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Pearl Sea Cruises Great Lakes

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Pearl Mist Cruise Ship Returning To Great Lakes Passengers To Explore 2 Michigan Ports

Milwaukee set to become a tourist spot for Pearl Seas cruises after inaugural call

In this file photo, the Pearl Mist cruise ship arrives in Muskegon on June 9, 2016. MLive.com Muskegon Chronicle

Pearl Seas Cruises is returning to the Great Lakes this summer after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic with plans to visit two ports in Michigan multiple times.

The cruise lines Pearl Mist will soon begin a 15-night itinerary through the St. Lawrence Seaway ending in Toronto, Canada, on Lake Ontario. From Toronto, the ship will begin its 11-night Great Lakes and Georgian Bay cruise on May 29, which includes stops at Mackinac Island and Muskegon the cruise ends in Milwaukee, Wis.

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While cruise ship passengers dont offer a huge economic impact since they dont stay overnight, there are benefits to the states tourism industry, Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, told MLive.

Having cruise ships is a glitz and glamour factor, he said. When people know there are cruise ships, it elevates your brand value as a destination.

Many cruise ship passengers have never been to the Great Lakes before before, Lorenz said.

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The Pearl Mist will operate two itineraries from May to August: the 11-night Great Lakes and Georgian Bay and the 7-night Great Lakes and Georgian Bay, both include the two Michigan ports. A total of 10 cruises are planned.

Great Lakes Cruise Guide: Best Itineraries Planning Tips And Things To Do

The Great Lakes probably isnt the first place that comes to mind when you think of cruising. But in recent years, the region has grown enormously as a cruise destination and for good reason. Touring the Great Lakes by ship is by far the easiest way to see a wide range of the areas attractions from vibrant cities to natural wonders in a single trip.

When planning Great Lakes cruises, you have many things to consider: when to go for the best Great Lakes cruise experience, which cruise line is best suited to your travel style, the best Great Lakes cruise ports to visit and which shoreside activities you want to prioritize. Its not the kind of trip you want to throw together at the last minute, especially since the best fare deals typically go to organized travelers who book early.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter.

Here, The Points Guy offers up a guide to everything you need to know about planning a sailing in the Great Lakes.

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Cruising The Great Lakes

Its amazing that when youre on one of the Great Lakes, youd think you were on the ocean. Theyre truly that huge. Theyre vast and impressive. Youd be amazed at how much there is to do and see on them.

There are five Great Lakes that each offer unique sites and experiences. Great Lakes cruises are a little pricier than European River Cruises in many cases but theyre well worth the investment for a unique way to explore North America. It also helps support our local economies in the United States and Canada, which is its own way of keeping cruises sustainable.

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Pearl Mist Decks And Lounges

The Pearl Mist offers three spacious observation decks to make the most of your cruise: the sun deck, open exercise deck, or the comfortable Lido Lounge. Indoor entertainment can be found in the quiet refuge of the Coral Lounge, music in the Atlantic lounge, and the panoramic views of the Pacific Lounge. Discover a new favorite novel in the onboard library or retire to your private balcony to refresh for your next adventure.
For reservations and more Information please call ourTravel Specialist Toll Free at 1-888-756-9008Email: [email protected]

Lake Huron: Sand Dunes And Relaxation

Pearl Seas Cruises

Lake Huron is known for its sand dunes, wildlife, and islands. Its extensive shoreline is rocky and the lake is home to over 30,000 islands. The Harrisville area may have a great stretch of sandy beaches in the Michigan area , but St. Ignace serves as an ideal spot for a picnic or walk it has great views of Michigans Mackinac Bridge. Bruce Peninsula National Park in Canada, on the Georgian Bay shoreline, is also a popular destination with a grotto visitors enjoy.

Its the second-largest Great Lake and the fourth largest lake in the world. The Strait of Mackinac connects Lake Huron with Lake Michigan.

The most common area that Great Lakes Cruises stop in on Lake Huron is Mackinac Island.

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Best Great Lakes Cruise Lines

Most of the worlds biggest cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line cant operate in the Great Lakes because their ships are too big to enter the region through the St. Lawrence Seaway. This has turned the Great Lakes into an exclusive zone for a handful of smaller cruise operators that focus on very small vessels.

The three main players in Great Lakes cruising are Viking , Pearl Seas Cruises and America Queen Voyages. The first two lines each have one vessel devoted to the region . The latter line has two Great Lakes vessels: Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager.

All three of these lines cater to a generally older crowd, which is the main market for Great Lakes cruises. Vikings itineraries have the most outdoorsy options mixed into its itineraries. Pearl Seas Cruises offers trips with a lot of small-town stops. American Queen Voyages weaves in more bigger city stops.

Two more lines that occasionally operate sailings in the region are German line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and France-based Ponant. Tour organizer Smithsonian Journeys also occasionally offers Great Lakes sailings using chartered Ponant vessels.

All of the above lines operate ships in the Great Lakes that carry fewer than 400 passengers. Some carry as few as 202 passengers. In general, the vessels are intimate and relatively high-end, with pricing to match.

