Voyage to the Great Lakes: A Family Adventure

Itinerary

July 8 - Chicago, Illinois, Embark
Fly to Chicago, one of America’s most vibrant and historic cities, and embark Yorktown in the afternoon. Sail in the early evening. (D)

July 9 - Saugatuck, Michigan
Arrive this morning in Saugatuck, nestled off the shores of Lake Michigan and Kalamazoo Lake. Originally a lumber town, Saugatuck eventually became known for its fruit production, especially its peaches. In the early 1900s Saugatuck was a prime summer destination for Chicago urbanites. Today, it is known for its historic buildings and churches, unique shops, and many art galleries, which you will have the opportunity to visit. Young Explorers will delight in a thrilling ride through the Lake Michigan Sand Dunes on specially designed dune schooners. (B,L,D)

July 10 - Charlevoix
Yorktown navigates the narrow channel leading to Charlevoix. Explore this lovely town, including the whimsical "mushroom" houses built by local architect Earl Young. Young Explorers will enjoy a visit to Castle Farm, featuring one of the largest working model railroads. (B,L,D)

July 11 - Mackinac Island
Arrive in beautiful Mackinac Island, a Victorian-era haven where cars are forbidden and bicycles share the road with horse-drawn carriages. During your exploration of this idyllic island, see the ancient limestone formations that were considered sacred by the Straits Indians; the impressive Fort Mackinac, built atop a high cliff by the British in 1780; and the landmark Victorian Grand Hotel. Also enjoy free time to stroll along streets lined with Victorian buildings and browse in the charming shops. Young Explorers will visit the Grand Hotel stables to learn about the different types of horses used on the island, and will also tour their collection of antique carriages. (B,L,D)

July 12 - Cruising Lake Huron and Lake Erie
Enjoy a day at sea as Yorktown navigates from Lake Huron through the St. Clair River into Lake St. Clair and on to the Detroit River. On our way to Lake Erie, pass by the glittering city of Detroit, with its beautifully renovated International Riverfront, attractive waterfront parks, and the Renaissance Center, home of General Motors world headquarters. (B,L,D)

July 13 - Cleveland, Ohio
Sitting where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie, Cleveland is home to a monumental downtown and a rich cultural legacy. Over nine million people visit this city on the lake, founded on the wealth of steel and oil barons. Cleveland’s industrial foundation is very much in evidence, though downtown’s steel warehouses and tool-and-die factories now house smart restaurants, cafés, and shops, and its many bridges lead to revitalized neighborhoods. Passengers old and young alike will enjoy the interactive exhibits of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, located on the Lake Erie waterfront in a beautiful I. M. Pei-designed structure. Alternatively, tour the superb Cleveland Museum of Art or the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Young Explorers will visit the Great Lakes Science Center, where they will experiment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits and visit the steamship William G. Mather, a 1925-built freighter that features exhibits on Great Lakes history. (B,L,D)

July 14 - Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, Niagara Falls, Welland Canal, Lake Ontario
Arrive this morning at Port Colborne from where Yorktown begins the dramatic passage from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario via the Welland Canal. A series of eight locks designed as a continuous flight of "stairs" lowers Yorktown 325.6 feet over a distance of 27 miles. Disembark for an excursion to Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders, where we’ll see both the American Falls and Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls. Young Explorers in particular will delight in our thrilling Maid of the Mist boat ride to the base of Niagara Falls, where they will enjoy the spray of this spectacular natural wonder from an amazing vantage point. Return to the ship to transit the Canal and from the decks witness the mechanics of this engineering marvel which took over 100 years to complete. (B,L,D)

July 15 – Toronto, Disembark
Disembark in Toronto for return flights home. (B)