Thunder Bay Milwaukee Muskegon Duluth LAKE ONTARIO LAKE ERIE LAKE HURON LAKE SUPERIOR LAKE MICHIGAN Cleveland Toronto Green Bay Detroit Chicago Welland Canal Mackinac Island Georgian Bay Port Colborne COVER STORY These ships are small enough to navigate the three sets of man-made locks they will encounter along the waterway – and guests will find the ships being raised and lowered as they pass through the locks an attraction in itself. Along the way, the vessels will navigate the immense course of rivers, lakes and channels that characterise the region, combining the experiences of ocean travel and river cruising in an itinerary that will particularly appeal to experienced cruisers. Ports of call are available in US Great Lakes states – including Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota – and the Canadian province of Ontario. On the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto offers a chance to visit the world famous 147-storey CN Tower, while along the Welland Canal through to Lake Erie guests can enjoy a butterfly conservatory in Port Colborne, Ontario, that is home to over 2,000 butterflies of 45 species or a visit to Niagara Falls. Detroit, Michigan, showcases its automotive history at the Henry Ford Museum which visitors can follow up with a deep-dish square pizza or Coney hot dog. Bike trips and horse-drawn carriage rides are available on Mackinac Island, Michigan, while Georgian Bay, Ontario, offers the Science North interactive museum and the largest freshwater archipelago, Thirty Thousand Islands. On the south end of Lake Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, offers a wealth of culture, shopping and dining, with a river cruise to see the city’s architecture among its top attractions. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the home of historic NFL team the Green Bay Packers and their stadium Lambeau Field, while a new public market on Fox River and the Green Bay Botanical Garden offer alternative options. Great Lakes destinations are in the process of improving and expanding their dock space and accommodations for cruise ships, with the ports of Cleveland and Duluth having invested in passenger clearance facilities and Muskegon and Milwaukee, have plans in place to build new docks to accommodate the larger expedition cruise ships. “Unique onshore experiences immerse passengers in local history, art, architecture and culture in the surrounding states and provinces,” says Yackley. “Travellers disembark on Mackinac Island for horse and carriage rides, experience the Victorian homes and art museums of Muskegon, Michigan, and the gourmet cuisines of Milwaukee’s beer city food markets. Visitors tour the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and visit the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth. At every stop along the way, passengers are treated to award-winning cuisine and breathtaking views.” 2 2 Guests to Mackinac Island can enjoy bike trips and horse-drawn carriage rides during their visit
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