Port Milwaukee welcomed more than 11,000 passengers to the city of Milwaukee throughout the 2025 cruise season. The port is now preparing for 2026, when a new cruise dock will open.

     Port Milwaukee kicked off its cruise season on April 28, with the arrival of the Viking Octantis. Hanseatic Inspiration concluded the 2025 Great Lakes cruising season on October 9. This year, Milwaukee welcomed 11,096 passengers who traveled to-or-from the city via international cruise ships. This represents a total of 22 calls between six vessels that hosted itineraries.

     The 2025 cruise season has created a $2.5 million local economic impact and is projected to be approximately $3.5 million next year. “It has been another tremendous cruising season for the city of Milwaukee, and I am proud of the port’s role in strengthening our city as a premier destination while expanding Wisconsin’s reputation as a place worth visiting,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “The economic impact of this growth reaches well beyond our city limits, and I look forward to building on this momentum into the 2026 season.”

     Port Milwaukee’s third designated cruise dock, the South Shore Cruise Dock, is slated to be operational during the 2026 cruising season. The new dock will serve the Great Lakes’ largest cruise liners. With approximately 19,000 passengers expected to visit Milwaukee in 2026, 62 cruise ship visits have already been scheduled.

     Several ongoing efforts remain underway to promote the passenger cruise business in Milwaukee and throughout the Great Lakes. Port Milwaukee is the founder of the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative, a local group promoting the city as a cruise destination. The collaborative, which includes a cross-section of the local hospitality industry, has planned, promoted and prepared for increased Great Lakes cruising passengers. VISIT Milwaukee and various local stakeholders are also proud partners in promoting Great Lakes cruising activity in the city.

     The port is also a participant in the Cruise the Great Lakes initiative of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers. The port previously signed a Cruise the Great Lakes pledge to promote environmental stewardship practices and efforts.