Summary
Short description
From Toronto to Chicago, showcase the natural wonders and unique heritage of the Great Lakes
Highlights
- Pause everywhere from colonial islands to city greats
- Sail up to Niagara Falls
- Enjoy a lecture series and included touring throughout
- Indulge with all-inclusive drinks and fine dining
In Brief
- 2 Nights Toronto
- 1 Night Niagara Falls
- 1 Night Cleveland
- 1 Night Detroit
- 1 Night Scenic Sailing
- 1 Night Manitoulin Island
- 1 Night Sault Ste. Marie
- 1 Night Mackinac Island
- 1 Night Scenic Sailing
- 2 Nights Chicago
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Ocean cruise | River cruise
A hangover from the Ice Age’s retreating glaciers, the Great Lakes are a true geographic wonder. And, on this luxury cruise, you’ll explore all five, your boutique ship able to slip through centuries-old canals to showcase all of their highlights. Think historic lakeside cities, Niagara Falls and islands home to First Nations tribes and charming 19th-century towns.. It’s all brought to life by lectures and touring included throughout, from vineyard tastings to trips in horse-drawn carriages. Then, back onboard, you’ll be treated to such all-inclusive delights as afternoon teas, pianist-accompanied cocktails and indulgent fine dining.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Toronto, Ontario
After enjoying your complimentary airport lounge access, you’ll fly out to Toronto. Arriving the same day, you’ll be met at the airport by a driver who’ll see you on to your central accommodation. Of course, for the best views, take your dinner in the half-kilometre-high revolving restaurant. You’ll then have the rest of the day to explore what is the world’s most multicultural city, something showcased across its vibrant markets, contemporary galleries and fantastic dining scene. Don’t also miss out on a trip to a theatre, or its Victorian districts and Gothic Revival castle.
Stay: Hilton Toronto
Day
2
Embarkation in Toronto
After some further time for exploration, you’ll be met again by a driver today, who’ll see you aboard your boutique ship. Host to just 202 guests, it’s delightfully intimate, with staff serving up gourmet full-board dining and free-flowing drinks with typical American cheer. Each day, you’ll even be treated to pre-dinner canapés and cocktails, while the meal service ranges from regionally inspired classics to innovative hot-rock cooking, where dishes are prepared to perfection on pure volcanic lava rock. At the end of it all, settle into your plush stateroom to enjoy the ocean views and daily fresh fruit.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: D
Day
3
Niagara Falls
Thanks to your ship’s intimate size, you’ll be able to sail the green-dappled Welland Canal, dipping through eight locks to arrive into Port Colborne. Here, you’ll disembark for the first of your included shore excursions, driving out through the vineyards of Niagara Wine Region to reach the falls themselves, where you’ll board the famous Hornblower Cruise. And, after sailing right under the misty spray, you’ll be treated to a scenic drive along Niagara Parkway, taking in a majestic overlook of the falls. It all culminates in a sumptuous lunch in a local restaurant followed by a special wine tasting in a nearby vineyard.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Cleveland, Ohio
You’ll be welcomed into America by Cleveland, where your included touring will showcase its turn-of-the-century golden age. Indeed, its manufacturing heritage is evidenced across the likes of the city’s oldest publicly owned market and the great William G. Mather steamship, now part of the Great Lakes Science Center. There’s also the chance to visit the stately Cleveland Museum of Art, or tap your feet at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Detroit, Michigan
Sailing from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, you’ll call into either Detroit or Windsor, depending on port schedules. However, just across the river from one another, you’ll enjoy the same touring in both, taking in Detroit's superb Henry Ford Museum. Long a Wexas-specialist favourite, it’s much more than an exhibition on the country’s automotive history. An expert guide will lead you among nine acres of design heritage, with exhibits ranging from giant steam locomotives to a 1950s McDonald’s. Lincoln’s theatre chair, Rosa Parks’ bus and the limousine that carried JFK on that fateful day are all special highlights.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Scenic Sailing of Lake Huron
You’ll enjoy a scenic sailing of Lake Huron today, dipping in and out of its 30,000-strong collection of islands. There’s plenty of opportunity to educate yourself with the complimentary talks by onboard experts. Of course, you’ll also be able to indulge with the included wines, beers and spirits – accompanied by the tinkling ivories of a grand piano.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Manitoulin Island, Ontario
This morning, we’ll cruise though the rugged beauty of Georgian Bay, sometimes called the sixth Great Lake. Your destination is Manitoulin – the world’s largest freshwater island and the home of the Ojibwa people. As the largest population of First Nations people in continental North America, it’s the chance to immerse yourself in a world of birch-bark canoes, wild-rice cultivation and pictographic bark scrolls.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Day
8
Sault Ste. Marie
Transiting the Soo Locks, you’ll dip into Lake Superior, where you’ll be welcomed to Sault Ste. Marie. A historic city split between Canada and America, it wears its heritage on its sleeve, its canal lined with red sandstone buildings. Your shore excursion here includes a visit to a museum on the Great Lakes’ seafaring past, housed on a historic freighter. You’ll also stop off at the Soo Locks viewing platform before learning about their historic importance at the visitor centre.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Mackinac Island, Michigan
It’s time for a true trip highlight today – Mackinac Island. All weatherboard houses and quaint churches, it’s a step back to 19th-century America. And, you’ll have to step – cars are banned from the island. Luckily, you’ll be treated to the most evocative way of seeing it all with a trip on a horse-drawn carriage, taking in the 18th-century Fort Mackinac and the Victorian-era Grand Hotel. It’s where the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
10
Scenic Sailing in Lake Michigan
With a final day’s scenic sailing, you’ll explore Lake Michigan – the world’s sixth-largest lake. There’s also plenty of time to enjoy the complimentary afternoon teas, or simply soak up the rays on the sun deck with a good book. Perhaps also enjoy a treatment at the beauty salon and spa, or make use of the complimentary WiFi. It’s all capped off with a special captain’s reception.
Stay: Victory I (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Days
11-12
Chicago, Illinois. Depart for UK
After a final breakfast onboard, you’ll be met today by an included shared transfer, bringing you to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Prices
Accommodation rating:
12-day river cruise on board Victory I (Victory Cruise Lines) from £5,495 incl. flights
Departure:
E Grade:
£5,495
Exclusive tailor-made stay & cruise
Book by: 31 January 2020
Includes pre-cruise
- Direct flights to Toronto
- Overseas shared transfers
- Overnight accommodation in a 4-star hotel
Includes on board
- Intuitive and attentive service in casual yet elegant surroundings
- All meals on board in The Shearwater Dining Room and Cliff Rock Bar & Grille
- Afternoon Tea
- Complimentary coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks and filtered water
- Free flowing house wine, beer, and spirits during entire cruise
- Onboard enrichment
- Shore Excursions
- Pre-paid Gratuities
- Free Internet & WiFi available onboard
- 100% Egyptian cotton bedding
- Personal robes and slippers
- Top of the line bath amenities that are environmentally sensitive
- Premium mattresses
- LCD flat screen television (satellite)
- Daily housekeeping with nightly turndown
- Onboard Salon & Spa
Includes post-cruise
- Transfer to airport
- Return flight to UK
Rates based on May & October 2020 departures - Contact us for rates on other dates.
As seen on "Cruising with Jane McDonald"
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0615
Meet the team