Discover North American Waterways: St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes - 2023

Arrive in Chicago for the first leg of your Great Lakes adventure! Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure, with time to explore your new surroundings.

Following breakfast this morning, we’ll head out on a on a panoramic tour of Chicago. Take in the highlights of this cultural capital, including its magnificent architecture. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy as you wish.

Included Feature:

• Half-day panoramic tour of Chicago

You'll arrive in the port of Milwaukee, just a 2-hour drive from Chicago via shuttle. Today will bring a new nautical adventure, as you see Chicago from the water on an architectural tour. More than 50 buildings line the Chicago River, a testament to how this metropolis has thrived over the past century to become one of the world’s largest cities.

Your afternoon is at leisure if you'd like to explore more of Chicago on your own. Explore this beloved metropolis and its offerings — from its famous comedy scene to its legendary hotdogs and deep-dish pizza. Chicago is also considered one of the country’s most walkable cities, so take some time to explore the city’s iconic skyscrapers, renowned museums, waterfront, and pristine parks. Later, you'll embark the Ocean Explorer to begin your adventure.

Included Feature:

• Architectural boat tour of Chicago

Cultural Discovery:

• Special Chicago deep dish pizza lunch

The only Great Lake located entirely within the United States, Lake Michigan has a surface area of more than 22,000 square miles, making it the fifth largest lake in the world. The name Michigan is believed to come from the native Ojibwe word mishigami, which translates to “great water.”

Included Feature:

• Scenic day of cruising on Lake Michigan

Tour the popular retreat of Mackinac Island today via horse-drawn carriage. With its Revolutionary-era heritage and car-free streets, arriving on the island feels like a true step back in time.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the village on your own. This evening, you're invited to a delightful cocktail hour in the ship's lounge, where a captivating presentation by the ship’s historian rounds out another delightful day.

Included Features:

• Narrated horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island
• Tour Fort Mackinac

Cultural Discovery:

• Buffet lunch at the historic Grand Hotel

Scenic Sailing:

• Enjoy views of the 5-mile long Mackinac Bridge as you sail to and from Mackinac Island

Today, we’ll transit the Soo Locks from Lake Huron into Lake Superior at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Located at the mouth of the St. Mary's River, these four parallel locks — MacArthur (constructed in 1943), Poe (1895), Davis (1914), and Sabin (1919) — pass an impressive 10,000 ships each year.

After docking, you’ll have your choice of adventures and attractions on the U.S. side of the locks, including the Valley Camp Museum Ship and Soo Locks Visitors platform or the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site. Keep in mind that the locks can get congested, which may hinder the ship's passage through to Lake Superior. Should this happen, we will do our best to get those interested in crossing over via ferry.

Included Feature:

• Choice of tours in Sault Ste. Marie: Visit the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre or the Museum Camp Valley Ship

Keep your cameras ready as we cruise through the rugged beauty of UNESCO-listed Georgian Bay, sometimes called the sixth Great Lake. Our destination is Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island and home of the Ojibwe tribe. With native and non-native communities coexisting like nowhere else on the continent, Manitoulin has a history as colorful and diverse as any in Canada. Docking at Little Current, you’ll explore the area’s rich native and nautical history and discover how the beliefs and customs of the Ojibwe intertwine with Catholicism during a visit to the Immaculate Conception Church.

• Explore Manitoulin Island and visit the Immaculate Conception Church

• Experience a traditional smudging ceremony and powwow at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation

Spend the day enjoying incredible views of Lake Huron. The second largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron features more 30,000 islands and boasts more shoreline than any of the other Great Lakes. Head to the sun deck with a cocktail and a good book, or with a good camera for some excellent photo opportunities.

• Scenic cruising around Lake Huron

Sailing from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, we’ll find ourselves in Detroit, Michigan. Peruse artifacts from American history during a self-guided tour of the Henry Ford Museum, home to the limousine that carried President John F. Kennedy on that fateful day in Texas, the bus in which Rosa Parks stood her ground and sparked the Civil Rights Movement, and the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated.

After lunch back on the ship, you’ll tour the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). The DIA features one of the most renowned art collections in the country that include Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals and Vincent van Gogh’s self-portrait — the first Van Gogh painting to enter an American museum collection. Home to the Harriet Tubman Museum Collection, as well as other important offerings documenting the Detroit’s labor movement.

