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Cabine Deluxe
10% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
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A Voyage Along the Great Lakes – with Smithsonian Journeys
Toronto - Milwaukee
Date :
28/08/2023
à
4/09/2023
Autres dates disponibles
jours
nuits à bord
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Set sail with PONANT aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville for an 8-day cruise to discover the Great Lakes amidst the splendid colours of late summer.
You will leave from cosmopolitan and dynamic Toronto, Ontario, on the shore of Lake Ontario. Canada’s largest city will charm you with its museums, parks, and gardens.
Le Bellot will then sail the canal connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. From your call in Port Colborne, you will be able to see the impressive Niagara Falls. These three powerful waterfalls, renowned the world over, are an exquisite natural spectacle.
Your next lake, Lake Huron, boasts myriad islands in its northern part, with white rocks capped with conifers plunging into the sapphire waters of the lake. Here you will discover the charming city of Parry Sound, in the heart of the fantastic UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Georgian Bay, and the quaint town of Little Current, gateway to Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island.
From Sault Ste. Marie, you will have the opportunity to transit the engineering marvel of the Soo Locks for a foray into Lake Superior, before continuing to Mackinac Island for an exploration of the island’s Victorian past by horse and buggy.
End your voyage by sailing the length of Lake Michigan, a veritable inland sea, following in the footsteps of the region’s indigenous Americans, first settlers, and trappers. Make your way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the United States’ “brew city,” for disembarkation.
Ref : TM2045US - EU280823
Découvrez votre itinéraire
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions...
Voir l'itinéraire en détail
Votre voyage en détail
Vos cabines
Vos cabines
Complétez votre voyage
Complétez votre voyage
Inclus dans votre croisière
Pour plus de sérénité, PONANT organise votre voyage en avant ou en après croisière. Ce package est compris dans le tarif de votre croisière.
Prestations complémentaires
Pour plus de sérénité, PONANT sélectionne des vols et assure la prise en charge de vos transferts pour votre voyage ainsi que les visites à terre avant et après le débarquement .
Vous aimerez aussi...
Vous aimerez aussi...
LE JACQUES-CARTIER
- Inédit
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
4/11/2022 au 20/11/2022
- Inédit
LE LAPEROUSE
9/11/2022 au 23/11/2022
LE LYRIAL
*Tarif minimum par passager, en base occupation double. La catégorie de cabine correspondant à ce tarif peut n’être plus disponible.
Prestations
- Room service 24h/24
- Wi-Fi illimité inclus (réception satellite aléatoire en fonction de la navigation et de la latitude)
- Climatisation individuelle
- Dressing avec étagères et espace penderie
- Coiffeuse et sèche-cheveux
- Produits de bain haut-de-gamme Hermès
- Mini bar inclus
- Machine à café Nespresso et bouilloire
- Coffre-fort électronique
- Ligne téléphonique directe par satellite
- Enceinte Bluetooth Bose
- TV écran plat, chaînes internationales (aléatoire suivant votre navigation) et vidéos à la demande
- Installation 110/220 volts
- Deux cabines PMR
Choisissez votre catégorie de cabine
Tenue idéale pour la vie à bord :
Durant les journées passées à bord, il vous est conseillé de porter des vêtements confortables ou des tenues décontractées. L’ensemble du navire étant climatisé, un pull fin, une veste légère ou un châle peuvent vous être nécessaires. Pour vos déplacements dans les espaces publics et sur les ponts du navire, privilégiez des chaussures légères mais confortables.
Soirée informelle :
Le soir, il vous est conseillé de porter une tenue de ville élégante, en particulier lors des dîners dans nos restaurants où le port de short et tee-shirt n’est pas autorisé.
Pour les femmes :
- Robe simple
- Jupe ou pantalon
- Chemisier ou blouse
- Polo
Pour les hommes :
- Pantalon à pinces ou « chino »
- Veste sport
- Chemise
- Polo
Soirée des officiers :
En fonction de l’itinéraire et du programme de votre croisière, une Soirée des Officiers sur le thème « Soirée Blanche » pourra être organisée. Par conséquent, nous vous incitons à prévoir pour l’occasion une tenue de ville élégante blanche (à défaut noire et blanche).
Soirée de gala :
Lors de nos croisières, deux soirées de gala sont organisées à bord. Aussi, nous vous recommandons de prévoir une ou deux tenues plus formelles.
Pour les femmes :
- Tenue de cocktail
- Robe longue de soirée (si vous le souhaitez)
Pour les hommes :
- Costume foncé
- Cravate conseillée, éventuellement nœud papillon
- Smoking (si vous le souhaitez)
BOUTIQUE :
Une boutique est ouverte durant les moments de navigation proposant une large gamme de tenues, bijoux, maroquinerie et de nombreux accessoires.
