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 Small Ship Cruising on the Great Lakes Continues to Grow
By Chris Conlin, President of the Great Lakes Cruise Company of Ann Arbor
The growing popularity of Great Lakes cruises signifies a successful effort to revitalize small ship cruising on Michigan’s beautiful inland seas. In 1997, decades after the demise of passenger cruising on the Great Lakes, German cruise line Hapag-Lloyd brought their 420-passenger cruise ship MV Columbus, filled primarily with German tourists, to sail the Great Lakes. By 1999, Conlin Travel operated the first American charter of the MV Columbus – a 3-night fall color cruise from Windsor to Little Current, Ontario, to Mackinac Island, then back to Detroit. Modeled after Germany’s finest luxury ships, the Columbus was, and still is, a striking and unusual site on the Great Lakes. Following our inaugural sailing, public response was overwhelming, demand grew for this renewed Great Lakes tradition and the Great Lakes Cruise Company was formed. Since then, we have added the 90-passenger French luxury yacht Le Levant and expanded our itineraries, and cruise enthusiasts from as far away as Thailand have contacted us regarding the unique and exciting opportunity to sail the beautiful Great Lakes.
 
Le Levant – Setting New Standards of MV Columbus – The Ship Built for the
Excellence in Small Ship Cruising Great Lakes
From Michiganders to Californians, our cruise passengers experience a renewed appreciation for the Great Lakes. Those from Michigan enjoy seeing the lakeshore from a different perspective and having the opportunity to spend time in different communities around the lakes. Meanwhile, passengers from Texas, Florida, California, and as far away as Japan are impressed by the vastness of these legendary waters and often remark that they had no idea that such breathtaking beauty existed in the Midwest. Since all of our cruises offer educational shore excursions and onboard lectures, passengers also have the opportunity to learn about the history, geology and culture of the Great Lakes region, in addition to simply enjoying the emerald green forests and fiery sunsets.
Since our ports of call vary from season to season, passengers are able to visit many different communities around the state. Although our stops include towns on both sides of the lakes, most have been visits to Michigan ports such as: Saugatuck, Traverse City, Marquette, Whitefish Point, Mackinac Island, and most recently Port Huron. As the “Gateway to the Upper Great Lakes”, Port Huron began welcoming passengers to her newly renovated Southside cruise ship terminal in 2002, thanks to the efforts of Acheson Ventures. Starting in 2002, we also began a partnership with Acheson, with the mutual goal of continuing the growth of cruising on the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Cruise Company’s Ports of Call
Some of the many considerations that go into choosing our ports of call include water depth, docking facilities—preferred over tendering ashore by our mostly senior travelers—and activities available in the immediate vicinity on shore for those passengers who wish to explore ports on their own. Some of the countless benefits to the different ports include:
- Bringing new tourism into the community
- 2,200+ potential new visitors, in addition to crew members
- Multiple visits to local museums, shops and attractions
- 400,000+ brochures are mailed to potential cruisers nationwide
- Nationwide exposure of community by travel writers
- Ships currently sailing in the Great Lakes will consider the port
- Ships considering sailing in the Great Lakes will consider the port
- Additional tourism spending
During our 5th cruise season in 2003, we will offer not only our own charter, but also cruises presented by other companies, in order to continue the momentum. Due to the high demand of the Columbus, we will not have her back in our waters again until 2004. Therefore, in addition to our own three sailings aboard the French ship, Le Levant—which is also the highest rated ship cruising the Great Lakes—our brochure also features cruises aboard four other vessels from three different cruise companies. This arrangement offers our clients greater variety in both accommodations and itineraries.
Despite the ups and downs recently experienced in the travel industry, Great Lakes cruises have continued to gain popularity. In addition to offering such advantages as being close to home and easy to get to by any form of transportation, the proximity to U.S. political borders and healthcare facilities brings a particular feeling of security. However, the key attraction remains the majestic, timeless beauty of the Great Lakes. As the only travel company in the world to specialize in Great Lakes cruises, we look forward to many years of offering this unique cruise product.
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