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Enjoy the scenery of the Great Lakes

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway

Chicago - Montreal - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Victory I
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Embark on a 13-day cruise from Chicago to Montreal aboard Victory II, exploring key landscapes and landmarks of the Great Lakes. Start in Chicago, visiting vibrant neighborhoods and notable sites like the Willis Tower. Cruise through Lake Michigan to destinations like Escanaba, Michigan, and Mackinac Island, where a horse-drawn carriage tour highlights its Victorian history. Navigate the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, explore Detroit’s industrial history at the Henry Ford Museum. In Cleveland, visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Experience Niagara Falls with a catamaran cruise and vineyard visit. Conclude in Montreal, exploring its historic sites and French-Canadian cuisine. This cruise blends urban culture, historical landmarks, and natural beauty.
Explore Chicago, IllinoisAdmire the stunning views of Lake SuperiorExplore the historic city of DetroitEnjoy stunning views of Niagara FallsExplore beautiful and historic MontrealEnjoy the scenery of the Great Lakes
Highlights
  • Indulge in exceptional dining and marvel at the Willis Tower in Chicago
  • Explore the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit and discover its collection
  • Explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and its cultural impact
  • Discover Toronto's vibrant culture and exquisite dining scene
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Chicago (Navy Pier), Illinois | Hotel Stay

Start your journey with a night at a hotel near Navy Pier. Walk along the scenic Chicago Riverwalk, visit Millennium Park, and dine at a top restaurant. In the evening, experience Chicago's lively nightlife and entertainment.

Day 2: Chicago (Navy Pier), Illinois | Embark

Begin your Great Lakes adventure in Chicago’s bustling cityscape. Take in views from the Willis Tower, enjoy fine dining, and immerse yourself in the city’s diverse cultural offerings.

Day 3: Scenic Sailing on Lake Michigan

Less deep, and less cold than its Superior counterpart, Lake bluffs borders this freshwater Michigan, the second largest Great Lake by volume is the only one whose borders lie entirely within the United States. This lake is a conduit for water travelers seeking to visit iconic lawrencemontrealAmerican's largest freshwater island in the cities - of Milwaukee, Muskegon, and Chicago.

Day 4: Escanaba, Michigan

Experience the natural splendor of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, trek through verdant forests, and delve into the area’s fascinating history. 

Day 5: Mackinac Island, Michigan

You’ll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. With no cars allowed on the island, your horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambiance of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about the island’s history and see turn-of-the-century summer homes built by early captains of American industry. High atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, your tour of Fort Mackinac delves into its strategic importance during the War of 1812. Then take in the views from the Grand Hotel’s verandah, the longest in the world, and enjoy the hotel’s famous Grand Luncheon Buffet. Back in town,
you’ll have time to browse through galleries and boutiques. Before sailing this evening, the Grand Hotel’s resident historian Bob Tagatz will come aboard for a colorful talk on the history of Mackinac Island and its world-famous hotel.

Day 6: Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks), Michigan | Lake Superior

Located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, the twin - “Soo’s” - of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and Michigan was originally established as one settlement by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century and remained so until the War of 1812. Today the locks on the American Soo side bypass the St. Mary’s Rapids that fall over 20 feet connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron and Michigan. The Soo locks are the busiest in the world in terms of tonnage, accommodating 1000-foot freighters. Traveling upstream and arriving at Mackinac Island, the ship will dock on the Canadian side of the river at Roberta Bondar Place, named for Canada’s first female astronaut. In Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, you will visit The Bush Plane Museum and Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site. The collections and exhibits of the Bush planes tell the story of how these brave Canadians battled Ontario’s many forest fires. At the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, you’ll find stone buildings and period gardens from the 1800’s. In Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan you will visit The Valley Camp Museum Ship which houses over 100 exhibits in her 20,000 square feet of cargo holds which contains hundreds of interesting artifacts, paintings, shipwreck items, models, and exhibits of objects related to maritime history. In addition, The Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit holds the two lifeboats from the stricken vessel. Torn away during the sinking, these lifeboats are two of very few major artifacts recovered after the tragic demise.

Lake Superior lives up to its name not only in its place as the largest of the Great Lakes but also by its surface area - the largest of any freshwater lake in the world. A traveler on these waters touches nearly 3,000 cubic miles of water. With an average depth of 500 feet, it features a nautical playground for a variety of marine life.

Day 7: Scenic Sailing on Lake Huron

The second largest of The Great Lakes, Lake Huron boasts a surface area of 23,000 square miles. Of the 35,000 islands peppering the Great Lakes, 30,000 spring from Lake Huron. The largest island on the lake also happens to be the largest freshwater island in the world – Manitoulin. It is home to six First Nation tribes and a year-round population over 13,000.

