Today I have the privilege of flying to Seattle with my good friend Renee. The flight went fast as we chatted the entire time.
Once in Seattle, I connect with the light rail to get to downtown ... Full Journal »
Great Lakes Grand Discovery
« All Yorktown cruise options
- Day 1 Duluth, Minnesota
- Day 2 Apostle Islands/Bayfield
- Day 3 Houghton, Keweenaw Peninsula
- Day 4 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Day 5 Sault St Marie, Michigan
- Day 6 Little Current, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron
- Day 7 Parry Sound
- Day 8 Cruising Lake Huron & Lake Erie
- Day 9 Lemington / Point Pelee National Park
- Day 10 Welland Canal / Niagara Falls
- Day 11 Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Disembark
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| E | D | C | B | A | AA | S | |
| Aug 1 '12 |
$4,995 | $5,595 | $6,495 | $7,095 | $7,595 | $8,195 | $8,695 |
| Fuel Surcharge: $155 per person | |||||||
Jul 26 '13 * Aug 5 '13 |
$5,195 | $5,695 | $6,595 | $7,095 | $7,695 | $8,395 | $8,895 |
| Port charges & taxes: $225 per person * Itinerary operates in reverse |
|||||||
Please note: Cruise fare does not include fuel surcharges.
Deposit & Payment Day 1 Duluth, Minnesota
Fly to Duluth, Minnesota and transfer to the pier to embark the Yorktown.
Day 2 Apostle Islands/Bayfield
From the ecologically diverse Apostle Islands, travel to the charming village of Bayfield. Perfectly blending the tranquility of village life with some of the finest offerings of any big city, Bayfield is a quaint village filled with many delights. Spend time enjoying its art galleries, delightful boutiques, and smart cafés.
Day 3 Houghton, Keweenaw Peninsula
Today Yorktown will navigate 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, an area not only rich in history, but also a place of extraordinary natural beauty.
Day 4 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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 Munising. Explore this picturesque town, situated in a bay just outside the Lakeshore, with splendid views of Lake Superior.
Day 5 Sault St Marie, Michigan
This morning Yorktown transits the Soo Locks, known as the busiest in the world, where some 12,000 ships pass annually. of excursions. Travel via coach and ferry to beautiful Mackinac Island, a Victorianera 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 ginger-bread- rimmed buildings and browse in the charming shops. Alternatively, take the scenic rail journey from the Canadian side of Sault Ste. Marie, traveling along the shore of Lake Superior and through the magnificent scenery of the Agawa Canyon. In the late afternoon, Yorktown enters Lake Huron and the scenic waterways of the North Channel.
Day 6 Little Current, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron
Land at Little Current, the main settlement on Manitoulin, the world’s largest freshwater island and one of 30,000 islands that grace Lake Huron. Manitoulin, home to the rare Red-shouldered hawk and Cape May warbler, is also home to the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, a thriving Native American community that bears the distinction of being the only tribe in Canada never to have ceded title to their land. Drive to the reserve, where a traditional First Nations powwow will be held, and visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, whose exhibits chronicle the
story of the native people of Manitoulin.
Day 7 Parry Sound
Sited at the head of a beautiful bay in Ontario’s Georgian Bay area, the town of Parry Sound is noted for the striking scenery of the 30,000 isles that line its surrounding coastline. Participate in excursions that will explore this pristine corner of Lake Huron.
Day 8 Cruising Lake Huron & Lake Erie
Enjoy a day at sea as Yorktown navigates through Lake Huron and into Lake St. Claire and 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. Enjoy views of the scenic Canadian coast of Lake Erie as you sail toward Leamington.
Day 9 Lemington / Point Pelee National Park
Today call in Leamington, “Tomato Capital of Canada,” as it’s prominently displayed on the town’s red-painted water tower. Spend time exploring nearby Point Pelee National Park, the most southern point on the Canadian mainland, stretching into Lake Erie. Although the smallest national park in Canada, Point Pelee is home to more than 370 species of birds, over 70 species of trees, and numerous species of reptiles and amphibians that are not found elsewhere in Canada.
Day 10 Welland Canal / Niagara Falls
This morning Yorktown begins the dramatic passage from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario via the Welland Canal. A series of seven locks designed as a continuous flight of “stairs” lifts Yorktown 324 feet over a distance of 27 miles. From the decks of the ship witness the mechanics of this engineering marvel, which took over 100 years to complete. Stay on board for the entire transit or disembark for an excursion to Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders, where you’ll see both the American Falls and Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls.
Day 11 Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Disembark
Disembark in Toronto and transfer to the airport for return flights home.
Itinerary Notes
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS:- 10-night cruise aboard the 138-guest Yorktown
- Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
- All meals aboard ship
- Complete program of tours and excursions
- Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturer
- Professional tour staff
- Complete pre-departure materials
- Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program arrival date
- Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.
Final payment by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 91 days or more | $400 |
| 90-31 days | 55% cruise cost |
| 30-0 days | 100% cruise cost |
Yorktown
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 138
The Yorktown is the perfect vessel for relaxed and convivial exploration of America’s great coastal waterways. Built in Florida in 1988 specifically for coastal cruising and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Yorktown flies the American flag and is staffed by friendly and experienced American officers and crew. 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, with a draft of 8 feet, the Yorktown is able to maneuver in secluded waterways and visit small ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. And Yorktown’s American registry makes it possible to operate domestic itineraries unavailable to foreign-flag ships.
In addition to a large sun deck, the Yorktown boasts a spacious lounge for social gatherings and lectures as well as quiet space for private conversation. The ship’s cuisine, served in a dining room large enough to accommodate all guests at once, emphasizes American regional culinary traditions and specialties. Both the lounge and dining room are surrounded by large picture windows that afford unobstructed
views of the passing scenery.
Accommodating 138 guests in 69 exterior cabins, the Yorktown enjoys an atmosphere of warm and relaxed informality that endears it to repeat and new guests alike.
Measuring 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, and with a draft of just eight feet, the ship's easy maneuverability and shallow draft enable exploration of secluded waterways beyond the reach of bigger ships. A fleet of motorized landing craft can be launched in minutes for spontaneous landings on small islands and deserted beaches.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
| E Outside cabins with two lower beds, two portholes, private shower & toilet. Cabins M11-M17 | |
| D Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L43-48 | |
| C Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins P49-P76 | |
| B Outside cabins with two lower beds, two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins M18-M26 | |
| A Outside cabins with two lower beds, two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L29-L42 | |
| AA Outside cabins with two lower beds (converts to queen), two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L27-28, P59-60 | |
| S Superior outside cabins with walk-out balcony, queen bed, private shower & toilet. Cabins S77-S80 |
