Summer Cool on the Great Lakes

Viking Polaris Cruise Review to River Cruises - United States

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 3
Helpful Votes: 159

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Verified Review
Viking Polaris

14 Night Great Lakes Collection (Duluth To Toronto)

Sail date: June 24, 2023

Ship: Viking Polaris

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 4058

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

See all 5 Great Lakes! Learn things you never knew about America. Stay cool in the summer. Enjiy the beautiful summer scenery of trees, flowers, water sports, and small and big cities on the lakes. Appreciate what we have!

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Dont try to be 1st in line at 11am. Wait until 1pm or later...no one in line. Tender to ship in Duluth...it is anchored in the harbor. Simple and easy.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
We love the World Cafe. Plenty of choices of excellent food. You control your portions. Deserts are always multiple choice and superb.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
Liv spa is the best! Highly recommend booking multple treatments. Maximize your time in the pool, steam rooms, and snow room.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Pianists and duo entertainers are multi-talented and enjoyable. From smooth jazz to easy pop to rock n roll, they sing and play the piano delightfully.

Children's Programs

No one under 18 allowed.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Always attentive.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Recommend cabins on level 4...1 floor up to World Cafe. Only 2 floors down to the spa and pool.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Lots of storage. Comfortable bedding. Love the window that slides down waist-high...to enjoy the outdoors. The largest 270 sq.ft. anywhere! Love the heared bathroom floor and built-in wireless charger in bedside table.

Ship tip

Walking about town can be more enjoyable than an included 3-hour bus tour of 2 hours driving there and back.

Ports of call

DULUTH, MINNESOTA

5 out of 5
No excursion. Arrived 2 days early. Rented car and drove about 2 hours to Minneapolis.

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

5 out of 5
Beautiful scenery.

CRUISE LAKE SUPERIOR, GREAT LAKES, USA

5 out of 5

SAULT SAINT MARIE, ONTARIO, CANADA

5 out of 5

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI

5 out of 5
Skip the excursions. Walkable town. Have lunch at The Grand Hotel !

DOOR PENINSULA (ALGOMA), WISCONSIN

5 out of 5
Beautiful. Visit the NOAA museum and learn about the Great Lakes history and shipwrecks.

ALPENA, MICHIGAN

5 out of 5

GEORGIAN BAY, CANADA

5 out of 5

WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA Did not visit port

Changed to Detroit...opposite side of river. Lengthy exercise waiting in line, then on buses, for 2 hours, to simply go 200 ft to US border patrol.

CLEVELAND, OHIO

5 out of 5
Highly recommend walking around town and enjoy the architecture and green spaces...well done. Reserve at least 3 hours to visit 5-story RocknRoll Hall of Fame. Will bring tears to your eyes and lovely memories to your ears! Bucket list top 10!

PORT COLBORNE, ONTARIO, CANADA

5 out of 5
Go to Niagra Falls or stay in Port Colborne and visit the Canalside Restaurant...wonderful choices of comfort food. Or visit the nearby Maritime Museum...life in the 1850s buildings. Fascinating history of the city!

WELLAND CANAL, CANADA

5 out of 5
Beautiful, peaceful.

Toronto, Ontario

5 out of 5
Modern, fascinating city. Beautiful, busy harbor with ferries and water taxis 15 minutes to the island. So many things to do...gardens, bike riding, Distillery District music, food fanatics must visit Lawrence Street market...be amazed at the variety of food. Very walkable city. Enjoyed the hopon-hopoff cury tour. Highly recommended city to visit. We like the Westin Harbor Castle for the harbor views.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Simple. Debarked. Took Uber to Westin from Port of Toronto...about 20 minutes.
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5 Comments

AuntPinkie    1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed review. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

javawoody    1 year ago

Sounds wonderful

karlgrgurich    1 year ago

Wonderful! That does look like a nice cruise!!

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

cruising2004    1 year ago

Great detailed review! What a wonderful way to see other parts of the United States. Thank you for sharing your cruising experience.