By
Alex Smith |
Cruise the Great Lakes, a regional collaborative marketing initiative that promotes cruising across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, has forecast record growth for the region’s 2026 cruise season, projecting an economic impact of more than $300 million - a 25 per cent increase on 2025.
Seven cruise lines are expected to operate ten vessels across the Great Lakes and St Lawrence River next year, with more than 148 itineraries planned. The number of passenger visits is forecast to rise by almost 15 per cent to around 175,000, supported by more than 800 scheduled port calls.
“Great Lakes cruising does more than delight passengers – it drives economic growth across the region,” said Anne Sayers, tourism secretary for Wisconsin and chair of Cruise the Great Lakes. “The forecast growth means more travellers visiting port cities, more passengers spending at local businesses, and more lasting impact across the Great Lakes.”
American Cruise Lines will enter the market for the first time, joining existing operators Pearl Seas, Ponant, St Lawrence Cruise Lines, Victory, Viking and Hapag-Lloyd. Vessels operating in 2026 include Pearl Mist, Canadian Empress, Octantis, Polaris, Le Bellot, Le Champlain, Hanseatic Inspiration, Victory 1, Victory 2 and American Patriot.
“As we look to 2026, we’re anticipating continued growth in the Great Lakes cruise sector,” said Sally Davis Berry, tourism director of Cruise the Great Lakes. “We expect next season to surpass 2025 in passenger numbers, destinations visited and overall economic impact, reflecting the growing appeal of cruising in the region.”
The announcement was made at a press conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin, attended by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
“Great Lakes cruising is vitally important to Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region,” said Evers. “It’s a major economic driver and job creator for our port communities and for the state.”
“Being part of Cruise the Great Lakes is a tremendous opportunity for Green Bay,” added Brad Toll, chief executive of Discover Green Bay. “Each ship that visits introduces travellers from around the world to our community while delivering tangible benefits for local businesses. We’re excited to build on this momentum in 2026.”