THE GREAT LAKES SMITHSONIAN JOURNEY

from $8,520

DATES: 2024 – Oct 11-18*
2025 – Sep 17-24

DURATION: 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS

EMBARK: TORONTO, ON
DISEMBARK: MILWAUKEE, WI
*Reverse Itinerary

SHIP: LE CHAMPLAIN

FROM: $8,520*
All Inclusive – Port Charges, Open Bar, Gratuities to ship crew, Shore excursions
*AFTER 20% EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS

All about the THE GREAT LAKES SMITHSONIAN JOURNEY.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Expedition Highlights

Engaging discussions onboard with Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
A cruise with the opportunity to explore the five Great Lakes of North America, between the United States and Canada.
A cruise along the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Georgian Bay.
An itinerary combining nature and culture: picturesque landscapes and geological curiosities, the history of indigenous Americans inhabiting the region before European colonization.
An excursion to the magnificent Niagara Falls.
A visit to charming Mackinac Island, with its preserved Victorian architecture.

NOTE: Other dates are available without Smithsonian program or inclusions.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Included features:

Special Smithsonian Journeys guest speakers and programs geared to the English-speaking market
All accommodations, meals, and excursions described above
Shore excursions in each port
Gratuities to crew, guides and drivers on included excursions
Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe LE CHAMPLAIN, with all the amenities for which Ponant ships are famous.
All meals while on board the ship (from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation)
Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
“Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands… list available upon request)
Evening entertainment and events
Room service 24h (special selection)
Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite
Park entry fees into protected areas

Whats not included in this tour.Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Airfare
Optional excursions
Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, Internet, etc.)
Travel Insurance
Pre- and Post-cruise programs

Day 1 TORONTO - EMBARK

The largest city in Canada and capital of the province of Ontario, Toronto fascinates as much by its incredible diversity as by its size.

NOTE: We highly recommend arriving at least one day early to see more of Toronto, and avoid the potential complications associated with travel delays.
Day 2 ORT COLBORNE – NIAGARA FALLS - SAILING LAKE ERIE

Port Colborne is a small port city located in southern Ontario, at the mouth of the Welland Canal. It will be your privileged access point to the famous Niagara Falls, renowned all over the world for their spectacular beauty. Located on the river of the same name, which means “water thunder” in Amerindian language, these wonders of nature are among the most powerful waterfalls in the world.

Included excursion to Niagara Falls
Day 3 SAILING DETROIT AND SAILING ST. CLAIR RIVERS

During your navigation along the Detroit River, an important commercial waterway linking Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair to Lake Huron, you will sail along the largest city in Michigan. You’ll then enjoy panoramic views over the skyscrapers of the former Motor City, jewel of the automotive industry, Fordism and Motown music in the 20th century.
Day 4 SAILING LAKE HURON - PARRY SOUND

The charming city of Parry Sound enjoys an exceptional natural setting in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, east of Georgian Bay. A real paradise for fauna and flora, the place will delight fans of nature and photography.

2 included excursions at this stopover
Day 5 LITTLE CURRENT

A small port town located along the North Channel of Lake Huron, Little Current is considered to be the gateway to Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. The town’s emblematic construction, the Little Current Swing Bridge built in 1913, provides the only land access to the island. A real haven of peace, sheltering wild nature and some hamlets, the place is ideal for outdoor activities such as horse-riding and hiking.

3 possible included excursions at this stopover
Day 6 SAULT STE. MARIE

Located to the east of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Separated from its Canadian twin city by St. Marys River, it is famous among other things for its locks, known as either the Sault Locks or the Soo Locks, which enable ships to travel the change in elevation between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. These locks, which date back over 160 years, are considered the most important in the world due to their shipping traffic.

2 possible excursions to this stopover
Day 7 MACKINAC ISLAND - SAILING LAKE MICHIGAN

Mackinac Island promises a real journey through time. Originally inhabited by Amerindians, then occupied by French and British colonists, this small island measuring only a few km² still retains an atmosphere of yesteryear today, with its Victorian-style buildings and elegant horse-drawn carriages. Fort Mackinac, on the heights of the island, is a reminder of the conflicts that punctuated the history of this strategic place, a former fur trade center.

1 possible excursion to this stopover
Day 8 MILWAUKEE - DISEMBARK

Nested on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, the largest city in the State of Wisconsin, harmoniously combines tradition and modernity. Industrial long ago, the city, known as Brew City because of its old breweries renowned all over the world, is experiencing a certain renaissance. While warehouses have given way to restaurants, bars, theaters and art galleries in the city center, the district still retains traces of its manufacturing past.

Pre- and post-cruise arrangements are available.

LE CHAMPLAIN

LE CHAMPLAIN

Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, this beautiful has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world’s most remote and isolated regions.

Racy lines, state-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of this unique ship in the world of cruising.

You will encounter unique itineraries, calls inaccessible to large ships, chic and elegant yacht-like ambiance, refined and personalized service as well as gastronomic cuisine.

Fast Facts:

Length: 430 ft
Beam: 59 ft
Draft: 15 ft
Cruising speed: 12.5 knots
Guest decks: 5
Guest capacity (double occupancy): Up to 184 PAX
Normal crew size: 118
Gross tonnage: 9976 UMS

RESTAURANTS

Loyal to the great French tradition, the haute cuisine on board is worthy of the finest restaurants, where discreet, attentive service is the hallmark.

The Le Nautilus gastronomic restaurant
Towards the rear of deck 4 you’ll find a panoramic restaurant large enough to accommodate all our passengers at one sitting. Offering a different concept than on our other ships, this space is open to the exterior and serves buffets of salads, desserts and cheeses. Our discreet and attentive staff provide a table service for hot meals.

Grill Restaurant

An exterior grill restaurant on deck 3 offering a relaxed ambiance and atmosphere:

PUBLIC AREAS

Main Lounge

Able to accommodate all our passengers at once for moments of shared conviviality, and as a venue for both daytime and evening shows and entertainment.

Panoramic Lounge

Library, internet desk, cocktail bar, live entertainment on selected evenings. Direct access to the panoramic terrace.

Wellness Area

Spa treatments, L’Oreal Paris hair salon, free access sauna and open gym

Pool deck

A swimming pool offering panoramic views and equipped with a counter-current system. A pleasant, attractive sun deck. An exterior bar and lounge equipped with armchairs and sofas

The Theater
188-seat capacity, cutting edge audio and lighting technology and LED stage background wall enabling the projection of ultra-high resolution media

ACCOMMODATIONS

A contemporary and warmly welcoming design
All the 92 staterooms and suites are equipped with private balconies or terraces. Like the rest of the ship’s spaces, they have been designed to be exceptionally open to the exterior. Brightness and radiance, discreet luxury, ethnic touches, contemporary design and unparalleled levels of comfort add the finishing touches to the all-round voyage experience.

Individually-controlled air-conditioning
Cabin layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, adjoining cabins available (children welcome)
Minibar
Flat screen satellite TV
Video on demand
Bose™ Bluetooth speaker
Desk with stationery
Electronic safe
Hermès® bath products
Dressing table and hairdryer
Bath robes
Direct line telephone
110/220 volt outlets
24hr room service
Inclusive Internet access Wifi