Nous vous informons qu’un service de blanchisserie (nettoyage - repassage) existe à bord, mais il n’est pas en mesure de vous proposer un nettoyage à sec. Pour des raisons de sécurité, votre cabine n’est pas équipée d’un fer à repasser.
ACCESSOIRES :
- Lunettes de soleil
- Maillot de bain (pour la piscine ou le spa à bord)
- Tenue de gymnastique (fitness)
- Chargeur de batterie et cartes mémoire pour appareil photo ou caméra numériques
- Chargeur de téléphone portable
- Chapeau / casquette
SOINS – SANTÉ :
- Crème solaire et après-solaire
- Médicaments et ordonnances
TENUES À BORD :
- Tenues décontractées pour la journée
- Tenues élégantes pour les dîners
- Tenues pour les soirées de Gala
- Tenue blanche ou noire et blanche
PRÉCAUTIONS :
Dans le sac qui ne vous quittera pas, pensez à emporter les médicaments dont vous avez besoin, et éventuellement un petit nécessaire de toilette et de rechange (en cas de retard dans la livraison de votre bagage par la compagnie aérienne). Assurez-vous d’avoir toujours avec vous les documents de voyage dont vous pourriez avoir besoin : voucher d’hôtel, voucher de croisière, billets de vol retour… Ne les laissez jamais dans vos bagages enregistrés en soute.
Toutes nos cabines disposent d’un coffre. Nous vous recommandons de ne pas descendre à terre avec vos bijoux de valeur.
Activités PONANT
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel programme of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Sous réserve de désistement en cas de force majeure
Temps forts
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
- A cruise with the opportunity to explore the five Great Lakes of North America, between the United States and Canada.
- A cruise along the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Georgian Bay.
- An itinerary combining nature and culture: picturesque landscapes and geological curiosities, the history of indigenous Americans inhabiting the region before European colonisation, and charming villages.
- An excursion to the magnificent Niagara Falls.
- A visit to charming Mackinac Island, with its preserved Victorian architecture.
Escales & excursions
28 août 2023 - Toronto
Embarquement 28/08/2023 de 16:00 à 17:00
Départ 28/08/2023 à 18:00
Plus grande ville du Canada et capitale de la province de l’Ontario, Toronto fascine tant par son incroyable diversité que par son gigantisme. Ne manquez pas de visiter la tour CN, plus haute tour de l’hémisphère occidental, ainsi que le marché Saint-Laurent dont les étals reflètent les richesses multiculturelles de celle que l’on surnomme la ville-monde. Non loin de là, le quartier historique de la Distillerie vous dévoilera ses rues pavées au charme romantique et sa myriade de petits restaurants, cafés, boutiques, théâtres et galeries d’art. Le Musée royal de l’Ontario et ses impressionnantes collections dédiées à l’histoire naturelle et culturelle du monde sera également une étape incontournable de cette escale.
29 août 2023 - Port Colborne
Arrivée 29/08/2023 en début de matinée
Départ 29/08/2023 en milieu de journée
Petite ville portuaire située dans le sud de la province de l’Ontario, à l’embouchure du canal de Welland, Port Colborne est connue pour abriter l’une des plus longues écluses du monde : mesurant 420 mètres, cette écluse, la 8e du canal, comporte une passerelle d’observation et marque le dernier point de passage avant le lac Érié. Outre la découverte de ce formidable ouvrage d’art hydraulique, cette escale vous offrira un point d’accès privilégié aux célèbres chutes du Niagara, renommées dans le monde entier pour leur beauté spectaculaire. Situées sur la rivière du même nom, qui en langue amérindienne signifie « tonnerre des eaux », ces merveilles de la nature figurent parmi les cascades les plus puissantes au monde.
29 août 2023 - Navigation sur le lac Érié
Arrivée 29/08/2023
Départ 29/08/2023
Situé au sud du lac Huron et relié au lac Ontario par le canal de Welland, le lac Érié qui doit son nom à l'une des tribus amérindiennes qui peuplaient ses rivages avant l’arrivée des Français au XVIIe siècle, se distingue par son écosystème unique. Ses eaux peu profondes et extrêmement poissonneuses en font un haut lieu de pêche, tandis que ses rives, réputées pour accueillir de nombreux oiseaux migrateurs, attirent photographes et passionnés d’ornithologie.
