MV Victory II Nine Days on Western Great Lakes
#LSN_Outdoors #LSN_Tourism Cruise the Western Great Lakes
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO - January 27, 2018 (LSN) A bold exploration from the Industrial Heartland to the Northwoods. Join us as we set sail into the North American heartlands on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Experience the Victorian splendors of the American Gilded Age at Mackinac Island. Witness the rise of American Industry and Transport at Green Bay. Explore the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes at Sturgeon Bay. Enjoy the arts and culture of blue collar Brew City at Milwaukee. Victory Cruise Lines invites you to the endless wilderness of the Western Great Lakes.
Outbound from Thunder Bay to Detroit
Midwest Majesty & Archipelagos of Georgian Bay
A wonderful survey of the beautiful coastlines of Lake Superior and Lake Huron from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan. Price includes airfare from Toronto to Thunder Bay.
Departure Thunder by to Detroit July 27, 2018
Day 1
Thunder Bay, Ontario
The elegant M/V Victory II awaits you at the Thunder Bay pier. Settle into your outside stateroom before joining your fellow passengers for dinner with free-flowing wines, cocktails and beverages.
Day 2
Duluth, Minnesota
The city of Duluth is nestled in the hills overlooking Lake Superior. Originally settled by the Sioux and Chippewa, Duluth was claimed for France in 1679 by Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Lhut, the city's namesake. Our visit starts with a drive past the Aerial Lift Bridge, which guards the harbor, then along the North Shore Scenic Drive for an excellent view of city and its environs. We then climb Hawk Ridge to the "raptor flight path," where these extraordinary hunting birds take a rest on their Arctic migration. Enjoy a scenic walk along the waterfront to Leif Erikson Park, which houses a replica Viking Ship, and down to "The Depot" with its exceptional collection of trains and carriages from a bygone era. The afternoon is free to explore Canal Park, whose restored ships and exhibits showcase Duluth's history.
Day 3
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton is located on the Keewenaw Peninsula, which jets out into Lake Superior and is known for its massive deposits of high-grade copper. The Hancock Houghton Canal--also called the Keewenaw Waterway--is a convenient shortcut for the M/V Victory II as it makes its way to and from Duluth, Minnesota. In its hayday, this canal was a hive of commerce as freighters arrived with supplies and departed full of copper. On our shore excursion, we'll visit the Quincy Copper Mine, which operated from 1846 to 1945, and explore how miners moved underground and extracted this valuable resource. After lunch, we'll visit the internationally-recognized A. E. Seamen Mineral Museum on the grounds of Michigan Technological University, which houses an extraordinary collection of minerals, including a fascinating set of phosphorescent deposits.
Day 4
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette is located on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the southern border of Lake Superior. Named for the French Jesuit missionary who explored the region, Marquette became a major Great Lakes port when iron ore was discovered in 1844. In the late 19th century, during the height of iron mining, Marquette was a summer haven for passenger steamships, whose guests filled the city's hotels and resorts. On our shore excursion, we'll visit the Michigan Iron Industry Museum on the site of an original iron forge. Closer to town, we'll visit the working harbor to witness the loading of Great Lakes freighters along the impressive 1000-feet-long iron ore dock. Our exploration of Marquette concludes with a visit to the Maritime Museum and Lighthouse.
Day 5
Soo Locks / Scenic Sailing of Lake Superior
Located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s river, the twin “Soo’s” of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan were originally established as one settlement by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century, and remained so until the war of 1812. Today the locks on the American Soo side bypass the 20-foot fall of St Mary’s Rapids that connect Lake Superior to Lake Huron and the lower lakes. The Soo locks are the busiest in the world in terms of tonnage, accommodating 1000 foot freighters. Travelling upstream and arriving from Mackinac Island, the ship will traverse the locks for a day of sailing on beautiful Lake Superior.
Day 6
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Day 7
Little Current, Ontario
Sail into the rugged beauty of Georgian Bay where you’ll step ashore in Little Current, the gateway to Manitoulin Island. Learn about the island’s nautical heritage as you journey to the Immaculate Conception Church. With its distinctive architecture evoking a teepee, this church is a focal point of the community, bringing together traditions of the Ojibwe culture and the Catholic Church. At the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, enjoy a tour through the art galleries and exhibits of this heritage museum. You can browse the artisan shop and participate in a smudging ceremony, an Ojibwe ritual that uses smoke from cedar, sage, sweet grass and other plants known for their healing powers. A drum and dance performance offers further insight into Ojibwe culture.
Day 8
Parry Sound, Ontario
Traversing the “inland ocean” of the Georgian Bay, we will dock at the charming waterfront town of Parry Sound. Its beautiful beaches, parks, and trails fall within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, supporting sustainable development of Georgian Bay’s terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems. The area boasts several Provincial Parks for canoeing and kayaking, hiking, fishing, and nature walks. Parry Sound is the birthplace of hockey legend Bobby Orr, the namesake of the local community centre and the town’s own Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.
Day 9
Scenic Sailing of Lake Huron
Delight in this day of cruising aboard the second largest of the Great Lakes. Early French explorers named this “fresh water sea” after the indigenous peoples inhabiting the region. Lake Huron has more shoreline than any other Great Lake with over 30,000 islands and includes the massive Georgian Bay, often called the “sixth Great Lake.” Enjoy convivial conversation with your fellow passengers or join an engaging discussion with our shipboard experts, who are well-versed in the history, peoples, and natural wonders of the Great Lakes region. Elegant dining in two distinctive venues with free-flowing house wine, beer, and spirits enhance your day at sea.
