It’s the last season for American Queen Voyages in the Great Lakes, the company announced on Tuesday. All published voyages through November 2023 will continue, but then the company plans to sell Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager and focus on its river cruises.

“Our customers consistently tell us our US river itineraries are exceptional and demonstrate this by returning again and again,” said AQV president Cindy D’Aoust. “All of our focus is being put into updating and enhancing our popular river product with strategic partnerships and an elevated culinary program, which we know have been very well received.”

Viking, meanwhile, which began sailing the Great Lakes in 2022, just launched its second expedition ship there.

AQV now will add new itineraries for several ships in 2024 and 2025, including:

• New three- and four-day Lower Mississippi cruises on the American Queen.
• A 16-day trip down the Mississippi from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, including intricate locks and dams and the birthplaces of jazz and country music.
• American Countess will sail a new bourbon-themed voyage featuring food and spirits experts such as Dickie Brennan, chef-owner of Bourbon House in New Orleans, and American Empress will sail new wine-themed cruises on the Snake and Columbia rivers.

The Viking Octantis just completed its first Great Lakes voyage. The Octantis is the largest ship to cruise the Great Lakes. The 665-foot liner began its itinerary in Toronto arriving in port on May 6th in Milwaukee. The ship carries up to 378 passengers and 256 crew members. The itinerary included Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Detroit, Alpena, Mackinac Island, and Milwaukee. Read the rest of this entry »

Mask mandates are falling, but many travelers remain wary of international travel—making the timing perfect for a new kind of summer vacation. One that is unique, Instagrammable, domestic, safe—yet thrilling and lots of fun. Enter Viking Cruises’ newest product, an expedition ship chock full of motorized gadgets sailing the Great Lakes.

The brand-spanking-new expedition class Viking Octantis, custom-built to cut through the ice in Antarctica or slip through the locks of the St. Lawrence, launches in May. With prices starting at $5,995 per person plus air, the Polar Class 6 Viking Octantis holds just 378 guests in 189 staterooms and 256 crew. The focus, of course, is Read the rest of this entry »