30 août 2023 - Traversée de Détroit
Arrivée 30/08/2023
Départ 30/08/2023
Lors de votre navigation sur la rivière Détroit, une importante voie commerciale qui relie les lacs Érié et Sainte-Claire au lac Huron, vous longerez la plus grande ville du Michigan. Vous profiterez alors d’une vue panoramique sur les gratte-ciel de l’ancienne Motor City, fleuron de l’industrie automobile, du fordisme et de la musique Motown au XXe siècle. Vous pourrez également admirer le pont Ambassadeur, qui enjambe la rivière et permet de rejoindre Windsor, sur la rive canadienne de la rivière. Ce pont suspendu en acier de plus de deux kilomètres de long fut construit en 1929. Il concentre à lui seul plus de 25 % des flux commerciaux entre les États-Unis et le Canada.
30 août 2023 - Navigation sur la rivière Sainte-Claire
Arrivée 30/08/2023
Départ 30/08/2023
Formant une ligne de séparation naturelle entre les États-Unis et le Canada, la rivière Sainte-Claire, qui s’écoule du lac Huron au lac Sainte-Claire, est un élément important des voies navigables des Grands Lacs. Utilisée au XVIIIe siècle pour la traite des fourrures par les colons français d’Amérique du Nord qui y naviguaient dans de petits canots afin de commercer avec les Amérindiens, elle fut par la suite empruntée par les vraquiers acheminant bois de construction, minerai de fer et cuivre de la région des Grands Lacs jusqu'aux villes de la Rust Belt.
31 août 2023 - Navigation sur le lac Huron
Arrivée 31/08/2023
Départ 31/08/2023
Frontière naturelle entre l’État américain du Michigan et la province canadienne de l’Ontario, le lac Huron est l’un des cinq Grands Lacs américains et l’un des plus grands lacs d’eau douce au monde. Composé du lac principal, de la baie de Saginaw, du chenal nord et de la baie Georgienne, et abritant environ 30 000 îles, il offre des paysages côtiers variés et des points de vue uniques. Depuis votre navire, vous pourrez ainsi admirer la beauté sauvage du littoral boisé et parfois escarpé de l’île Manitoulin, ou bien encore les falaises spectaculaires de la péninsule de Bruce.
31 août 2023 - Parry Sound
Arrivée 31/08/2023 en début de matinée
Départ 31/08/2023 en milieu de journée
Située au cœur d’une réserve de biosphère classée Unesco, à l’est de la baie Georgienne, la charmante ville de Parry Sound bénéficie d’un cadre naturel d'exception. Destination de vacances privilégiée par les habitants de la province, la cité et ses alentours offrent un condensé de ce que la région des Grands Lacs a de plus beau : forêts de conifères balayées par le vent, berges rocheuses caractéristiques du Bouclier canadien, plages de sable fin, eaux claires et calmes donnant naissance à de magnifiques reflets évoluant au fil de la journée et de la luminosité… Véritable paradis pour la faune et la flore, l’endroit ravira les passionnés de nature et de photographie.
1 septembre 2023 - Little Current
Arrivée 1/09/2023 en début de matinée
Départ 1/09/2023 en milieu d'après-midi
Petite ville portuaire située le long du chenal nord du lac Huron, Little Current est considérée comme la porte d’entrée de l’île Manitoulin, plus grande île lacustre du monde. Construction emblématique de la ville, le pont tournant édifié en 1913 est le seul lien terrestre permettant de rallier l’île, terre paisible dont le nom signifie « île aux esprits » dans le dialecte local. Véritable havre de paix abritant une nature sauvage et quelques hameaux, l’endroit est propice aux activités extérieures comme les randonnées à cheval et à pied.
2 septembre 2023 - Sault Sainte-Marie
Arrivée 2/09/2023 en début de matinée
Départ 2/09/2023 en fin d'après-midi
Située à l’est de la péninsule supérieure de l’État américain du Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie est l’une des plus anciennes cités des États-Unis. Séparée de sa ville-jumelle canadienne par la rivière Marie, elle est notamment connue pour ses écluses, les Sault Locks, qui permettent aux navires de franchir les quelques mètres de dénivellation existant entre le lac Supérieur et les Grands Lacs inférieurs. Ces écluses dont l’origine remonte à plus de 160 ans, sont considérées comme les plus importantes au monde en raison de leur trafic. Ne manquez pas non plus de visiter le musée du Valley Camp qui permet de découvrir l'intérieur d’un ancien vraquier ayant navigué pendant plus de 50 ans sur les Grands Lacs.
3 septembre 2023 - Île Mackinac
Arrivée 3/09/2023 en début de matinée
Départ 3/09/2023 en milieu de journée
Proche des rives du lac Huron dans l’État du Michigan, l’île Mackinac est la promesse d'un véritable voyage dans le temps. Habitée à l’origine par les Amérindiens, puis occupée par les colons français et britanniques, cette petite île de quelques km² conserve aujourd’hui encore son atmosphère d'antan avec ses bâtiments à l’architecture victorienne et ses élégantes calèches. Sur les hauteurs de l’île, le fort de Mackinac rappelle les conflits qui ont ponctué l’histoire de ce lieu stratégique, jadis haut lieu du commerce des fourrures. Outre ce décor surgi du passé, l’île offre de magnifiques plages de sable fin et abrite l’un des plus anciens parcs nationaux des États-Unis.
