The strengthening Aussie dollar has made holidays to America more affordable and enhancing the allure further are savings of US2000 per couple (approx. A$2800) on a small-ship adventure this year across all of the five Great Lakes, available until April 30, 2026, through Australian boutique cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller.
As the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, North America’s Great Lakes hold 20 percent of the world’s freshwater and are known for their ocean-like features such as rolling waves, distant horizons and strong currents. Covering an area of 244,000 square kilometres – approximately the size of the UK – they also boast fishing ports, surfing beaches and the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world.
Australians can visit this fascinating region on the border of Canada and USA at the heart of North America on a nine-night, all-inclusive cruise between Chicago and Toronto with Victory Cruise Lines, sailing aboard either of the line’s 190-guest sister ships, Victory I or Victory II – both agile and intimate vessels that can easily navigate the narrow canals, locks, pristine bays and secluded ports of the Great Lakes. Victory Cruise Lines also offers the only Great Lakes cruise which departs from Chicago’s popular lifestyle hub of Navy Pier in the heart of the city on Lake Michigan.
Cruise Traveller is offering the US$2000 per couple saving on eight Great Lakes sailings with Victory Cruise Lines between July and October this year. Each is a 10-night package from Toronto to Chicago, or vice-versa, including a one-night hotel stay, pre-cruise.
One of the packages begins in Toronto on August 9, 2026, with a night in a local hotel before guests board Victory II, which offers two restaurants, a lounge, bar and gym, with every cabin boasting lake views. The cruise itinerary traverses all five of the Great Lakes – Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario – and visits the beer capital of Milwaukee, the historic car building city of Detroit, the horse-drawn carriages of car-free Mackinac Island and the misty splendour of famous Niagara Falls. The cruise ends in Chicago.
Including all onboard meals and beverages, shore excursions, shipboard Wi-Fi and the hotel stay pre-cruise, the 10-night package is available from US$6299 per person, twin-share (approx. A$8789) in an Outside Stateroom – a saving of US$1000 per person. For the saving, book with Cruise Traveller by April 30, 2026.
