At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- Thunder Bay to Milwaukee
- From:
- $5,995
- Time of Year:
- June, July, September
On this 8-day Undiscovered Great Lakes cruise from Thunder Bay to Milwaukee, Wisconsin aboard the 378-passenger Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, cross the width of Lake Superior from Duluth to the Soo Locks, exploring the Apostle Islands and Keweenaw Peninsula along the way.
Hike along clifftop trails for sweeping views of the lake. Gain insight into the unique features and ecosystems of remote wilderness islands, and admire Kakabeka Falls, the “Niagara of the North.” Follow in the footsteps of fur traders in Duluth and step back in time as you stroll the quaint, car-free streets of Mackinac Island.
Undiscovered Great Lakes Highlights
- One complimentary landing or shore excursion in every port of call
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
- 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- Port taxes & fees
- Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
- Visits to UNESCO Sites
- Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
- Access to The Nordic Spa & state-of-the-art fitness center
- Self-service launderettes
- Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge
- 24-hour room service
- Kayaks, Zodiacs & Special Operations Boats — A Viking Expedition Kit with a variety of equipment to explore at no extra charge
- All Viking excursion gear needed for any relevant excursions
Undiscovered Great Lakes Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Thunder Bay, Ontario
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. 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.
Day 2: Silver Islet, Ontario
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 3: McGarvey Shoal, Ontario, Canada
McGarvey Shoal is located in the Lake Superior North Shore Inside Passage. More than a shallow reef, it is the peak of an underwater mountain that rises from a depth of 270 feet to three feet below the water’s surface. The shoal is the site of a famous shipwreck, the Gunilda. The luxury steam yacht foundered here in 1911 after its owner refused to hire a pilot to navigate the treacherous waters of the Schreiber Channel. The crew and passengers safely disembarked, but efforts to dislodge Gunildia caused her to sink; today, she is preserved 266 feet below the lake’s surface.
Day 4: Battle Island, Ontario, United States
Nestled in the chilly waters of Lake Superior, Battle Island stands as a beacon of maritime history. Its rugged terrain is crowned by the iconic Battle Island Lighthouse, an octagonal-shaped sentinel on the island’s westerly shores since 1877. Standing 43 feet in height, it is the northernmost lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Marking the eastern entrance to Nipigon Bay, it was a crucial guide for local wood pulp carriers and commercial fishing boats, its characteristic flashing pattern helping them navigate their way through the treacherous waters of the straits.
Day 5: Duluth, Minnesota, United States
Duluth was named for French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, who explored the St. Louis River in 1679. In 1808, famed merchant John Jacob Astor established the American Fur Company. Copper and iron ore mining swelled the population in the 1850s, while construction of channels and locks to the east allowed larger ships to access the city. Today, Duluth celebrates its history and culture with a wide array of museums and landmarks, including its famed Aerial Lift Bridge spanning the Duluth ship canal.
Day 6: Scenic Cruising: Soo Locks Transit
The Soo Locks is 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.
Day 7: Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States
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.
Day 8: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
