Cruise the Great Lakes, the region’s dedicated cruise marketing program, has released its forecast for the upcoming 2025 cruising season. This season, projected to outperform 2024, underscores the steady growth of Great Lakes cruising, bringing in more passengers, increasing port visits, and enhancing the economic benefits for both large and small regional destinations.
In 2025, Great Lakes cruises are set to welcome over 22,000 individual passengers, marking nearly a 10% rise compared to 2024. With more than 700 port visits on the agenda—an increase of nearly 30% from the previous year—the total number of cruise passenger visits throughout the region is expected to surpass 150,000.
The economic impact of cruising on the Great Lakes is anticipated to exceed USD $230 million in 2025, reflecting a 15% boost from 2024. Factors driving this growth include a surge in passenger numbers, more port visits, increased spending onshore, and a rising price premium for Great Lakes cruises. The ongoing expansion in this cruising sector continues to deliver significant economic benefits to communities surrounding the lakes.
The year 2025 also marks the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes, which showcases the growing diversity of vessels operating in the region. Scheduled cruise lines for 2025 include Pearl Seas, Viking, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd, and Victory, ensuring an exciting array of options for travelers.
“As we look to 2025, we’re excited to see continued growth in the Great Lakes cruise sector,” said Cathleen Domanico, Tourism Director of Cruise the Great Lakes. “We forecast this upcoming season to be even stronger than 2024, both in terms of passenger numbers and economic impact, which underscores the appeal of cruising in the Great Lakes.”
“The beauty and diversity of our region continue to attract visitors from around the world,” said Anne Sayers, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and Chair of Cruise the Great Lakes. “With more ships and ports on the itinerary, the positive economic contributions of Great Lakes cruising will continue to be felt across the region.”
