Great Lakes cruising is on the rise, and Toronto is at the centre of the action. The Port of Toronto welcomed 43 cruise ship calls and more than 18,600 passengers during its 2026 season, reinforcing Toronto’s role as the main turnaround port for Great Lakes cruising. The momentum continues into 2027, with 47 cruise calls already booked and the MV Viking Octantis set to open the season on May 1.
Seven different cruise ships called at the Port of Toronto Cruise Ship Terminal this season, representing cruise lines including Viking Cruises, Victory Cruise Lines, Pearl Seas Cruises, Ponant Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
The economic impact of Great Lakes cruising reached more than US$310 million in 2026, up 25 per cent from 2025. Growth in passenger volumes, port visits and shoreside spending is generating significant economic benefits for communities throughout the Great Lakes region, including gateway cities like Toronto, according to a Cruise the Great Lakes report.
As interest in expedition cruising on the Great Lakes grows, Toronto continues to play an important role as the region’s main turnaround port, where passengers begin or end their cruise. That means many travellers spend additional time in Toronto before or after sailing, staying in local hotels and experiencing the city’s restaurants and attractions.
Toronto’s position as a Great Lakes cruise gateway is also supported by strong air connectivity through nearby Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport as well as Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The success of Toronto’s cruise ship season contributed to a 17 per cent increase in international visits from the U.S. and overseas in May, June and July compared with the same period last year, as reported by Destination Toronto, the official organization that promotes tourism in the Toronto region. The same data reports visits from the United Kingdom increased 46 per cent, while visits from Germany rose 59 per cent and those from the United States climbed 19 per cent.
Great Lakes cruising has strong international appeal, drawing passengers primarily from the United States and Europe. October is the busiest stretch of the season, with European visitors flocking to the region to experience its famous fall colours from the water.
“Great Lakes cruising is bringing thousands of visitors directly into the heart of Toronto, with a ripple effect across our hotels, restaurants, attractions and visitor economy,” said RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, Toronto Port Authority. “With Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to the west and the Port of Toronto to the east, the Toronto Port Authority operates two key tourism gateways on either side of the harbour. As Great Lakes cruising grows, so does the opportunity to bring more visitors to Toronto and generate greater economic impact for our city.”
The next chapter begins May 1, 2027, when the MV Viking Octantis arrives at the Port of Toronto to kick off the 2027 cruise season.
The outlook for Great Lakes cruising remains strong well beyond 2027. A prominent luxury vacation cruise line is currently building a new ship with the Great Lakes in mind, designing the vessel to transit the locks and enter the region beginning in 2030. The ship is already booking space at Great Lakes ports, adding another new entrant to the region’s expanding cruise market.
(Photo from Port of Toronto)