The Viking Polaris marks Milwaukee's first cruise ship arrival of 2026; Port expects record-breaking season

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A sign that summer is just around the corner - the first cruise ship of 2026 arrived at Port Milwaukee on Thursday, April 23.

The 665-foot-long Viking Polaris went under the Hoan Bridge around 10:30 a.m., with 378 guests on board.

The cruise departed from Toronto last Friday, with stops at Niagara Falls and the U-P before Milwaukee.

Visit Milwaukee staff and volunteers met the vessel at the city's heavy lift dock, with a live rendition of the beer barrel polka.

"It makes them happy. They sing along, maybe they might dance," said accordion player, Erich Adam. "I try to make them feel welcome here in Milwaukee."

They will embark on excursions to Milwaukee's shores, restaurants, retail, and other attractions.

While many passengers are first-time visitors, others couldn't stay away.

"There was a couple who got off the ship who was being picked up by friends that they met on their last Viking cruise," said Peggy Williams-Smith, the president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee. "They were coming through Milwaukee on purpose, so they could visit those friends that they met while they were cruising the great lakes last year."

Port Milwaukee is expecting a record-breaking cruise ship season, planning to welcome 64 vessels from now through October, 41 more than last year.

"Port officials are estimating that will bring about 20,000 passenger visits to our shores, which means business for the city of Milwaukee," said Port Director Benjamin Timm. "We're receiving passengers from all over the world."

Officials are seeing Great Lakes cruises continue to grow in popularity, with other cities and states starting to dock ships.

"On a global scale, we're talking to cruise lines all the time to make sure they're considering Milwaukee when they're cruising the Great Lakes," Williams-Smith said.

Milwaukee is also growing to meet the demand. The city's third cruise ship dock, next to the Lake Express Ferry, is expected to open in August.

"The South Shore cruise ship dock will accept our largest vessels visiting Milwaukee," Timm explained. "It's really going to enhance our capacity and our opportunities here in the city."

You can stay up to date with ship schedules with Port Milwaukee's online vessel tracker.