3 septembre 2023 - Navigation sur le lac Michigan
Arrivée 3/09/2023
Départ 3/09/2023
Vous naviguerez sur la plus grande étendue d’eau douce des États-Unis, qui a donné son nom au Michigan, l’un des quatre états qui bordent ce lac de 500 km de long et 200 km de large. Les premiers colons se sont installés au sud dès la fin du XVIIe siècle, sur le site de l’actuelle mégalopole de Chicago. Le long de ses 2 600 km de côtes s’étendent des paysages sauvages de forêts aux couleurs chatoyantes, de falaises, de plages de sable doré et de dunes à perte de vue. Au nord, de magnifiques îles battues par les vents surgissent des eaux émeraude du lac. Avec ses 8 km de long, le pont Mackinac, qui enjambe le détroit entre le lac Michigan et le lac Huron, est l’un des plus longs ponts suspendus du monde.
4 septembre 2023 - Milwaukee
Arrivée 4/09/2023 en début de matinée
Débarquement 4/09/2023 à 07:00
Logée sur les rives du lac Michigan, Milwaukee, plus grande ville de l’État du Wisconsin, conjugue harmonieusement tradition et modernité. Jadis cité industrielle, celle que l’on surnomme Brew City (ville de la bière) en raison de ses anciennes brasseries réputées dans le monde entier, affiche un certain renouveau. Si dans le centre-ville, les entrepôts ont laissé place à des restaurants, bars, théâtres et galeries d’art, le quartier conserve néanmoins les traces de son passé manufacturier. Plus au sud, Chicago, centre économique du Midwest, offre un intéressant mélange de paysages naturels et urbains : ses immenses gratte-ciel, son architecture multiple, ses nombreux parcs et ses magnifiques plages font de la ville une destination prisée.
Iconic Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls — actually a group of three waterfalls on the Niagara River between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario — has enthralled visitors with their beauty and power for generations. Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side of the border, is the largest of the three and is the most powerful waterfall in North America. The falls are also among the most romantic, photographed, and painted landscapes in the world, attracting the attention of artists from the Hudson River School to modern filmmakers, and becoming a favorite destination for honeymooners ever since Aaron Burr's daughter vacationed here in 1801 with her new husband.
From the pier in Port Colborne, travel by motorcoach through the fertile agricultural valley of the Niagara River. You will pass through Chippawa, site of an important battle in the War of 1812, before driving along the rim of Horseshoe Falls as you make your way to Hornblower Landing. Here you board a specially designed vessel for an exciting 20-minute excursion that brings you within feet of Horseshoe Falls and its misty spray.
- This is an easy and relaxed tour, requiring virtually no walking other than to and from your coach and the ships. We recommend layered clothing and protection from the sun
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Georgian Bay Discovery
Georgian Bay is home to the largest freshwater archipelago in the world. Known locally as ‘The Thirty Thousand Islands', the geology of the archipelago is a complex intertwining of bays, inlets, sounds, islands and shoals, lying along the southern edge of the Precambrian Canadian Shield. The topography supports a rich variety of forests, wetlands, and rocky habitats, supporting an abundant biodiversity.
This excursion consists of a cruise through the heart of this marvelous natural treasure aboard the Island Queen, 132-foot cruise ship, specially designed to operate in these waters. The ship features comfortable seating and large viewing windows, spacious outside observation decks, wheelchair accessible washrooms, a snack bar, and a bar. Passengers are free to move about during the cruise.
In the course of the cruise, your experienced captain will bring the ship close to some of the islands so you can appreciate how remarkably varied they are — some boasting lush forests, others little more than barren rock. As the ship meanders past granite shoals and into narrow channels you will discover why this unique ecosystem has earned a UNESCO designation as a World Biosphere Reserve.
- This is an easy and relaxed tour, requiring virtually no walking other than to and from your ship and the tour ship. We recommend layered clothing and protection from the sun and rain.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Killbear Provincial Park
Located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Killbear Provincial Park is home to a vast variety of landscapes, ranging from rocky outcroppings to soft sandy beaches and thick green forests. It is also home to a rich diversity of shoreline ecosystems, created by the fluctuating water levels of the Great Lakes.
On a one and a half hour walking tour through the park, learn about Killbear’s gneiss rock (not granite), once buried deep under a mountain range that rivalled the Himalayas in size. Also learn to read the signs of glacial scouring on the rock, as you explore the park and its mix of beaches, rugged shoreline, windswept pines and views of the ‘The Thirty Thousand Islands', the world's largest freshwater archipelago.
