Tag Archives: Great Lakes

American Launches First All-U.S. Cruises on Great Lakes

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American Launches First All-U.S. Cruises on Great Lakes

American Cruise Lines is launching a series of all-U.S. cruises on the Great Lakes starting in 2026, the company announced in a press release.

The sailings will be operated by the American Patriot and are being introduced in response to guest demand, the company said.

Three new itineraries are set to be offered between May and August 2026, with additional departures planned for 2027.

“Guests have long asked for our style of cruising on the Great Lakes,” said Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines.

“We are now proud to offer these cruises as only Americans can, aboard a new small ship sailing 100 per cent domestically,” he added.

The company said that this announcement marks the first time in decades that an American ship will offer domestic cruises in the growing Great Lakes cruise market.

“Without the need to cross borders, the new cruises are a completely unique experience apart from all other cruise lines currently on the lakes,” American added.

While other ships dock at ports intended for foreign ships and international entry, the American Patriot can dock in the heart of small towns, city parks and private marinas, the company continued.

American’s 2026 Great Lakes itineraries include a nine-day cruise visiting the Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls, while an additional nine-day itinerary highlights Lake Michigan, Green Bay Inlet and the Upper Peninsula.

The line’s signature 14-day cruise, dubbed the American Great Lakes, travels 800 miles through three of the Great Lakes: Erie, Huron and Michigan.

All sailings offer an included pre-cruise hotel stay and complimentary domestic airfare, American explained.

“Each itinerary is comprised of days filled with excursions in small towns and time spent cruising the magnificent Lakes,” the company added.

As all itineraries begin, end and remain in the U.S., passports or international flights are unnecessary for U.S. travellers.

Former Vantage Cruise Ship Ocean Explorer on the Move

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Vantage Travel’s Ocean Explorer is on the move again. After several weeks of being docked in Northern France, the expedition vessel is on its way to Stavanger, in Norway.

According to AIS data, the 140-guest ship left Caen on Thursday and is scheduled to arrive at its destination on July 15.

Along with its sister ship Ocean Odyssey, the vessel had been docked at the French port since late May – when Vantage Deluxe World Travel ceased operations.

At the time, it sailed to Caen with no guests onboard, starting what was believed to be an extended lay-up period.

According to French media, the ships were initially scheduled to remain docked at the port for three months.

Later, on June 29, Vantage Deluxe Travel filed for a Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts, pending a sale of its brand and assets to a new owner.

Built-in 2021 and 2022, the Ocean Explorer and the Ocean Odyssey are owned by SunStone Ships and were sailing for Vantage Travel on a long-term charter.

The vessels are part of SunStone’s Infinity Class, including four additional purpose-designed expedition ships.

Built by the CMHI Shipyard in Haimen, China, the 8,000-ton vessels offer an upscale cruising experience, including a swimming pool, two full-service restaurants, a spa, a two-story lounge and more.

Before Vantage’s bankruptcy, the Ocean Explorer was scheduled to offer a series of cruises to the Arctic and Northern Europe during the 2023 summer.

The program also included voyages to the Great Lakes and New England, in addition to itineraries to Canada’s St. Lawrence Sea Way and Atlantic Coast.

The ship was then scheduled to reposition to Antarctica for the winter, offering a series of expeditions departing from Ushuaia, in Argentina.

The ship was also set to sail to additional destinations in South America, the Amazon and the Caribbean during the 2023-2024 season.

American Queen Voyages Ocean Navigator Welcomed to Chicago’s Navy Pier

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American Queen Voyages has celebrated the maiden arrival of the Ocean Navigator at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

Through a partnership with sister company City Experiences, American Queen Voyages is the only overnight cruise line to dock at the downtown Chicago destination, the company said, in a press release.

Sister ship Ocean Voyager will also call on Chicago’s Navy Pier for the first time on June 8, as the two boutique coastal ships offer unique Lakes & Oceans experiences designed to navigate the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway and all five Great Lakes.

City and state leaders including Choose Chicago CEO Lynn Osmond, Navy Pier President & CEO Marilynn Gardner, and Magnificent Mile Association President & CEO Kimberly Bares welcomed American Queen Voyages executives and Captain Gary Kerr to Chicago.

“Today, we celebrate the arrival of American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Navigator and Chicago as a cruise destination,” said Lynn Osmond, chief executive officer, of Choose Chicago. “Chicago’s tourism industry plays a large role contributing to the vibrancy of the city, and we are thrilled to have partners like American Queen Voyages who offer extraordinary experiences for our locals and tourists alike.”

“Travelers are ready to make up for lost time and are eager to deeply discover North America now – and Chicago is a stunning backdrop to embark on that journey,” shared Isis Ruiz, chief commercial officer, American Queen Voyages. “Ocean Navigator’s arrival at Navy Pier is a fitting way to celebrate tourism in Chicago, exploring the city’s bounty of culture and history. We look forward to an exciting season showcasing the many treasures across the Great Lakes.”

American Queen Voyages Great Lakes voyages of 11 to 16-days call on North America’s historic five Great Lakes and the storied St. Lawrence River. Port highlights include exploring the Victorian-era charm of Mackinac Island, historic Soo Locks, breathtaking Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world, the Horseshoe Falls of Niagara Falls, the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Photo: From left: Kimberly Bares, Dan Russell, Lynn Osmond, Captain Gary Kerr, Bill Annand, Marilynn Gardner