Vacationers are rediscovering Great Lakes cruising 

Duluth-Superior offers a warm welcome to the new wave of passenger vessels
For whatever reasons — chiefly, perhaps, the falling dollar and fears of terrorism overseas — many Americans are staying close to home at vacation time rather than venturing abroad. One component of domestic tourism that has benefitted as a result is the Great Lakes cruise industry.

Although security at Great Lakes ports has been tightened significantly as a result of 9/11, any inconveniences to passengers seem to be outweighed by what the Great Lakes have to offer, with their easily accessible wealth of heritage, culture, picturesque beauty and pristine wilderness.

Superior Mayor Dave Ross (left), Duluth City Council President Jim Stauber and Port Director Adolph Ojard are on hand to welcome Columbus Captain Ralf Zander.

Great Lakes cruising isn't new; rather, it's experiencing a rebirth. The late 1800s were the boom years for such cruises. "At one time there were more people asleep on boats on the Great Lakes than on any ocean of the world," according to marine historian Harry J. Wolf.

But Great Lakes cruises died out in the 1960s due to market decline, shipbuilding costs, vessel operating costs, safety and environmental regulations, world competition and shifts to other modes of transportation — planes, trains and automobiles.

Mary Nelson (left), director of packaged travel for the Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau, takes L. Anthony "Toby" McCarrick, executive director of the Great Lakes of North America, and Cheryl Offerman, an Explore Minnesota tourism official, on a tour of the Columbus.

In 1992, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and other port and tourism agencies provided funding to coordinate an effort to encourage Great Lakes cruising. The Port and the Duluth Visitors and Convention Bureau are now part of The Great Lakes Cruising Coalition, a joint American-Canadian cooperative venture involving Great Lakes ports, towns, regions and The St. Lawrence Seaway.

The coalition is focused on the quality of port facilities, memorable shore excursions and a healthy marine environment.

The Great Lakes Cruising Coalition's mission is to enhance opportunities for passenger carriers and port cities. Marketing projects include participation in major cruise expositions and trade fairs.

In 2005, seven ships, with capacities ranging from 90 to 400 passengers, will offer itineraries to major ports, such as Duluth, Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago and Milwaukee and numerous smaller ports as well. Itineraries for these vessels are available at www.greatlakescruisingcoalition. com or by contacting Conlin Travel, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., which markets chartered cruises on the Lakes at www.great lakescruising.com.

The 400-passenger German cruise vessel Columbus visited Duluth three times in September 2004, and the 100-passenger U.S. cruise vessel Grande Mariner used Duluth as a debarkation/embarkation point in July.

Next year the Columbus is due back three more times, and the Grande Mariner's sister vessel, Grande Caribe, will use Duluth as a passenger exchange point twice. Despite new security requirements, this Port extends a warm welcome to its visiting cruise vessels, including presentations by community or high school bands and a variety of shore tours arranged for the passengers by the Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau.

As the cruise industry continues to re-chart its itineraries, the Great Lakes — including the Port of Duluth-Superior — offer an excellent destination.