Pearl Seas Cruises has formally aligned with several prominent companies and travel brands—Victory Cruise Lines/VCL, VikingOCEAN, St Lawrence Cruise Lines, Ponant, and Hapag-Lloyd—to commence a transformative 2025 Great Lakes cruise season.
This collaborative presence represents a significant expansion of inland cruising in North America, with each operator contributing its distinct approach to a broad range of itineraries across all five of North America's Great Lakes.
Pearl Seas, operating the 210-passenger Pearl Mist, officially launched its 2025 season on May 23 with the departure of its long-standing "Great Lakes & Georgian Bay" itinerary, an 11-night voyage that embarks in Toronto and concludes in Milwaukee. This itinerary, alongside three others, forms the basis of the line’s operations for the season. These include the 7-night “Great Lakes” route between Milwaukee and Toronto, a 15-night “St. Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes” voyage from Milwaukee to Quebec, and a newly introduced 14-night “Great Lakes Explorer” cruise between Duluth and Toronto, which traverses all five lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—without requiring a change of vessel.
The introduction of the all-lakes itinerary is considered a notable development, offering a rare opportunity to experience the complete chain in a single, uninterrupted voyage. The Pearl Mist, specifically built for small-ship cruising, features only balcony staterooms, a stabilized hull for increased comfort, and operates on an all-inclusive model with shore excursions at every port of call.
Throughout the season, Pearl Mist is scheduled to visit 16 ports, incorporating a variety of destinations that include both larger metropolitan areas and remote natural sites. Notable stops include Mackinac Island, Niagara Falls, Thunder Bay, Parry Sound, and Quebec City, offering a balance of cultural exploration and scenic cruising.
The 2025 Great Lakes deployment reflects a broader trend in the industry, as several major cruise lines increase their investment in inland North American itineraries.
For Pearl Seas Cruises, which has been operating on the Great Lakes since 2014, this season also commemorates the service of 25 crew members who have worked aboard the Pearl Mist since its inaugural year in the region. The brand’s continued emphasis on intimacy, comfort, and regionally focused experiences positions it as a distinct presence within the expanding Great Lakes cruise market.