DETROIT (WWJ) – Detroit got its first visit of the year from a massive cruise ship on Monday, with roughly 300 passengers making a stop for tours in the Motor City.
The 665-foot Viking Octantis docked at the Port of Detroit around 8 a.m. Monday and set sail again around 2 p.m. after taking tours at the Henry Ford Museum and Pewabic Pottery.
As the Great Lakes cruise industry continues to grow, Detroit is set to see a record 67 cruises dock this season, with 11 different ships, according to officials with the Port of Detroit. Last year, a record was set with 52 cruise ships coming to town.
WWJ’s Charlie Langton headed down to the riverfront Monday morning and said “I thought I was in Miami,” as the massive ship arrived.
The Octantis is currently on a long, 62-day voyage from Buenos Aires to Milwaukee. It will make stops in Alpena on Tuesday and Mackinac Island on Wednesday before ending the trip in Milwaukee on Thursday.
Other cruises set to come through Detroit have shorter trips, with various stops along the Great Lakes, including Muskegon, Sault Ste. Marie and more.
Amanda Wright with the Great Lakes Shores Excursion – the land part of Viking Cruises – said most of the passengers aboard the Octantis are American and Canadian, but “we have passengers from all across the world that hopefully will join us this season.”
Other cruise lines that will be making their way to Detroit this season include Victory Cruise Lines and Ponant Explorer Cruises. More information can be found on the Great Lakes Cruises website.
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