Analysts expect the Great Lakes cruising industry to generate $300 million in economic impact this year, a 25% increase over 2025, driven by higher priced cruises, more port visits and passenger spending.
“There's spending when it comes to the shops that are in the port cities, the restaurants that are there, and also the attractions and the experiences that they get to explore when they come into our port towns.”
Pure Michigan Vice President Kelly Wolgamott says the upcoming season is set to break regional records with 23,000 individual passengers – a 15% increase - and more than 800 port visits.
“Great Lakes cruising really provides scenic small ship journeys through the eight ports we have here in the state of Michigan, but the cruise opportunities for the 2026 season continue to show long-term growth.”
There are 10 ships from seven carriers with American Cruise Lines joining this season.
Wolgamott says most are domestic travelers, but international ships provide a Great Lakes experience for many visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
“These travelers come in on the cruise lines, and then they get a little taste of what these towns are all about, and then they want to come back and explore more at another time.”
The Great Lakes cruise season runs from April through October.
For a weekly dose of news right to your inbox, sign up for the WGVU newsletter.
