You are about two weeks away from seeing the first cruise ship of the summer stop in Algoma for a quick visit to northeast Wisconsin. The Viking Polaris represents the first of several cruise ships to stop in Algoma this summer, with the first one arriving on June 16th at approximately 8 a.m. Boat tenders will shuttle visitors between the cruise ships and Algoma’s shores before they potentially hop on buses for excursions around the area. Algoma Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rosemary Paladini says it is pulling out all the stops to welcome its visitors, whether they are coming from the ship or coming from the mainland to see the ship.

Algoma is listed as part of a 15-day excursion through the Great Lakes. Viking Expeditions will offer six “Great Lakes Collection” cruises that will take passengers between Duluth, Minnesota, and Toronto, Ontario during the months of June, July, August, and September. Algoma marks the halfway point of the excursion with the cruise line offering side trips to check out Lambeau Field, explore Moonlight Bay by kayak, hike the Niagara Escarpment, paddle through Ellison Bay and the Mink River Estuary, and sample the area’s wine and cheese.

The Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation held preparation meetings in March and hosted Great Lakes Shore Excursions President Theresa Nemetz at its annual breakfast in May in anticipation of the cruise ship visits. Viking Cruises will also be bringing their ships to the area in 2024.