Niagara and the Great Lakes

Board your ship and get comfortable in your stateroom. Toronto is renowned as one of Canada’s most vibrant and forward-thinking cities. Nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario and overlooking the scenic Toronto Islands, it was established in 1793 by British loyalists escaping the American Revolution. Today, the city is perfect for exploring on foot, whether you’re admiring the Victorian bay-and-gable homes in Rosedale or wandering through the historic Wychwood Park, a designated Ontario Heritage Conservation district. The Distillery District also boasts North America’s most extensive collection of preserved Victorian industrial architecture.

Built between 1824 and 1833, the Welland Canal is a key engineering marvel, bypassing Niagara Falls with eight locks that raise or lower ships 326 feet between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Vital for regional trade, it features busy docks and crossings. Viking’s expedition vessels are designed to navigate this impressive waterway smoothly.  

Port Colborne, the “Gateway to Navigation,” leads to Niagara Falls, North America’s largest waterfall. With 42 million gallons plunging 20 stories per minute, the falls span the Canadian-US border and include Horseshoe, Bridal Veil, and American Falls. Once a honeymoon hotspot, it remains a must-see wonder.

Shore Excursions: 
Niagara Discovery
Admire the power and majesty of nature during an excursion to view the world-famous Niagara Falls.

Niagara Up Close
Marvel at the power of Horseshoe Falls during a thrilling boat ride to the turbulent pools at its base.

Extending into Lake Erie, Point Pelee is a protected natural gem, narrowing to a delicate tip before vanishing into the water. Home to lush woodlands and the largest freshwater marshes in the Great Lakes, it was designated a national park in 1918 and is safeguarded under the Ramsar Convention. As a key stop along two major bird migration routes, it hosts around 350 recorded species. Visitors can explore this diverse ecosystem via boardwalks that offer stunning views of open landscapes and serene, wave-washed shores.

Detroit sits on one of the four straits that link the Great Lakes to the St. Lawrence Seaway and has emerged as a city rich in culture. In 2015, it became the first US city to earn designation as a “City of Design” by UNESCO for its creativity in urban development. Detroit was founded as a fort in 1701 and later grew into the epicenter of the US automobile industry. Today the city is beloved as the birthplace of Motown, a portmanteau of “motor” and “town.” Its waterfront reveals remarkable examples of postmodern and art deco skyscrapers.

Shore Excursions:
Henry Ford Museum of Innovation
Explore the history of American achievement during the 20th century at the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation.

Alpena is in the northeastern region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The town faces Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay and is home to Alpena Light, a brilliant red steel structure built in 1914. After its founding in 1840, fishing and logging were introduced to bolster its economy; today it is home to one of the largest limestone quarries in the world. Two of its architectural gems are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Art Deco County Courthouse and the late-Victorian IOOF Centennial Building, once the city’s courthouse.

Shore Excursions:
Alpena by Foot
Discover the charming downtown of Alpena during a guided walk.

Steeped in the charms of simpler times, Mackinac Island is a gem of the Great Lakes. Located in the Straits of Mackinac where Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas are closest and Lakes Huron and Michigan meet, this bucolic haven preserves gilded Victorian-era treasures along car-free streets traversed by horse-drawn carriages. The perimeter road is the only state highway in the US that does not permit motor vehicles. More than 80% of Mackinac is protected as a state park, from its Greek Revival Grand Hotel and British-built Fort Mackinac to its preserved wilderness areas.

Shore Excursions: 
Mackinac by Horse-Drawn Carriage
Discover the historical sights and yesteryear charm of scenic Mackinac Island.

Mackinac by Foot
Take to the streets of Mackinac for a walk that will offer insight into the island’s history, culture and heritage.

Milwaukee was first settled by Europeans in 1818, when French-Canadian fur trader Solomon Juneau arrived. German, Polish and Eastern European immigrants followed, bringing with them a long tradition of beer brewing. For several decades in the 20th century, Milwaukee became the world’s most prolific beer producer. Today, the city is a vibrant center of art, history and culture. The RiverWalk, a pedestrian walkway along the Milwaukee, is a popular spot for enjoying relaxing strolls or viewing public art installations.

Shore Excursions: 
Highlights of Milwaukee
See the sights of Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan, during a panoramic excursion.

After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.