2026 Shore Excursions for Great Lakes Heartland Cruise
- Optional shore excursions will be offered and sold locally onboard the ship. Final details, availability, and pricing will be provided during the cruise.
- Tour descriptions are estimates and are provided for reference only.
- Optional shore excursion charges will be added directly to your onboard account.
- All excursions are subject to change due to local conditions, weather, or operational requirements, including adjustments to the ship’s itinerary.
- Victory Cruise Lines reserves the right to operate, modify, or cancel shore excursions as necessary during the cruise.
Experience Overview
Premium Experiences provide guests with guided excursions that offer a deeper level of insight and engagement. These may focus on a single topic or include multiple highlights and are designed to deliver a more in-depth understanding of the destination.Estimated Group size: 20–50 guests
Immersive Experiences are hands-on, experience-driven outings that may be culinary, adventurous, cultural, or highly detailed in nature. These experiences are designed for deeper participation and personal connection.
Estimated Group size: 2–20 guests
Physical Activity Levels
Little to no physical exertionMost experiences are seated or stationary. Ideal for guests seeking minimal movement. Examples: Scenic drives, guided excursions on a coach, or visits to sites with minimal walking.
Easy
Involves some walking and light movement. Suitable for most guests. Examples: Strolling through markets, visiting museums, or participating in low-impact experiences.
Moderate
Includes moderate walking and may involve stairs or uneven surfaces. Walking distances may total up to one mile. Examples: Boarding transportation, walking tours, or outdoor nature experiences.
Moderate–Active
Involves longer walking distances, uneven terrain, stairs, or inclines. Examples: Climbing stairs to viewpoints or strolling on rocky beaches.
Active
Requires physical stamina and sustained movement. Guests should be comfortable with longer walks and moderate exertion. Examples: Guided hikes, kayaking excursions, or other adventure-based activities.
Great Lakes Optional Shore Excursions
Additional excursions available during your cruise are as follows:Day 3, Port Colborne, Ontario
Premium Experience - Port Colborne Walking Exploration
Guided walking exploration of this historic canal city, including the Historical & Marine Museum and a stop for a local sweet treat.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Moderate
Immersive Experience - Vineyards, Views & History of the Niagara Region
Visit the Niagara Power Station and Tunnel to the Falls, enjoy an exclusive curator-led museum experience, a vineyard lunch with private wine tasting, and a maple syrup farm visit.
Duration: Full Day
Activity Level: Moderate
Day 4, Cleveland, Ohio
Premium Experience – Stan Hywet Estate & Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the 65-room Stan Hywet Hall estate with its restored gardens.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy-Moderate
Premium Experience – Cleveland’s Culture & Art
Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and Lake View Cemetery, including Wade Memorial Chapel and historic gravesites.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy
Day 5, Detroit, Michigan
Premium Experience - Detroit Designers and Architecture
Explore landmark residences by Frank Lloyd Wright and Eero Saarinen with a Cranbrook architectural scholar.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy–Moderate
Immersive Experience - National Museum of the Great Lakes
Exclusive experience featuring the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and expert-led.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy
Day 7, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Premium Experience - The Shore of Lake Superior
Guided experience highlighting regional history, Indigenous culture, and time along the shore of Lake Superior, including a locally inspired lunch.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy
Immersive Experience - Birdseye Outfitters Kayaking
Guided kayaking experience on the St. Marys River with insight into local ecology and wildlife.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Moderate
Day 8, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Premium Experience - Mackinac Island Bike Exploration
Guided 8.2-mile cycling loop around the island’s shoreline with stops at landmarks and viewpoints.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Moderate
Premium Experience - The Grand Luncheon
Elegant luncheon at the historic Grand Hotel featuring an abundant buffet in a legendary setting.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy
Day 9, Escanaba, Michigan
Premium Experience - Michigan Forestry and Maple Syrup
Guided exploration of forestry research and maple syrup production with tastings.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy
Premium Experience - Escanaba Art and Sweets
Hands-on art experience followed by a visit to a beloved local confectionary.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy
Day 10, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Premium Experience - Harley-Davidson Beyond the Gate Experience
Explore the Harley-Davidson Museum and the craftsmanship behind this iconic American brand.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy
Premium Experience - Frank Lloyd Wright’s Impact on the Future
Visit the Johnson Wax Complex and Burnham Block to explore Wright’s commercial and residential designs.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Easy-Moderate
Immersive Experience - Culinary Walking Experience: The Tastes of Milwaukee
Guided culinary walking tour featuring tastings at local establishments.
Duration: Half Day
Activity Level: Moderate