At 11 a.m. Friday, the Victory II sailed into Pool 6, marking the start of Thunder Bay’s cruise ship season.
The city expects to welcome ten visits from cruise liners this summer. According to Thunder Bay Tourism Manager Paul Pepe, that means over 3,000 visitors and an estimated $1.5 million in tourism dollars for our economy.
“Our guests, predominately from the United States, are going to be experiencing things like Fort William Historical Park, Kakabeka Falls and the Alexander Henry Museum right next to port,” Pepe said. “When Thunder Bay is included in their marketing programs, that elevates our reputation as a destination beyond just cruising.”
Thunder Bay first opened the Pool 6 port to cruise ships in 2022.
“The cruise ship industry has grown so rapidly in the city. You can see the exuberance of so many people in the community who understand the economic value and spill off. This is not a one-time event. We’re in for the long run,” Boshcoff said.
The Victory II is in town until 10 p.m. Friday night, where she will set sail for Sault Ste. Marie on her journey of Lake Superior.
“Thunder Bay is one of the best spots in Lake Superior,” Victory II Captain Vlad Enena said. “It’s a very nice pier, one of the best in all of the Great Lakes for docking.”
