This will be Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s (TBNMS) fifth year welcoming Viking Expedition ships into the port of Alpena. 

The 665-foot cruise ships carry 378 guests and 256 crew members. The sister-ships Polaris and Octantis each anchor in Thunder Bay and use tender boats to bring guests to shore. They come ashore at The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

TBNMS sets up a visitors table and helps to facilitate excursions. The company Great Lakes Shore Excursions oversees these experiences and hires a local team. Excursion options include adventures such as a tour of the Presque Isle Lighthouses, a guided-nature hike at North Point Nature Preserve, a historic walking tour through the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage center and downtown Alpena, and a trip on the glass-bottom boat to view shipwrecks. A new excursion for 2026 is called ROV in a box which will allow guests to build and drive an ROV in the maker’s space and (weather dependent) the maritime technology training tank.

One of the things that makes Viking Expedition ships unique is their commitment to science and a research partnership with TBNMS.

This season there are 20 visits planned with Viking:

April 21, April 27, April 30, May 5, May 6, May 14, May 20, May 28, June 3, June 7, June 12, June 15, June 27, July 9, July 18, Aug 2, Aug 15, Aug 30, Sept 11, Oct 5 

New in 2026, American Cruise Lines will be visiting the port of Alpena with their ship American Patriot which carries 130 guests and 50 crew members. There are seven visits planned:

June 17, July 16, July 25, Aug 23

The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center remains open to the public during all cruise visits. Oftentimes special exhibits, such as a sea lamprey table from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and/or a display from the National Weather Service, are set up in the center for all to enjoy.