Cruise the Great Lakes on Viking Octantis
When you think of taking a cruise, sailing around the Great Lakes probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But it should be, and Viking’s Great Lakes Cruises chart several breathtaking and memorable courses.
Though the 15-day Great Lakes Collection earned accolades for Best New Cruise Itinerary, we opted for a shorter cruise trip: the eight-day Great Lakes Explorer. This itinerary departs from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and culminates in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Come aboard! Here’s a look at everything this Great Lakes cruise has to offer.
Soaking up the perks on the Viking Octantis
The Polar Class Viking Octantis features 189 staterooms and holds 387 passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded onboard. Many ways to unwind include sitting in the Explorers’ Lounge, with its amazing views over the lake, and hitting the pool, sauna, or steam room at the Nordic Spa.
The luxurious staterooms offer all the comforts of home, from luxury linens to a large flat-screen TV, plus a floor-toceiling heated drying closet and 24hour complimentary room service.
Visiting Mackinac Island in Michigan
Made famous by the 1980 movie “Somewhere in Time,” filmed on location here, Mackinac Island is a gem of the Great Lakes cruise. Steeped in the charm of simpler times, this bucolic haven in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan preserves picturesque Victorian buildings along car-free streets traversed only by horse-drawn carriages, bicycles and pedestrians.
Exploring Fort Mackinac State Historic Park
While there are many Viking shore excursions on Mackinac Island, we decided to hike up to Fort Mackinac State Historic Park, where we saw this lovely panorama with a view of our ship. Summer
is the perfect time to visit the island when flowers bloom in every corner.
Dining on the Viking Octantis
Several dining options offer something for every taste, from the World Cafe buffet to the Viking sushi bar.
Make sure to find your way to Mamsen’s popular Norwegian-style deli to enjoy two of our favorite dishes: the savory split pea soup and the legendary waffles. Several dishes made at Mamsen’s
use traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation in the family of Torstein Hagen, Viking’s chairman.
Enjoy live entertainment aboard the Viking Octantis
A musical duo provided a perfect mixture of smooth jazz and classical selections as we watched the natural beauty of the Great Lakes roll by.
Squeezing through the famous Soo Locks
Cruise passengers gather on the bow of the Viking Octantis as it transits from Lake Huron into Lake Superior via the Soo Locks on St. Marys River in Michigan.
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System is considered one of the longest deep draft navigation systems and one of the most outstanding engineering feats of the 20th century. Since 1855, more than 10,000 ships now pass through these locks annually.
Seeing the Sea Lion Arch via Viking’s Great Lakes cruise
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is the home of the famous Sea Lion Arch, seen here from a Viking special operations boat. Viking special operations boats are perfect for photographers as they get to different scenic points in record time. Additionally, the vessel can stop immediately to allow anyone to capture the “perfect shot.”
Outfitted with hydraulic seats and handrails for comfort and safety, this vessel explores the Great Lakes at an exhilarating speed.
Capturing sights from a Great Lakes cruise
Speaking of a “perfect shot,” we were thrilled to capture a photo of an eagle posing dramatically on a tree top in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park from our special operations boat.
Getting postcard-perfect images
The quaint town of Parry Sound, Ontario, boasts the world’s deepest natural freshwater port. The Canadian Pacific Railroad trestle adds to the picturesque views to behold in this charming portof-call.
Checking out the world’s largest paddle
The paths along the Killarney Mountain Lodge on Georgian Bay offer pristine views of the lake and its unique flora and fauna. It’s also the site of The Big Dipper, completed in 2020 by Canada’s most famous canoeist, Mike Ranta. Weighing in at 22,000 pounds with a length of 110 feet, it carries the distinction of being the world’s largest paddle.
Visiting Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada
We highly recommend adding a preor post-expedition overnight stay in Thunder Bay.
This delightful town offers exceptional hiking trails, first-class dining and shopping, sailboat expeditions, biking opportunities, and unforgettable attractions such as Fort Williams Historical Park (Canada’s equivalent of Colonial Williamsburg). The majestic Kakabeka Falls, known as the “Niagara of the North,” is another highlight.