Viking cruise ship arrives in Milwaukee for the first time

Table Of Content

• The Viking Octantis is 665 feet long with room for 378 guests and 250 crew members.
• Viking Octantis cruise ship in 2022 becomes the largest on the Great Lakes
• Milwaukee WI homeport for Pearl Mist ship (Pearl Seas Cruises) 2021 through 2030
• GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS
• Great Lakes Explorer Map
• Viking Inclusive Value

In addition to being home to ten Fortune 1000 company headquarters, Milwaukee is also known for its historic architecture, markets, international seaport, and variety of museums, including the Milwaukee Art Museum just steps away from our dock. Milwaukee was first settled by Europeans in 1818, when French-Canadian fur trader Solomon Juneau arrived. German, Polish and Eastern European immigrants followed, bringing with them a long tradition of beer brewing.

The Viking Octantis is 665 feet long with room for 378 guests and 250 crew members.

"It's our scenic beauty, it's our amenities, it's our businesses, it's our popular destinations, it's our art, our music, our culture, it's our history," he said. "It's our commitment to stewardship, and it's our commitment to environmental sustainability of the Great Lakes." Polka music from an accordion player greeted 307 passengers as they disembarked for various excursions around the city, from tours of local breweries to birdwatching at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.

Viking Octantis cruise ship in 2022 becomes the largest on the Great Lakes

We provide guests an extraordinary cruising experience while exploring the most magnificent regions of the world. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and personalized service every day on board our modern cruise ships. Explore the beautiful and clear waters of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world. You will visit the delightful town of Holland, the slow-paced lifestyle of Mackinac Island, and marvel at the unique geologic formations and untouched wilderness that lines each Great Lake's coastal shores. Our premium category L staterooms are over 300 square feet and are located on the 5th deck level of the ship, allowing for plenty of privacy. Each comes with sliding glass doors leading to a private balcony where guests can enjoy pleasant breezes and scenic views.

Milwaukee WI homeport for Pearl Mist ship (Pearl Seas Cruises) 2021 through 2030

Port Milwaukee founded the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative, which promotes the city as a cruise destination. The Collaborative, which includes a cross section of the local hospitality industry, has planned, promoted and prepared for increased Great Lakes cruising passengers. The 2022 cruise season officially kicked off Friday with the first-ever arrival of the Viking Octantis cruise ship at Port Milwaukee.

2023 cruise ship season kicks off May 4 with arrival of Viking's Octantis - OnMilwaukee.com

2023 cruise ship season kicks off May 4 with arrival of Viking's Octantis.

Posted: Thu, 27 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

This year, 33 ships are scheduled to bring 10,000 passengers to the city, up from 1,000 in 2018. In 2022, Viking Expeditions started a seasonal Great Lakes cruise program with one ship deployment and one-ways (8-day itineraries) between homeports Toronto, Thunder Bay ON and Milwaukee WI. After debarkation in Thunder Bay, passengers return to Milwaukee by air, and the cruise ship embarks another group of travelers (flown to Thunder Bay) for the return voyage (via Duluth MN) to Milwaukee. The boat was scheduled to stay in homeport overnight (for ~48 hours) on each call. The exclusive deal provides the company with priority docking rights at Milwaukee's downtown dock located east of Discovery World, Pier Wisconsin. The deal guaranteed the cruise ship Pearl Mist to use Pier Wisconsin as homeport (for turnaround operations / roundtrips) at least 5 times per year.

Great Lakes Explorer Map

Learn about the history of this fascinating city with a visit to Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a living museum depicting 17th-century missionary life. Stroll along the Midland Harbor, a picturesque destination featuring a large statue of the trumpeter swan, considered the symbol of Midland. For bird lovers, the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is a habitat for Trumpeter Swans, Black Terns, and Least Bitterns.

Largest cruise ship on Great Lakes makes first visit to Milwaukee

For several decades in the 20th century, Milwaukee became the world’s most prolific beer producer. The RiverWalk, a pedestrian walkway along the Milwaukee, is a popular spot for enjoying relaxing strolls or viewing public art installations. Travel to picturesque Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater lake island. MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee welcomed on Thursday, May 4, the Viking Octantis -- the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season.

The ship then made its way up to New York City, where it was officially christened by its ceremonial godmother, Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen, who in 1994 became the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. Finally the ship cruised through the St. Lawrence Seaway for this cruise, its maiden voyage on the Great Lakes. Other travel brands that offer Great Lakes voyages are PONANT and Tauck (fleet). In 2023, Port Milwaukee had scheduled a total of 31 cruise ship calls bringing ~12000 tourists to the city. Edelweiss Cruises is Milwaukee's premier cruise company featuring the largest fleet variety in the area. Find your sea legs, enjoy high-end food and beverages, and take in incredible views as you cruise through downtown Milwaukee and enjoy the sights of the Inner Harbor of Lake Michigan.

Viking Inclusive Value

MILWAUKEE — Mayor Cavalier Johnson and local leaders on Thursday welcomed the Viking Octantis, the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. 31 port calls by various cruise ships are planned for the Port of Milwaukee in 2023, carrying about 12,000 passengers. Silver Islet sits on the southern edge of the Sibley Peninsula at the mouth of Thunder Bay. Nearby Sleeping Giant Provincial Park attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round with its diverse wildlife and many miles of hiking trails that lead to spectacular views of the Canadian Shield landscape.

The first group of passengers arrived Friday afternoon and are spending time throughout the city at areas like The Pabst Mansion, the art museum and some are hiking at the urban ecology center. "Milwaukee is a great destination. It's a city filled with attractions and hospitality. That's what cruise passengers will find here," Johnson said. Viking is now offering three Great Lakes cruises that include Milwaukee, one from Toronto to Milwaukee starting at $5,995, one from Thunder Bay, Canada to Milwaukee starting at $6,695 and one from Milwaukee to Thunder Bay starting at $6,495.

Milwaukee welcomed on Thursday, May 4, the Viking Octantis -- the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. This is the first year the cruise line most known for its European river cruises is offering Great Lakes itineraries, including three eight-day trips that start or end in Milwaukee. One of those, Undiscovered Great Lakes, will make an additional Wisconsin stop at the Apostle Islands in Bayfield. Another tour, the 15-day Great Lakes Collection tour from Duluth, Minn., to Toronto, skips Milwaukee but makes a stop in Algoma.

Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon sipping and tasting delicious, local fare while walking through beautiful downtown Midland. Learn about the area's rich heritage and culture, and discover the stories behind Midland's murals, public art, and unique shops. On the day of your tour, dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and be sure to arrive hungry.

The newly constructed 665-foot-long ship can hold up to 634 people — 378 guests and 256 crew members. Category H staterooms are the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploration. Each 275 square foot room has a large opening picture window and a private balcony offering spectacular views of the passing scenery.

This area is also rich in culture, with world‑class museums, vibrant cities and areas steeped in First Nations traditions. Milwaukee welcomes the Viking Octantis -- the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. A local business helped organize the excursions, along with those at other ports of call.

Located 1,200 feet below Lake Superior, this unique underwater mine was the world’s largest and most valuable silver mine, producing the modern-day equivalent of $78 million before flooding in 1884. Experience Victorian charm on Mackinac Island and venture into the boreal forests of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Lake Superior’s northern shore. Explore coastal wetlands replete with birdlife, comb pristine beaches and get acquainted with native cultures of the northern Great Lakes. These ships offer intimate experiences combined with crewmembers who anticipate your every want and need. It’s everything you desire on a larger cruise ship, minus everything you wish you could cast away.