MUSKEGON, Mich — The summer of 2021 was going to be a record year for Muskegon's port, with nearly 50 stops from cruise ships touring the Great Lakes.
That was pre-COVID-19, when the number of passengers cruising on the Great Lakes from Toronto to Chicago was showing steady year-over-year growth.
In 2020 all of the planned stops to Muskegon County's cruise ship dock at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon were canceled. This summer, economic and tourism leaders are hoping for 20 visits now that the cruise ship operators have released their 2021 itineraries.
"We understand anything can happen," said Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Larsen. "The plan right now is for the ships to start later in the season because by then most people will be vaccinated."
Visit Muskegon is planning for the first cruise ship of 2021 to be the Pearl Mist on June 8. The Victory I, Victory II, and Le Champlain have also requested moorings at the cruise ship dock. The Le Champlain is scheduled to be the last ship of the season on Oct. 14.
"As of right now we have 20 reservations from cruise ships. They're very prepared to take care of their passengers safely however they'll have to get into the Great Lakes and that's still questionable."
Larsen worries about the impact of lingering travel restrictions in U.S. or Canada as June approaches, as well as the impact those restrictions could have on the 2021 Great Lakes cruise ship season.
"It's a complicated process because both the United States and Canada have to give approval," said Larsen.
Cities like Muskegon, Milwaukee and Mackinac Island have benefited from the increase in cruise ship passengers over the last five years, as have a number of Canadian ports along the routes.
As the travel industry bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, Larsen believes travelers may find comfort in cruising closer to home and on smaller ships.
"Everyone is working towards a season this year, but we are realistic as well," said Larsen. "Like everything else, we're working to see what we can do and we'll just change our plans if need be."
The Pear Mist was the first cruise ship to stop in Muskegon in 2015.
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