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Five Great Lakes… One grand adventure. The Growing Popularity of Cruising The Great Lakes (01-26-25)
Published 1 year, 3 months ago
Description
In this episode post, Phil Tower speaks with John Schmidt, Program Manager with Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Council. They operate the "Cruise the Great Lakes" initiative.
John joined us on the program to discuss the 2025 forecast for cruising on the Great Lakes, as interest continues to grow year after year.
John told us that Great Lakes cruises will welcome over 22,000 individual passengers, representing a nearly 10% increase from 2024. With more than 700 port visits planned—up nearly 30% from last year—the total number of cruise passenger visits across the region is estimated to exceed 150,000.
The economic impact of cruising on the Great Lakes is expected to exceed $230 million in 2025, a 15% increase from 2024. More passengers, more port visits, higher shoreside spending, and a rising price premium for Great Lakes cruises are drivers of this growth. The ongoing expansion of Great Lakes cruising continues to bring significant economic benefits to large and small port communities throughout the region.
Some new ships will be sailing the Great Lakes in 2025, with the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes. Cruise lines scheduled to operate on the Great Lakes in 2025 include Pearl Seas, Viking, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd, and Victory.
About Cruise the Great Lakes
John joined us on the program to discuss the 2025 forecast for cruising on the Great Lakes, as interest continues to grow year after year.
John told us that Great Lakes cruises will welcome over 22,000 individual passengers, representing a nearly 10% increase from 2024. With more than 700 port visits planned—up nearly 30% from last year—the total number of cruise passenger visits across the region is estimated to exceed 150,000.
The economic impact of cruising on the Great Lakes is expected to exceed $230 million in 2025, a 15% increase from 2024. More passengers, more port visits, higher shoreside spending, and a rising price premium for Great Lakes cruises are drivers of this growth. The ongoing expansion of Great Lakes cruising continues to bring significant economic benefits to large and small port communities throughout the region.
Some new ships will be sailing the Great Lakes in 2025, with the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes. Cruise lines scheduled to operate on the Great Lakes in 2025 include Pearl Seas, Viking, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd, and Victory.
About Cruise the Great Lakes