19 Aug 26, from £6,980
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Come aboard Le Bellot for an unforgettable voyage.

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

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.

Set sail with PONANT aboard Le Bellot for an 9-day cruise to discover the Great Lakes.

Depart from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the United States’ “brew city,” and begin your voyage by sailing the length of Lake Michigan, a veritable inland sea, following in the footsteps of the region’s indigenous Americans, first settlers, and trappers.

On Mackinac Island, explore the island’s Victorian past by horse and buggy before continuing to Sault Ste. Marie, where you will have the opportunity to transit the engineering marvel of the Soo Locks for a foray into Lake Superior. 

Your next lake, Lake Huron, boasts myriad islands in its northern part, with white rocks capped with conifers plunging into the sapphire waters of the lake. Here you will discover the quaint town of Little Current, gateway to Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island. Then explore the charming city of Parry Sound, in the heart of the fantastic UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Georgian Bay.

From your call in Port Colborne, you will be able to see the impressive Niagara Falls. These three powerful waterfalls, renowned the world over, are an exquisite natural spectacle. Le Bellot will then sail the Welland Canal connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

You will end in cosmopolitan and dynamic Toronto, Ontario, on the shore of Lake Ontario. Canada’s largest city will charm you with its museums, parks, and gardens.

Overview

Your voyage

All-inclusive

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Destination

Destination

North America and Canada

Milwaukee to Toronto

Duration

9 days, 8 nights on board

Smithsonian Journeys, Timeless

Smithsonian Journeys

Smithsonian Journeys

Keith Edgerton

Keith Edgerton, Scott Burns

Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included

No single supplement, PONANT Bonus 25%

Ref: MT3945UN - EE190826

Journey

Your daily itinerary

  • A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
  • Engaging lectures and discussions on board with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including Scott Burns, professor emeritus of geology, and Keith Edgerton, professor emeritus of history.
  • 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, and charming villages.
  • An excursion to the magnificent Niagara Falls.
  • A visit to charming Mackinac Island, with its preserved Victorian architecture.
A Voyage Along the Great Lakes – with Smithsonian Journeys null

Customize your journey:

Guests

Sharing your journey with

Keith Edgerton null

Keith Edgerton

Scott Burns null

Scott Burns

Staterooms and suites

Elegance and refinement

*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

Details

More information

What's Included

Important travel details

In your luggage

A Voyage Along the Great Lakes – with Smithsonian Journeys

Itinerary

Embarkation 19/08/26 from 15:00 to 16:00 Departure 19/08/26 at 17:00

19 Aug 26 - Milwaukee

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, theatres and art galleries in the city centre, the district still retains traces of its manufacturing past. Further south lies Chicago, the economic centre of the Midwest, with an interesting mix of natural and urban landscapes: its immense skyscrapers, diverse architecture, many parks and magnificent beaches make the city a popular destination.

19 Aug 26 - Milwaukee

Arrival 20/08/26 Departure 20/08/26

20 Aug 26 - Sailing Lake Michigan

You will sail the United States’ largest freshwater body, which gave its name to Michigan, one of the four states that border this lake measuring 500 km long and 200 km wide. The first colonists settled in the south at the end of the 17th century, on the site of the current megalopolis of Chicago. Wild landscapes of forests with sparkling colours, cliffs, golden sandy beaches and dunes as far as the eye can see stretch along its 2,600 km of shoreline. In the north, magnificent wind-swept islands rise out of the lake’s emerald waters. At 8 km long, the Mackinac Bridge, which spans the straits between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, is one of the world’s longest suspension bridges. 

20 Aug 26 - Sailing Lake Michigan

Arrival 20/08/26 midday Departure 20/08/26 evening

20 Aug 26 - Mackinac Island

Close to the banks of Lake Huron in the State of 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 centre. In addition to this scenery from the past, the island offers magnificent fine sandy beaches and is home to one of the oldest National Parks in the United States.

20 Aug 26 - Mackinac Island

Arrival 21/08/26 early morning Departure 21/08/26 late afternoon

21 Aug 26 - 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 metres in 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. Make sure you visit the Museum Ship Valley Camp where you can visit the interior of a former freighter that sailed on the Great Lakes for more than 50 years.

21 Aug 26 - Sault Ste. Marie

Arrival 22/08/26 late morning Departure 22/08/26 early evening

22 Aug 26 - 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, peaceful lands whose name means “the island of spirits” in the local dialect. A real haven of peace, sheltering wild nature and some hamlets, the place is ideal for outdoor activities such as horse-riding and hiking.

22 Aug 26 - Little Current

Arrival 23/08/26 early morning Departure 23/08/26 late afternoon

23 Aug 26 - 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 holiday destination favoured by the province’s inhabitants, the city and its surroundings offer a condensed version of all that the Great Lakes region has to offer: windswept forests of conifers, rocky shores characteristic of the Canadian Shield, beaches of fine sand, clear and calm waters producing magnificent reflections that change with the time of day and luminosity… A real paradise for fauna and flora, the place will delight fans of nature and photography. 

