FAQs: Cruising the Great Lakes with Victory Cruise Lines

by Karilyn Owen, Trip Planner

Did you know that the Great Lakes holds roughly a fifth of the world's fresh surface water? The 5 lakes are overflowing with interesting history of industrialization, French and British colonial forts, Native histories, and even ship wrecks. This is also the only cruise line in the region that offers guests the ability to visit all 5 of the lakes!

On a Great Lakes cruise, you get beautiful scenery and real history without the jet lag. For travelers who want the feel of an immersive small-ship trip but not the commitment of getting to Europe or Asia, this is the trip that delivers that experience close to home.

How does a Great Lakes cruise compare to other cruises?

While similar in many ways to river or expedition cruises, a Great Lakes cruise will make you wonder if you have found your way onto the wide ocean. There are days when the shore is a distant spec, and others where you pass close by forested shorelines and small towns along the way. One fun aspect of cruising the Great Lakes is going through the various locks systems that allow ships to move between the different levels of lakes. 

With Victory Cruise Lines you get the same small-ship intimacy (under 200 passengers) of these types of trips, a similarly paced itinerary of a new port every day or two, included excursions, and a ship that becomes a floating hotel rather than the centerpiece of the trip. 

Who is this cruise for?

This trip is great for travelers looking to experience a new port every day, with included excursions, with the ship as the backdrop, not the main actor. 

This ship is great for older mobile travelers who are still up for exploring on foot and can easily manage getting up and down stairs along the way.
 

What are the cabins like?

Cabins run in five categories across four main decks, with sizes that don't follow the usual "smaller is cheaper" cruise logic. Some of the lower priced cabins are actually among the roomier ones. We can help match the cabin category to your priorities (view, deck level, proximity to elevators, budget). These ships do not have traditional “balcony” cabins, rather most categories of rooms are inside cabins with picture windows.

Are meals included?

Yes! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included throughout the cruise, with options for a sit-down dining room and a casual buffet-style option. There are also cookies and other nibbles in the lounge and bar throughout the day and night. Alcohol and non-alcohol beverages are also included, however there is a drinks package for those who want to upgrade to premium alcohol.

 

What are the excursions like?

Included excursions run in the morning and afternoon in most ports, generally lasting 2-3 hours, with time built in to return to the ship for lunch. These excursions tend to include the main sights guests would want to see in each port, with options to upgrade your excursions. The upgraded premium excursions tend to be more hands-on, immersive options like a food tour, art or even kayaking!

Onboard, there are regular talks on Great Lakes history and lore, plus live music every evening from the house band. Theme nights like Carole King or 70’s rock n roll are fun for all ages!

What type of transportation is used for excursions?

For the most part, shore excursions use a comfortable motorcoach for port tours. One unique feature used by Victory is that you have the same two bus drivers for all of the US port stops. 

Do I need a passport?

Yes! All of the Victory Great Lakes itineraries stop at both US and Canadian ports. 

What's the best time to sail, and what's the weather like?

The Great Lakes cruising season runs from around late April to mid October with the most popular months being the warmer summer months. Expect weather variability even within a single cruise — pack layers for both the indoor AC and cool mornings or evenings, while the day can get quite warm in some places.

What is the typical age range for these cruises?

These Great Lakes cruises tend to skew toward an older, well-traveled crowd. Most commonly retirees and travelers in their 60s and 70s, though the pace is comfortable enough to suit a range of ages and mobility levels. 

Is this a good trip for solo travelers?

Yes. The ship's size and the daily rhythm of shared excursions, lounge gatherings, and communal dining make it easy for solo travelers to fall in with a group without feeling like the odd one out.

Are flights included in the cruise rate?

No. You will be responsible to book your own flights to and from the embarkation and disembarkation cities, which gives you flexibility on timing and routing. We can get you a quote with our flight partner and help coordinate arrival/departure logistics around the ship's schedule.

How far in advance should I book?

Popular sailings, especially peak summer weeks, can fill up well ahead of the season — booking 6-12 months out is a safe rule of thumb, with more lead time recommended for the most in-demand itineraries and cabin categories.

Can I extend my stay?

Yes. While the cruise line doesn’t provide pre- or post-cruise stays we can help you arrange these in the same hotels or other hotels as you need. For those arriving early, or staying on, there is a pre and post departure/arrival day upgraded excursion to get your visit started!

Is travel insurance recommended?

Yes. As with any of our trips, we recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical expenses, and lost baggage. Details are available at adventure-life.com/insurance.