11-night Cruising The Great Lakes: Toronto To Chicago - Westbound

August 25, 2026

Tauck - Cruise Division: Le Bellot for Tauck

Toronto/Chicago

Vacation Offer ID 1615387

Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.

From $10,990

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Cruise Inclusions

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

View the distinctive architectural styles of the Chicago skyline on an informative river cruise in Chicago, hearing the stories behind iconic works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and others
Enjoy an early morning, private opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Gratuities to Tauck Directors, ship staff and local guides
Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $4,893
Two nights in Chicago and Toronto at your choice of hotel pairs; Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park & Fairmont Royal York or Four Seasons Hotel Chicago & Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (additional cost)
Seven nights aboard a Ponant ship, cruising Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Michigan
Architectural cruise & choice of Chicago Art Institute visit or Millennium Park Walking Tour in Chicago
Private off-road adventure at Lake Michigan dunes
On Mackinac Island, choice of horse-drawn carriage or bicycle tour & lunch at the Grand Hotel
In Detroit, choice of city landmarks tour including the Motown Museum, or tour of The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village in Dearborn
Choice of visits to Royal Ontario Museum or Ontario Art Gallery in Toronto
Private boat excursion to Niagara Falls
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
Aboard ship, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are included throughout the day.
28 meals on land and sea; applicable fuel charges, service charges, porterage and taxes

