A Great Lakes Cruise With Smithsonian Journeys: Luxury Cruising Close to Home

For travelers who love cruising but are no longer interested in crossing oceans or managing long-haul flights, this itinerary offers a thoughtfully designed way to explore closer to home—without sacrificing comfort, enrichment, or depth of experience.

In August 2026, Ponant’s elegant small ship Le Bellot will sail a nine-day journey through the heart of the Great Lakes region—from Toronto to Milwaukee—in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys. This is a culturally rich voyage that combines scenic cruising, historic waterways, and expert-led enrichment in a format that feels both approachable and rewarding.

Why Smithsonian Journeys Sailings Feel Different

Ponant is a French luxury cruise line, but its Smithsonian Journeys departures are specially tailored for English-speaking travelers and tend to attract a predominantly American onboard audience. The big differentiator is the enrichment: Smithsonian Journeys experts sail with you, offering lectures and discussions that deepen the experience in every destination.

This is not theoretical for us. Carol and I personally sailed aboard a Ponant Smithsonian Journeys cruise in Europe, and the enrichment component was one of the strongest we’ve experienced at sea. The caliber of the lecturers, the access to meaningful discussion, and the way the program added context to each day truly set these sailings apart.

Here’s our firsthand review from that sailing:

Read our Ponant Smithsonian Journeys experience aboard Le Lapérouse

Itinerary Highlights: Toronto to Milwaukee in Nine Days

This route showcases the Great Lakes as both a natural wonder and a living chapter of North American history—combining scenic cruising with ports that deliver culture, heritage, and memorable landscapes.

• Toronto: Embark in Canada’s most cosmopolitan city, with time to explore world-class museums and neighborhoods.
• Welland Canal: A fascinating transit through the locks connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
• Port Colborne: Your gateway to Niagara Falls, included as part of the program.
• Detroit River and St. Clair River: Scenic cruising past an important commercial waterway and historic corridor.
• Lake Huron: Beautiful coastal landscapes, plus calls in Parry Sound and Little Current (Manitoulin Island).
• Sault Ste. Marie: Transit the Soo Locks and connect with the story of Great Lakes shipping.
• Mackinac Island: A step back in time with Victorian architecture and car-free charm.
• Lake Michigan: A full-length sail of this “inland sea” before arriving in Milwaukee.

On Smithsonian Journeys departures, Ponant includes transfers, a program of onboard enrichment, and one included excursion in each port of call—a major advantage for travelers who prefer a seamless, well-structured experience.

To learn more about the specifics of this voyage, please CLICK HERE.

Life Aboard Le Bellot

With just 184 guests, Le Bellot offers a refined, uncrowded small-ship atmosphere that’s ideal for travelers who value space, attentive service, and quiet elegance.

• Balcony staterooms and spacious suites
• Thoughtful public spaces designed for conversation and relaxation
• Refined cuisine with French influence
• Gratuities included for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions

To learn more about the Le Bellot, please CLICK HERE.

Exclusive Pricing Advantage for Our Clients

Because we have a group contract with Ponant, we can offer pricing that is meaningfully lower than what travelers will see online for the same sailing and the same categories.

For example, the Deluxe Suite pricing illustrates the value clearly:

• Ponant website price: $18,340 per person
• Our group price: $15,682 per person
• Client savings: $2,658 per person
• Plus: $200 per person shipboard credit

For couples, this can represent thousands in savings while keeping the exact same ship, itinerary, and accommodation category.

Why Great Lakes Cruising Is Resonating With Baby Boomer Travelers

We’re seeing continued demand for itineraries that deliver meaningful experiences without overseas logistics. Great Lakes cruising is particularly appealing for travelers who:

• Prefer to stay closer to home while still enjoying a “big journey” feel
• Want an educational component that adds depth to each day
• Appreciate small-ship comfort and a relaxed onboard atmosphere
• Value a well-organized experience with included excursions and transfers

This voyage checks all of those boxes—and the Smithsonian Journeys programming elevates it further.

Next Steps

If this itinerary is on your radar, we recommend moving sooner rather than later. With the sailing already approximately 80% sold out and our group pricing tied to limited allocation, the best approach is to secure your preferred category while it’s still available.

Please call us soon, and we’ll review current availability, confirm pricing, and walk you through the simple steps to place your booking.

How to Book This PONANT Smithsonian Journeys Great Lakes Cruise

If you’d like to experience this Smithsonian Journeys voyage aboard PONANT’s Le Bellot for yourself, we’d be delighted to help.

At Roaming Boomers Travel Services, we’ve personally sailed on PONANT Smithsonian Journeys cruises and can guide you through selecting the right stateroom category, understanding the onboard enrichment, and securing the best available value.

As a Virtuoso Cruise Icon and the top-selling cruise advisor in the Virtuoso Travel Network for the past three years running, we bring unmatched expertise and insider access to your planning. When you book this sailing with us, you’ll also receive $200 per person in shipboard credit, in addition to our exclusive group pricing.

For more information or to begin the booking process, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here). We recommend reaching out soon to secure space while availability remains.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to stay informed about our firsthand cruise reviews, planning insights, exclusive offers, and upcoming group travel opportunities.

This article was written with the aid of ChatGPT. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40

The post Great Lakes Cruise With Smithsonian Journeys appeared first on The Roaming Boomers