23 Aug 26 - Parry Sound

Arrival 23/08/26 Departure 23/08/26

23 Aug 26 - Sailing Lake Huron

A natural border between the American State of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario, Lake Huron is one of the five American Great Lakes and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Comprising the main lake, Saginaw Bay, the North Channel and Georgian Bay, and home to around 30,000 islands, it offers varied coastal landscapes and unique views. From your ship, you’ll thus be able to admire the wild beauty of the wooded and at times craggy coastline of Manitoulin Island, or the spectacular cliffs of the Bruce Peninsular.

23 Aug 26 - Sailing Lake Huron

Arrival 24/08/26 Departure 24/08/26

24 Aug 26 - Sailing St. Clair River

Forming a natural line of separation between the United States and Canada, the St. Clair River, which flows from Lake Huron into Lake St. Clair, is a significant element of the Great Lakes Waterway. Used in the 18th century for the fur trade by the French colonists of North America who sailed it on small boats to trade with the Amerindians, it was then travelled by freighters transporting lumber, iron ore and copper from the Great Lakes region to the cities of the Rust Belt.

24 Aug 26 - Sailing St. Clair River

Arrival 24/08/26 Departure 24/08/26

24 Aug 26 - Sailing through Detroit

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. You’ll also be able to admire the Ambassador Bridge, which spans the river and enables access to Windsor, on the Canadian shore of the river. This steel suspension bridge, over two kilometres long, was constructed in 1929. This bridge alone carries over 25% of trade between the United States and Canada.

24 Aug 26 - Sailing through Detroit

Arrival 25/08/26 Departure 25/08/26

25 Aug 26 - Sailing Lake Erie

Located to the south of Lake Huron and connected to Lake Ontario by the Welland Canal, Lake Erie, which owes its name to one of the Amerindian tribes which peopled its banks before the arrival of the French in the 17th century, is remarkable for its unique ecosystem. Its shallow fish-filled waters make it an excellent fishing spot, while its banks, famous for their many migratory birds, attract photographers and ornithology enthusiasts.

25 Aug 26 - Sailing Lake Erie

Arrival 25/08/26 late morning Departure 25/08/26 late evening

25 Aug 26 - Port Colborne

Port Colborne is a small port city located in southern Ontario, at the mouth of the Welland Canal. It is well-known for one of the longest locks in the world: measuring 420 metres, this lock, the 8th in the canal, has an observation footbridge and marks the final transit point before the Erie Canal. In addition to the discovery of this tremendous hydraulic infrastructure, this port of call 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.

25 Aug 26 - Port Colborne

Arrival 26/08/26 Departure 26/08/26

26 Aug 26 - Going through the Welland Canal locks

More than 42 km long, the Welland Canal is part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and enables ships to travel between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. With eight locks today, this canal, whose first version dates from 1824, is considered to be one of the major technical constructions of the 20th century. Its completion revolutionised trade in the Great Lakes region by facilitating the transport of goods from the big industrialised cities of Chicago, Cleveland or Milwaukee to the Atlantic Ocean. Sailing along this technological masterpiece is a unique experience that will let you admire the different locks, real jewels of engineering, and enjoy the magnificent surrounding scenery.

26 Aug 26 - Going through the Welland Canal locks

Arrival 27/08/26 Disembarkation 27/08/26 at 8:00

27 Aug 26 - Toronto

The largest city in Canada and capital of the province of Ontario, Toronto fascinates as much by its incredible diversity as by its size. Make sure you visit the CN Tower, the tallest tower in the western hemisphere, as well as the St. Lawrence Market whose stalls reflect the multicultural wealth of this city known as the global city. Not far from there, the historic Distillery District unveils its brick-paved streets imbued with romantic charm and its myriad of small restaurants, cafés, boutiques, theatres and art galleries. The Royal Ontario Museum and its impressive collections devoted to the world’s natural and cultural history will also be an unmissable stop during this port of call.

27 Aug 26 - Toronto

A Voyage Along the Great Lakes – with Smithsonian Journeys

Included package

Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included

PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation.

Included Features:

  • A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including Scott Burns, professor emeritus of geology, and Keith Edgerton, professor emeritus of history
  • Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Milwaukee to the ship on the day of embarkation
  • Comprehensive 8-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bellot, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
  • One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
  • Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions
  • Transfer from the ship to the airport in Toronto at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation

Not included:

  • Independent meals and beverages ashore
  • Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)

Notes:

  • This voyage is offered on a space available basis
  • Program is subject to change without notice

A Voyage Along the Great Lakes – with Smithsonian Journeys

Customize your journey

Cosmopolitan toronto (1 night)

Cosmopolitan Toronto (1 NIGHT)
Details

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and well worth a full day of exploration. Take advantage of a specially designed program to get acquainted with this vibrant, multicultural city on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Day 1 – Disembark |Toronto, Ontario, Canada

After breakfast and disembarkation, your guide and driver will meet you at the pier to accompany your discovery of Toronto. Begin with a panoramic tour of the central city, including University Avenue, the Legislative Building, the Theater District, and City Hall, ending at the Art Gallery of Ontario, one of Toronto's finest museums. A docent-led tour will introduce you to the museum's preeminent permanent exhibition—the oft-awarded McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art. After the tour, enjoy time to look around on your own or visit the extensive gift shop.