This evening, enjoy dinner and a Motown performance back on the ship as we set sail for Lake Huron.

Included Features:

• Visit Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
• Peruse artifacts from American history during a guided tour of the Henry Ford Museum

Tender ashore for a charming coach tour of Cleveland, nestled along the banks of Lake Erie. Depending on the day of the week, our stops may include the stately Museum of Art, the Tiffany-designed Wade Chapel at Lakeview Cemetery, and the bustling West Side Market, where hundreds of vendors hawk everything from fresh seafood to flowers. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, spanning generations of incredible music history displayed in interactive, audibly-pleasing exhibits.

Included Feature:

• Half-day coach tour of Cleveland
• Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Please note: Some groups will experience today’s itinerary in reverse order. However, both groups will enjoy the same number of features.

Excitement prevails today as we disembark in Port Colborne on the southern end of the Welland Canal and drive along the Niagara River for dramatic views of Horseshoe Falls. Then you’ll board the iconic Hornblower “Voyage to the Falls” for a cruise past the American and Bridal Veil Falls before heading into the misty spray of Niagara’s thunderous Horseshoe. This afternoon, enjoy a wine lunch at an estate in the Niagara Wine Region, home to over 50 wineries.

Back on shore, we’ll drive along picturesque Niagara Parkway, spotting famed Niagara sights including the Floral Clock and the Whirlpool Rapids.

Included Feature:

• Embark on a Hornblower "Voyage of the Falls" cruise before a scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway

Cultural Discovery:

• Visit a local winery for wine tasting

Please note: Timing and docking may vary due to ship's transit time through canal.

After breakfast, a panoramic tour of Toronto ensures you’ll see this wonderful metropolis and its skyline in full view. We’ll drive by Toronto City Hall, the Eaton Center, and more, before visiting the pedestrian-only Distillery Historic District, then drive by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Included Feature:

• Half-day panoramic tour of Toronto

Today we'll explore Kingston, known as the "Limestone City" for its historic architecture and charm. You'll experience this city in the best way, via a hop-on/hop-off narrated coach tour. The possible stops will offer a look at all of the city's most well-known visitor destinations, including the Canadian Penitentiary Museum, Queen’s University's Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Pumphouse Museum, Bellevue House, Kingston City Hall, and Market Square. Later we'll visit the downtown shopping area for a brief stroll and finish our tour at Fort Henry. Some sites and other attractions are not open year-round, or 7 days a week. In the case that one or more are closed, we will visit an alternative site. Fort Henry is a 19th century British military base, complete with period equipment, museum, and even garrison parades. There will be an interactive tour and lunch at the fort before returning to the ship.

Included Features:

• Narrated coach tour of Kingston
• Guided tour of Fort Henry

Travel back more than 150 years to see up close how rural life was lived in an English Canadian settlement. You'll spend a full day at the Upper Canada Village, recreated to mimic homes, activities, and even food from the 1860s. The property includes 40 historical buildings, costumed interpreters, and horse carriage rides (if you'd like an authentic experience exploring the grounds). This afternoon, enjoy an included lunch at the village.

Included Feature:

• Full-day in Upper Canada Village

Please note: Depending on the sailing date, not all historical buildings will be open and available to visit. Upper Canada Village may be closed, if so we will be visiting Brockville, Ontario, for a full-day tour with included lunch instead.

Today you'll disembark the Ocean Explorer, then set out to explore this remarkable city, situated on an island in the St. Lawrence River. This UNESCO City of Design (one of only a few in the world), is home to more than 50 national historic sites, and it boasts a lively downtown arts and cultural scene. View many of its gems, including historic Old Montréal’s stunning architecture, and the magnificent neo-Gothic Notre Dame Basilica, one of the crown jewels in Québec's rich religious heritage. The cathedral may not be open to the public due to religious observances, however, you may go the following day during your free time should you choose to.

At lunchtime, you'll feast on a traditional sugar shack meal, rich and laden with peak-season maple sweetness. Afterward, you'll have time to explore this magnificent city on your own.

Included Feature:

• Highlights tour of Montréal

Cultural Discovery:

• Sugar shack lunch

Enjoy a full day of exploration on your own in the city of Montréal. Make sure you take advantage of its vibrant foodie scene, complete with fresh catch-of-the day, like Atlantic char, and poutine, which is a dish of French fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy.

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.