Le Champlain Makes Historic Visit to Thunder Bay Area

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For the first time, the French-owned luxury cruise ship Le Champlain is touring the waters of Lake Superior, offering passengers a rare and scenic voyage through the Great Lakes. This five-deck, 188-passenger vessel, part of Ponant’s prestigious fleet, arrived in Thunder Bay early Tuesday morning from Duluth. The visit marked a significant milestone in the cruise line’s history and Thunder Bay’s burgeoning cruise tourism industry.

Upon arrival, Le Champlain made a brief 90-minute stop at Keefer Terminal for processing by the Canada Border Services Agency before setting sail towards the iconic Sleeping Giant and Silver Islet. From there, it embarked on a voyage along the north shore's inside passage, with stops at Red Rock, Rossport, Terrace Bay, and the Slate Islands. The cruise will culminate with a return to Thunder Bay on Saturday morning, marking the end of a scenic journey showcasing some of Lake Superior's most untouched natural beauty.

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Owned by Marseilles-based Ponant, Le Champlain is the company's second vessel to visit Thunder Bay. Ponant, which has been expanding rapidly since its founding in 1988, previously brought the smaller Le Levant to the city. Now, with Le Champlain, Ponant is one of four cruise lines to make Thunder Bay a destination this year, contributing to 16 stops in 2024.

Passengers on this unique Great Lakes cruise boarded in Milwaukee, with some disembarking in Thunder Bay this weekend. A new group of tourists, arriving by plane, will embark on the return trip to Wisconsin. According to Ponant’s website, the 11-day journey aboard Le Champlain offers luxurious accommodations, with room prices ranging from $9,000 to USD 11,000 per person for a 204-square-foot suite.

Growing Popularity of Lake Superior Cruises

Paul Pepe, Tourism Manager for the City of Thunder Bay, highlighted the significance of Ponant’s visit and the growing popularity of Lake Superior's northern shoreline in the global cruise industry.

“Now they’re bringing one of their beautiful new builds into the Great Lakes and Lake Superior. This is one of the companies seizing the opportunity and seeing the market...The whole north shore has really picked up on the radar screen of some of these international operators that have small ships and are interested in discovering that area that previously has been inaccessible to tourists,” said Pepe.

The addition of Le Champlain to Lake Superior’s cruise offerings is not just about luxury travel but also about opening new destinations to international visitors. Small communities along the northern shore, including Red Rock and Terrace Bay, enjoy the economic and cultural benefits of these expedition-style ships making port calls.

Pepe added, "We’re pleased that the smaller communities are getting to enjoy the successes of the expedition and discovery ships that are coming into the region...The north shore has become such a popular new destination globally for selling their itineraries.”

Thunder Bay: A Key Port for Cruise Tourism

Thunder Bay’s position as a critical port for cruise ships on Lake Superior has gained momentum in recent years. Working with partners like Superior Country Travel Association Tourism Thunder Bay has helped promote the area to international cruise operators.

Pepe called 2024 a "boom year" for the city’s cruise business, with vessels like Ponant’s Le Champlain and Viking Cruises’ Viking Polaris making regular visits. The influx of passengers has had a noticeable economic impact, benefiting local tour operators, restaurants, and attractions. Pepe expressed enthusiasm as he observed guests disembarking from buses and exploring the city.

“It’s great watching the guests come off the buses right now, from the airport and from the hotels, and they’re boarding for the day. And it’s great to see the impact on all the companies, the motor coach companies, tour guides, attractions, and restaurants. A number of guests came off the ship last night... and they just wanted to walk downtown and go have a drink somewhere. All those things add up, and we’re able to showcase the city to a lot of these influential, affluent, curious, adventurous travellers,” Pepe remarked.

While 2024 has seen a record of 16 stops, next year’s schedule will see four cruise operators make 14 city visits. Pepe emphasized that this fluctuation is part of the industry’s natural cycle as cruise lines seek to offer fresh itineraries to their loyal clientele.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Facilities and Opportunities

Thunder Bay has made significant strides in enhancing its cruise facilities, particularly at Pool 6 dock, where many of these ships berth. However, Pepe noted that there’s always room for improvement, expressing hopes for a semi-permanent dockside structure for luggage handling and check-ins to enhance the guest experience.

Plans for the future include potential tourism-related developments at Pool 6 as the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission conducts a best-use study of the site. These improvements, along with the growing popularity of Lake Superior’s northern shore, are expected to boost the city’s profile in the cruise industry for years to come.

With Le Champlain and other luxury vessels bringing visitors to the region, Thunder Bay is fast becoming a key player in the expedition and discovery cruise market, showcasing the hidden gems of Lake Superior to the world.