Great Lakes Cruises
Five freshwater seas, the St. Lawrence River and a chain of locks — North America’s most surprising small-ship cruise region.
Compare Great Lakes CruisesInland Seas, Small Ships
Great Lakes cruises have grown from a niche into one of the busiest small-ship regions in North America. The five lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario — are linked by rivers, straits and locks to the St. Lawrence River and the Atlantic. Cruise ships sized to fit those locks can sail from Duluth or Chicago to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, calling at island resorts, lighthouse towns and big lakefront cities.
This site is about that region: the Great Lakes cruise lines, the St. Lawrence River, the locks and canals that make it all possible, and what is new for 2027. For rivers elsewhere in the country, see our sister site US River Cruising.
| Region | Typical highlights |
|---|---|
| Lake Superior | Duluth, Pictured Rocks, rugged shoreline, Thunder Bay |
| Lake Michigan | Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Door County, Mackinac |
| Lake Huron and Georgian Bay | Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks, island-studded Georgian Bay |
| Lake Erie and Niagara | Detroit, Cleveland, Point Pelee, the Welland Canal and Niagara Falls |
| Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence | Toronto, Kingston, the Thousand Islands, Montreal, Quebec City |
Explore the Region
Great Lakes cruise lines
Viking, American Cruise Lines, Pearl Seas, Victory, Hapag-Lloyd and the Canadian Empress.
Compare the lines →
St. Lawrence River cruise
Thousand Islands castles, the Seaway, Montreal and Quebec City.
Sail the river →
Why Cruise the Great Lakes
- Close to home. Short flights from much of the U.S.; some itineraries never leave the country.
- Variety. Wilderness, islands, lighthouses and major cities in one voyage.
- Engineering. Lock transits and the climb past Niagara are unforgettable.
- Small ships. Expedition and coastal ships carrying a few hundred guests at most.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Great Lakes cruise season?
Roughly spring to autumn. Most sailings run from May to October, and some lines start earlier or finish later; winter ice closes the system to cruise ships.
Do Great Lakes cruises need a passport?
Itineraries that call in Canada do; carry a valid passport. American Cruise Lines’ Great Lakes cruises begin, end and stay in the U.S., so no passport is required for American citizens on those.
How big are Great Lakes cruise ships?
Small. Ships must fit the Seaway and Welland Canal locks, so Great Lakes cruise ships carry from a few dozen to a few hundred guests.
Are the Great Lakes rough?
They can be. These are inland seas, and wind can raise real waves, especially on Lake Superior. Most of the time conditions are moderate, and ships seek shelter when needed.
US Riverboat Cruising is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare every Great Lakes line for your dates and budget, and book flights and hotels too. Meet Mister Cruise →
Hear about new Great Lakes departures first in our cruise-offers newsletter, and check Wave Season for the winter booking offers. River lines are listed in the Official River Cruise Directory, ocean lines in the Official Cruise Directory and every kind of trip in the Official Travel Directory. For more of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and New York, see Best of the USA; if you would like to sell cruises like these, visit Be a Travel Agent.
Sister Sites for North American Waters
More From Our Cruise Network
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