Continue to the Visitor Center for splendid views of Georgian Bay and for its exhibits explaining local flora and fauna, as well as the history and geology of the area. The center has adopted a live Massasauga rattlesnake and an Eastern fox-snake, both classed as species at risk, as the unofficial mascots of Killbear. You are free to explore the Visitor Center on your own.
- This tour involves approximately 1.8 miles of walking on forest trail and polished rocks. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. The trail can be slippery when wet.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Kayaking the Kagawong
A 30-minute drive from the pier brings you to the village of Kagawong, where you will meet your kayaking instructors for a safety briefing and an orientation to Lake Kagawong and the Kagawong River, which connects the lake to the North Channel of Lake Huron.
You will be kayaking on the upper part of the Kagawong River, which flows in a northerly direction out of the Lake and passes under a highway bridge just above Bridal Veil Falls. Here the water is calm, the current is gentle, and the wetlands on either side of the river provide cover from prevailing westerly winds. The water is no more than 5 feet deep. While paddling on these clean, cool waters, you might see beaver, muskrat and waterfowl migrating from the Canadian Arctic to warmer winter climates in the south.
At the conclusion of the kayaking experience, you will walk the riverside trail to the viewing platform for Bridal Veil Falls. Not only will you have a great view on the falls, but since your visit is in late September, you may well witness a salmon run of thousands of fish.
On the way back to Little Current, you will stop at Chocolate Works, a family-owned business, where you can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and reward your kayaking efforts with a taste of small batch Manitoulin Chocolate.
- All participants will be asked to sign a waiver. Life-jackets are provided and must be worn. Wear clothing you do not mind getting wet. There will be one instructor for every six paddlers participating. There is a choice between one and two-seater kayaks. Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
The Indigenous Culture of Manitoulin
Manitoulin Island is the world’s largest freshwater island and home to the thriving Native American community of the M’Chigeeng First Nation. This excursion provides an introduction to this community and to the traditions they celebrate.
Your exploration begins after a brief drive that brings you to the Immaculate Conception Church, a spiritual focal point that incorporates beliefs and customs from both the native Ojibwe culture and the Catholic Church. Across the street from the church is the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, established in 1974 in an effort to maintain the Ojibwe language and cultural heritage. Tour this state-of-the-art museum and art gallery, and browse the gift shop where you can observe traditional crafts like bead working and the art of making dreamcatchers.
Following a smudging ceremony (cleansing and healing ritual) in the amphitheater, your visit culminates with a traditional ceremony of dance, drumming, and song. Called “Pow-Wow” by the Native American people, it is a way for them to honor their culture and heritage, as well as a secular tradition helping to gather people from different countries together.
The excursion concludes with a 30-minute return drive to Little Current, where you are invited to stroll the beautiful waterfront boardwalk and visit the quaint downtown shops.
- In order to avoid congestion at the different sites, the order of the visits might vary.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Tahquamenon Falls & Shipwrecks Museum
A short drive from the pier is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, where you must disembark the coach with your passport to clear immigration. Once formalities are completed, reboard your coach for a 90-minute scenic drive to Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
On arrival, follow your guide to the Upper Falls, where a paved walkway provides accessible viewing opportunities of the 50-foot-tall, 200-foot-wide waterfall. If you are adventurous, you may walk 94 steps down (and up again) for a truly up-close experience at the brink of the falls.
Before lunch at the local pub, walk along a paved path that meanders through a forest of sugar maple, beech, and hemlock trees, where you may see chipmunks, red squirrels, and white-tailed deer, not to mention black-capped chickadees, owls, woodpeckers, and other birds.
A short drive will bring you to the Lower Falls, which are easily viewed from a paved walkway. A half-mile long boardwalk leads through thick forest, ending up at a viewing platform where you are close enough to feel the mist from the waterfall.
Your next visit is at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum on the shores of Lake Superior at Whitefish Bay. Visit the lightkeeper's quarters at historic Whitefish Point, site of the original U.S. Coast Guard Crews Quarters, constructed in 1923 for the Whitefish Point Lifeboat Rescue Station. Those who wish can climb the lighthouse tower. Or you may stroll along the shoreline, where First Nation Ojibwe and French explorers gathered nearly 400 years ago. The Edmund Fitzgerald was one of the largest freighters sailing the Great Lakes when it sunk during a fierce storm in November 1975. All 29 crew were lost. The ship’s bell has been retrieved and is on display at the museum.
