ST. IGNACE, MI – This summer, cruise ships visiting Mackinac Island will dock in St. Ignace instead, due to repairs needed at the island’s dock, which has been labeled a "public nuisance."
Six cruise lines plan to bring nine ships to Michigan, many of which will stop at Mackinac Island, a favorite destination for cruise passengers. Among these, at least two lines will use St. Ignace’s facilities to anchor and transport visitors to the island via ferry services or tender boats. Notably, Viking Cruises’ larger ships and other smaller vessels had been using the dock in the past, but ongoing maintenance issues mean it won’t be usable again until 2029.
Victory Cruise Lines with its Victory I and Victory II, as well as Pearl Seas Cruises’ Pearl Mist, will dock at the Arnold Transit Co. facilities in St. Ignace. Local officials, including Lora Brown, executive director of the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau, are optimistic that some visitors will appreciate the mainland and create additional local tourism opportunities. There are plans for excursions to engage cruise passengers while they are in port.
The expected boost to the local economy is significant, with an estimation of a $300 million regional economic impact for the 2026 cruising season, according to Cruise the Great Lakes, a regional marketing program.
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