Great Lakes and Thunder Bay

Start your adventure with an upscale hotel stay near Navy Pier. Visit Chicago’s famous landmarks such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. Savor a gourmet rooftop dinner and take a leisurely evening stroll along the pier.

Kick off and conclude your adventure in the lively Windy City, known for its impressive architecture and exceptional culinary offerings.

Relax and soak up the beauty of this vast freshwater sea as you cruise towards Mackinac Island.

Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of this car-free island. Explore historic sites, discover unique shops, and take a horse-drawn carriage tour to Fort Mackinac for a cannon and rifle firing demonstration.

Included Excursion:

MACKINAC ISLAND CARRIAGE EXPLORATION
Step back to quieter times on a scenic survey ride around Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage with stops at the key must-sees. With its period architecture and ban on motorized vehicles, sightseeing on Mackinac is like time-traveling to the 1800s, but with cell service. VCL guests enjoy complimentary admission to Fort Mackinac and the Grand Hotel.
Activity Level: Light
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
Mackinac by authentic carriage, Surrey Hill, Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac, Grand Hotel

Embark on a scenic sail across Lake Superior, marveling at the deep blue waters and rugged coastline. Participate in onboard activities such as nature talks and bird-watching sessions. Relax on deck and take in the serene beauty of the largest Great Lake.

Discover the historic charm and natural beauty of Marquette, a vibrant city nestled along the shores of Lake Superior.

Included Excursion:

MARQUETTE MARITIME MUSEUM & HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE
Attention all lighthouse enthusiasts, Fresnel fans, and historic building buffs: don’t miss this excursion to Marquette Maritime Museum & Harbor Light! You’ll encounter engaging exhibits on maritime and Great Lakes history, notable shipwrecks, the largest collection of beam-focusing lenses in the Great Lakes – and a bright red lighthouse.
Activity Level: Moderate
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
Marquette Maritime Museum, Marquette Harbor Lighthouse

Explore the charming college town of Houghton, known for its rich copper mining history and stunning natural surroundings.

Included Excursions:

ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTER
Isle Royale National Park is a serene, truly isolated wilderness, with a Visitor Center in downtown Houghton, a short stroll from our docking location. Drop by for info, a chat with the Rangers, and a unique National Park Passport stamp. Later in your journey, Victory II will glide by the lush wild island in Lake Superior; you might spot a moose spotting you back.
Activity Level: Light
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
Isle Royale National Park Visitor Center, downtown Houghton

A.E. SEAMAN MINERAL MUSEUM
Rockhounds and mineralists of the world, unite! At least for a few hours of fascination on a visit to this premier museum on the Michigan Tech campus. The Keweenaw Peninsula’s unique geology – and the museum’s many iconic specimens of copper and 100 other minerals – have made this an international must-see for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Activity Level: Light
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Michigan Technological University campus

Nestled on the shores of majestic Lake Superior, Duluth, Minnesota, welcomes you with a small-town atmosphere and big-lake beauty.

Included Excursion:

ABOVE & BEYOND DULUTH
Spectacular bluff-top Lake Superior views from a stone tower commemorating a Norwegian philanthropist’s life. And a captivating visit inside a true steel baron’s refined family estate. Both are exciting aspects of this excursion focused on the remarkable wealth and industrial history that has shaped the city of Duluth.
Activity Level: Light
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
Enger Tower, Glensheen Mansion & Gardens

Discover the natural wonders and cultural tapestry of Thunder Bay, known for its proximity to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Included Excursion:

EXPLORE THUNDER BAY
With on-foot and motorcoach segments, this excursion provides a leisurely highlights introduction to Ontario’s trending city of Thunder Bay. Board and explore a retired Canadian Coast Guide icebreaker. Pay your respects at a monument to Canada’s cancer-awareness hero, Terry Fox. View the Sleeping Giant. And free-range awhile in downtown.
Activity Level: Moderate
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
CCGS Henry Alexander National Historic Site, Terry Fox Memorial Monument, views of Sleeping Giant peninsula, free time in downtown Thunder Bay

Embark on a scenic sail across Lake Superior, marveling at the deep blue waters and rugged coastline. Participate in onboard activities such as nature talks and bird-watching sessions. Relax on deck and take in the serene beauty of the largest Great Lake.

Witness the engineering marvel of the Soo Locks, a vital waterway connecting Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

Included Excursions:

SOO LOCKS WITH DOWNTOWN STOP
From a commanding observation deck, watch the parade of boats, ships, and freighters navigate the Soo Locks on the St. Marys River, an engineering marvel linking Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Learn about how the locks came to be at the Visitor Center. And see how sailing can go very wrong at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Society.
Activity Level: Light
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
Soo Locks Observation Deck & Visitor Center, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, downtown Sault Ste. Marie

LSSU CENTER FOR FRESHWATER RESEARCH & EDUCATION
Spend time at your leisure exploring the Lake Superior State University freshwater research center. Located right at the dock, this state-of-the-art facility is committed to the study and conservation of vital Great Lakes resources through education, research, and community engagement. Docents are on hand to field your questions.
Activity Level: Light
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
LSSU Center for Freshwater Research and Education (dockside)

Enjoy the serene voyage on Lake Michigan’s clear waters. Take in the beautiful shoreline, spot local wildlife, and bask in the sunshine.

Explore the cultural offerings and scenic waterfront of Green Bay, a city steeped in history and home to the legendary Lambeau Field.

Discover the charming city of Green Bay. Visit the Green Bay Botanical Garden, explore the fascinating exhibits at the Neville Public Museum, and take a tour of the historic Lambeau Field. Enjoy local dining and shopping in the vibrant downtown area.

Included Excursion:

NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM
Enjoy a narrated panoramic drive through Green Bay en route to this day’s primary objective: the complete satisfaction of your interest in locos, rolling stock, and all other things railroad. You’ll have a first-class guided journey, a train ride, and free time for personal wandering through the incomparable collection of the National Railroad Museum.
Activity Level:
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
Narrated Green Bay drive, guided journey & free time at National Railroad Museum, train ride

Discover the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of Muskegon, a city bordering pristine Lake Michigan.

Included Excursion:

MUSKEGON HISTORY
Ride the famous Muskegon Trolley backward in time to visit a pair of turreted Victorian lumber baron mansions, a home where the Great Depression lifestyle is still underway, and a museum that celebrates Muskegon's industrial accomplishments great and small – from its lumber facilities to its foundries, woodworkers, paper mills, and bowling equipment makers.
Activity Level: Light
Duration: Half Day

POINTS OF INTEREST
Hackley & Hume Historic Site, Fire Barn Museum, Scolnik House, Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business and Industry

Conclude your roundtrip adventure in Chicago. Take one last stroll along Navy Pier, visit the iconic Willis Tower for breathtaking city views, and explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown. Reflect on your incredible experience before disembarking.