189 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”. 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-billionyear-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 “ The enthusiasm for Great Lakes cruising continues to grow” Buffalo in New York City offers multiple attractions, including the Buffalo Naval Park museum, where cruise guests can explore four decommissioned naval ships
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