Milwaukee’s South Shore Cruise Dock Project Officially Breaks Ground!

On September 4th, officials gathered at Port Milwaukee in Wisconsin to launch the long-awaited South Shore Cruise Dock project. The construction begins on newly reclaimed land adjacent to the Lake Express Ferry terminal, with an estimated cost of $17 million. The new deepwater berth, located at 2320 South Lincoln Memorial Drive, is expected to be ready by June 2026, right in time for the new cruise season.

Designed to accommodate Seawaymax-class vessels—the largest ships that can pass through the St. Lawrence Seaway locks—the dock will enhance Milwaukee’s existing cruise infrastructure, which includes the Pier Wisconsin terminal near Discovery World. This new facility will provide a better departure point compared to the City Heavy Lift Dock at Jones Island, where Viking Cruises has temporarily docked in recent years.

Port Milwaukee Director Jackie Q. Carter indicated that the 2024 cruise season resulted in 22 cruise calls, bringing 13,500 passengers to the city, all through turnaround operations where passengers embark and disembark. The 2025 schedule shows promising growth with 55 cruise visits planned, including transit calls that allow ships to dock for sightseeing.

Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith shared that cruise-related tourism in 2024 generated approximately $2.5 million for the local economy, with projections for this figure to rise to $3.5 million in the following season. This economic boost is attributed to spending in hotels, restaurants, attractions, and small businesses, further supported by local employment in these sectors. A Port Milwaukee study noted that between 2022 and 2024, cruise passengers contributed a total of $7.2 million to the economy.

Funding for the cruise dock has come from diverse sources: a $3.5 million Wisconsin Capital Tourism Grant, a $500,000 Harbor Assistance Grant from the state’s Department of Transportation, $5 million from the City of Milwaukee, alongside additional funds from the Port.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, attendees included Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, and Alderman Marina Dimitrijevic. The mayor remarked that this project will solidify Milwaukee’s status as a travel destination and enhance Wisconsin’s tourism reputation, ensuring that the benefits reach beyond the local area. With initial planning dating back several years and a revised completion target of 2026, the construction of the South Shore Cruise Dock marks a significant advancement for the city’s port facilities.

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