CLEVELAND — Cruise season will officially get underway in Cleveland during Memorial Day weekend.
On Sunday, ships from Viking and Pearl Seas will dock at the Port of Cleveland, giving passengers a full day's worth of opportunities to explore our area.
According to the Port of Cleveland, The Pearl Seas, a 210-passenger ship, "is the only cruise ship coming through Cleveland which has full private balconies for every room and is a fully stabilized ship."
Meanwhile, Viking is back in Cleveland for a second straight season. Viking’s Octantis can carry up to 378 guests.
“Our cruise partners have said the Great Lakes region is booming for tourists because they want to experience the diverse cultures that make this region so unique,” said Port of Cleveland Chief Commercial Officer David S. Gutheil in a statement. “It’s part of the U.S. that these passengers have not seen before. Cleveland alone has very diverse neighborhoods with deep cultural backgrounds, which help explain it’s growing popularity as a cruise ship destination and helping make tourism a vital part of our local economy.”
Since 2017, Cleveland has become a port of call for Great Lakes cruise ships. Port of Cleveland officials estimate that each cruise passenger in Cleveland spends about $150 -- or $1.5 million for 10,000 travelers. Other economic benefits include salaries of dock workers, tour operators and others.
This year, a total of 24 cruise stops are planned for Cleveland, with Tauck also returning in 2024. The number of stops is down from last year due to American Queen Voyages ceasing operations earlier this year. AQV made a total of 28 visits to Cleveland last year.
However, the Port of Cleveland says more than 50 cruise stops are on the schedule for 2025.
So what can cruise passengers who dock in Cleveland expect during their visit?
The Port of Cleveland says passenger shore excursions in Greater Cleveland include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the West Side Market, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, a walking tour of downtown Cleveland or Little Italy, a hike or biking tour in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a beer tasting at Great Lakes Brewing Company, a culinary tour and an excursion to Amish country in Geauga County.
In 2023, popular travel adviser “The Points Guy” called Cleveland "the hottest new cruise destination in North America."
Related Stories:
- American Queen Voyages, which made stops in Cleveland during Great Lakes cruises, ends operations
- Tauck cruise ship to arrive in Cleveland on Saturday as part of 'Cruising the Great Lakes' voyage
- New Viking Great Lakes cruise ship arrives in Cleveland
- Pearl Mist cruise ship makes stop in Cleveland as part of Great Lakes excursion
- Cruise season begins in Cleveland, expected to bring 10,000 passengers downtown in 2023