Available Add-Ons

Optional roundtrip airfare from your city Pre or post cruise hotel stay

Destination Guide
Suggested Shore Excursions

Destination	Arrival	Departure
Toronto Toronto 08/25/2026 Tour begins: 5:00 PM, Park Hyatt Toronto or Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. A transfer is included from Lester B. Pearson International Airport to your choice of two premium hotels in the heart of downtown, Park Hyatt Toronto or Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. Settle in and join us for a welcome reception and dinner at Casa Loma, located in midtown Toronto. Meals :D	08/25/2026	08/25/2026
Toronto Toronto 08/26/2026 Drive to Niagara Falls to see the awesome power of the falls up close by boat (rain pancho provided). The falls on the border between the US and Canada – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls – pour 6 million cubic feet of water over their crests every minute, cascading down 170 feet and churning clouds of mist with a roar that can be heard for miles, a stirring experience you'll never forget. Lunch at Queen Victoria Place offers you a taste of the local flavors of the Niagara area with a stunning panoramic backdrop of the Falls. Return to your hotel in Toronto, and the evening is yours. The city is hip, vibrant, and some of its best restaurants and nightlife are close by. Meals :B, L	08/26/2026	08/26/2026
Niagara Falls, ON	08/26/2026	08/26/2026
Toronto Toronto 08/27/2026 Take your choice of sightseeing excursions in Toronto today. A visit to the Royal Ontario Museum offers you the world under one roof, with 40 galleries and a collection of 6 million artifacts of art, culture, and natural history, from dinosaur fossils to African art, Egyptian treasures, South Asian culture, meteorites, giant totem poles, and Canadian history; Visit the Ontario Art Gallery, housing 90,000 works of art from the first century to the present, including major works by Rodin, Picasso, Goya, Tintoretto, Degas, Rothko, and many more; not limited to paintings and sculpture, its collection includes historic objects, architecture, ship models, medieval illuminations, and video art. Your final choice offers you the opportunity to visit St. Lawrence Market - Canada's culinary focal point as well as the city's Distillery District. Once the site of the largest distillery in the world, today the area has transformed into the country's premier arts, culture and entertainment district. Enjoy free time to explore Toronto on your own then embark on Ponant Explorer-Class ship, your home for the next seven nights. This evening, sail Lake Ontario, bound for Cleveland. Meals :B, D	08/27/2026	08/27/2026
Welland Canal Welland Canal 08/28/2026 At Port Weller, your ship enters the Welland Canal, which links Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, for a day spent at sea. The 27-mile canal is a marvel of engineering which allows ships to bypass the Niagara River and Niagara Falls. Through a series of eight locks, your ship rises to a level high enough to cross over the Niagara Escarpment, sometimes called the Backbone of North America, a passage that takes about 11 hours. An onboard lecture on the canal and its history will be provided by an expert on the locks. After passing through the cities of Welland, Thorold, and St. Catherines, the ship emerges at Port Colborne, and sails the length of Lake Erie towards Detroit. Meals :B, L, D	08/28/2026	08/28/2026
Cleveland Cleveland 08/29/2026 Spend a day in Cleveland, Ohio, including an early opening visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Created by combining different elements of jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel and country music, rock and roll has transformed the musical world since its origins in the mid 1950s and helped create some of the biggest acts and musical innovators the world as ever seen including; The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Grateful Dead, Prince, Nirvana, The Foo Fighters and so many more. Explore the halls of this historic and culturally-defining building and learn about the many inductees forever immortalized. Explore the many sights that Cleveland has to offer this afternoon on a choice of excursions including; a sightseeing tour highlighting the city's Golden Age, a visit to Ohio City and Little Italy, a tour focusing on the area settled by the religious group known as the Shakers as well as the utopian vision of the Van Sweringen brothers, or a tour highlighting the "Spirits of Cleveland" including stops at St. James Church, Cleveland's Gold Coast and a local distillery and chocolate shop. Your ship sails to Detroit after dinner onboard ship tonight. Meals :B, L, D	08/29/2026	08/29/2026
Detroit Detroit 08/30/2026 After arriving in Detroit midday, you'll have a choice of activities in and around the city today. Get a guided tour of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village – a.k.a. The Henry Ford – in Dearborn (subject to seasonal closures)... an amazing, award-winning, state-of-the-art museum with interactive exhibits dedicated to innovation, not just in machines, but in trailblazers who shaped the world we live in. In 9 acres of exhibition space you can step aboard the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat; make yourself at home in Buckminster Fuller's autonomous Dymaxion House; discover the science behind Pixar animation and motors that moved the nation; see the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop; Thomas Edison's laboratory, Igor Sikorsky's prototype helicopter, the house Henry Ford was born in, and the courthouse where Lincoln practiced law. Attached to the complex is Greenfield Village, a living museum with costumed interpreters, historic structures, and working steam locomotives. Alternatively, take a guided sightseeing tour of Detroit's famous landmarks, including the Motown Historical Museum, a pair of modest houses where the record company was born in 1959; the Guardian Building, an art deco masterpiece; an eclectic art alley called the Belt; and the award-winning Campus Martius Park, "crossroads of downtown Detroit." Dine aboard ship this evening and depart across Lake Huron, bound for Mackinac Island. Meals :B, L, D	08/30/2026	08/30/2026