Day 8: Detroit, Michigan | Scenic Sailing on Lake Erie

Sailing from Lake Huron to Lake Erie, you will call on Detroit, Michigan. Just outside of Detroit, you’ll visit the Henry Ford Museum which was created to document the genius of ordinary people. Housed in a sweeping, nine-acre, single-floor space with soaring 40-foot ceilings the museum is dedicated to showcasing the finest collection of its kind. The sheer scope and design of the museum are as grand as the vision that inspired it. Local experts will escort guests to see the museum’s highlights including the limousine that carried President John F. Kennedy on that fateful day in Texas, the bus in which Rosa Parks stood her ground and sparked the Civil Rights movement, and the chair from the Ford Theatre in which Abraham Lincoln was sitting when he was shot.

Lake Erie, the southernmost of the Great Lakes is also the shallowest and smallest in terms of volume. Its size allows it to both warm and freeze rapidly in conjunction with the weather. Its allure draws island hoppers, birdwatchers, fishermen, and one legendary creature - Bessie, a 40-ft. long, a foot-thick serpent.

Day 9: Cleveland, Ohio

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland represents the heartland of American life and history. Industrial landmarks from its days as a lakeside manufacturing town still stand in testament to Cleveland’s roots. But the Cleveland of today is also filled with beautiful urban spaces and is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Here is a striking structure designed by I.M. Pei, you’ll discover more than just a museum of rock and roll memorabilia. With the expert guide, you’ll explore the evolution of the musical genre that shaped a generation and track its cultural impact. Among the exhibits are Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche and Michael
Jackson’s famous glove. You’ll also explore the wonderful West Side Market, set in a 1912 landmark and home to more than 100 vendors.

Day 10: Niagara Falls (Port Colborne), Ontario

Opened in 1829, the Welland Canal continues to play a vital role, allowing goods to travel from Great Lakes ports like Cleveland and Detroit to the ocean ports of Montreal and Quebec City. As the ship begins its canal transit, you’ll step off in Port Colborne for a scenic drive into the vineyard-laced landscapes of the Niagara Peninsula. Then a thrilling Niagara Falls Catamaran Cruise takes you through the Great Niagara Gorge and past Bridal Veil Falls into the very heart of Horseshoe Falls - where the mighty spray and roar of Niagara virtually envelop you! At the Chateau des Charmes, founded by a fifth-generation French winegrower, you’ll enjoy a tour, tasting, and lunch. You will also have free time to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Day 11: Toronto, Ontario

Discover Toronto, a vibrant metropolis brimming with culture, fashion, and exquisite dining. From the towering CN Tower to its lively arts scene, there’s something for everyone.

Day 12: Scenic Sailing on Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario, this lake of shining waters - as its Iroquoian name implies - harbors pieces of each of the other Great Lakes within it. All the water in the Great Lakes flows through this body of water. And the dunes, wetlands, and rocky forests that surround it are recreational wonders for guests year-round.

Day 13: Montreal, Quebec | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Soak in the European flair of Montréal. Stroll through historic districts, savor French-Canadian delicacies, and experience the city’s lively culture.

Ship/Hotel

Victory I

Compass Lounge
Dining Room
The Grill

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,999 2-3 travelers
Outside Stateroom D
Cat. D - Outside Stateroom
Area: 158 sq. ft. Located on the Main Deck. Room amenities include a Queen bed or two single beds, a full bathroom with shower, a writing desk with chair, and interior access.
Outside Stateroom C
Cat. C - Outside Stateroom
Area: 152 sq. ft. Located on the Saloon Deck. Room amenities include a Queen bed or two single beds, a full bathroom with shower, a writing desk with chair, and interior access.
Outside Stateroom B
Cat. B - Outside Stateroom
Area: 146 sq. ft. Located on Cabin Deck. Room amenities include a Queen bed or two single beds, a full bathroom with shower, a writing desk with chair, and interior access.
Outside Stateroom A
Cat. A - Outside Stateroom
Area: 185 sq. ft. Located on the Cabin Deck. Room amenities include a Queen bed or two single beds, a full bathroom with shower, a writing desk with chair, and interior access.
Deluxe Outside Stateroom with Veranda
Cat. AA - Deluxe Outside Stateroom
Area: 161 sq. ft. Room amenities include direct access to the open-air Promenade Deck, a Queen bed or two single beds, a full bathroom with shower, a writing desk with chair, exterior access, and a mini refrigerator.
Owner's Suite with Semi-Private Veranda
Cat. OS - Owner's Suite
Area: 335 sq. ft. Room amenities include a semi-private terrace, a Queen bed, a full bathroom with shower, a sitting area with sofa and dining table, an interior entrance, and a mini refrigerator.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay with complimentary ground transfers between the hotel and the vessel
  • Included Shore Excursions - meet destination experts and in every port
  • Acclaimed Cuisine breakfast, lunch and dinner served in multiple venues
  • Exclusive enrichment with our Lakelorian
  • Open Bars and Lounges - unlimited beverages throughout the vessel
  • Unlimited beverages including an extensive wine list, choice spirits, local beers, and specialty coffees
  • Oceanview Staterooms all oceanview suites and staterooms, appointed with the comforts of home
  • Live Daily Onboard Entertainment enrich your curiosity onboard and on-shore with Lakelorians
  • Gourmet selections - regionally inspired dishes with intricate and artful plating
  • Hiking Sticks
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

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This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
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