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PHOTOS / Adam Bjornberg
The 665-foot Viking Polaris cruise
ship prepares to depart Duluth on the
evening of June 22, 2026. The vessel
carries approximately 378 guests and
256 crewmembers.
The Victory II arrived June 4 as Duluth's first cruise ship
of the 2026 navigation season. She returned June 18 for
a second visit, then gave way to the much larger Viking
Polaris and the Pearl Mist for a multi-night stay near
month's end.
Great Lakes cruising is projected to generate more than
$300 million in economic impact in 2026 — a nearly 25%
increase over 2025 — driven by more than 800 port calls and
an estimated 175,000 passenger visits across the region,
according to Cruise the Great Lakes.
In Duluth, every port call ripples through the local econ-
omy. Passengers explore shops, restaurants and cultural
attractions. Those arriving for turnaround itineraries fly via
the Duluth International Airport, fill Duluth-area hotel rooms
and contribute to the city's sales tax base, which directly
offsets property taxes for year-round residents.
Cruise ships make
inaugural calls of 2026
Great Lakes cruising is projected to
generate more than
in economic impact in 2026.
$300 million