Pearl Seas Ready To Cruise Again

Pearl Seas Cruises is pleased to announce the 2022 cruise season aboard 210-passenger Pearl Mist begins this week.

The 2022 season opens May 7, with a departure of Pearls 7-Night Maine Coast & Canadian Harbors cruise, roundtrip from Portland, ME followed by the Lines longest itinerary, a 15-Night Canadian Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway cruise, from Portland, ME to Toronto, Canada.

Both itineraries operate again in the fall when Pearl also offers 10-Night Canada & New England Fall Foliage cruises between Quebec, Canada and Portland, ME.

Pearls 2022 summer season will be spent exploring The Great Lakes. From June through August, Pearl Seas offers two of the best Great Lakes cruise experiences available: an 11-night Great Lakes & Georgian Bay itinerary and a shorter 7-night Great Lakes itineraryboth cruises operate between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Toronto, Canada, and visit numerous American and Canadian ports of call. Pearls first official 2022 Great Lakes cruise departs from Toronto on May 29th, 2022 and the entire Great Lakes summer season is nearly sold out.

After a long hiatus, we look forward to exploring again with our guests, and to visiting and supporting the many communities and shore side partners we work with in each region we cruise. We anticipate a great season exploring the historic and picturesque coastal towns throughout New England, Canada, and The Great Lakes, said Carter Robertson, President of Pearl Seas Cruises.

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Best Great Lakes Itineraries

A relatively small number of ships sail in the Great Lakes during any given year. But, even so, they offer a wide range of Great Lakes itineraries. Some of the ships that operate in the region will alternate between three or even four different routes during the short summer season, giving you lots of choices.

Lengthwise, youll find Great Lakes voyages ranging from seven to 15 nights. Some of the sailings travel across all five of the Great Lakes. Others focus on just three or four of the interconnected bodies of water. Some of the ships also offer sailings that combine travel on one or more of the Great Lakes with a passage through the St. Lawrence Seaway. In some cases, these latter trips include travel all the way to Montreal.

The diversity in Great Lakes itineraries extends to their start and end points. A large percentage of all Great Lakes cruises begin or end in Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto. But there also are Great Lakes sailings that begin or end in Thunder Bay, Ontario Duluth, Minnesota Montreal and Detroit.

In most cases, Great Lakes sailings are one-way trips. Youll start in, say, Toronto, and work your way west to Chicago or vice versa. But one line, American Queen Voyages, offers round-trip sailings from Chicago, in addition to multiple one-way itineraries. American Queen Voyages is, notably, the only cruise line that currently has the authority to begin and end voyages in downtown Chicago, with its ships operating from the citys Navy Pier.

Best Great Lakes Cruise Companies

Great Lakes Cruise Ship Pearl Mist

A Great Lakes cruise is ideal if you want to see some of the United States and Canada and have time during late spring to early fall. These cruises are in the north, in areas like Michigan and Illinois, so take the weather into consideration when you book. With six cruise lines serving this region, this guide will assist in helping you make a call when deciding on the ships, itineraries, and respective destinations worth traveling to.

Generally speaking, any cruise that sails within Michigan, Illinois, or Wisconsin is sailing the Great Lakes. Many itineraries that go from Canada to New England, or the reverse, usually include Lake Ontario, which is to say the cruise itinerary includes at least one of the Great Lakes if not more.

If a cruise includes only one of the Great Lakes, that lake is most typically Lake Ontario, with a cruise starting or ending here, then sailing past the Thousand Islands in Canada, and onto the St. Lawrence River.

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Cruise Ships Return To The Great Lakes

Pearl Sea Cruises | Capital News Service

The Pearl Mist is pictured docked at Port Milwaukee. The Great Lakes cruise season will begin in May and end in October.

LANSING After a two-year hiatus, Great Lakes cruise ships are back, and the industry is trying to prepare itself.

Theres a huge pent-up demand for cruising, said David Lorenz, the vice president of Travel Michigan. Theres a bigger pent-up demand for cruising travel than most categories of travel, and I think the reason for that is people want to be treated in a slightly different way after COVID-19.

Thats good economic news for ports and nearby communities that attract tourists getting off the ships.

Meanwhile, the industry says its working to become more environmentally sustainable.

The Great Lakes cruise ship industry paused for two years after the pandemic began in spring 2020.

Since then, would-be passengers have been docked at home, booking spots on future cruises and waiting for the chance to sail once again on the big, blue, beautiful bodies of water surrounding Michigan.

People have been booking all through COVID-19, Lorenz said. Theres a big list of people waiting to get on these ships, and were thrilled to see them back.

Lorenz said ships on the Great Lakes are smaller than cruise ships elsewhere, holding between 200-400 passengers.

Cruise companies will start expeditions in May and end them in October, he said.

He also said ships kitchen staff like to shop locally when they can.

Lake Superior: Outdoor Activities

Lake Superior is the coldest and clearest of all the five lakes. This is perhaps because of its somewhat remote location in the north. It is known for its iconic rock formations, gorgeous agate gemstones, and shipwrecks. Lake Superior shines like a beacon for outdoor explorers and nature buffs.