Lake Huron Lake Huron 08/31/2026 Spend the day sailing Lake Huron up the scenic east coast of Michigan toward the Mackinac Straits. The eastern shore is called the Sunrise Coast, a long parade of beaches, sand dunes, inlets, small towns, and as many as 30 lighthouses. The vast freshwater lake also encompasses 30,000 islands. Enjoy the amenities aboard the ship, which include an infinity pool with a counter-current swimming system and transparent wall, fitness center, spa, sun deck, and panoramic lounge. Meals :B, L, D	08/31/2026	08/31/2026
Mackinac Island Mackinac Island 09/01/2026 Mackinac Island has been a popular retreat since the 19th century when wealthy industrialists built imposing summer cottages here. The island restricts the use of motor vehicles; except in emergencies, the only way to get around is by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage. It also maintains its period look so well that it feels like a small town serenely lost in time. Take your choice of a carriage ride or a bicycle tour around the island, past impeccable Victorian mansions, the picture-postcard main street of quaint shops and confectioners, out to the fringes of forest, marshes and beaches, and Fort Mackinac, a 19th century military outpost. Lunch is at the palatial Grand Hotel that boasts the longest porch in the world (660 feet); since 1887, the hotel has entertained presidents and their wives; Mark Twain was a frequent guest, as was Thomas Edison – who gave the first demonstration of his phonograph on the porch. Don't leave without sampling the Mackinac Fudge! Enjoy dinner onboard tonight en route to Muskegon. Meals :B, L, D	09/01/2026	09/01/2026
Muskegon Muskegon 09/02/2026 Head out from Muskegon for a choice of activities. You may choose to travel to Saugatuck to experience the giant sand dunes that line the shores of Lake Michigan; dunes as high as 200 feet rise along an area of woods and beachfront on privately owned land, where you can ride through the scenic, wind-carved landscape in a modified Jeep vehicle on a fast-paced, exciting ride with an experienced guide*, learning about its natural history and ecology and finishing with a wine tasting & lunch at a local winery. Or visit the town of Holland, an enclave of Dutch culture, complete with dikes, canals, tulip gardens, and Dutch architecture, settled by Dutch immigrants in the 19th century. Its array of downtown shops even includes a wooden shoe factory. Visit Windmill Island Gardens, which feature a working 250-year-old windmill brought from the Netherlands; the historical district, and the scenic Hope College campus, established in 1851 by the Dutch Calvinists who built the town; Holland is on the National Register of Historic Places. Return to your ship early this evening as you chart a course for Milwaukee. Meals :B, L, D	09/02/2026	09/02/2026
Chicago Chicago 09/03/2026 In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire burned a swath through the city center, erasing thousands of buildings and leaving more than 100,000 people homeless. But the catastrophe left space for new generations of architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and Mies van der Rohe to fire up their creativity, fueled by the city's fabulous industrial wealth. Upon arriving in Milwaukee this morning, travel by land to America's "Second City" to get a dazzling, informative look at their legacy today on an architectural sightseeing cruise along the Chicago River, with a docent from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Learn about Chicago's role in the development of skyscrapers, as you absorb the eclectic styles and histories of its landmark buildings, like the Tribune Tower, the Willis Tower, and the Wrigley Building, and the stories of the architects who built them. Get a taste of the city's famous stuffed, deep-dish pizza at legendary Giordano's Pizzeria. Check in to your choice of downtown hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, or Four Seasons Hotel Chicago; settle in, and enjoy the evening as you please. Meals :B, L	09/03/2026	09/03/2026
Chicago Chicago 09/04/2026 You have a choice of two sightseeing tours this morning. Visit the celebrated Chicago Art Institute, a palatial Beaux Arts-style building on Michigan Avenue that houses more than 300,000 works of art and an architectural school that has had a profound influence on design in America; the landmark building debuted as part of the Chicago World Exposition in 1893, and a local guide will introduce you to its iconic features and extraordinary history. Alternatively, take a guided walking tour of Millennium Park (leisure or active pace... you choose), inside the Loop, the central business district; built to welcome the 21st century, the park has become the city's centerpiece with imaginative features like the bandshell Pritzker Pavilion, the Cloud Gate, a reflective sculpture, the Crown Fountain, an interactive video sculpture, and the Lurie Garden atop the world's largest green roof. Spend the rest of the day exploring Chicago on your own then join us tonight for a farewell reception and dinner at the hotel, complimented by live musical entertainment. Meals :B, D	09/04/2026	09/04/2026
Chicago Chicago 09/05/2026 Tour ends: Chicago. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park or Four Seasons Hotel Chicago O'Hare Airport or Chicago Union Station. Allow three hours for check-in. Meals :B	09/05/2026	09/05/2026