- U.S. immigration formalities cannot be done on the ship or at the port, but exclusively at the U.S. border. You must bring your passport with you. This tour involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Lake Superior: Soo Locks & SS Valley Camp
A short drive from the pier is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, where you must disembark the coach with your passport to clear immigration. Once formalities are completed, re-board your coach for the drive to the Sault Lock Viewing Station and Interpretive Center. Here you will experience the engineering marvel that is the Soo Locks through numerous exhibits that chronicle their construction.
After this visit, return to the port for lunch onboard your ship.
In the afternoon visit the Valley Camp Museum Ship, an actual lake freighter that served on the Great Lakes for almost 50 years. As a museum, the SS Valley Camp is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will have the opportunity to explore every nook and cranny of the ship and discover that its massive cargo holds contain 20,000 square feet of exhibits, displaying hundreds of artifacts, paintings, and other items related to the rich maritime history of Lake Superior, including two lifeboats from the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
Next door to the Valley Camp is the pier where you will board your chartered SOO Locks boat. Cruise along the St. Mary’s River until you reach the Soo Locks, where your boat is raised 21 feet to enable it to enter Lake Superior. Leaving the locks, you pass under the International Bridge and Railroad Bridge and cross into Canadian waters to see Canada’s largest steel plant in operation today. Heading back to U.S. waters, you will return to the lower harbor via the historic Canadian Lock, and sail past St. Mary’s rapids to Sault Ste. Marie.
When you disembark your cruise, you can walk back to your ship.
- U.S. immigration formalities cannot be done on the ship or at the port, but exclusively at the U.S. border. You must bring your passport with you. This tour involves approximately 0.6 miles of walking and some steps.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Highlights of Mackinac Island
Your tour of Mackinac Island offers an overview of the historical and cultural significance of this small island in the straits separating Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, including the living museum at Fort Mackinac and the iconic Grand Hotel.
Disembarking your tenders at the main dock, you will board horse-drawn carriages for a narrated tour of the island, including a drive past the Grand Hotel. Constructed in the late 19th century, the Hotel has played host to, among many others, five U.S. presidents, inventor Thomas Edison, and author Mark Twain. Continuing your tour, you pause at Arch Rock, one of the most photographed spots on the island, to enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Huron. At Surrey Hill, you explore the Carriage Museum before proceeding to historic Fort Mackinac.
Fort Mackinac was the site of an important battle during the War of 1812, and throughout the 19th-century, it remained an army outpost housing soldiers and their families. It is now a living museum with exhibits and live re-enactments that illustrate what life was like for the women, men, and children who lived here — from military training and battles to medical treatments to the challenges of family life.
At end of the tour, you may either ride or walk down the hill to the waterfront, where you will have some time at leisure to explore the shops, and perhaps sample some of the world-famous Mackinac Island Fudge.
- This is an easy and relaxed tour, requiring little walking other than to and from your carriage and the ship. We recommend layered clothing and protection from the sun and rain.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Le Dumont-d’Urville fait partie d’une nouvelle génération de navires dotés d’équipements innovants et respectueux de l’environnement, de salons largement ouverts sur l’extérieur, une piscine extérieure et d’un Blue Eye, salon sous-marin multisensoriel. Le tout, pour une expérience de croisière hors du commun. Il est désormais possible de partir à l’aventure dans les endroits les plus reculés de la planète à bord d’un navire aux prestations luxueuses.
Jusqu'à 184 passagers
92 cabines & suites
118 membres d'équipage
Spa
2 restaurants
Les ponts
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys have organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included features:
- A programme of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Toronto to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Dumont-d’Urville, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Milwaukee at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Programme is subject to change without notice
Conférencier
À bord de votre navire, un conférencier francophone vous propose un éclairage culturel et historique pour approfondir votre connaissance de la destination : origine des traditions locales, histoire des sites emblématiques, évocation de personnages célèbres et des grandes épopées historiques…. Lors de conférences à bord ou de vos sorties à terre, cet expert vous accompagnera tout au long de votre croisière PONANT pour partager avec vous son précieux savoir.
Nos prestations complémentaires
Iconic Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls — actually a group of three waterfalls on the Niagara River between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario — has enthralled visitors with their beauty and power for generations. Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side of the border, is the largest of the three and is the most powerful waterfall in North America. The falls are also among the most romantic, photographed, and painted landscapes in the world, attracting the attention of artists from the Hudson River School to modern filmmakers, and becoming a favorite destination for honeymooners ever since Aaron Burr's daughter vacationed here in 1801 with her new husband.
From the pier in Port Colborne, travel by motorcoach through the fertile agricultural valley of the Niagara River. You will pass through Chippawa, site of an important battle in the War of 1812, before driving along the rim of Horseshoe Falls as you make your way to Hornblower Landing. Here you board a specially designed vessel for an exciting 20-minute excursion that brings you within feet of Horseshoe Falls and its misty spray.
