Milwaukee sets Great Lakes cruise record with 19,820 visitors
Six cruise lines and 62 ship calls drove a surge in passengers despite the new South Shore dock remaining under construction.
By Julia Wang ·
Milwaukee’s cruise season ended with a new record for passenger volume on the Great Lakes.
The city welcomed 19,820 visitors during the 2026 season. This total surpassed the previous record of 13,568 passengers set in a prior year. The number of ship calls also reached an all-time high, with 62 vessels docking in the city. That figure is more than double the previous record of 27 calls.
The season opened on April 23 with the arrival of the Viking Polaris. It closed on Oct. 31 when the American Patriot departed. Eight distinct cruise ships operated during this period. Port officials had projected 64 calls and 20,000 passengers. The final numbers came in slightly below those estimates but still marked a major increase from 2025. In the previous year, the city recorded about 11,000 passengers across 22 ship calls.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson noted in a statement that the season provided another chance to showcase Milwaukee. She said each ship supports local businesses and restaurants. Johnson added that these visitors contribute to the activity on the city’s waterfront. Port Milwaukee Director Benji Timm said the season demonstrated the port’s growing role in the industry. He thanked cruise line partners and local tourism groups for their help. Timm stated that Port Milwaukee is well positioned to create more opportunities for visitors as interest continues to grow.
Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, said the record season brought the world to the city. She noted that nearly 20,000 visitors had the chance to explore local food, neighborhoods, and cultural institutions. Williams-Smith emphasized the hospitality that makes Milwaukee memorable to these guests.
The 2026 schedule included nine instances where two cruise ships were in port at the same time. There were three dates when three ships were present concurrently. On May 17, the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris docked together for the first time. These are the largest cruise ships operating on the Great Lakes. The season also marked the entry of American Cruise Lines, which began offering Great Lakes itineraries through Milwaukee this year. Six cruise lines called on the port: American, Pearl Seas Cruises, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd, Victory Cruise Lines, and Viking Cruises.
The record-setting season occurred without the use of the new South Shore Cruise Dock. The facility, which costs $17 million, is designed to handle the largest vessels on the Great Lakes. Currently, large ships like the 666-foot Octantis and Polaris must use the industrial Heavy Lift Dock in the inner harbor. Smaller vessels use Pier Wisconsin near Discovery World. Construction on the South Shore dock has faced repeated delays. At an Oct. 8 Harbor Commission meeting, Timm said work was still being completed as the season ended. Port officials had confirmed in September that the dock would not open in time for the 2026 season. The port stated in a November release that construction remains on budget.
Port Milwaukee will release additional data regarding the season’s local economic impact at a later date. A formal opening celebration is planned for the 2027 season. The Viking Octantis is scheduled to be the first vessel to arrive at the new dock on May 8, 2027.
