Cruising the Great Lakes: More ships, more passengers, more stops in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio – To people who grew up near the Great Lakes, these bodies of water are no big deal. 

But to the rest of the world, they are extraordinary spaces that invite exploration, says Chris Conlin, president of Great Lakes Cruise Co., a Michigan travel agency that specializes in lake cruises.

Great Lakes cruising has experienced a renaissance in recent years, with new ships added annually and a growing number of passengers sailing the waters every year.

Ports of call, too, have been added and evolved. 

Cleveland has emerged as a popular destination, set to welcome five different cruise ships in 2019, making at least 35 daylong stops and bringing more than 7,000 passengers to town. 

That’s up by more than 300% in two years, according to the Port of Cleveland.

Most of those passengers will arrive on two ships, both with Victory Cruise Lines, a small, highly regarded company founded in 2016. The company was recently purchased by American Queen Steamboat Co., a well-known brand that is expected to expand Victory’s reach.