Port Milwaukee closed its record-breaking 2026 cruise season on Saturday, October 31, welcoming nearly 20,000 passengers throughout the season, reflecting significant growth in Milwaukee’s Great Lakes cruise industry.
The arrival of the Viking Polaris kicked off the 2026 Great Lakes cruising season in Milwaukee on April 23. The American Patriot marked the conclusion of the season on October 31.
Throughout the season, Port Milwaukee recorded 62 cruise ship calls between eight individual vessels, bringing 19,820 visitors from around the world to experience the City of Milwaukee and the Great Lakes region. In 2025, Milwaukee welcomed approximately 11,000 cruise passengers across 22 ship calls. Cruise lines welcomed to Port Milwaukee in 2026 include: American Cruise Lines, Pearl Seas, Ponant, Hapag Lloyd, Victory, and Viking.
The 2026 season also marked an exciting milestone with the arrival of American Cruise Lines, which launched its Great Lakes itineraries through Port Milwaukee this year. The addition of American Cruise Lines further demonstrates the growing interest in Milwaukee as a destination and gateway to the Great Lakes.
This season included nine occasions with two simultaneous cruise visits, as well as three dates when three cruise ships were in the city concurrently. On May 17, both the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris docked at the City Heavy Lift Dock. This was the first time these sister vessels have shared a dock in Milwaukee, an operation which required extensive coordination between logistical, tourism, and safety partners.
“The 2026 season truly showed Port Milwaukee’s growing presence in the Great Lakes cruise industry,” Port Milwaukee Director Benji Timm said. “We are grateful to our cruise line partners, local tourism organizations, and community stakeholders who helped make this season a success. With continued interest in Milwaukee as a cruise destination and the upcoming opening of our new South Shore Cruise Dock, Port Milwaukee is well positioned to create more opportunities for visitors to experience our city.”
The 2027 cruise season will officially kick off on May 8, 2027, with the arrival of Viking Octantis at Port Milwaukee’s new South Shore Cruise Dock, marking the start of another exciting season on the Great Lakes.
(Photo from Port Milwaukee)