As we cruise the vast expanse of North America’s great “inland sea” aboard the elegant Clelia II, we discover the story of the Iroquois and Algonquin, of Champlain and Cartier, who first reached the Great Lakes shores in the 17th century, and of the making of the United States and Canada as neighboring nations. Highlights of our journey include the thunder of Niagara Falls, the nostalgic island of Mackinac, with its horse-drawn carriages, and the Keweenaw Peninsula, where lighthouse-studded granite cliffs and Scandinavian influenced towns front a landscape of moss-draped forests. Part of the Great Lakes’ enchantment is their sheer enormity—no wonder Champlain thought he’d discovered a new route to Asia when he chanced upon Georgian Bay near Lake Huron!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Toronto / Embark / Lake Ontario

From Toronto, on the shores of Lake Ontario, we embark on the Clelia II, then make a dramatic passage to Lake Erie via the Welland Canal, a series of seven locks that lift our ship 324 feet over a distance of 27 miles. We also enjoy an excursion to Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders.

Days 3-4
Lake Erie / Lake Huron / Manitoulin

We have a relaxing day as we cruise from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, watching from deck as we make the 106-mile transit along the Detroit River into Lake St. Clair, then on to Lake Huron via the St. Clair River. At Manitoulin, the world’s largest freshwater island—and one of 30,000 in Lake Huron—we explore the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, attend a Native American pow-wow, and visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, with its exhibits chronicling the story of the native people of the north shore of Lake Huron.

Days 5-6
Mackinac Island / Soo Locks / Lake Superior

We arrive at Mackinac, a Victorian-era haven where cars are forbidden—even UPS has a horse and carriage here! We explore this idyllic island and impressive Fort Mackinac, built by the British in 1780, and stroll streets lined with gingerbread-trimmed buildings. Sailing under the five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge connecting Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas, we enjoy breathtaking views as we enter Lake Michigan, then proceed to the scenic waterways of the North Channel and transit the Soo Locks, the busiest in the world. The next day, we navigate the Portage Waterway separating Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula from the mainland and call at quaint Houghton. The legacy of the Copper Rush of 1840 is evident in the deserted settlements nestled in the forest and the opulent buildings in the region’s towns.

Days 7-8
Thunder Bay / Old Fort William / Duluth

The land around the present town of Thunder Bay was settled by the French in 1679. Shortly after the American Revolution, the British established a settlement here, Fort William, which flourished during the days of the fur trade. We explore Old Fort William and visit the frontier town and cultural center of Thunder Bay, the largest city on Lake Superior. After arriving in Duluth, we fly home.

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What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest. It is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts. There are daily shore excursions featuring walks and sightseeing.

Explanation of Trip Levels