Cruise the Great Lakes announced the figures Oct. 22 at the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority in Detroit. The 2026 season also exceeded projections for passenger totals and port visits, with more than 25,000 passengers and over 880 port visits, compared with earlier estimates of 23,000 passengers and 800 visits. 

The economic impact represents a 25% increase over 2025, according to Cruise the Great Lakes. The organization attributed the growth to increased passenger numbers, more port calls, higher shoreside spending and rising prices for Great Lakes cruise itineraries. 

“Simply put, 2026 was another record-breaking year for cruising in the Great Lakes region, with almost 95% of all itineraries sold out,” said Sally Davis Berry, tourism director for Cruise the Great Lakes. “We are delivering more passengers, port visits, and economic impact at large and small regional destinations.” 

Seven cruise lines operated 10 ships on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during the 2026 season. The operators were Pearl Seas, Ponant, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Victory, Viking, Hapag-Lloyd and American Cruise Lines. 

American Cruise Lines entered the Great Lakes market in 2026 with its American-based port-of-call itineraries. The company has announced plans to increase its port visits in the coming years. 

The region recorded more than 180,000 passenger visits in 2026, an increase of nearly 15% over 2025. Passenger visits measure the number of passengers multiplied by the number of port stops, while port visits count each ship’s individual stops. 

Detroit recorded 70 cruise ship visits during the season, according to John Jamian, director of port operations for the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. The port is now managing three docks to accommodate cruise traffic. 

Several communities also announced cruise-related developments during 2026: 

• Rochester, New York, welcomed cruise ships after a seven-year hiatus.

• Buffalo, New York, which is constructing a cruise ship terminal that is expected to open in 2028, also received cruise ships this year. 

• Victory Cruise Lines’ plans to begin visiting Erie, Pennsylvania, in 2028. 

• Ludington, Michigan, is evaluating cruise ship docking options. 

• Milwaukee’s South Shore Dock will be ready for the 2027 cruise season. 

• Toronto is conducting a feasibility study for a potential cruise ship terminal at its central business district. 

Feature photo: Left to right: Susan Davis Berry, Tourism Director, Cruise the Great Lakes; Brett McWethy, Senior Director of Communications, Visit Detroit; Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President, Pure Michigan; Jerry Smith, Captain of American Patriot, American Cruise Lines; John Jamian, Director of Port Operations, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority/Photo by Hannah Robar