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Great Lakes & Waterfronts: Chicago to Toronto - 2022

Chicago • 9-night Great Lakes small ship cruise with Lake Michigan, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron, Detroit, Cleveland, Niagara Falls • Toronto
  • Great Lakes small ship cruise from Chicago to Toronto with Lake Michigan, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Huron, Detroit, and Niagara Falls
    CRUISE ON THE 5-STAR OCEAN EXPLORER, AN AGILE AND STATE-OF-THE-ART VESSEL THAT CAN NAVIGATE TO PLACES LARGER SHIPS CAN’T
  • GAIN DEEPER INSIGHTS INTO YOUR DESTINATIONS WITH TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS BY AN ONBOARD RESIDENT LECTURER
  • TAKE A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE TOUR OF HISTORIC MACKINAC ISLAND, WHICH REMAINS CAR-FREE
  • ENJOY A COLORFUL TOUR THROUGH MUSIC HISTORY WITH A VISIT TO CLEVELAND’S ICONIC ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
  • SAIL INTO THE MISTS ON A NIAGARA FALLS CRUISE ABOARD THE HORNBLOWER
  • NAVIGATE THE SOO LOCKS AT SAULT STE. MARIE, WHERE YOU CAN DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF THIS REGION FROM EITHER THE U.S. OR CANADIAN SIDE
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  5. What-to-Expect
DATES & PRICES
STARTING FROM
$8,299
  • $592
    PER DAY
  • 14
    DAYS
  • 21
    TOURS
TRIP WITH AIR
14 DAYS FROM $8,548
Luxury
Extend Your adventure (4 available)
Chicago, Illinois (Pre-Trip)

3 DAYS FROM $999

Toronto, Canada (Pre-Trip)

3 DAYS FROM $1,299

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From
per day
Days
Guided Tours
 
What to Expect
Moderate Activity Level
Cultural Immersion
PACING
  • This is an moderately-paced Great Lakes adventure
  • Look forward to 2 Canadian provinces and 3 U.S. states in 14 days, with 12 nights aboard the 5-star Ocean Explorer, plus 2 nights in both Toronto and Chicago

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Walking is easy on flat, often paved surfaces

TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION
  • Most onshore sightseeing during your North American river and lake cruise will be on air-conditioned coaches with guides, along with a sightseeing boat tour at Niagara Falls and a horse-drawn carriage ride on Mackinac Island and trolley tours in Cleveland
  • The beautiful terrain here is on flat, often paved surfaces

CLIMATE
  • We suggest warm, casual clothing with good walking shoes
  • Weather is never predictable, so be sure to be prepared for just about anything
  • You'll want to take along a sweater or jacket for cool evenings, even in the summer months. It's a good idea to dress in layers, which will allow you to adjust to changes in temperature with the changes in elevation
  • You may also wish to wear your own rain jacket for your voyage into the mist at Niagara Falls. Pack accordingly
  • Since the weather is unpredictable, please check weather sites online for 10-day forecasts closer to your departure date to plan your packing accordingly

Please note: Ocean cruising is not the same experience as river cruising; as such, you may experience fluctuating tides and weather patterns that may involve some rocking of your vessel. Itineraries will include all activities as planned except in extreme cases that can’t be controlled by your shipboard crew.

Important: Day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If changes occur while on tour, you will be notified by your Cruise Director or regional expert.

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Great Lakes & Waterfronts: Chicago to Toronto - 2022

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THE LOWEST PRICES IN DELUXE Travel — GUARANTEED!

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 Vantage Ponant Vantage Advantage
Journey Great Lakes & Waterfronts: Chicago to Toronto A Voyage along the Great Lakes – with Smithsonian Journeys
Cruise-Only Price* $8,499 $6,450
# of Days 14 8
Per Diem $607 $806 Greatest value and most comprehensive features when compared to our competitors!
Port Charges included Yes
 Yes
Cabin Upgrades $400-$1,000 stateroom increments; $4,800 to Deluxe Suite $9,500 to Owner's Suite $300-$600 increments; $2,700 to Deluxe Suite; $13,300 to Owner's Suite Upgrade to more for less with Vantage!
Cabin Occupancies Single/Double; add a third guest to a stateroom reservation to save up to 75%
Best value for all travelers -- including both solo and third guests!
Included Tours and Special Features 21 included features and Cultural Discoveries

Visit 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site: Georgian Bay

The services of a Cruise Director, plus shipboard commentary, regional experts, and private motorcoach for excursions 
 10 Included Tours

A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts – American Maritime Historian Frederick Stonehouse and Geologist Kirt Kempter
More included tours and cultural experiences offered!
Meals 34 meals: 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 11 dinners, with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks during dinner on board
 20 meals The MOST included meals
Single Travelers The leader in solo travel - the only small ship operator to offer a landmark 15 solo dedicated solo cabins on board - with limited and capacity controlled FREE Single Supplements
100% Single Supplement The leader in solo travel - best value in the industry.
Extend Your Trip
 Chicago, Illinois
FROM: $1499 PER PERSON | 3 DAYS | $500 PER DAY

Toronto, Canada
FROM: $1499 PER PERSON | 3 DAYS | $500 PER DAY
 None Offered Extend your journey and get more value for your dollar.
10 Ways to Save *Referral Rewards [$200 per referred traveler after 2 referrals]

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 20% Ponant Savings included
 Vantage offers the best value in deluxe travel and the most ways to save.
Departure Comparison 5/18/22 9/18/2022

*Comparison date as of 6/25/21
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