Many cruise enthusiasts will find great opportunities for Great Lakes Cruises in Michigan. The scenery along the Lake Michigan shores and through various Michigan waterways is rewarding and often unspoiled. Great Lakes cruising is a relatively small niche in terms of the large cruise industry, and while the ships tend to be modest in comparison to the large ocean liners, the chance to get to know the crew firsthand and tour the chain of freshwater lakes makes a Great Lakes cruise a unique option for your next vacation.
Michigan’s Mackinac Island is a top stop among
Great Lakes cruises. It’s a car-free island
with cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages.
Different carriers wind their way through the Great Lakes,
and in Michigan you might start by looking into a trip
with The Great Lakes Cruise Company. Based in Ann
Arbor, they boast their claim as the only cruise company
that specializes in Great Lakes cruising. To tour
Lake Michigan, book a trip on the company’s Grand
Mariner. The Lake Michigan Getaway trip is a six-night
adventure that begins in Chicago and circumnavigates its
way up along the Michigan coast. The first stop
is Manistee, Michigan, which is a historic port.
Its charm lies mostly in its architecture which reflects
Victorian and other classic European styles. While
here, you can take a trolley tour past historic homes
and lovely beaches, or simply stroll along the Riverwalk
in the historic downtown setting. Back on board,
it’s off to Beaver Island, Michigan, which is a
remote spot where you can tour the Old Mormon Print Shop.
Then its off to Mackinac Island where you’ll pass
under the Mackinac Bridge through clear, blue waters.
Here, many options for touring await you, with popular
attractions being a narrated horse-drawn ride through
town, renting bikes for some great Michigan
biking, or a relaxing rest on the porch of the famous
Grand Hotel. Leaving port at Mackinac ends the Michigan
part of your trip, and the following stops are Wisconsin’s
Sturgeon Bay and Milwaukee. At both, you’ll
get the opportunity to leave the boat again for various
tours and activities. Finally, its back to port
in Chicago where
you’ll already begin to savor the memories of your
Great Lakes cruising adventure. All this for under $2,000!
Book your Lake Michigan getaway as soon as you get the
notion to go, as there are only four tours offered in
the summer, and the trips fill up quickly, often resulting
in your name being put on a waiting list.
In Muskegon, Michigan, cruising Great Lakes style involves a trip on the Lake Express. The Lake Express will take you across Lake Michigan over to Milwaukee on a 2 ½ hour trip that is an innovative form of Great Lakes cruising. With a secure deck for cars, motorcycles and bikes, it offers a great way to beat the traffic of going the traditional way, and with dining on board, you’ll be assured to enjoy the trip and views. The fee one way for adults is $62, and $34 for children with discounts for seniors. Round trip is $99 for adults and $49 for children. You can pay a little more for premier class and the cost for your vehicle or motorcycle is not included and runs comparable to your own fee, but it’s worth it for the convenience and experience.
Small pleasure and fishing cruises embark from many
Michigan coastal cities like Muskegon and usually involve
dinner parties or entertainment cruises, and in Detroit,
they offer a great way to view the city skyline and enjoy
the freshwater breeze. Michigan
fishing by way of charter trips is also a great way
to go Great Lakes cruising. Even if you don’t
want to fish, you’ll enjoy being out on the waters
with a knowledgeable staff. Traverse
City in northern mainland Michigan is a good spot
to get off shore. The Schooner Manitou based in
will take you out on one of three different daily Great
Lakes cruises and even has a wine-tasting cruise featuring
Michigan wineries. Bay Breeze Yacht charters offer
not only yacht charters, but also tugboat charters, day
trips and sunset cruises. So, get out on the open
seas in Michigan through the various Great Lakes cruise
options.