From the museum, drive to Toronto's emblematic CN Tower, where glass-enclosed elevators take you to the top floor for lunch at the 360 Restaurant, which provides constantly changing views of the city from a vantage point more than 1,000 feet above street level, as the restaurant completes a full revolution every 72 minutes. After your meal, enjoy time at leisure to visit the Observation Deck, before returning to the ground to drive to the Fairmont Royal York hotel, where you check in for overnight. Dinner this evening is independent.

Day 2 – Toronto

Following breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport for flights homeward.

Your hotel:

The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto’s landmark hotel, is located in the heart of Old Toronto. Recently revitalized, the Fairmont offers all of the facilities and services one would expect from a luxury hotel in a world-class city, including two restaurants and access to a health club, spa, and pool.

Your program includes:

·        1 night at the Fairmont Royal York

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the ship to the hotel

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Lunch on Day 1

·        Breakfast on Day 2

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on the scheduled program departure day

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

·        Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the Canadian dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice. Order of sightseeing may vary.

Hotel contact information:

The Fairmont Royal York

100 Front St W

Toronto, Canada

M5J 1E3

Telephone: +1 416 368 2511

Total

£700/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.

Miilwaukee highlights (2 nights)

MiIlwaukee Highlights (2 NIGHTS)
Details

This specially curated pre-cruise program is designed to acquaint you with some of the special charms of Milwaukee, a major American city with a proud history created by the labor of waves of immigrants, many from Central Europe. A panoramic tour on the first morning serves to orient you to Milwaukee and its neighborhoods, while an excursion on the following day starts with a visit to Milwaukee's first-class art museum and ends with an introduction to some of the culinary delights for which the city is known—a perfect beginning to your voyage in the Great Lakes.

Day 1 – Milwaukee

Arrive at the Milwaukee airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Pfister Hotel, your home for the next two nights. A local representative will be available at our hospitality desk to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception in the hotel. Dinner is independent.

Day 2 – Milwaukee

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide for a panoramic tour of Milwaukee and visits to several of its most important landmarks. Begin with a narrated drive through the city's neighborhoods and along the Lake Michigan shoreline, stopping briefly for a treat at a local historic bakery before heading to the Harley-Davidson Museum Campus, where you are free to stroll the grounds on your own, learning about Harley-Davidson through interactive displays and seeing legendary bikes, including the original "serial number one." Stop next at Pabst Mansion, the opulent former home of beer baron Frederick Pabst, and tour the richly furnished rooms that testify to the luxury enjoyed by Milwaukee's brewers in the Gilded Age.

The final stop on the tour is at Milwaukee Public Market, a center of shops, galleries, and food vendors. Grab an independent lunch here before driving back to the hotel. Or you may want to stay longer and return to the hotel on foot (less than half a mile). The balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner is independent.

Day 3 – Milwaukee | Embark

After breakfast and check-out, travel to the nearby Milwaukee Art Museum for a tour of one of the Midwest's best collections. The Museum is itself a work of art, featuring a dramatic atrium pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava with giant "wings" that open and close to the sky. A docent will lead you through the museum's main galleries with works by artists like Winslow Homer and Claude Monet, as well as a large selection of Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. After this guided introduction, enjoy time at leisure to explore the museum on your own, perhaps visiting the modern and contemporary wing with works by Warhol, Miró, Rothko, and Johns.

Leaving the museum, set off on an afternoon exploring Milwaukee cuisine. Begin at the Hill Valley Dairy Bar to sample their award-winning locally crafted cheeses paired with a small-batch spirit cocktail. Then head downtown for lunch at Mader's Restaurant, a landmark of German cuisine since the turn of the 20th century. Following lunch, stretch your legs with a walk through the Deer District, Milwaukee’s buzzing downtown hub, home to the Milwaukee Bucks and public art displays, before ending your tour with a scoop of the frozen custard for which Wisconsin is famous. After this culinary journey, transfer to the pier to embark Le Bellot and set sail.

Your hotel:

Since its opening in 1893 in downtown Milwaukee, the Pfister Hotel has been an iconic landmark—"The Grand Hotel of the West." The hotel's lobby is a 3-story atrium with marble staircase, massive fireplace, and frescoed ceiling. In addition to the original building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Pfister features a modern 23-story tower, fitness studio, indoor pool, spa, and a cocktail lounge on the top floor, with views of the skyline and Lake Michigan. The hotel has been awarded AAA's prestigious Four-Diamond status since 1978.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at the Pfister Hotel (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on the day of embarkation

·        Welcome Reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast on days 2 and 3

·        Lunch on Day 3

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program departure day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in can be arranged, depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

The Pfister Hotel

424 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Telephone: +1 414 273 8222

Total

£1,150/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.