Toronto 
Choose between a variety of different cruise vacations that conveniently depart from Toronto this year! From spring to fall, the port of Toronto will be busy with cruise liners departing for the remaining Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence, and in one case, departing for Greenland!
Credit: Ports Toronto
Among these ships setting sail from Toronto’s cruise terminal on epic journeys are liners that blend exploration with luxury to include several on-deck amenities, and plenty of time for on-land adventures or excursions. Among some common ship amenities are restaurants, bars, or cafes, pools, gyms, spas, and salons.
And even for those who need to book a flight to Toronto first, there are opportunities with different cruise lines to save on airfare or package it with the ship fare.
Viking Cruises
Great Lakes Collection
The 15-day Great Lakes Collection Cruise is an amazing opportunity to discover the varying shoreline scenery across all five great lakes!
Starting in Toronto, this journey’s first section is across Lake Ontario, through the Welland Canal, and into Lake Erie. From Detroit and Lake St. Clair, the cruise moves north toward Huron where it will cover the western shores, the Georgian Bay and Islands, and the remaining north shore.
The cruise then passes through another set of historical locks at Sault Ste. Marie before venturing across the entire length of Superior, and back toward Lake Michigan.
The journey ends in Duluth, Minnesota. The Great Lakes Collection takes place on the Octantis with its various restaurants and cafes, a lounge, a Nordic spa, pools, salon, and a fitness centre.
When: May-August
Duration: 15 Days
Price range: starting at $23,995 per person
Niagara & the Great Lakes
The Niagara & Great Lakes journey offered by Viking Cruises brings you across four out of the five great lakes with stops in Canadian and American cities. Over eight days, the cruise travels the Great Lakes of Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan with stops for historical, natural, and cultural sightseeing between Toronto and Milwaukee.
Notable stops include cities like Toronto, Detroit, and Milwaukee, or attractions like Mackinac Island, the Welland Canal, Point Pelee, and Niagara Falls. The Niagara & Great Lakes Cruise is aboard Viking’s Polaris ship which houses all the same great features as the Octantis.
Departing: April-July, September, and October
Duration: 8 Days
Price range: $10,495 USD per person & up
Canada & Greenland Explorer
Viking offers cruises for Canadian and American sightseeing, plus many other locations.
Take advantage of the Canada & Greenland Explorer Cruise dates this year to embark on an epic 15-day voyage across northern waters. These cruises depart from Toronto, sail across Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Once in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, get incredible views of Quebec and Newfoundland/Labrador’s northern shores before crossing the Labrador Sea to Greenland. These expeditions take place on Viking’s Octantis.
When: July or September
Duration: 15 Days
Price range: starting at $22,495 per person & up
Victory Cruise Lines
The Victory Ships offer a more intimate cruise experience with room for under 200 guests. Each guest receives access to all-inclusive bar service, a 24-hour gym, live entertainment, The Salon & Spa, restaurants, and lounge areas.
All 5 Great Lakes
This unforgettable Great Lakes adventure from Victory Cruise Lines includes 10 days on their luxury lake liner, with the entire trip taking you from Toronto to Chicago.
Between those two must-visit eastern cities, there will be plenty more sightseeing as the cruise makes its way across Lake Ontario, Erie, Huron, the Soo Locks, and southern Superior, and Lake Michigan. Along the way, vacationers will have time to see Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, Cleveland, Detroit, and Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island, Escanaba, and Chicago.
When: April-September
Duration: 11 Days
Price range: $3,999 per person & up
New England + Canada
Those looking for a way to enjoy and appreciate the changing fall foliage and colours of eastern Canada and the U.S. may have the ultimate way to do so with Victory Cruise Lines.
Join Victory this fall for a voyage around Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Canadian Maritimes, and the American Atlantic coast to witness the jaw-dropping scenery from the ship or the stops on land. Those stops include Montreal, Quebec City, Tadoussac, Charlottetown, Halifax, and Portland.
When: October-November
Duration: 12 Days
Price range: starting at $6,399 per person & up
Pearl Sea Cruises
The two cruises that depart from Toronto with the Pearl Sea Cruises take place on their Pearl Mist ship. The Pearl Mist features a dining area for all guests, a variety of lounges, an exercise and fitness area, a complimentary evening cocktail hour, and evening entertainment.
Great Lakes Explorer Cruise
The Great Lakes Explorer Cruise from Pearl Sea Cruises is what is sure to be a memorable two weeks spent on the waters of all five Great Lakes.
The journey begins in Toronto on Lake Ontario, with Duluth, MN, on Lake Superior as the final destination. And between these locations are several other stops made by the Explorer Cruise. These include natural attractions like Niagara Falls, the Georgian Bay and Islands, the shores of northern Lake Michigan, or the Soo and Welland locks.
City stops include Cleveland, Detroit, Midland, Parry Sound, Sault Ste. Marie, Escanaba, and Thunder Bay.
When: June-July
Duration: 15 Days
Price range: starting at $13,370 per person
Great Lakes & Georgian Bay Cruise
Choose between a one-week or 11-day expedition with the Great Lakes & Georgian Bay Cruises. These trips start in Toronto for incredible views of Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls.
The trip continues across Erie and up north to Huron. The trip will spend more time on Lake Huron, exploring Georgian Bay and its many islands, before crossing the Soo Locks.
The cruise then takes passengers south down the shores of Lake Michigan with Milwaukee as the final stop on the journey.
When: May-September
Duration: 12 Days
Price Range: $8,980 per person & up
Ponant & Smithsonian Journeys
These Ponant cruises departing from Toronto take place on the Le Champlain ship with five levels for under 200 guests. Ship features include a spa, two restaurants, a theatre, pool, lounge areas and terraces, a gym, and sauna.
A Voyage Along the Great Lakes
These week-long vacations from Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys boast stops in must-see Great Lakes destinations.
As the cruise brings you along the shores of four different Great Lakes, there will be many sights to see, places to explore, and off-ship experiences to enjoy. As the trips start in Toronto on Lake Ontario, the first exciting stop on the voyage is the historic Welland Canal and the gorgeous town of Port Colborne.
From here, explore Lake Erie, Lake Huron, the Georgian Bay, and the northern parts of Lake Michigan.
When: August-September
Duration: 9 Days
Price range: starting at $10,870 per person
Fall Foliage on the St. Lawrence
The Fall Foliage Cruises are, of course, a great opportunity for the colourful riverside scenery. Plus, with Smithsonian Journeys, these trips become excellent chances to learn about and experience things first-hand.
The cruises include on-board experts on these areas or cities, while each port of call includes a scheduled excursion. And along with the St. Lawrence River, these trips also make their way along Quebec’s Saguenay River. The trips cover two weeks in all, with Boston as the final stop.
When: October
Duartion: 15 Days
Price range: starting at $15,100 per person
Hapag-Lloyd Cruise Lines
Great Lakes Cruise
Spend two weeks aboard the Great Lakes Cruise this summer to experience the natural beauty of all five lakes. These trips begin with Lake Ontario, with departure from Toronto, before navigating the Welland Canal and crossing into Erie. After passing Point Pelee, the voyage heads north up the Detroit River to Huron, where there are stops in Tobermory, Parry Sound, and Killarney.
There are just as many stops along the shores of the next lake, Superior. Lastly, the trip traverses almost all of Lake Michigan before ending in Milwaukee. The Great Lakes Cruise are on the Hapag-Lloyd HANSEATIC Inspiration which features expedition experts, restaurants, a fitness area, and a spa.
When: July-August
Duration: 13 Days
Price range: starting at Euro 9,390 per person
