Cruise: Cleveland

Cruise ships in the Great Lakes are a growing industry, with revenues in the tens of millions. Those involved in the industry from Victory to Great Lakes’ ports to visitors bureaus – all see the potential to nurture an untapped market that boasts a number of stellar destination cities and venues.

 

"The Port of Cleveland was excited to work with Victory Cruise Lines, the City of Cleveland, Destination Cleveland, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make this possible," said Will Friedman, Port of Cleveland President and CEO. "We are thrilled to welcome the Victory 1 and the thousands of visitors that will dock at the Port of Cleveland over the course of the touring season. The Port of Cleveland will continue to do its part to help grow and diversify northeast Ohio’s economy – in everything from industry to tourism and beyond."

 

The Port of Cleveland praised the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents for working with the Port to provide staffing and technology that would accommodate the cruise ships docking at the Port. "Because the ships originate in Canada and are crossing an international border – we share the Great Lakes with Canada of course – passengers must go through passport controlon arrival at a U.S. port," said Friedman. "U.S. Customs and Border Protection is using an innovative method to ensure that we can receive passengers in Cleveland while maintaining border integrity."

 

Victory Cruise Lines is an international cruise line with a diverse menu of itineraries focusing on Colonial America, Canada, and even Cuba. Bruce Nierenberg, President and CEO of Victory Cruise Lines, added Cleveland as a stop this season because he sees it a city on the rise.