Set sail on an 8-day voyage aboard the Viking Great Lakes through the Great Lakes. Begin in Milwaukee, a city with a rich history of brewing and a vibrant art scene. Explore the car-free streets of Mackinac Island. Dive into the picturesque Fathom Five National Marine Park, exploring sunken shipwrecks and the stunning rock formations of Flowerpot Island. Traverse the breathtaking wilderness of Killarney Provincial Park, with its majestic cliffs and pristine lakes. Experience the remote beauty of Frazer Bay, offering sweeping views and access to the stunning Manitoulin Island. Witness the engineering marvel of the Soo Locks, connecting Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Uncover the history of Silver Islet and the vibrant city of Thunder Bay, the gateway to the West. After an enriching journey, disembark and journey home.
Highlights
Start in Milwaukee, a historic beer city, and settle into your stateroom
Explore Mackinac Island's car-free streets and Victorian treasures
Dive into Fathom Five's shipwrecks and explore Flowerpot Island's formations
Hike Killarney Park's stunning La Cloche cliffs and vast lakes
Enjoy Frazer Bay's views in a UNESCO Biosphere near Killarney
See the Soo Locks, engineering marvels linking Superior & Huron since 1855
Discover the world's largest silver mine near vibrant Thunder Bay
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Board your ship and settle into your stateroom. European settlement in Milwaukee began in 1818 with the arrival of French-Canadian fur trader Solomon Juneau. Subsequent waves of German, Polish, and Eastern European immigrants brought a rich tradition of beer brewing, transforming Milwaukee into the world’s leading beer producer for several decades in the 20th century. Today, Milwaukee thrives as a vibrant hub of art, history, and culture. The RiverWalk, a scenic pedestrian walkway along the Milwaukee River, offers relaxing strolls and showcases public art installations.
Immerse yourself in the charms of simpler times on Mackinac Island, a gem of the Great Lakes. Nestled in the Straits of Mackinac, where Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas converge and Lakes Huron and Michigan meet, this bucolic haven preserves Victorian-era treasures along car-free streets traversed by horse-drawn carriages. The perimeter road stands as the only state highway in the US that prohibits motor vehicles. More than 80% of Mackinac Island is protected as a state park, featuring the Greek Revival Grand Hotel, the British-built Fort Mackinac, and vast preserved wilderness areas.
Fathom Five National Marine Park is nestled between the waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Its rugged landscapes offer a picturesque backdrop to the blue-tinged waters that are a popular destination for scuba divers to explore an array of sunken shipwrecks. Nearby Flowerpot Island is famed for its rock formations and historic lighthouse, with hiking trails that showcase a wealth of treasures. The Saugeen Ojibway People are collaborating with Parks Canada on an environmental project to protect the freshwater ecosystem, for today and beyond.
Killarney was founded by a French-Canadian fur trader in 1820; he named the post Shebahonaning, or “canoe passage.” Its location on the northern shore of Georgian Bay made it ideal for trading. Nearby, the stunning cliffs of the La Cloche range rise dramatically above the shores of Lake Huron. These remarkable mountains are the pinnacle of Killarney Provincial Park, a vast wilderness of lakes and Eastern mixed forest. This breathtaking expanse of protected land is laced with hiking trails and—true to Killarney’s original name—canoe routes that link the area’s lake system.
Frazer Bay is located off a remote finger of land on the eastern tip of the North Channel in Ontario’s Georgian Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its eponymous hill reaches almost 600 feet, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The bay lies near Killarney Provincial Park, a vast wilderness of lakes and Eastern mixed forest framed by glacier-sculpted pink granite cliffs. Across the channel lies scenic Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater lake island and itself home to another 108 freshwater lakes—some with islands of their own.
The Soo Locks are a series of parallel locks that make river travel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron possible, thereby linking Superior to the lower Great Lakes and the Atlantic. Opened in 1855 to allow ships to bypass the river’s 21-foot fall over roiling rapids, this innovative lock system—along with the Erie Canal built 30 years prior—was one of the great engineering projects of its day. Today, it guides ships past the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario and Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan; its bridge crosses over the Soo Locks, connecting the two cities.
