Great Lakes Cruise Company begins itineraries between Montréal, Québec, Canada, and Chicago, Illinois, this summer.
The M.S. St Laurent will depart Montréal July 5, 201, docking in Chicago July 14, 2015. Stops will include Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario.
It sails from Chicago back to Montreal July 14 to 23, 2015, and again from Chicago to Montreal August 28 to September 6, 2015.
The M.S. St. Laurent can make the journey through the Great Lakes’ lock system because it’s a small ship — 105 staterooms — yet offers the traditional four-star amenities of larger ships, including an elevator between decks, on-board full service salon, boutique and medical services.
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 travelers, to sail the Great Lakes. Fascinated by the idea of revitalizing this once flourishing cruise market, travel industry veterans Tom Conlin and his son Chris, formed the Great Lakes Cruise Company the following year.
By fall 1999, the Great Lakes Cruise Company operated the first American charter of the MV Columbus. With the success of their first season, GLCC chartered both MV Columbus and the 90-passenger French luxury yacht Le Levant the following three years. As more cruise lines entered the Great Lakes market, GLCC expanded their services, forming a single source for Great Lakes cruises.
The Great Lakes Cruise Company currently features cruises aboard all ships now sailing the Great Lakes.
(Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Cruise Company)
