The village of Rossport in Ontario overlooks the pristine Rossport Islands, part of a huge archipelago designated as Canada’s newest marine conservation area. The Rossport area is a nature lover’s paradise often described as “a cathedral without pillars” and, sometimes, the “Peggy’s Cove of the North”.
Buffalo in New York City offers multiple attractions, including the Buffalo Naval Park museum, where cruise guests can explore four decommissioned naval ships
Another attraction in Lake Superior is the Slate Islands Provincial Park, which was established in 1985 to protect the biodiversity and provincially significant elements of the natural and cultural landscape. To maintain the archipelago’s ecological systems, the recreational use for cruising passengers has been limited to waterside touring only.
The Slate Islands were formed by a meteorite impact about 12 kilometres south of Terrace Bay, which offers must-see attractions of its own. The Aguasabon Falls & Gorge, located near the Terrace Bay lighthouse, is a spectacular 100-foot waterfall that cascades with beautiful ferocity in the spring and serene grace in the summer and autumn. It flows into the Aguasabon Gorge, along a 2.6-billion-year-old rock face. Also nearby is the Casque Isles Trail, which is an important section of both The Great Trail and the Voyageur Hiking Trail.
Meanwhile Buffalo, New York, is eager to welcome cruise ships and passengers to its redeveloped waterfront. Attractions such as the spectacular Niagara Falls, Frank Lloyd Wright structures, and Burchfield Penney Art Center create a rich experiences for passengers visiting the city.
With six unique cities accessible from one dock, Bay City in Michigan offers various experiences including the 110-acre Dow Gardens and the historic USS Edson naval ship, which is now a museum offering guided tours.
Another top attraction for passengers are the locks on the binational waterway, located on the St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland Canal and St. Mary’s River.
Rebecca Yackley is director of trade and economic development at Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
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