Tauck - Cruise Division: Le Bellot for Tauck

Boasting sophisticated styling, innovative "green" technology, and welcoming, attentive service, Le Bellot is one of Ponant's new Explorer Series yachts... introducing guests to a whole new cruising experience. Le Bellot embodies the unique atmosphere guests have come to expect – a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Ship Statistics

Maiden Voyage: 2020
Registry: France
Beam: 59 ft (18 m)
Maximum Speed: 12.5 knots
Ship Length: 430 ft (131.1 m)
Gross Tonnage: 9,900 gross tons

Number of Crew: 110
Passenger Capacity: 184
Crew Nationality: French / International
Dining / Restaurants: Yes
Bars / Lounges: Yes

Balcony

Deluxe Stateroom (DEL) $10,990

Category: DEL

Area: 19 m². Capacity: 2 passengers per cabin. Balcony size: 4 m². Cabin features: Individually-controlled air-conditioning. King-size bed or twin beds. Shower. Minibar. Flat screen. Satellite TV. Desk with stationery. Ipod(TM) players. Video on demand. Safe. Hairdryer. Bath robes. Satellite direct line telephone. 110/220 volts outlet. French bath products. 24hr room service. Internet access wifi (fee may apply).

Prestige Stateroom Deck 4 (PR4) $11,690

Category: PR4

Prestige Stateroom Deck 5 (PR5) $11,990

Category: PR5

Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 (PR6) $12,290

Category: PR6

Suite

Deluxe Suite Deck 6 (DS6) $14,490

Category: DS6

Area: 27 m². Capacity: up to 3 passengers per cabin. Balcony size: 6 m². Cabin features: Individually-controlled air-conditioning. King-size bed or twin beds. Shower. Minibar. Flat screen. Satellite TV. Desk with stationery. Ipod(TM) players. Video on demand. Safe. Hairdryer. Bath robes. Satellite direct line telephone. 110/220 volts outlet. French bath products. 24hr room service. Internet access wifi (fee may apply).

Prestige Suite Deck 5 (PS5) $17,490

Category: PS5

Area: 38 m². Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin. Balcony size: 8 m². Cabin features: Individually-controlled air-conditioning. King-size bed or twin beds. Shower. Minibar. Flat screen. Satellite TV. Desk with stationery. Ipod(TM) players. Video on demand. Safe. Hairdryer. Bath robes. Satellite direct line telephone. 110/220 volts outlet. French bath products. 24hr room service. Internet access wifi (fee may apply).

Prestige Suite Deck 6 (PS6) $18,240

Category: PS6

Privilege Suite Deck 6 (PV6) $18,990

Category: PV6

Area: 32 m². Capacity: up to 4 passengers per cabin. Balcony size: 8 m². Cabin features: Individually-controlled air-conditioning. King-size bed or twin beds. Shower. Minibar. Flat screen. Satellite TV. Desk with stationery. Ipod(TM) players. Video on demand. Safe. Hairdryer. Bath robes. Satellite direct line telephone. 110/220 volts outlet. French bath products. 24hr room service. Internet access wifi (fee may apply).

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6 (GD6) $20,240

Category: GD6

Area: 45 m². Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin. Balcony size: 30 m². Cabin features: Individually-controlled air-conditioning. King-size bed or twin beds. Shower. Minibar. Flat screen. Satellite TV. Desk with stationery. Ipod(TM) players. Video on demand. Safe. Hairdryer. Bath robes. Satellite direct line telephone. 110/220 volts outlet. French bath products. 24hr room service. Internet access wifi (fee may apply).

Owner's Suite (SA) $22,990

Category: SA

Area: 45 m². Capacity: 2 passengers per cabin. Balcony size: 30 m². Cabin features: Individually-controlled air-conditioning. King-size bed or twin beds. Shower. Minibar. Flat screen. Satellite TV. Desk with stationery. Ipod(TM) players. Video on demand. Safe. Hairdryer. Bath robes. Satellite direct line telephone. 110/220 volts outlet. French bath products. 24hr room service. Internet access wifi (fee may apply).

Privilege Suite Deck 5 (PV5) Call for pricing

Category: PV5

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5 (GD5) Call for pricing

Category: GD5

Deluxe Suite Deck 5 (DS5) Call for pricing

Category: DS5

Deluxe Suite Deck 4 (DS4) Call for pricing

Category: DS4

Deluxe Suite Deck 3 (DS3) Call for pricing

Category: DS3

Inside

Land / Cruise Price includes all private Tauck shore excursions, cruise fare, port charges, applicable fuel surcharges, entertainment and gratuities to Tauck Director and ship staff. Aboard ship, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are included throughout the day. Departures will be hosted by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests; travel East or West.

Your cruise may be a shared ship experience with non-Tauck guests onboard as well; all Tauck guests will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests, and your itinerary will always be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions

Shore Excursion Selection: Tauck will contact guests 90 days prior to departure to assist with shore excursion selections (included in tour price, subject to availability).

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

Deck 7