Silver Islet sits on the southern edge of the Sibley Peninsula, at the mouth of Thunder Bay. Nearby Sleeping Giant Provincial Park attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round with its diverse wildlife and many miles of hiking trails that lead to spectacular views of the Canadian Shield landscape. Less than a mile from its shores are the remnants of an abandoned silver mine. Located 1,200 feet below Lake Superior, this unique underwater mine was the world’s largest and most valuable silver mine, producing the modern-day equivalent of $78 million before flooding in 1884.
Day 8: Disembark | Thunder Bay
1 Breakfast
Thunder Bay is known as “Canada’s Gateway to the West” for its location at the final navigational point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior. Originally founded as a fur trading post, a settlement was established in 1803, and Fort William was erected. In 1970, Fort William and neighboring Port Arthur were merged to form the City of Thunder Bay. Today, it is one of Ontario’s most vibrant cities and a center of art and culture. Its Waterfront District is beloved for its views across the Bay of the Sleeping Giant, a long line of mesas that resemble a giant lying on its back.
After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,9952-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Owner's Suite (OS)
The Owner’s Suite (OS) is a luxurious 1,238 sq ft multi-room suite with panoramic ocean views, a private Nordic balcony, and a 722 sq ft private garden lounge area with a badenstamp. It includes a separate bedroom suite, a spacious living room, a dining area for six, a private library, wine and music collections curated by Chairman Torstein Hagen, and a boardroom seating twelve with an oceangoing vapor light fireplace. Guests enjoy priority embarkation, early stateroom access, a king-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens, free Wi-Fi, a 55" OLED TV, two 42" LCD TVs, premium toiletries, and a personal coffee machine. Additional amenities include a welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne, a daily replenished mini-bar, complimentary laundry services, a Silver Spirits beverage package, and a keepsake Viking expedition jacket on polar itineraries.
Explorer Suite (ES)
The Explorer Suite (ES) is a spacious 548-square-foot ocean-view, two-room suite with a private Nordic balcony and veranda, offering 80% more space than junior suites. It features a living and dining area for four, additional storage, and private access to the Explorer Suites Garden. Guests enjoy 11 a.m. embarkation, priority stateroom access, and early reservations for expeditions, spa treatments, and dining. The suite includes a king-size Viking Explorer Bed, free Wi-Fi, a 55" OLED TV, additional 42" LCD TVs, premium Freyja® toiletries, a welcome bottle of champagne, a daily replenished mini-bar, and a personal coffee machine. Additional amenities include binoculars, a traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket, 24-hour room service, complimentary laundry services, a Silver Spirits beverage package, and a keepsake Viking expedition jacket on polar itineraries.
Nordic Junior Suite (NS)
The Nordic Junior Suite (NS) is a 322-square-foot ocean-view stateroom with a private Nordic balcony featuring floor-to-ceiling distortion-free glass, ideal for cozy viewing or sheltered al fresco experiences. It offers additional storage and seating, wheelchair accessibility in some suites, 11 a.m. embarkation, and priority stateroom access. Guests enjoy early expedition and spa reservations, priority dining, a king-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens, free Wi-Fi, a 55" OLED TV, and a spacious private bathroom stocked with premium Freyja® toiletries. Amenities include a welcome bottle of champagne, daily replenished mini-bar, personal coffee machine, binoculars, a Norwegian Marius-weave blanket, 24-hour room service, complimentary laundry, a floor-to-ceiling drying closet, and a Viking expedition jacket as a keepsake on polar itineraries.
Nordic Penthouse (NP)
Experience the pinnacle of maritime luxury in the Nordic Penthouse (NP) aboard your expedition vessel. This 269-square-foot ocean-view stateroom features a private Nordic balcony with floor-to-ceiling distortion-free glass, offering both sheltered relaxation and unobstructed vistas. Embrace comfort with a King-size Viking Explorer Bed, premium linens, and a large private bathroom complete with a glass-enclosed shower and heated floors. Enjoy modern amenities such as a 55" OLED TV, free Wi-Fi, and a personal coffee machine with premium selections. Indulge in exclusive privileges including priority restaurant reservations, spa treatments, and expedition activity bookings, ensuring a seamless and pampered adventure from the moment you embark.