- This is an easy and relaxed tour, requiring virtually no walking other than to and from your coach and the ships. We recommend layered clothing and protection from the sun
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Georgian Bay Discovery
Georgian Bay is home to the largest freshwater archipelago in the world. Known locally as ‘The Thirty Thousand Islands', the geology of the archipelago is a complex intertwining of bays, inlets, sounds, islands and shoals, lying along the southern edge of the Precambrian Canadian Shield. The topography supports a rich variety of forests, wetlands, and rocky habitats, supporting an abundant biodiversity.
This excursion consists of a cruise through the heart of this marvelous natural treasure aboard the Island Queen, 132-foot cruise ship, specially designed to operate in these waters. The ship features comfortable seating and large viewing windows, spacious outside observation decks, wheelchair accessible washrooms, a snack bar, and a bar. Passengers are free to move about during the cruise.
In the course of the cruise, your experienced captain will bring the ship close to some of the islands so you can appreciate how remarkably varied they are — some boasting lush forests, others little more than barren rock. As the ship meanders past granite shoals and into narrow channels you will discover why this unique ecosystem has earned a UNESCO designation as a World Biosphere Reserve.
- This is an easy and relaxed tour, requiring virtually no walking other than to and from your ship and the tour ship. We recommend layered clothing and protection from the sun and rain.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Killbear Provincial Park
Located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Killbear Provincial Park is home to a vast variety of landscapes, ranging from rocky outcroppings to soft sandy beaches and thick green forests. It is also home to a rich diversity of shoreline ecosystems, created by the fluctuating water levels of the Great Lakes.
On a one and a half hour walking tour through the park, learn about Killbear’s gneiss rock (not granite), once buried deep under a mountain range that rivalled the Himalayas in size. Also learn to read the signs of glacial scouring on the rock, as you explore the park and its mix of beaches, rugged shoreline, windswept pines and views of the ‘The Thirty Thousand Islands', the world's largest freshwater archipelago.
Continue to the Visitor Center for splendid views of Georgian Bay and for its exhibits explaining local flora and fauna, as well as the history and geology of the area. The center has adopted a live Massasauga rattlesnake and an Eastern fox-snake, both classed as species at risk, as the unofficial mascots of Killbear. You are free to explore the Visitor Center on your own.
- This tour involves approximately 1.8 miles of walking on forest trail and polished rocks. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. The trail can be slippery when wet.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Kayaking the Kagawong
A 30-minute drive from the pier brings you to the village of Kagawong, where you will meet your kayaking instructors for a safety briefing and an orientation to Lake Kagawong and the Kagawong River, which connects the lake to the North Channel of Lake Huron.
You will be kayaking on the upper part of the Kagawong River, which flows in a northerly direction out of the Lake and passes under a highway bridge just above Bridal Veil Falls. Here the water is calm, the current is gentle, and the wetlands on either side of the river provide cover from prevailing westerly winds. The water is no more than 5 feet deep. While paddling on these clean, cool waters, you might see beaver, muskrat and waterfowl migrating from the Canadian Arctic to warmer winter climates in the south.
At the conclusion of the kayaking experience, you will walk the riverside trail to the viewing platform for Bridal Veil Falls. Not only will you have a great view on the falls, but since your visit is in late September, you may well witness a salmon run of thousands of fish.
On the way back to Little Current, you will stop at Chocolate Works, a family-owned business, where you can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and reward your kayaking efforts with a taste of small batch Manitoulin Chocolate.
- All participants will be asked to sign a waiver. Life-jackets are provided and must be worn. Wear clothing you do not mind getting wet. There will be one instructor for every six paddlers participating. There is a choice between one and two-seater kayaks. Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
The Indigenous Culture of Manitoulin
Manitoulin Island is the world’s largest freshwater island and home to the thriving Native American community of the M’Chigeeng First Nation. This excursion provides an introduction to this community and to the traditions they celebrate.
Your exploration begins after a brief drive that brings you to the Immaculate Conception Church, a spiritual focal point that incorporates beliefs and customs from both the native Ojibwe culture and the Catholic Church. Across the street from the church is the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, established in 1974 in an effort to maintain the Ojibwe language and cultural heritage. Tour this state-of-the-art museum and art gallery, and browse the gift shop where you can observe traditional crafts like bead working and the art of making dreamcatchers.
Following a smudging ceremony (cleansing and healing ritual) in the amphitheater, your visit culminates with a traditional ceremony of dance, drumming, and song. Called “Pow-Wow” by the Native American people, it is a way for them to honor their culture and heritage, as well as a secular tradition helping to gather people from different countries together.
