ALPENA, MI – This Northern Michigan harbor town is celebrating five years as a cruise ship port and expects to welcome the largest cruising vessels on the Great Lakes 20 times this year. The 665-foot sister ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are scheduled to visit Alpena throughout the cruising season, which runs from April to October, NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary announced. The Viking Polaris kicked off Michigan’s cruising season on Monday, April 20, with its first call on Detroit, followed by an anchorage in Alpena’s Thunder Bay last Tuesday.
Viking Octantis in Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay as passengers visit Alpena, Mich. [NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary]
Thursday, April 30 – Viking Octantis
Tuesday, May 5 – Viking Polaris
Wednesday, May 6 – Viking Octantis
Thursday, May 14 – Viking Octantis
Wednesday, May 20 – Viking Polaris
Thursday, May 28 – Viking Polaris
Wednesday, June 3 – Viking Polaris
Sunday, June 7 – Viking Octantis
Friday, June 12 – Viking Polaris
Monday, June 15 – Viking Octantis
Saturday, June 27 – Viking Polaris
Thursday, July 9 – Viking Octantis
Saturday, July 18 – Viking Octantis
Sunday, Aug. 2 – Viking Octantis
Saturday, Aug. 15 – Viking Octantis
Sunday, Aug. 30 – Viking Octantis
Friday, Sept. 11 – Viking Octantis
Monday, Oct. 5 – Viking Octantis
Viking Octantis made its Great Lakes debut in 2022 and was joined by its identical sister, Viking Polaris, in 2023. The ships have a capacity of 378 passengers. When visiting Alpena, the ships anchor in Thunder Bay and passengers take tender boats to shore to participate in prearranged excursions, including lighthouse tours, nature hikes, downtown walking tours, aerial-sightseeing, fishing charters, and glass-bottom boat shipwreck adventures. Visitors will explore the region through lighthouse tours, nature hikes, downtown walking tours, aerial-sightseeing, fishing charters, and glass-bottom boat shipwreck adventures.
MLive
