Cruise the Great Lakes, the region’s premier cruise marketing initiative, unveiled its optimistic forecast for the 2026 cruising season during a press conference held in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The upcoming season is expected to showcase a continued upward trend in Great Lakes cruising, with projections indicating more than 23,000 passengers, over 800 port visits, and an unprecedented economic impact of $300 million (US) on both large and small regional destinations.
Boost in Economic Impact
The financial implications of cruising on the Great Lakes are set to exceed $300 million (US) in 2026, a 25% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by rising passenger numbers, more frequent port visits, higher onshore spending, and a higher price premium for Great Lakes cruises. The ongoing expansion of the cruising sector is delivering substantial economic benefits to port communities across the region, enhancing both local businesses and tourism.
New Entries in the Market
A noteworthy development for 2026 is the introduction of a new cruise line, American Cruise Lines, into the Great Lakes market. This addition emphasizes the increasing variety of travel options available in the region. In total, seven cruise lines, including Pearl Seas, Ponant, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Victory, Viking, Hapag-Lloyd, and American Cruise Lines, are set to operate 10 ships across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
Projected Passenger Growth
The 2026 season is projected to welcome over 23,000 individual passengers, marking a 5% increase from 2025. With more than 800 planned port visits, this represents almost a 15% increase from the previous year. The total number of anticipated cruise passenger visits across the region is estimated at nearly 175,000, further underscoring the growing popularity of Great Lakes cruising.
“Great Lakes cruising does more than delight passengers. It drives economic growth along shorelines throughout the region,” stated Wisconsin Tourism Secretary and Cruise the Great Lakes Chair Anne Sayers. She emphasized that the expected growth will translate into more travelers creating lasting memories, increased patronage for local businesses, and significant economic contributions to Wisconsin and the wider Great Lakes area.
Sally Davis Berry, the Tourism Director of Cruise the Great Lakes, expressed enthusiasm about the forecast, stating, “As we look to 2026, we’re excited to see continued growth in the Great Lakes cruise sector. We anticipate this season to be even stronger than 2025, in terms of passenger numbers, destinations visited, and economic impact, highlighting the cruise experience’s appeal in the Great Lakes.”
The anticipated surge in Great Lakes cruising reflects not only increased tourism but also a revitalization of local economies, setting the stage for a vibrant 2026 season.
