The Great Lakes
North America’s Magnificant Inland Sea aboard the Clelia II
*Cruise Special Offer
Discount of $700-$2,000 per person (depending on cabin category)! See the Accommodations tab 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!
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
Details
- 8-day trip begins in Toronto, Canada, and ends in Duluth, Minnesota
- 7 nights luxury vessel
- All meals and wine, beer, soft drinks included aboard ship
- 8-day expedition cruise, cultural exploration, walking tours
Tour Costs
Cruise Cost from $5,695 per person with Cruise Special Discount*. See the Accommodations tab for complete information by cabin category.
Departures & Leaders
Jun 19-26, 2010
Jun 26-Jul 3, 2010
Jul 3-10, 2010
Jul 10-17, 2010*
Jul 17-24, 2010
Aug 28-Sep 4, 2010
Sep 4-11, 2010*
Sep 11-18, 2010
Sep 18-25, 2010*
*Reverse itinerary, Duluth—Toronto
Suggested Reading
Reading list, click here.
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.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
The Clelia II
The all-suite Clelia II accommodates just 100 guests in 50 air-conditioned suites, each of which boasts water views, measures 215 square feet or more, and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, two twin-size beds or one queen bed, spacious closets, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, mini-refrigerator, and bathroom with marble vanity and teak floor. A restaurant accommodates all guests at a single, unassigned seating. Staffed by a crew of 60 officers and crew, the Clelia II features an expansive library with Internet access, gym, beauty salon, boutique, Jacuzzi, infirmary, two lounges, and ample deck areas for relaxing and sunbathing.
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

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E
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Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto Decks, windows and sitting area. 215 sq. ft. Suites 342-345, 428, 429. Partially obstructed view. |
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D
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Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto Decks, window and sitting area. 215 sq. ft. Suites 334-335, 433. |
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C
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Deluxe suites on Athena Deck, three portholes and sitting area. 275 sq. ft. Suites 246-252. |
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B
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Deluxe suites on Ariadne Deck, window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 336-341. |
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A
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Deluxe suites on Leto Deck, window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 420-427, 430-431. |
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AA
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Deluxe suites on Cleo Deck, forward and side windows and sitting area. 285 sq. ft. Suites 505-506. |
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VS
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Deluxe Veranda Suites on Cleo Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 245 sq. ft. Suites 507-519.* |
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PHS
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Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Phoebe Deck, private balcony and sitting area. 260 sq. ft. Suites 601-604.* |
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| *VS & PHS suites are provided with private butler service and other exclusive amenities. |









