Viking Octantis first ship for Michigan's cruising season

The cruising season on the Great Lakes is set to begin soon. The Viking Octantis, a luxurious ship that measures 665 feet, will be the first to visit Michigan. It will dock in Detroit on Friday, April 25. The Viking Octantis is one of the largest cruise ships on the Great Lakes, along with its sister ship, the Viking Polaris. Despite their size, they are smaller than many freighters on the lakes, which can be over 1,000 feet long. The Octantis made its first appearance in the Great Lakes in 2022, followed by the Polaris in 2023. After visiting Detroit, the Octantis will sail to Lake Huron and stop in Alpena on Saturday, April 26. Passengers on this cruise can expect to pay between $6,500 and $18,000 per person. The cruising season in Michigan will last until October. It is predicted that the industry will have a $230 million economic impact on the Great Lakes region this year, which is a 15% increase from 2024. Around 22,000 passengers are expected to cruise with several lines, including Viking and Pearl Seas. In total, about 700 port visits are planned, which is a 30% increase compared to last year. Key ports in Michigan include Detroit, Mackinac Island, Alpena, and Sault Ste. Marie, among others.