American Cruise Lines adds Toledo, removes Cleveland as stops on Great Lakes itinerary

TOLEDO, Ohio — American Cruise Lines has added Toledo as a port stop on its recently announced Great Lakes cruises, set to debut in 2026 – while removing Cleveland from the itinerary. 

According to the cruise line’s website, Toledo was given the “Day 3” spot on the course, which begins in Buffalo and ends in Milwaukee over the course of 14 days. It says the Toledo stop will provide travelers with a “unique blend of maritime charm and Midwestern hospitality.” It makes mention of the Toledo Museum of the Art, the National Museum of the Great Lakes and Fort Meigs as attractions to visit. 

American Cruise Lines’ Great Lakes cruises encompass three itineraries and will begin in June, 2026. 

As for Cleveland, the cruise line announced in late September that two of its Great Lakes itineraries would make stops in Cleveland – the aforementioned Buffalo to Milwaukee trip, as well as the start and end point for a Cleveland to Oswego trip – but it has since been removed from both trips. 

WTOL 11 sister station 3News in Cleveland contacted the Port of Cleveland, which told the station that American Cruise Lines’ planned expansion to Cleveland will not take place in 2026 “for a variety of reasons.” Port officials said they “look forward to working with them (American Cruise Lines) to add Cleveland in future years.”

The full statement from the Port of Cleveland is included below:

“The Port of Cleveland welcomed a record number of cruise ships to Cleveland’s harbor in 2025, and we are excited to shatter more records in 2026 as we showcase our incredible city. For a variety of reasons, American Cruise Lines planned expansion to Cleveland will not take place in 2026, although we look forward to working with them to add Cleveland in future years.”  

Toledo’s port only recently welcomed its first cruise vessel in years: The Victory I docked at One Maritime Plaza on May 29, bringing with it 200 passengers. According to Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, the event marked the first time a cruise ship docked in Toledo in more than 20 years. 

American Cruise Lines’ three Great Lakes cruises include the following itineraries, as of Nov. 17:

American Great Lakes Cruise

• Buffalo, NY
• Toledo, OH
• Detroit, MI
• Alpena, MI
• Sault Ste. Marie, MI
• Mackinac Island, MI
• Muskegon, MI
• Holland, MI
• Milwaukee, WI

Great Lakes & Thousand Islands Cruise

• Syracuse, NY
• Clayton, NY
• Ogdensburg, NY
• Rochester, NY
• Welland Canal
• Buffalo, NY

Lake Michigan & Upper Peninsula Cruise

• Milwaukee, WI
• Sheboygan, WI
• Escanaba, MI
• Green Bay, WI,
• Muskegon, MI
• Milwaukee, WI