Great Lakes Grand Discovery - Montreal to Chicago

Enjoy a complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening allows time to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, our Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and our friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about the upcoming voyage to reservation of premium experiences. Representatives will be available to provide suggestions for dining, entertainment and sightseeing options to maximize your time here. 

The St. Lawrence Seaway abuts land where old Europe meets contemporary design – in Montreal. Feel the pulse of this diverse and vibrant city on an optional pre-cruise premium experience. On a half-day driving tour, survey the splendor of the view from the Mount Royal Overlook, then slip beneath the metropolitan surface to explore Underground City and its dazzling array of shops, art venues, theaters and cafés. The medieval ambiance of the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica enchants all. Throughout the city, ornate edifices and alluring locations hint at Montreal’s wealth of cultural treasures.

Gananoque, in the heart of the thousand Islands, is recognized as one of Eastern Ontario's most stunning waterfront communities. Enjoy breathtaking views from all angles and discover the warmth and hospitality of the people that call this place home. Whether you are artsy with a twist of outdoorsy or a bucket list traveler in need of a dash of adrenaline, there is never a shortage of things to do, places to visit, and memories to make.

Ever-expanding Toronto is a gift to the senses. It’s become a canvas for the many artisans who’ve made it home and taken every opportunity to captivate uniqueness and beauty throughout its core. A quirky amalgam of culture flows freely through every inch of adventure throughout the metropolis. From freshness in farmers’ markers to boldness of cityscape, each visitor will certainly fall in love with a little piece of this smashing destination. 

Considered Canada's premier metropolitan center, diverse Toronto provides options for any taste. The flavor of the city comes alive in historic St. Lawrence Market, a source of authentic artisan foods and crafts - and community - for more than 200 years. A visit to this modern metropolis with 19th-century flair becomes a cultural kaleidoscope that emerges as a singular and unique experience. 

Begin your day in breathtaking Niagara Falls, which attracts millions of visitors each year. An optional pre-cruise premium experience takes you to the heart of its splendor for a Hornblower catamaran ride into the mist. Afterward, take lunch for a spin in the rotating Skylon Tower, followed by a tasting at local winery and shopping at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Deluxe motorcoaches will transport guests a short distance to the ship in Port Colborne. 

Step off the ship onto what some call America’s “North Coast” and discover why Clevelanders are so fiercely proud of their home. The reinvented city reverberates with vitality and a cool new atmosphere. Expand your mind at the world-class Cleveland Museum of Art, with over 45,000 works to explore. You can also feel the backbeat at the museum devoted to one of America’s finest gifts to the world – the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. An optional premium experience to Geauga County offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life with a visit to an Amish home for a traditional wedding feast. 

There’s no better place than the Motor City to choose an optional premium experience to explore the captivating history of the automotive industry – and so much more – at The Henry Ford. Be astounded by the museum’s vast and varied artifacts of American heritage. The extraordinary exhibits chronicle the lifespan of a nation. All guests may choose the included excursion to the Detroit Institute of Arts and its 100-plus galleries, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the West Canfield Historic District and other city highlights. 

Today we slip our moorings to survey the sapphire canvas of a boundless empire. Scenic sailing invites visitors to navigate the day as we cruise through the second-largest arena of inland sea in America’s Great Lakes. Engage in laissez faire, and curl up with a nautical novel on the deck as the rhythmic slap of spray keeps pace.  

Breathe the clean air and find solace in the sacred atmosphere of the world's largest freshwater island. Generations have nurtured a close and cherished relationship with the land, the forest, the waters and the sky in this treasured place, and you are invited to share its beauty and splendor. Reflect on island heritage on an included excursion to the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation for a welcome ceremony and interpretive tour, along with stops at other attractions of note. Those opting for a premium experience can saddle up to feel the gentle sway of an ambling horseback trail ride amid the breathtaking scenery of Honora Bay. 

A city divided presents duality in experience; Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and ON, bridged together by name and commerce, are diverse waterfront communities that harbor a flood of opportunity. Culture beats through street veins that connect these harbors to the distinctly different North American countryside beyond each border. Join the included tour, and admire the view from the Soo Locks observation deck, or peer into the past in the preserved fur traders’ settlement homes on Water Street. Drink in the atmosphere, and encounter life in Sault Ste. Marie.  

Vacationers adore this unique American destination. Its devotees long for the time they can return to their beloved island retreat and truly disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle. Clip-clop rhythms of horse hooves soothe the soul, with not a car in sight. The rich aroma of Mackinac's signature treat - its famous fudge - permeates charming shops.

This peaceful port draws visitors back year after year. Tour the island by carriage and visit Fort Mackinac. Afterward, marvel at myriad magnificent selections on the Grand Hotel luncheon buffet for an included mid-day meal to treasure. And the view at the hotel from America's longest front porch stretches for miles.

As we traverse across the aqua, turquoise and cerulean shades of Lake Michigan, watch dunes of sand slowly become lost in the horizon while sunlight plays upon the deck. You may choose to visit the fitness center for a workout, or pamper yourself with a soothing massage in the spa. Regardless of preference, embrace the relaxation that scenic sailing offers to all.

As the journey concludes, there are additional opportunities for you to take in the town. Consider a post-cruise premium experience with airport transfer, or enhance your vacation with a Chicago City Stay Package.