The indisputable joy of sailing is brought to life on the 202-passenger Ocean Voyager, an agile intimate ship that easily navigates canals and locks, tranquil bays, and hidden ports where larger ships dare not go. Representatives will be available to provide suggestions for dining, entertainment and sightseeing options to maximize your time here. Join us on this true Lake Superior showcase to discover its hidden treasures. Why AQV. Worlds wake and minds meet to add powerful elements to any world travelers toolbox. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann. There's space outside, with loungers and chairs on the traditional wooden decks. Ships The elegant, unique ships all embody a charming, maritime style. Air fare to/from destination, all beverages not highlighted as included, shipboard & shore excursion gratuities, port charges, all incidentals. Lake and Ocean Cruises - American Queen Voyages American Queen Voyages to end Great Lakes cruise, sell ships 2023 CONLIN TRAVEL - Great Lakes Cruise Company is a Subsidiary of NEXT TRAVEL, INC. Great Lakes Cruise Company | Shop All Great Lakes Cruises, Guest must notify Carrier in writing at the time of booking of any physical or mental illness, disability or other conditions for which special accommodations or the use of a wheelchair is necessary or contemplated. It would be a nice additional touch if the ship had a hot tub on one of the sundecks. 888-749-5280. And the side decks were lined with chairs, which seemed to align with the cabins. We tag-teamed at Sault Ste. From our chairs on Deck 4 we watched the comings and goings in the little village of Port Colborne. (Decks 2 & 3), Ocean view stateroom, two twin or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers. Wed had to complete it before United would issue us boarding passes to fly from Newark to Toronto Pearson. Guests who must cancel or change their voyage or any part of their vacation package for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to a fee as outlined below. Spanning the straits and catching the afterglow was the Mackinac Bridge, built in 1957 to link Michigans Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Ocean Voyager Archives | Great Lakes Cruise Company North America Cruise & Travel - Great Lakes Grand Discovery aboard the On both the. Cruise line to end Great Lakes voyages - mlive.com Shopping on the Magnificent Mile is an adventure to remember, and the locals know the hidden mom-and-pop gems serving the best deep-dish pizza, Italian beef and signature Chicago dogs. All staterooms are ocean-facing with fixed windows and, aside from the two Owner's Suites, they don't have walk-out balconies. Each day, enhanced dining experiences showcase regional flavors and culture. But trouble for the Zimmermanns was not far away. I didnt have much company on deck as we approached the Ambassador Bridge in early morning sailing up the Detroit River. You'll explore all 5 of our Great Lakes and thrill to the beauty of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the 1,000 Islands. The vessels carry a medical doctor on board. Together, they contain more than one fifth of the planets fresh surface water. The ships are also equipped with an elevator for ease of movement between decks. Bold, brazen and distinctly American, Chicago has personality to spare. By Ilsa Minor For The Daily News ESCANABA Just over a month after the first American Queen Voyages cruise ship made the voyage to Escanaba, the company has announced it will end Great Lakes . 2023-2024 American Queen Voyages - GREAT LAKES CRUISES The beautifully tricked-out veteran Wilfred Sykes with the Cleveland skyline in the background. The Majestic Great Lakes 7/19/2023; The Majestic Great Lakes 8/15/2023; North American Waterways 9/29/2023; Go Next . Inquire Max Passengers: 202 Ship Type: Expedition Cruise Ship Operated by: American Queen Voyages The Ocean voyager, formerly called M/V Victory I launched on the Great Lakes in July 2016. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann, Docking at the Navy Pier in Chicago brought our voyage to an end. RELATED: Judi Cohen reviews her Great Lakes cruise aboard Viking Octantis coming soon. The Compass Lounge was home base for Ian Ross, the peripatetic cruise director who wore many hats, all engagingly and excellently. Observation deck, Deck 4, was my favorite spot. Expand your mind at the world-class Cleveland Museum of Art, with over 45,000 works to explore. By far the shallowest of the Great Lakes, that makes it most prone to choppiness, which we skimmed over undaunted. You can expect them to address you by name within a couple of days and remember your favorite cocktail and food preferences. The Great Lakes cruises offered by AQV have ranged from nine to 16 days, with as many as 12 port visits. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann, The next morning a self-test, followed by one by the ships doctor, confirmed the worst: she had COVID, and our small but cozy cabin would become her quarantine cell for the balance of the voyage, and mine too at first. The shortest among them, on his far right in the line, was the ships doctor, and he made the obligatory joke about hoping none of us would get to know him. * Map: American Queen Voyages. Departure Port West Palm Beach, FLA. Carrier reserves the right to refuse passage to anyone who, in our sole opinion, may affect the health, safety, or enjoyment of other guests. The ship . The rumbling din of cascading waters forms a serene frequency. The same could be said of Chicago on the small-ship cruises beginning there.). Aboard the fleet of ships you can expect personalized service, enriching activities, fine dining and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. These legendary ports brim with stories, sights and sounds to stimulate every imagination. Relish the many exclusive benefits of our Commodore Services Cruise Line Atlas Ocean Voyages. