Join the Yorktown on a voyage to explore the vast inland seas of the Great Lakes. A legacy left by retreating glaciers, these lakes comprise one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. Explore the best natural, historical, and cultural treasures of the Great Lakes as you trace a sweeping route between two greatand historic American cities, Buffalo and Duluth.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Buffalo and transfer to the pier to embark the Yorktown. Settle in to your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship and her crew.
Day 2: Buffalo / Niagara Falls, New York
This morning visit Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most spectacular wonders. Enjoy a thrilling Maid of the Mist boat ride beneath the falls. Return to Yorktown for lunch and then take a tour of Buffalo, a city experiencing a vibrant
renaissance. Our tour will showcase Buffalo’s architectural gems and include a visit to the famed Albright-Knox Museum
Day 3: Cruising Lake Erie / Detroit, Michigan
Enjoy a day at sea as Yorktown navigates through Lake Erie and into the Detroit River. Pass by the glittering city of Detroit with its beautifully renovated International Riverfront, attractive waterfront parks, and the Renaissance Center, home of General Motors world headquarters.
Day 4: Detroit, Michigan
In the morning, tour the Henry Ford Museum and enjoy free time in the adjacent Greenfield Village, an indoor/outdoor history museum complex housing a wide array of historical buildings, machinery, exhibits, and Americana. In the afternoon, sail through Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron en route to Alpena.
Day 5: Alpena / Presque Isle, Michigan
Arrive in Thunder Bay to call at the lovely town of Alpena, home to an outstanding maritime museum with displays on Great Lakes maritime history. There is also the opportunity to travel north to the small peninsula of Presque Isle, an untouched place of great beauty with two historic lighthouses. Pristine forests, numerous inland lakes and 72 miles of Lake Huron shoreline on the central flyway make Presque Isle a birder’s paradise.
Day 6: Mackinac Island, Michigan
Arrive in beautiful Mackinac Island, a Victorian-era haven where cars are forbidden and bicycles share the road with horse-drawn carriages. Explore this idyllic island and see the ancient limestone formations that were considered sacred by the Straits Indians; the impressive Fort Mackinac, built atop a high cliff by the British in 1780; and the landmark Victorian Grand Hotel. Also enjoy free time to stroll along streets lined with gingerbread trimmed buildings and browse in the charming shops.
Day 7: Manistique, Michigan
Sail into Lake Michigan to call at Manistique, a small town on the bucolic Garden Peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan. Explore this scenic and peaceful area, including the Big Spring, in Palms Book State Park, its crystal clear waters stretching 200 feet across; and Fayette, the center of a large smelting operation in the 19th century, now one of the country’s most evocative industrial ghost towns, protected as a state park site.
Day 8: Sault St Marie, Michigan
Dock at Sault Ste. Marie where you will have a choice of excursions. In Sault Ste. Marie see the Soo Locks from the viewing platform in town and visit a 1917 Great Lakes freighter, now a museum. Alternatively, take a drive outside the city to the Point Iroquois Lighthouse for views of the entire coastline and to see the lighthouse keeper's memorabilia. Walk on the boardwalk to the beach before returning to Sault Ste. Marie and your ship. Leaving port Yorktown transits the Soo Locks, often called the busiest in the world, where roughly 10,000 ships pass annually.
Day 9: Pictured Rocks / Marquette, Michigan
Spend the morning at sea sailing along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a 40-mile stretch of pristine natural wonders along Lake Superior’s southern coast. The colorful sandstone cliffs are of particular interest, having created beautiful arches, caves, and other formations over time. In the afternoon call in Marquette. Explore this picturesque city on Lake Superior, including a visit to the Marquette Maritime Museum and Lighthouse.
Day 10: Houghton / Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
Today Yorktown navigates through the Portage Waterway, the narrow channel that separates Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula from the mainland, to call at quaint Houghton, built on a bluff facing the channel. Keweenaw witnessed the country’s first mineral rush, when vast deposits of copper were discovered in 1840. By the time the rush was over early in the 20th century, copper had generated enormous wealth, estimated to be ten times more than the money generated by the California Gold Rush. The legacy of the copper rush is still evident today in the abandoned mines, deserted settlements nestled in the forest, and the opulent buildings in the region’s towns. Explore this historic region, including a visit to a copper mine.
Day 11: Duluth, Minnesota / Diembark
Following breakfast aboard, disembark Yorktown in Duluth, Minnesota and transfer to the pier to embark the Yorktown.
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $950, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 164 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 164 reviews on
9 hours ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
1 day ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner
Fiona Lonsdale
2 days ago
I spoke with at least a half dozen other travel companies, looking for a Galapagos cruise that fit our schedule and budget. Some companies could manage one or the other, but Erin was the only one who could do both. She found us the perfect cruise, at a fantastic price! And she has been quick and patient with responses to my many questions. So far, Adventure Life has been a fantastic company to work with!
Sandi T
2 days ago
Adventure Life took care of everything! All we had to do was show up when we were supposed to, which made our first trip to Costa Rica largely stress-free and incredibly fun. Our trip reps, Hannah and Mariethony, were helpful and responsive, getting back to us by email usually within a few hours. Our accommodations were all great, and we got incredibly blessed with some absolutely stellar guides and drivers.
Our Jungle & Beach trip was an excellent balance of adventure and rest. We got to try out a lot of different activities, including snorkeling, hiking, white water rafting and kayaking, while also partaking of some rest around the pool or by the ocean. We enjoyed seeing and exploring the beautiful Caribbean side of the country.
Joy Knowles
2 days ago
This was a life changing trip of a lifetime and exceeded my expectations. No details were left out during the planning of this trip by Adventure Life. The entire crew on the ship could not have been more helpful and kind. Everyone went out of their way to make this trip as pleasurable as possible.
