Great Lakes Cruise Ports
Islands, lighthouse towns and big lakefront cities.
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Every Great Lakes cruise picks a handful of these ports. Embarkation is usually at a larger city, with smaller towns and islands in between.
Duluth, Minnesota
Lake Superior’s western tip, a busy freighter port with an aerial lift bridge.
Pictured Rocks, Michigan
Colorful sandstone cliffs near Munising; see Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
A car-free island of fudge shops, Victorian cottages and horse-drawn carriages.
Milwaukee and Chicago
Lake Michigan’s big cities, both used as start and end points.
Detroit, Michigan
Motor City’s riverfront on the Detroit River between Lake Huron and Lake Erie.
Niagara and Toronto
The falls, the Welland Canal and Canada’s largest city.
Kingston and the Thousand Islands
The gateway to the St. Lawrence River and its castles.
Montreal and Quebec City
French-speaking Canada at the river’s end.
Port Tips
- Bring layers: lake breezes keep shore temperatures cooler than inland.
- On Mackinac Island, wear walking shoes; there are no cars or taxis.
- Carry your passport on any day in Canada.
- Allow time in the embarkation city; Chicago, Toronto and Montreal reward a pre-cruise night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cars allowed on Mackinac Island?
No. Motor vehicles are banned; visitors get around on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn carriage.
Which Great Lakes ports have the best scenery?
Lake Superior’s shore, including Pictured Rocks near Munising, and Georgian Bay’s islands are among the most scenic; Niagara Falls is the most famous single sight.
Do Great Lakes cruises visit big cities?
Many do: Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toronto and Montreal appear on various itineraries, often as embarkation ports.
Lake Superior and Georgian Bay
The wildest Great Lakes scenery lies at the northern edge of the system. On Lake Superior, the largest of the lakes by surface area, cliffs, sea caves and boreal forest line much of the shore, and towns are far apart. Georgian Bay, an arm of Lake Huron in Ontario, is scattered with thousands of granite islands shaped by glaciers. Expedition ships in particular favor these areas, using small boats to take guests close to the shore. Expect cooler temperatures and changeable weather even in midsummer, and pack accordingly.
Embarkation Cities
Most voyages start or finish in a large city with an airport: Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal or Duluth, depending on the line. Smaller ports such as Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie or Kingston are calls along the way. Arriving a day early is wise; it protects you from flight delays and gives you time to explore the first city. Our advisors can book a hotel close to the pier.
Choose Your Great Lakes Ports
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match you with an itinerary that calls where you want to go, free.
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