The excursion concludes with a 30-minute return drive to Little Current, where you are invited to stroll the beautiful waterfront boardwalk and visit the quaint downtown shops.
- In order to avoid congestion at the different sites, the order of the visits might vary.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Tahquamenon Falls & Shipwrecks Museum
A short drive from the pier is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, where you must disembark the coach with your passport to clear immigration. Once formalities are completed, reboard your coach for a 90-minute scenic drive to Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
On arrival, follow your guide to the Upper Falls, where a paved walkway provides accessible viewing opportunities of the 50-foot-tall, 200-foot-wide waterfall. If you are adventurous, you may walk 94 steps down (and up again) for a truly up-close experience at the brink of the falls.
Before lunch at the local pub, walk along a paved path that meanders through a forest of sugar maple, beech, and hemlock trees, where you may see chipmunks, red squirrels, and white-tailed deer, not to mention black-capped chickadees, owls, woodpeckers, and other birds.
A short drive will bring you to the Lower Falls, which are easily viewed from a paved walkway. A half-mile long boardwalk leads through thick forest, ending up at a viewing platform where you are close enough to feel the mist from the waterfall.
Your next visit is at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum on the shores of Lake Superior at Whitefish Bay. Visit the lightkeeper's quarters at historic Whitefish Point, site of the original U.S. Coast Guard Crews Quarters, constructed in 1923 for the Whitefish Point Lifeboat Rescue Station. Those who wish can climb the lighthouse tower. Or you may stroll along the shoreline, where First Nation Ojibwe and French explorers gathered nearly 400 years ago. The Edmund Fitzgerald was one of the largest freighters sailing the Great Lakes when it sunk during a fierce storm in November 1975. All 29 crew were lost. The ship’s bell has been retrieved and is on display at the museum.
- U.S. immigration formalities cannot be done on the ship or at the port, but exclusively at the U.S. border. You must bring your passport with you. This tour involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Lake Superior: Soo Locks & SS Valley Camp
A short drive from the pier is the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, where you must disembark the coach with your passport to clear immigration. Once formalities are completed, re-board your coach for the drive to the Sault Lock Viewing Station and Interpretive Center. Here you will experience the engineering marvel that is the Soo Locks through numerous exhibits that chronicle their construction.
After this visit, return to the port for lunch onboard your ship.
In the afternoon visit the Valley Camp Museum Ship, an actual lake freighter that served on the Great Lakes for almost 50 years. As a museum, the SS Valley Camp is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will have the opportunity to explore every nook and cranny of the ship and discover that its massive cargo holds contain 20,000 square feet of exhibits, displaying hundreds of artifacts, paintings, and other items related to the rich maritime history of Lake Superior, including two lifeboats from the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
Next door to the Valley Camp is the pier where you will board your chartered SOO Locks boat. Cruise along the St. Mary’s River until you reach the Soo Locks, where your boat is raised 21 feet to enable it to enter Lake Superior. Leaving the locks, you pass under the International Bridge and Railroad Bridge and cross into Canadian waters to see Canada’s largest steel plant in operation today. Heading back to U.S. waters, you will return to the lower harbor via the historic Canadian Lock, and sail past St. Mary’s rapids to Sault Ste. Marie.
When you disembark your cruise, you can walk back to your ship.
- U.S. immigration formalities cannot be done on the ship or at the port, but exclusively at the U.S. border. You must bring your passport with you. This tour involves approximately 0.6 miles of walking and some steps.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.
Highlights of Mackinac Island
Your tour of Mackinac Island offers an overview of the historical and cultural significance of this small island in the straits separating Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, including the living museum at Fort Mackinac and the iconic Grand Hotel.
Disembarking your tenders at the main dock, you will board horse-drawn carriages for a narrated tour of the island, including a drive past the Grand Hotel. Constructed in the late 19th century, the Hotel has played host to, among many others, five U.S. presidents, inventor Thomas Edison, and author Mark Twain. Continuing your tour, you pause at Arch Rock, one of the most photographed spots on the island, to enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Huron. At Surrey Hill, you explore the Carriage Museum before proceeding to historic Fort Mackinac.
Fort Mackinac was the site of an important battle during the War of 1812, and throughout the 19th-century, it remained an army outpost housing soldiers and their families. It is now a living museum with exhibits and live re-enactments that illustrate what life was like for the women, men, and children who lived here — from military training and battles to medical treatments to the challenges of family life.
At end of the tour, you may either ride or walk down the hill to the waterfront, where you will have some time at leisure to explore the shops, and perhaps sample some of the world-famous Mackinac Island Fudge.
- This is an easy and relaxed tour, requiring little walking other than to and from your carriage and the ship. We recommend layered clothing and protection from the sun and rain.
Inclus
Selon disponibilités, tarif par passager.