Cruise the Splendid Great Lakes with PONANT EXPLORATIONS and Smithsonian Journeys

North America’s Great Lakes comprise the largest freshwater lake system in the world, and PONANT is proud to help you explore them. Here, among one of the most diverse biospheres on earth, you’ll find glittering lakeside metropolises, charming towns, and a deep First Nations past. We’ve invited two Smithsonian Journeys Experts on our Voyage Along the Great Lakes to share their expertise on the region’s dynamic interplay of nature, modernity, and history.

Remarkably, the five Great Lakes – Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior – form one vast body of water connected by rivers, smaller lakes, and canals. How vast? The sum of their total volume is 21% of the planet’s fresh water. Little wonder they are often called the “inland seas.” To the east, a system of canals, locks, and rivers leads all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, while from Lake Michigan, the Chicago and Calumet Rivers and more canals connect to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Together, the surface area of the Great Lakes roughly equals that of the United Kingdom; they are a hugely expansive natural and commercial hub of North America with no equal. PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, lead you through them on board a luxury small ship, providing unmatched insight and exceptional service on one extraordinary voyage, from the iconic shores of Lake Ontario to the picturesque coastlines of Lake Michigan.

Lakes Ontario and Erie: Spectacular Natural Wonders 

Your adventure starts in Toronto, the vibrant capital of Ontario province, perched on the shores of Lake Ontario. (You’ll take the journey in reverse on the August 19, 2026 departure). Embark your luxury small ship, then navigate to the Welland Canal, a marvel of engineering that sheds light on the region’s early industrial ingenuity. Completed in 1829, it allows us to bypass the impassable: Niagara Falls, the breathtaking natural spectacle on the Niagara River to the east. You’ll have a chance to witness their “thundering water” – the translation from the First Nations word Ongiara, for which many believe the horseshoe-shaped falls were named.

The Welland Canal delivers you to Lake Erie, one of the most ecologically diverse freshwater systems in the world. This lake is a crucial stopover for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Keep an eye out for cormorants, bald eagles, and countless other majestic species as they take wing above, bringing their unique touch of grace to the Great Lakes biosphere.

In the northwestern reaches of Lake Erie, you navigate into the mouth of the Detroit River. Portside, admire the dramatic skyline of Motor City or Motown – each a nickname for the Michigan city. Soon, you enter the sparkling Lake St. Clair, a shallow but expansive body of water that acts as a natural link between the lower and upper Great Lakes.

The lake is fed by the St. Clair River, which flows south from Lake Huron. Our approach to the river traverses a scenic and tranquil delta system, where an abundance of bird species nest and hunt for fish. Be on the lookout for the great blue heron, wood duck, and red-tailed hawk as you cruise.
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Lakes Huron and Michigan: Indigenous Legacies and an Island Retreat

Sailing into Lake Huron, you’ll enter its renowned Georgian Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and its famed 30,000 Islands. This freshwater archipelago, the largest in the world, stretches for some 120 miles along the lake’s eastern coast. You’ll have a front-row seat as you cruise through this protected aquatic ecosystem, past lush forests, secluded coves, the craggy coast of Manitoulin Island, and the soaring cliffs of the Bruce Peninsula. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike. Along the way, keep your eyes open for decorative birch-bark canoes, traditional watercraft carved by the Anishinaabe people.

Later, call on the charming port of Little Current, gateway to Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island which, in turn, has 108 lakes itself. The Sheshegwaning First Nation calls the island home today, and archaeological digs have revealed cultures dating back some 10,000 years. This “island of the spirits,” as it’s known in the local dialect, is a serene and peaceful haven of natural beauty, the perfect place for outdoor adventures.

Cruise toward Lake Superior next, heading up the St. Marys River with Ontario to the north and Michigan to the south. Your destination is Sault Ste. Marie. Founded by French colonists in 1668, it is the oldest city in Michigan and one of the oldest in the United States. It long held a strategic spot, playing a pivotal role in North American trade. En route, you ascend 20 feet through the Soo Locks, a U.S. National Historic Landmark operating since 1855. Still today, they are some of the busiest locks in the world, passing 10,000 ships between April and December. (They are closed during winter months.)

Continue to Michigan’s most beloved island, Mackinac, nestled between the U.S. state’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The charms are endless on this timeless retreat. And so is its history; the entire island is a National Historic Landmark. Motor vehicles are forbidden here. Instead, horse-drawn carriages set the pace of life, clip-clopping past pretty Victorian houses. However, you choose to spend your time, you’ll be rewarded by this summer island retreat. Explore historic Fort Mackinac, indulge in the island’s famous fudge, or simply stroll its fine sandy beaches.

The final leg of your voyage takes you into Lake Michigan, with a full day of sailing to relax on board and take in the deep blue waters and scenic shoreline. Having cruised from the eastern to the western reaches of the incredible Great Lakes, you disembark in Milwaukee, perhaps taking time on your own to explore its breweries, arts scene, and maritime history.

Reserve Your Place on This Unforgettable Voyage

Our Voyage Along the Great Lakes is an unparalleled opportunity to explore the grandeur of the world’s largest freshwater lake system. Secure your preferred date now and be among the privileged few to witness it all in the comfort and elegance of a PONANT luxury small ship, with the immeasurable insights of accompanying Smithsonian Journeys Experts.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys adds immeasurable historic and cultural enrichment to your voyage. Learn more about how, together, world-class Smithsonian Journeys Experts bring you deeper into your destination’s history and natural world.