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10 Night Lake Superior A Life Sized Expedition Cruise from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ship: Le Champlain
Cruise Line: Ponant Cruises
Sailed:  Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Ended: Saturday, Sep 14, 2024
The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024 departure of the Le Champlain. If Ponant Cruises modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.
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Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Wednesday - Sep 4, 2024
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States     Depart: 6:00 pm
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.
Day 2 - Thursday - Sep 5, 2024
Algoma, United States
Algoma, United States      
Nestled on the western shores of Lake Michigan, at the far south of the Door Peninsula, the charming town of Algoma offers a perfect blend of traditions and gentle way of life. Beneath its azure sky, nature captivates and enchants... the rivers intertwine, bordering the pine forests. The chiseled mountains in the background are like benevolent sentries watching over this wild land, where nature reveals its millennia-old secrets. The seabirds bring wonder via their aerobatic show. Fall under the spell of this charming town during a moment frozen in time.
Day 3 - Friday - Sep 6, 2024
Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States
Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States      
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 square kilometers 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.
Day 4 - Saturday - Sep 7, 2024
Lake Superior, United States
Lake Superior, United States      
Lake Superior stands in a league of its own. It is not only the largest and deepest of the Great Lakes of North America, it is also the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area, holding around 10% of the globe's surface freshwater! It was named by the first European settlers, who had noticed its higher altitude compared to the other four lakes. Lake Superior connects with Lake Huron and Lake Michigan via the Sault Ste. Marie locks. From the decks of your ship, you will relish your experience of sailing on this vast inland body of water, and imagine it entirely frozen over during the winter months...
Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan      
South of Lake Superior, your ship will cross the Keweenaw Peninsula via the eponymous waterway along the Portage River. This stretch of land located in the north of the State of Michigan is part of the Copper Country, home to large mines run by the Native Americans over 5,000 years ago and rediscovered thanks to their descendants at the beginning of the 18th century. A copper rush ensued, with waves of immigration from Finland and Northern Europe. The river separates the towns of Houghton, in the south, and Hancock, in the northern part also known as Copper Island or Kuparisaari by the Finnish immigrants. So, crossing Keweenaw also means looking back over the region's history.
Day 5 - Sunday - Sep 8, 2024
Bayfield, United States
Bayfield, United States      
Discover Bayfield, in the southern Lake Superior region in the state of Wisconsin. Founded in 1856, this small city, nestled in the curve of an unspoiled peninsula, projects an old-world charm with its Victorian houses. As soon as you arrive, you will dive into its traditions during a performance by the Ojibwe tribe, for whom this region is the spiritual heart. Bayfield is also the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a protected natural area around the Apostle Islands, an archipelago comprising 21 enchanting islands offering dense forests, magnificent lighthouses, birdwatching, and remarkable red sandstone sea caves. Explore these islands on a local boat and discover their fascinating shorelines carved by the elements.
Day 6 - Monday - Sep 9, 2024
Duluth, United States      
On the edge of Lake Superior, in Minnesota, Duluth is a flourishing port city founded in 1679 by the Frenchman Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut. In this region inhabited by the Ojibwe and Dakota tribes among others, the fur trade developed with the Hudson's Bay Company and contributed to the city's prominence. Exceptionally surrounded by stunning nature, Duluth is a holiday spot popular with wealthy families, as evidenced by the beautiful Victorian mansions such as Glensheen Mansion, built in the early 20th century. Enjoy wandering around the city or, if you would prefer a different perspective and another way to discover the region, take an excursion aboard the North Shore Scenic Railroad and visit its museum.
Lake Superior, United States      
Lake Superior stands in a league of its own. It is not only the largest and deepest of the Great Lakes of North America, it is also the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area, holding around 10% of the globe's surface freshwater! It was named by the first European settlers, who had noticed its higher altitude compared to the other four lakes. Lake Superior connects with Lake Huron and Lake Michigan via the Sault Ste. Marie locks. From the decks of your ship, you will relish your experience of sailing on this vast inland body of water, and imagine it entirely frozen over during the winter months...
Day 7 - Tuesday - Sep 10, 2024
Lake Superior, United States
Lake Superior, United States      
Silver Islet, Canada      
Silver Islet refers to both a small rocky island and a small community located at the end of the Sibley Peninsula, on Lake Superior, in north-western Ontario, Canada. A silver ore deposit can be found beneath the tiny reef, 380 meters under the lake. The mine was operated from 1869 to 1884 and proved to be very prosperous; however, the constraints linked to pumping the water and the extremely difficult working conditions resulted in its closure. Silver Islet is located in a fascinating natural setting enhanced by the waters of the lake. It is ideal for great encounters with the communities living there, and for really exploring nature, on foot, by Zodiac dingy, and by kayak, to make the most of its extraordinary views.
Day 8 - Wednesday - Sep 11, 2024
Red Rock, Canada      
Day 9 - Thursday - Sep 12, 2024
Rossport, Ontario, Canada
Rossport, Ontario, Canada      
Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada      
Day 10 - Friday - Sep 13, 2024
Slate Island Provincial Park
Slate Island Provincial Park      
To the north of Lake Superior, a stone's throw from Terrace Bay, the Slate Islands form a archipelago made up of two main islands and a string of smaller islands. This territory is imbued with the region's history, which features forestry, mining, and First Nations' settlements, is a preserved natural area called the Slate Islands Provincial Park. A large caribou colony lives in harmony in this sanctuary of biodiversity, where no fewer than 50 animal species and 250 plant varieties flourish. In the heart of this pristine territory, between thick boreal forest, limestone and volcanic rock, and water in deep emerald green hues, enjoy unique and peaceful moments in communion with nature, during Zodiac outings or kayaking.
Day 11 - Saturday - Sep 14, 2024
Thunder Bay, Canada
Thunder Bay, Canada      
Situated in the north-west of Lake Superior, the Canadian city of Thunder Bay enjoys a strategic position on the seaway connecting the Great Lakes to the St. Lawrence, which explains why it is also called "Lakehead". The city was also the terminus of a Canadian Pacific Railway corridor. This contributed vastly to its rapid growth in the 20th century. The historical museum is a must-see, as is the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, specializing in contemporary artwork by First Nations artists. Today, the city is a far cry from the small French fur-trading post established there in 1683. Nevertheless, a well documented historical reconstruction can be visited on the outskirts of the city: Fort William Historical Park.