Cruise the Great Lakes, the region’s cruise marketing program, today announced its forecast for 2025, with traffic projected to be up 10 percent.

An increase over 2024, the 2025 season continues the long-term growth of Great Lakes cruising, delivering more passengers, port visits, and economic impact on large and small regional destinations, the group said in a press release.

In 2025, Great Lakes cruises are projected to welcome over 22,000 individual passengers, representing a nearly 10 percent increase from 2024. With more than 700 port visits planned, up almost 30 percent from last year, the total number of cruise passenger visits across the region is estimated to exceed 150,000.

“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.”

The economic impact of cruising on the Great Lakes is expected to exceed USD $230 million in 2025, reflecting a 15 percent increase from 2024.

“The beauty and diversity of our region continue to attract visitors from around the world,” said Anne Sayers, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and chair of Cruise the Great Lakes.

“With more ships and ports on the itinerary, the positive economic contributions of Great Lakes cruising will continue to be felt across the region.”

More passengers and port visits, higher shoreside spending and a rising price premium for Great Lakes cruises are all critical drivers of this growth.

2025 marks the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes, highlighting the increasing variety of vessels navigating the region. Cruise lines scheduled to operate on the Great Lakes in 2025 include Pearl Seas, Viking, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd and Victory.