DETROIT – Cruise ships have become more popular on the Great Lakes over the past few years, and there’s no sign of the booming business slowing down anytime soon.
The Great Lakes have seen more cruise ships cruising through in recent years, taking passengers around the edges of Michigan. As it turns out, Great Lakes Cruise ships benefit communities across the state.
And this 2024 season is expected to break all cruise-related records for the area. It’s projected that there will be an estimated 20,000 passengers and 600 port visits across Michigan’s six ports -- a 50% increase.
Ann Tanski, with Cruise the Great Lakes, said it is estimated to create more than $200 in economic impact to the area. According to Tanski, that impact benefits communities big and small.
Cruise the Great Lakes is a multi-state coalition dedicated to boosting the cruising industry here -- and not just to U.S. citizens, either. There is a strong effort in Europe to bring international passengers here.
Viking operates the largest passenger ships cruising our waterways. They top out at a little more than 400 passengers, but there are five other lines with smaller ships cruising as well.
“We bring together unique experiences that include large urban ports of call in major metropolitan cities as well as quaint unique destinations,” Tanski said.
Detroit is home to one of the six “ports of call” in the state. The others are located in Alpena, Mackinaw, Muskegon, Sault Ste. Marie, and Traverse City.
Watch Mara’s full report below.