Great Lakes Cruise | Voyage to the Great Lakes

Written by Marie Browne

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This Great Lakes cruise follows waterways first used as a means of transport by Algonquin and Iroquois tribes. Later, the Great Lakes became a thriving commercial hub and a heavily traveled waterway with the arrival of European settlers. And in recent history, the Great Lakes were among North America's most treasured summer destinations. On this unique North American cruise, which encompasses American and Canadian ports, travelers will see Native American culture on Manitoulin Island; experience the majestic grandeur of the shores of Lake Superior at Whitefish Point; enjoy the Victorian charms of Mackinac Island, revel in the gorgeous landscape of the Door Peninsula; and visit the charming town of Saugatuck, nestled along Lake Michigan's great sand dunes. A highlight of the voyage will be transiting the Soo Locks that connect Lake Huron and Lake Superior.
This eight day, seven night itinerary is offered on multiple departure dates.

Day 1      Detroit, Michigan, USA | Embark
Day 2      Goderich | Bayfield | Goderich, Ontario, Canada
Day 3      Little Current, Manitoulin Island | Lake Huron
Day 4      Soo Locks | Whitefish Point | Lake Superior
Day 5      Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Day 6      Sturgeon Bay, Door Peninsula, Wisconsin
Day 7      Saugatuck, Michigan
Day 8      Chicago, Illinois | Disembark

Day 1
USA | CHICAGO, Illinois, United States | EMBARK
Fly to Chicago and transfer to the pier to embark Yorktown.

Day 2
SAUGATUCK, Michigan
Arrive this morning in Saugatuck, nestled off the shores of Lake Michigan and Kalamazoo Lake. Originally a lumber town, Saugatuck eventually became known for its fruit production, especially its peaches. In the early 1900s, Saugatuck was a prime summer destination for Chicago urbanites. Today, it is known for its historic buildings and churches, unique shops, and many art galleries, several of which you will have the opportunity to visit.

Day 3
STURGEON BAY, Door Peninsula, Wisconsin
Separating Green Bay from Lake Michigan, today we call in Sturgeon Bay, located on Wisconsin’s stunning Door Peninsula. Sturgeon Bay, positioned on a canal that cuts through the peninsula is a lovely and quaint town. Spend the day exploring the Door Peninsula’s bucolic villages and remarkable landscapes, well known for its abundance of cherry orchards.

Day 4
MACKINAC ISLAND, Michigan, United States
Arrive in beautiful Mackinac Island, a Victorian-era haven where cars are forbidden and bicycles share the road with horse-drawn carriages. Explore this idyllic island and see the ancient limestone formations that were considered sacred by the Straits Indians; the impressive Fort Mackinac, built atop a high cliff by the British in 1780; and the landmark Victorian Grand Hotel. Also enjoy free time to stroll along streets lined with ginger-bread-trimmed buildings and browse in the charming shops.

Day 5
LAKE SUPERIOR | WHITEFISH POINT | SOO LOCKS
Arrive at Whitefish Point, located on Lake Superior and drive to Tahquamenon Falls State Park for a look at the Upper Falls. Return to Whitefish Point where there will be an opportunity to visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, located in a Coast Guard station built around a lighthouse which dates from 1861. Yorktown will then transit the Soo Locks, known as the busiest in the world, where some 12,000 ships pass annually.

Day 6
LAKE HURON | LITTLE CURRENT, Manitoulin Island
Land at Little Current, the main settlement on Manitoulin, the world’s largest freshwater island and one of 30,000 islands that grace Lake Huron. Manitoulin, home to the rare Red-shouldered hawk and Cape May warbler, is also home to the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, a thriving Native American community that bears the distinction of being the only tribe in Canada never to have ceded title to their land. Drive to the reserve, where a traditional Native American powwow will be held, and visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, whose exhibits chronicle the story of the native people of Manitoulin.

Day 7
GODERICH | BAYFIELD | GODERICH, Ontario, Canada
Arrive in Goderich, located on the shore of Lake Huron and famed for its sunsets. Drive south along the shore to the charming village of Bayfield. Perfectly blending the tranquility of village life with some of the finest offerings of any big city, Bayfield is a quaint village filled with many delights. Spend time enjoying its art galleries, delightful boutiques, and smart cafés.

Day 8
DETROIT, Michigan, United States | DISEMBARK | FLY HOME
Disembark in Detroit and transfer to the airport for return flights home.

This voyage also operates in the reverse direction, from Detroit to Chicago.

Depart	Return
June 16, 2012	June 23, 2012*
June 23, 2012	June 30, 2012
June 30, 2012	July 7, 2012*
July 7, 2012	July 14, 2012
July 14, 2012	July 21, 2012*
August 11, 2012	August 18, 2012
August 18, 2012	August 25, 2012*

* operates in reverse, from Chicago to Detroit.

Cabin Code	Cabin Description	Regular Rate
E	Outside cabins on Main Deck with two portholes	$3,995
D	Outside cabins on Lounge Deck with windows	$4,495
C	Outside cabins on Promenade Deck with windows	$4,995
B	Outside cabins on Main Deck with windows	$5,595
A	Outside cabins on Lounge Deck with windows	$5,995
AA	Outside cabins on Promenade or Lounge Deck with windows	$6,495
S	Superior outside cabins on Sun Deck with balcony	$6,995

SINGLE RATES: A limited number of cabins are available for solo travelers at the following rates: Category C: $5,890; Category B: $6,490; Category A: $6,8909. Categories AA & Superior are available at double the per person, double occupancy rates.

AIRFARE: Airfare is not included in the cost of the program.

yorktown

The Yorktown is the perfect vessel for relaxed and convivial exploration of America’s great coastal waterways. Built in Florida in 1988 specifically for coastal cruising and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Yorktown flies the American flag and is staffed by friendly and experienced American officers and crew. 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, with a draft of 8 feet, the Yorktown is able to maneuver in secluded waterways and visit small ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. And Yorktown’s American registry makes it possible to operate domestic itineraries unavailable to foreign-flag ships. In addition to a large sun deck, the Yorktown boasts a spacious lounge for social gatherings and lectures as well as quiet space for private conversation. The ship’s cuisine, served in a dining room large enough to accommodate all guests at once, emphasizes American regional culinary traditions and specialties. Both the lounge and dining room are surrounded by large picture windows that afford unobstructed views of the passing scenery. Accommodating 138 guests in 69 exterior cabins, the Yorktown enjoys an atmosphere of warm and relaxed informality that endears it to repeat and new guests alike.

SMALL-SHIP AMENITIES

Returning from excursions, guests enjoy complimentary refreshments, afternoon tea and all-day coffee in The Lounge, a gracious space for relaxation, surrounded by panoramic windows. Before or after dinner, cocktails are served to live music performed by the ship’s pianist.

Other Yorktown features include: