2024 Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Cruise Season Begins Strongly

The 2024 cruise season in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions has commenced with high expectations, according to the Cruise the Great Lakes program. This season follows a record-breaking 2023, with predictions for continued growth. Over 140,000 cruise passenger visits are forecasted for 2024, a significant increase from the numbers a decade ago.

Cruise ships are slated to make nearly 600 port visits in the region, doubling the amount compared to ten years prior. The economic impact is anticipated to exceed $200 million, a near 50% rise from 2022. This growth is attributed to increasing passenger numbers, port visits, and shoreside spending, along with a rising interest in Great Lakes cruises both domestically and internationally.

Anna Tanski, Tourism Director of Cruise the Great Lakes, emphasized the commitment to sustain the vitality of the region's cruise sector. The sentiment was echoed by Anne Sayers of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, who noted the enduring appeal of the area's natural beauty and the significant role of cruising in supporting local economies.