Cruise & Cruise Line

Great Lakes Cruise Industry Issues COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Image: Red lighthouse on Lake Michigan at sunrise in Milwaukee, WI (photo via AMCImages / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Red lighthouse on Lake Michigan at sunrise in Milwaukee, WI (photo via AMCImages / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Lacey Pfalz
by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 12:40 AM ET, Fri August 21, 2020

Cruise the Great Lakes (CTGL), a coalition made up of cruise lines, ports, convention and visitor bureaus along with states and provinces near the Great Lakes to help grow the local tourism industry, has issued new safety guidelines for 2021 that all members are to follow to ensure a safe cruise year.

CTGL members and partners agreed to several preventative measures, such as social distancing, health screenings, enhanced sanitation procedures, streamlined check-ins, crew and staff training and PPE, among other things.

This doesn't just apply to cruise ships on the Great Lakes, either.

Convention and visitor centers will take enhanced precautions, such as wearing PPE and doing more rigorous and frequent cleanings.

Cruise the Great Lakes began in 2018 and generated $11 million in economic impact in the Great Lakes region that year alone. This year, 100,000 visitors were expected to come to the region, with 66 cruises planned.

CTGL includes two cruise lines: Victory Cruise Line and Pearl Seas Cruises; two Canadian provinces, Ontario and Quebec; along with five states: Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Lacey Pfalz

Lacey Pfalz

Senior Editor, News & Features

Lacey Pfalz is Associate Editor at TravelPulse. She's a passionate advocate of responsible travel and believes the best travel experiences happen outside of a planned itinerary. Lacey currently lives in rural Wisconsin. She can be reached at [email protected].

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
ALG Vacations® is Powering Up Fall with PartnershipTuesday, September 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
At ALG Vacations®, partnership means deliver smarter tools, stronger resources, and more opportunities...
Upcoming Webinar
Sell More Great Lakes Cruises with Victory Cruise LinesWednesday, September 9, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Cris Desouza, VP of Sales, and Barbara Davis, Director of Sales, for an inside look at what’s new...
Upcoming Webinar
Beyond the Ship: Maximizing Pre and Post Cruise ExperiencesThursday, September 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover how to enhance the cruise experience with strategic pre and post cruise planning. Learn how...
Upcoming Webinar
ALG Vacations® is Powering Up Fall with PartnershipTuesday, September 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
At ALG Vacations®, partnership means deliver smarter tools, stronger resources, and more opportunities...
Upcoming Webinar
Sell More Great Lakes Cruises with Victory Cruise LinesWednesday, September 9, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Cris Desouza, VP of Sales, and Barbara Davis, Director of Sales, for an inside look at what’s new...
Upcoming Webinar
Beyond the Ship: Maximizing Pre and Post Cruise ExperiencesThursday, September 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover how to enhance the cruise experience with strategic pre and post cruise planning. Learn how...