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann, Were in the lock and its begun to fill. Earlier in the day, the Sault Ste. You are invited to relax and unwind as you discover the world's most remarkable coastal regions. The author Karl Zimmermann in a mirror-assisted self portrait. Against a backdrop of preserved historic buildings, and the clip-clop of horse drawn carriages on cobblestones, youll feel as if youve stepped into a painting of the pre-Civil War era. Please be aware that some ports of call, shore excursions, docks, gangways and other requirements may preclude a wheelchair-bound guest from leaving the vessel; that decision will be made by the ships captain, and is binding. I well remember Karl on deck with his binoculars, and trekking with Laurel to Cairo and the pyramids at Giza. the sights of the river. The reinvented city reverberates with vitality and a cool new atmosphere. This view through the window is of the 1952-built Michipicoten down-bound on choppy Lake Erie. Staterooms 349 and 350 have fixed queen beds and are not convertible into twin beds. And wed have loved to tour its magnificent architecture, sail on the Chicago River, and dine at our favorite restaurants, but this time getting home was the imperative. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann, The Grand Hotels dining room where the luncheon buffet was held. Even more important, as guitarist Ross led an excellent and versatile combo backed by Sean on piano and Andre on drums at cocktails nightly. QuirkyCruise.com. The Saults international twin cities are neighbors on either side of St. Marys River on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in Southern Ontario. Ships are equipped with handicap-accessible rooms. Consider a post-cruise premium experience with airport transfer, or enhance your vacation with a Chicago City Stay Package. Onboard # of Nights 7. Call 1.406.541.2677. Step out onto your expansive private balcony to unwind and take in the beauty of America. Spend a fascinating morning with the Ojibwe people located within the serene Georgian Bay. * Taxes, port fees and gratuities are additional. Breathe the clean air and find solace in the sacred atmosphere of the worlds largest freshwater island. Together, they contain more than one-fifth of the planet's fresh surface water. With a relaxed, accessible design and impeccable service, we are certain you will find a vessel to suit your needs. OCEAN VOYAGER - American Queen Voyages Highlight Unique coastal vessels able to navigate the intricate locking system of the St. Lawerence seaway, the 5 Great Lakes, and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Though the decks were crowded for the Soo transit and our entrance into the Welland Canal, only a handful of passengers were on deck for other serendipitous moments I found special. Fresh air and forest highlands make Marquette magnificent. Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager. The Deck 4 windows are the Grill and the Deck 1 the Coastal Dining Room. Mississippi River. MarieLake Superior, Ocean view suite boasting sweeping views, interior and exterior entrances, a private terrace, one queen bed and one sofa bed, sitting area, armoire and chest of drawers, complimentary minibar (restocked daily), in-room safe, evening canaps, complimentary laundry service & fresh fruit daily (Deck 3 / 335 sq ft avg). Carrier recommends that Guest purchase travel protection. The Viking Octantis, which docked in May 2022 , was the . Similar to other Great Lakes cruise packages, Vantage Travel is offering a luxurious 14-day cruise . Aside from the two suites, the size of the cabins means they are made for function rather than lounging during the day. The rich aroma of Mackinacs signature treat its famous fudge permeates charming shops. Cleveland was one of three ports offering hop-on, hop-off busses (on Mackinac Island there was a carriage tour, of course, since no motorized vehicles). Excitement escalates as we climb aboard our Hornblower catamaran to sail into the mesmerizing mist. This peaceful port draws visitors back year after year. Karl Zimmermann shares his photos & experience of the Trinity House Patricia ship. The indisputable joy of sailing is brought to life on the Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator, agile small ships that easily navigate canals and locks, tranquil bays, and hidden ports where larger ships dare not go. * I would like to subscribe to the QuirkyCruise newsletters. Details. The current position of OCEAN VOYAGER is at Great Lakes reported 2 hours ago by AIS. Click the logos below to learn about each cruise line and its cruise ships. Thanks for a frank, colorful and informative story and the map and great photos. Make the most of this beautiful stop with an optional half-day tour to Niagara Falls. Lighthouses jut from the fog, and loons call across the waters in this magical locale. and a cozy interior lounging area with a sofa-bed and cocktail tables, these expansive Phenomenal experiences lay in store for those who choose this epic 11-day adventure. Carrier accepts the following forms of payment: MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, American Express and check. Beauty and history are the hallmarks of this cruise that starts in Philadelphia and ends in Baltimore, but not before taking in the entire length and breadth of Chesapeake Bay. Lake Erie to Cleveland and then on to Detroit. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients showcase quality, dish by dish. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann, The Mariners Church in Detroit, made famous in Gordon Lightfoots song. If you're in need of a snack in between meals, each of the lounges also offer hors d'oeuvres. Fares for the 10-night package (nine on the Ocean Voyager plus one pre-cruise hotel night) are listed on the American Queen Voyages website starting at $4,999 per person, including daily excursions, open-bar and transfers. Shore excursions are crafted with care to create a more human and personal experience and understanding of the people who call these beautiful locations their home. Travel Specialist Toll Free at 1-888-756-9008. It sails the Great Lakes and the Eastern seaboard. Writer Terri Colby reviews her recent C, Writer & adventurer John Roberts spent a week aboa, Our latest & greatest ode to #smallshipc, The 64-pax Canadian Empress provides a lov, The right luggage is important & if youre l, Maybe youve cruised southeast Alaska, but chanc, I love canal barge cruising in France! It was plying from Manitowoc, Wis., to Ludington, Mich. * Photo: Karl Zimmermann, Whether on deck or inside, I had an eye peeled for lake traffic.