When the last glaciers melted more than ten thousand years ago, they left behind a fabulous legacy: the Great Lakes. Over the centuries, these huge inland seas—which contain one-fifth of the world’s standing fresh water—have fascinated humankind. Voyageurs and homesteaders, poets and storytellers, missionaries and mapmakers, Native Americans and pioneers have all been drawn to the timeless beauty of the region.
There was a time when the Great Lakes were alive with pleasure craft.
In the early 1800s, packet ships transported people and freight on a daily basis along the vast watery highways formed by the Great Lakes. Gradually, these utilitarian vessels were replaced with luxury ships that rivaled even today’s ocean liners in comfort and elegance. Marine historian Harry Wolf noted, “at one time there were more people asleep on boats in the Great Lakes than on any other ocean of the world.” However, during the 1920s and ‘30s most of the passenger ships were retired. After two generations, passenger sailing is once again flourishing on America’s inland seas.
There’s magic in the Great Lakes.
From the earliest Native Americans to present-day travelers, everyone who has looked on these legendary waters has experienced a sense of profound wonder at their beauty and majesty. From emerald green forests and white sand beaches, to dramatic cliffs and waterfalls that lie just beyond the shore, there’s no better way to enjoy this diverse and unspoiled landscape than from the lakes themselves. And with a majority of cruising done within sight of shore there’s an almost constant view of the breathtaking scenery.
There’s an endless variety of enriching activities to experience.
While on board, cruisers learn about the area’s unique history, geology, wildlife and more from the experts, through lectures, casual talks and formal presentations. In addition, trips ashore explore many of these topics first hand. From Mackinac Island’s quaint Victorian town—complete with a noticeable absence of cars, to the world’s largest fresh water island of Manitoulin where cruisers are treated to a Native American powwow, shore activities are often not just enjoyable and interesting, but educational as well.
Smaller ships offer a better experience for cruisers.
Because ships that sail these waters must be small enough to accommodate passage through two lock systems—one between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario, the Soo Locks, and a set of eight locks in the Welland Canal—they are also small enough to reach coves and inlets not accessible by larger vessels. Therefore in addition to a more intimate and comfortable atmosphere aboard ship, passengers can also get a more personal cruising experience they won’t soon forget.
For cruisers who have already visited popular tropical ports of call or even Alaska's inner passages, the Great Lakes offer new and unexplored waters.
With a cruise season that runs from late May through late October, cruisers experience the Great Lakes region at its most lively. The warmer months bring festivals, art fairs and parades. Sunny days that make the lakes shimmer are followed by nights that begin with fiery sunsets and bring gentle breezes off the water. Best of all, with the arrival of autumn, brilliant shades of red, orange and gold line the shore and the crisp scent of fall fills the air and reminds everyone of the unmatched beauty and magic of the Great Lakes.
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