Windsor‑Essex ports poised for growth during 2026 Great Lakes cruise season

A Viking Cruise ship on the Detroit River, seen from Windsor on April 28, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

The 2026 Great Lakes cruise season is expected to be a strong year for ports across the region, including Windsor‑Essex, according to industry groups.

Stephen Burnett, executive director of the Kingston‑based Great Lakes Cruise Association, says all indicators point to a solid season.

Burnett says many passengers booking Great Lakes cruises are from the United States, but the region is also attracting travellers from France, Germany and Austria.

He says Windsor‑Essex offers a range of attractions that make it an appealing port of call.

“Historical assets with the War of 1812 fort nearby, you have a great War of 1812 story, of course,” Burnett said. “Then you have the winery component; you have the fabulous birding component. When you wrap all of that together, those are strong reasons for the owners of cruise ships to say, ‘Yes, we’ll dock at Windsor.’”

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island CEO Gordon Orr says the organization is also hearing that the coming season will see increased cruise traffic in the region.

“We’re going to see an increase of around 21 per cent. We’re going from 14 last year to 17 this year, and that’s a significant increase,” Orr said.

He said most of the growth will be in the Leamington area, with three additional cruise ships scheduled to visit the county to explore Point Pelee National Park, outdoor adventure opportunities, scenery and wineries.

Orr said even modest growth is significant given the relatively small size of the cruise market.

“When you look at the niche market, which the cruising industry is, seeing any growth in that is significant indeed,” he said. “That’s why we’re excited this year to see some growth because the last few years we’ve seen a little bit of a decline.”

Cruise the Great Lakes, an industry group based in Green Bay, Wis., is projecting an economic impact of more than US$300 million, an increase of nearly 25 per cent from 2025.

The organization says seven cruise lines will operate 10 ships on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River in 2026.

More than 800 port visits are planned, nearly 15 per cent higher than last year, and total passenger traffic at Great Lakes ports is expected to exceed 175,000, up 15 per cent from 2025.