One of the biggest assets of Lake Superior is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Its multi-colored sandstone cliffs and formations attract nature-lovers on Michigans Upper Peninsula. The best way to enjoy the beauty of the towering rocks is by staring at them from the waterline. You can either kayak or take a Minising Bay lake cruise, departing several times a day.

Cities on Lake Superior cruise ships often visit include Duluth, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.

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What To Bring On A Great Lakes Cruise

When it comes to packing for a Great Lakes cruise, your mantra should always be: dress in layers. It can be chilly in the morning in the more northerly parts of the Great Lakes, particularly at the start of the Great Lakes cruising season, but then warm up fast.

If you’re planning to do some outdoorsy pursuits, such as kayaking or hiking, be sure to bring appropriate activewear. And don’t forget to pack a rain jacket, if not a complete rain gear outfit, including a wide-brimmed waterproof hat, rain pants and waterproof shoes or boots.

Also, and this is critical: Don’t forget your passport. Many of the places you’ll visit in the Great Lakes will be in the United States and do not require a passport. But every Great Lakes cruise includes at least a few and sometimes many stops in Canada, where a valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card is required to enter if you’re a U.S. citizen.

When Do Cruises Go To The Great Lakes

Pearl Seas Cruises Canadian Maritime and St. Lawrence Seaway Cruise ...

The Great Lakes cruise season is a short one, due mostly to the weather. With winters being cold and snowy in the region, cruise lines stick to the warmer months of May to September for Great Lakes sailings.

The weather isn’t the only limiting factor. The cruise season in the Great Lakes is also limited in its length by the opening and closing of the St. Lawrence Seaway the system of locks, canals and channels that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Cruise vessels that operate in the Great Lakes can’t access the region until the locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway open for the summer, something that typically happens the last week of March. They need to be out of the Great Lakes before the St. Lawrence Seaway closes for the winter .

Great Lakes cruise weather can be chilly at the start of the season, with low temperatures in the 40s in May in some areas and highs in the 60s. It warms up considerably by July and August, with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and the price. Cruises at the beginning of the Great Lakes cruise season in May are generally a bit less expensive than those in June, July, August and September.

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Pearl Seas Cruises Is Defining A New Style Of Luxury Adventure

Small ship cruising is the pursuit of the exceptional. The Pearl Mist offers the ultimate cruise experience with just 100 over-sized, luxurious staterooms, all with private balconies. This carefully crafted ship combines the latest guest conveniences with modern navigation and safety technology. With exceptionally large and gracefully appointed staterooms, the Pearl Mist surrounds you with the comforts of home in a casual atmosphere. Enjoy private balconies in every stateroom, open sun decks and lounges that make traveling between ports a delight. Cruise into scenic areas inaccessible to larger ships and make new friends with 200 like minded passengers as we dock in the heart of small, welcoming coastal towns.

Categories G & H

At 275 square feet, category G and H staterooms are located primarily on the 2nd and 3rd deck levels of the ship, with convenient access to the both Atlantic Lounge and Dining Room. Each spacious and modern room comes complete with a large opening picture window and a door leading to a private balcony. Category S is comparable to Category G staterooms but designed specifically with single travelers in mind.

Category K
Category L
Category R
Category SGB

The Category SGB staterooms are designed specifically with our single travelers in mind. A comfortable getaway, these rooms are spacious with all modern amenities. At over 200 square feet, these staterooms have interior entrances and large opening windows and a private balcony offering panoramic views.

Best Great Lakes Cruise Ports

The best Great Lakes cruise ports include the handful of relatively big cities in the region, such as Chicago, that are loaded with cultural sites, nightspots and restaurants, as well as charming small towns such as Holland, Michigan. Great Lakes cruises also bring days that are all about getting up close to wonders both natural and human-made from towering Niagara Falls to the engineering marvel that is the Welland Canal.

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Pearl Seas Cruises Cuisine

PEARL SEAS prioritizes fine cuisine as a central part of your cruise experience. With an emphasis on seasonal fare, local dishes and locally-sourced ingredients, each menu offers something new to compliment each destination. Dietary needs can be accommodated and special menu are available to Pearl Mist cruise passengers with restricted diets. Beverages and snacks are available 24 hours a day, and complementary evening cocktail parties offer a chance to meet and mingle with fellow travelers.

When To Book A Great Lakes Cruise

Pearl Mist cruise ship arrives back in Muskegon

The best time to book a Great Lakes cruise is right when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. Youll have your pick of itineraries and cabins and often the best fares.

Because the Great Lakes has such a short season with a limited number of ships, sailings in the region are often in high demand and people plan early. Newcomer Viking, notably, has told TPG it has seen brisker sales this year for its Great Lakes trips than sailings to Antarctica one of the worlds ultimate bucket list destinations.

If you wait to book, youre not entirely out of luck. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year . You can take advantage of discounted fares and other perks. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in a gateway city such as Chicago, Milwaukee or Toronto and dont need to book flights. While some less preferred sail dates or cabin categories may have availability a few months out, spurring cruise lines to drop rates, you might have trouble finding affordable airfare and pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations that do not eat up your cruise savings.

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