Cruise ships to bring $230M in economic impact to Great Lakes region in 2025
The cruise ship industry is expected to have a $230 million economic impact on the Great Lakes region in 2025, according to a forecast.
Cruise the Great Lakes, a marketing program focused on attracting more passengers to the region, predicts continued growth next year as a defunct cruise line returns to the freshwater seas.
“As we look to 2025, we’re excited to see continued growth in the Great Lakes cruise sector,” said Cathleen Domanico, tourism director of Cruise the Great Lakes. “We forecast this upcoming season to be even stronger than 2024, both in terms of passenger numbers and economic impact, which underscores the appeal of cruising in the Great Lakes.”
About 22,000 passengers are expected to cruise the Great Lakes in 2025 on ships from Pearl Seas, Viking, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd and Victory.
Victory Cruise Lines is returning to the region with two ships for the first time since 2022. The ships, Victory I and Victory II, sailed in 2023 as Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager under American Queen Voyages; that company has since filed for bankruptcy and the ships were sold at auction for $2 million to the previous owner of Victory who is now reviving the brand.
Between the six cruise lines, a total of 700 port visits are expected next year, which is a 30% increase over 2024. With an estimated 22,000 individual passengers, the total number of cruise passenger visits across the region is estimated to exceed 150,000.
Read more at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/life/2024/11/cruise-ships-to-bring-230m-in-economic-impact-to-great-lakes-region-in-2025.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGx1kZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbTkgr_RzjgIB7WwW57Dm7R6QCt8aZe81Onwj3mF1sHl7zQ_4vAfTZsaoA_aem_iZx4REgu9RTZv5gF5RMigA
Canadian Freighter Tim S. Dool Still Hard Aground in St. Lawrence River
A Canadian-flagged bulk carrier, the Tim S. Dool, remians hard aground on the U.S. side of the St. Lawrence River, prompting a complex salvage operation.
The grounding occurred Saturday at approximately 12:30 p.m. near Crysler Shoal, as the vessel was carrying a cargo of Canadian wheat.
The 57-year-old bulk carrier, owned by Algoma Central Corporation, remains stable outside the navigation channel. Officials report no injuries, water intake, or environmental concerns, and navigation on the St. Lawrence Seaway continues to operate normally.
“Work is underway to finalize a salvage plan,” said the Canadian-based St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.
Recovery efforts are expected to focus on lightening the vessel’s load with tugs on standby.
Maritime expert Michael Folsom of the Seaway Ship Watchers Network explains the challenge ahead: “The bow of Tim S Dool is about 3 ft out of the water from where it would be if in the channel. It will take a lot of this load coming off the ship in order to refloat,” he wrote on X.
The cause of the grounding remains under investigation, with authorities confirming no other vessels were involved in the incident.
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Toledo museum celebrates Christmas Tree Ship’s legacy
On November 23, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons sank while carrying Christmas trees. Known as the Christmas Tree Ship, its captain, Herman E. Schuenemann (a.k.a. “Captain Santa”), was known for giving trees to families in need.
The story of the ship’s history and captain is the inspiration behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes annual Community Giveback Event—The Christmas Tree Ship, presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center on Dec. 7. Enjoy free museum admission all day long and make memories that last a lifetime! Watch Santa arrive at the museum’s dock aboard a Geo. Gradel Co. tugboat delivering a Christmas Tree into your hands or the hands of someone in need.
Community Giveback Day Itinerary
10 AM – 5 PM: Museum Admission Free All Day
11 AM: Enjoy the East Toledo Holiday Parade
1:15 PM: Watch the Ship’s Journey to the Museum via Livestream
1:30 PM: Santa Arrives to the Museum’s Docks
1:45 – 3:45 PM: Meet and Greet with Santa
Not able to join in person? Tune into our Facebook page around 1:15 p.m. for a livestream of the ship’s journey down the Maumee River. Get a tour of the Christmas Tree Ship, learn more about the story that inspired our event, and meet the individuals onboard, including Santa!
Read more here: https://nmgl.org/event/christmas-tree-ship24/
