The Great Lakes
North America’s Magnificant Inland Sea aboard the Clelia II
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $6395 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 8 days |
| Arrive: | Toronto, Canada |
| Depart: | Duluth, Minnesota |
| Lodging: | 7 nights luxury vessel describe |
| Meals: | All meals and wine, beer, soft drinks included aboard ship |
| Activity: | Small Ship Cruising |
| Trip Level: |
8-day expedition cruise, cultural exploration, walking tours
|
Highlights
- Visit world-famous Niagara Falls
- Explore beautiful Manitoulin Island, home to the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
- Discover Mackinac Island, a National Historic Landmark
- Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Peninsula, with its ghost towns and deep forests
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
Email Area Manager
References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
Resources
*Cruise Special Offer
Discount of $700-$2,000 per person (depending on cabin category)! Click here for complete information by cabin category.
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
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
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.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
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.
Departures
Sep 18-25, 2010
*Reverse itinerary, Duluth—Toronto:
Sep 4, Sep 18
Tour Costs
2010 Cruise Rates by Cabin Category
Per person, double occupancy
| Categories | Price | Cruise Special* | Discount |
| E | $6,395 | $5,695 | $700 |
| D | $7,195 | $6,495 | $700 |
| C | $7,995 | $7,295 | $700 |
| B | $8,795 | $8,095 | $700 |
| A | $9,495 | $8,795 | $700 |
| AA | $10,095 | $9,395 | $700 |
| VS | $11,795 | $9,795 | $2000 |
| PHS | $12,995 | $10,995 | $2000 |
Single Supplement (Cat D-A): $1,995
*Cruise Special Offer for 2010 Departures
Discount of $700-$2,000 per person (depending on cabin category)
Deck Plan

|
E
|
Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto Decks with windows and sitting area. Suites 342-345, 428, 429. 215 sq. ft. Partially obstructed view. |
|
D
|
Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto Decks with window and sitting area. Suites 334-335, 433. 215 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
C
|
Deluxe suites on Athena Deck with three portholes and sitting area. Suites 246-252. 275 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
B
|
Deluxe suites on Ariadne Deck with window and sitting area. Suites 336-341. 225 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
A
|
Deluxe suites on Leto Deck with window and sitting area. Suites 420-427, 430-431. 235 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
AA
|
Deluxe suites on Cleo Deck with forward windows and sitting area. Suites 505-506. 285 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
VS
|
Deluxe Veranda Suites on Cleo Deck with private balcony and sitting area. Suites 507-518.* 245 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
PHS
|
Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Phoebe Deck with private balcony and sitting area. Suites 601-604.* 260 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
| *VS & PHS suites are provided with private butler service and other exclusive amenities. |
Tour Cost Includes:
- Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions; all meals, house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner aboard ship; open bar throughout the cruise; complete program of tours and excursions
- Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
- Professional tour staff
- Complete pre-departure materials
- Baggage handling and transfers on the designated program departure and arrival dates
- Port fees and embarkation taxes
- Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
Airfare; visa and passport fees; baggage, cancellation and accident insurance; meals other than specified in the Full Trip Brochure; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes and email service; and gratuities toshipboard personnel.
The Clelia II
More like a private yacht than a cruise ship, the Clelia II accommodates just 100 guests in 50 air-conditioned suites. All of the ship’s outside facing suites provide views of the sea and landscape, and feature a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen-sized beds, spacious closets, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, mini-bar, and bathroom with marble vanity and teak floor. Facilities aboard the Clelia II include two lounges, library, gym, beauty salon, Jacuzzi, infirmary, ample deck areas for relaxing, and an elegant restaurant accommodating all guests at a single, unassigned seating. The Clelia II is staffed by a crew of 65 officers and crew.
Deck Plan

|
E
|
Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto Decks with windows and sitting area. Suites 342-345, 428, 429. 215 sq. ft. Partially obstructed view. |
|
D
|
Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto Decks with window and sitting area. Suites 334-335, 433. 215 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
C
|
Deluxe suites on Athena Deck with three portholes and sitting area. Suites 246-252. 275 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
B
|
Deluxe suites on Ariadne Deck with window and sitting area. Suites 336-341. 225 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
A
|
Deluxe suites on Leto Deck with window and sitting area. Suites 420-427, 430-431. 235 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
AA
|
Deluxe suites on Cleo Deck with forward windows and sitting area. Suites 505-506. 285 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
VS
|
Deluxe Veranda Suites on Cleo Deck with private balcony and sitting area. Suites 507-518.* 245 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
|
PHS
|
Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Phoebe Deck with private balcony and sitting area. Suites 601-604.* 260 sq. ft. |
|
|
|
| *VS & PHS suites are provided with private butler service and other exclusive amenities. |





