Port Cleveland OH, as well as Great Lakes cruising, are poised to grow over the next years, according to the President & CEO of Victory Cruise Lines (fleet), Bruce Nierenberg.
His Miami-based company is adding a 2nd small ship to Great Lakes this year, with itineraries including visits to Cleveland. Other companies, including German-based Hapag-Lloyd, are also eyeing Great Lakes' expansion.
Nierenberg predicts another booming cruise era for Great Lakes, which had its heyday about a century ago, with dozens of vessels plying the 5 freshwater lakes.
The Great Lakes region, with its ethnic history and industrial past, provides authentic experiences, such as small towns, big cities, food festivals and more.
However, these sailings are quite pricey, especially compared to mega-ships plying the waters of the Caribbean. For example, a 10-day cruise in July aboard the 202-passenger Victory I starts at ~USD 6200 per person.