Expedition Cruising the Great Lakes | World’s Greatest Cruises with Lynn Elmhirst
The Great Lakes are often called North America’s inland seas. But few people explore them this way. In this episode of World’s Greatest Cruises, Lynn Elmhirst sails aboard Viking Cruises on an expedition cruise through Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior — discovering a freshwater ecosystem that holds 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water. This is not traditional cruising. Guests launch from the ship in Zodiacs and kayaks, dive beneath the surface in submarines, transit historic locks, and even participate in real scientific research alongside expedition specialists. Along the way, we visit Mackinac Island’s horse-drawn streets, explore Indigenous and fur trade history at Fort William, kayak past dramatic granite formations in Georgian Bay, and witness how expedition cruising is as much about curiosity and learning as it is about scenery. This is the Great Lakes through an expedition lens. Chapters: 0:50 Viking Octantis – Expedition Ship on the Great Lakes 4:30 Mackinac Island & The Iconic Grand Hotel 7:35 Life Onboard – Nordic Design & Scandinavian Dining 9:04 Inside the Expedition Hangar – Zodiacs & Submarines 11:25 Georgian Bay Zodiac Tour & Canadian Shield Geology 12:30 Submarine Dive Beneath Lake Huron 13:56 Manitoulin Island by Special Operations Boat 14:40 Nordic Spa Ritual & Snow Grotto Experience 15:53 Sault Ste. Marie Locks – Engineering of the Great Lakes 17:00 Real Science at Sea – NOAA Weather Balloon Launch 19:15 Kayaking Silver Islet on Lake Superior 20:50 Thunder Bay – Fur Trade History & Indigenous Culture 24:15 Farewell Around the Fire on Lake Superior 🎧 Watch more episodes from the World’s Greatest Cruises Season 2 playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Amuq2xLIPVsvlkvXaLplNOPY52AfMkU Thanks for watching! About World's Greatest Cruises World’s Greatest Cruises explores the wonder of discovering the world by water. More than any other way to travel, cruising is as much about the journey as the destination. The series reveals the ships, the people, the cultures, and the traditions that make travel by sea, river, and expedition voyage so compelling. About Lynn Elmhirst Lynn Elmhirst is an award‑winning travel journalist and television producer with a lifelong passion for cruising. Drawn to the authenticity of arriving by water and the rich maritime traditions of life at sea, Lynn shares the stories behind the ships and the destinations. Through behind‑the‑scenes access, cultural encounters, and expert insight, she brings viewers closer to the magic of exploring the world by water. 🛳️ Subscribe to the World’s Greatest Cruises and continue the journey through extraordinary destinations, rich cultures, and life-changing cruise experiences. World’s Greatest Cruises Resources Website: https://www.worldsgreatestcruises.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldsGreatestCruises https://www.facebook.com/lynn.elmhirst/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldsgreatestcruises/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worlds-greatest-cruises #greatlakes #expeditioncruise #cruisetravel