Day 10
Detroit, Michigan
This morning, we'll arrive at the port in Detroit. After breakfast, you'll disembark the M/V Victory II and make your way to the airport for your flight home.
Inboud from Milwaukee to Thunder Bay
Day 1
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Day 1
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Arrive at the pier where the elegant M/V Victory II awaits. Settle in to your outside stateroom before joining your fellow passengers for a welcome dinner.
Day 2
Green Bay, Wisconsin
The city of Green Bay, Wisconsin is located on the south end of Green Bay at the mouth of the Fox River. It is the third-largest city in the state and well known as the home of the Green Bay Packers, the only community-owned NFL team. Visit the National Railway Museum of America, dedicated to preserving the nation’s extraordinary railroad history, including Union Pacific’s #4107, the largest steam locomotive ever built, and the futuristic “Aerotrain.” Traveling further back in history we visit Heritage Hill State Historical Park, a 48-acre open-air museum containing more than 30 of Green Bay’s historical structures, including log cabins from the fur trade era, buildings from Fort Howard, and stores and public buildings from the late 19th century. Live historic interpreters, wearing period style clothing, populate the park during summer operations.
Day 3
Sturgeon Bay / Scenic Sailing along Door County
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin lies along the coast of Door County in western Lake Michigan. The city is bisected by an iconic bridge, which straddles the shipping canal connecting Lake Michigan and Green Bay. It has served as a major shipping hub in the region since 1835. Today, Door County is a region of considerable natural beauty and culture, with museums, galleries, lighthouses, historic sites and its fabulous orchards. Our visit ashore includes a scenic drive through pastoral Door County, where we will visit a local winery and cheese making center, along with one of the Cherry orchards that make Door County the “Cherry Capital of the world.” In Sturgeon Bay, we will visit the Maritime Museum and a local glass blowing studio for a demonstration of this elegant craft form. In the afternoon, guests experience a traditional fish boil to sample this Great Lakes culinary tradition.
Day 4
St Ignace / Mackinac Island
We’ll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. With no cars allowed on the island, your horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambiance of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about the island’s history and see turn of the century summer homes built by early captains of American industry. High atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, your tour of Fort Mackinac delves into its strategic importance during the War of 1812. Next, take in the views from the Grand Hotel’s verandah, the longest in the world, and enjoy the hotel’s famous Grand Luncheon Buffet. Back in town, you’ll have time to browse galleries and boutiques. Before sailing this evening, the Grand hotel’s resident historian Bob Tagatz will come aboard for a colorful talk on the history of Mackinac Island and its world-famous hotel.
Day 5
Soo Lock / Scenic Sailing of Lake Superior
Located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s river, the twin “Soo’s” of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan were originally established as one settlement by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century, and remained so until the war of 1812. Today the locks on the American Soo side bypass the 20-foot fall of St Mary’s Rapids that connect Lake Superior to Lake Huron and the lower lakes. The Soo locks are the busiest in the world in terms of tonnage, accommodating 1000 foot freighters. Travelling upstream and arriving from Mackinac Island, the ship will traverse the locks for a day of sailing on beautiful Lake Superior.
Day 6
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette is located on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the southern border of Lake Superior. Named for the French Jesuit missionary who explored the region, Marquette became a major Great Lakes port when iron ore was discovered in 1844. In the late 19th century, during the height of iron mining, Marquette was a summer haven for passenger steamships, whose guests filled the city's hotels and resorts. On our shore excursion, we'll visit the Michigan Iron Industry Museum on the site of an original iron forge. Closer to town, we'll visit the working harbor to witness the loading of Great Lakes freighters along the impressive 1000-feet-long iron ore dock. Our exploration of Marquette concludes with a visit to the Maritime Museum and Lighthouse.
Day 7
Houghton, Michigan
Houghton is located on the Keewenaw Peninsula, which jets out into Lake Superior and is known for its massive deposits of high-grade copper. The Hancock Houghton Canal--also called the Keewenaw Waterway--is a convenient shortcut for the M/V Victory II as it makes its way to and from Duluth, Minnesota. In its hayday, this canal was a hive of commerce as freighters arrived with supplies and departed full of copper. On our shore excursion, we'll visit the Quincy Copper Mine, which operated from 1846 to 1945, and explore how miners moved underground and extracted this valuable resource. After lunch, we'll visit the internationally-recognized A. E. Seamen Mineral Museum on the grounds of Michigan Technological University, which houses an extraordinary collection of minerals, including a fascinating set of phosphorescent deposits.
Day 8
Duluth, Minnesota
The city of Duluth is nestled in the hills overlooking Lake Superior. Originally settled by the Sioux and Chippewa, Duluth was claimed for France in 1679 by Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Lhut, the city's namesake. Our visit starts with a drive past the Aerial Lift Bridge, which guards the harbor, then along the North Shore Scenic Drive for an excellent view of city and its environs. We then climb Hawk Ridge to the "raptor flight path," where these extraordinary hunting birds take a rest on their Arctic migration. Enjoy a scenic walk along the waterfront to Leif Erikson Park, which houses a replica Viking Ship, and down to "The Depot" with its exceptional collection of trains and carriages from a bygone era. The afternoon is free to explore Canal Park, whose restored ships and exhibits showcase Duluth's history.
Day 9
Thunder Bay, Ontario
This morning, we'll arrive at Thunder Bay. After breakfast, you'll disembark the M/V Victory II and make your way to the airport for your flight home.