Deluxe Nordic Balcony (DN1)
Unwind in the Deluxe Nordic Balcony (DN) stateroom aboard your expedition vessel, offering a serene 215 sq ft space inclusive of a private Nordic Balcony with floor-to-ceiling distortion-free glass, perfect for intimate views of the sea. Choose between a King-size Viking Explorer Bed or twin-bed configuration, adorned with luxury linens and pillows for ultimate comfort. Enjoy modern conveniences like a 55" OLED TV, free Wi-Fi, and a personal coffee machine with premium selections. Pamper yourself in the large private bathroom featuring a glass-enclosed shower, heated floors, and premium Freyja® toiletries. Benefit from priority access to expedition activities, spa treatments, and dining reservations, ensuring a seamless and luxurious journey from the moment of embarkation.
Deluxe Nordic Balcony (DN2)
Unwind in the Deluxe Nordic Balcony (DN) stateroom aboard your expedition vessel, offering a serene 215 sq ft space inclusive of a private Nordic Balcony with floor-to-ceiling distortion-free glass, perfect for intimate views of the sea. Choose between a King-size Viking Explorer Bed or twin-bed configuration, adorned with luxury linens and pillows for ultimate comfort. Enjoy modern conveniences like a 55" OLED TV, free Wi-Fi, and a personal coffee machine with premium selections. Pamper yourself in the large private bathroom featuring a glass-enclosed shower, heated floors, and premium Freyja® toiletries. Benefit from priority access to expedition activities, spa treatments, and dining reservations, ensuring a seamless and luxurious journey from the moment of embarkation.
Deluxe Nordic Balcony (DN3)
Unwind in the Deluxe Nordic Balcony (DN) stateroom aboard your expedition vessel, offering a serene 215 sq ft space inclusive of a private Nordic Balcony with floor-to-ceiling distortion-free glass, perfect for intimate views of the sea. Choose between a King-size Viking Explorer Bed or twin-bed configuration, adorned with luxury linens and pillows for ultimate comfort. Enjoy modern conveniences like a 55" OLED TV, free Wi-Fi, and a personal coffee machine with premium selections. Pamper yourself in the large private bathroom featuring a glass-enclosed shower, heated floors, and premium Freyja® toiletries. Benefit from priority access to expedition activities, spa treatments, and dining reservations, ensuring a seamless and luxurious journey from the moment of embarkation.
Nordic Balcony (N1)
Relish in the comfort of the Nordic Balcony (N) stateroom aboard your expedition voyage, featuring a spacious 215 sq ft layout that includes a private Nordic Balcony with floor-to-ceiling distortion-free glass, perfect for immersive ocean views. Relax on a King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens, or opt for a twin-bed configuration, all complemented by plush pillows. Enjoy amenities such as a 55" OLED TV, free Wi-Fi, and a personal coffee machine with premium selections. Pamper yourself in the large private bathroom equipped with a glass-enclosed shower, heated floors, and premium Freyja® toiletries. With expedition activity reservations available 47 days prior to departure and thoughtful details like purified water refills and plush robes, your journey promises both comfort and adventure from the moment you step onboard.
Nordic Balcony (N2)
Relish in the comfort of the Nordic Balcony (N) stateroom aboard your expedition voyage, featuring a spacious 215 sq ft layout that includes a private Nordic Balcony with floor-to-ceiling distortion-free glass, perfect for immersive ocean views. Relax on a King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens, or opt for a twin-bed configuration, all complemented by plush pillows. Enjoy amenities such as a 55" OLED TV, free Wi-Fi, and a personal coffee machine with premium selections. Pamper yourself in the large private bathroom equipped with a glass-enclosed shower, heated floors, and premium Freyja® toiletries. With expedition activity reservations available 47 days prior to departure and thoughtful details like purified water refills and plush robes, your journey promises both comfort and adventure from the moment you step onboard.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Very responsive to questions. Helpful with all arrangements
Roz
1 day ago
The ship company they sent us on was perfect in every detail
lisa wegener
2 days ago
I’m so glad we found AdventureLife. Jess, our planner, was such a pleasure to work with. She readily shared her extensive knowledge about Panama, she offered good suggestions and creative ideas, kept everything organized and handled the details each step of the way.
Tim King
3 days ago
Jessica was wonderful! She made every effort to ensure our trip was just what we wanted.
Celine Krafft
3 days ago
Erin was easy to work with and very helpful. She was patient and helped us figure out the adventure tour we were hoping for in Belize. Can’t wait to go on this trip!
