Wanna see a big boat on Lake Michigan? Viking Cruises ship stops in Algoma on May 29
ALGOMA - For those interested in watching big boats on Lake Michigan, the first of eight Viking Cruises to stop over in Algoma in 2024 drops anchor in the waters off the shore at about 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The ship will moor in the lake off the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse, with passengers disembarking via ferry about a half-hour later. Boating fans are invited by the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce to head to Heritage Park and the city marina to watch the ships and their passenger ferries arrive and depart, and the chamber will set up a mobile visitor center near the park to provide information to passengers and crew members.
It's the second straight year Viking's Great Lakes Collection cruise includes a stop in Algoma, which offers optional passenger excursions not only in Kewaunee County but also Door County and Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The Swiss-based cruise line also featured Algoma as a destination eight times in 2023, the first year the city and Door County were part of the cruise.
The specific ship stopping in Algoma on Wednesday is the 665-foot-long Viking Octanis, on its way from Toronto. Built in 2022 and with a capacity of 378 guests and 256 crew members, the Octanis is scheduled to return to Algoma at about 7 a.m. June 11, on its way from Duluth, with future stops at 8 a.m. Aug. 7, 7 a.m. Aug. 20, 8 a.m. Sept. 18 and 7 a.m. Oct. 1.
Another Viking cruise ship making the Great Lakes run, the Viking Polaris, is scheduled to stop in Algoma at 8 a.m. July 12 and 7 a.m. July 25. The Polaris has the same dimensions and capacity as the Octanis.
The cruises arriving in Algoma at 8 a.m. are scheduled to depart at about 6 p.m., while the 7 a.m. arrivals depart at about 3 p.m. All times depend on weather and the captain's prerogative.
The Great Lakes Collection cruises run from Toronto to Duluth, Minnesota, or the other way around. The cruise takes 15 days and stops at 10 destinations along the way, including Niagara Falls; Cleveland; Detroit; Mackinac Island; Alpena, Michigan (home of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center); Thunder Bay and other scenic natural locations in Ontario. A passage through the Soo Locks in the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario, also is part of the itinerary.
Passengers who disembark in Algoma can choose from a variety of guided excursions offered by the cruise. Along with the tour of Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, there also are a kayaking and hiking adventure at Door County's Moonlight Bay and Cana Island Lighthouse, a hike along the Niagara Escarpment, charter fishing on Lake Michigan, wine and scenic tours by motor coach of Door County and a wine/beer/cheese tour of Algoma. Passengers also can do a self-guided tour of the city and its art galleries, Crescent Beach, Ahnapee Trail and dining and beverage establishments.
For more, visit the chamber website at visitalgomawi.com.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Algoma welcomes Viking Cruises ship for first of eight visits in 2024