By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — The American Patriot arrived in the Port of Ludington about three hours ahead of schedule Friday morning, entering the foggy harbor just after the SS Badger arrived from its overnight crossing from Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
The 243-foot cruise ship docked at the west seawall of Waterfront Park at about 6:45 a.m. It had been scheduled to arrive at 9:30 a.m. The vessel is scheduled to depart at 6 p.m. today.
Docked behind the American Patriot is the U.S. Geological Survey research vessel Sturgeon, which arrived in Ludington overnight after a visit to Manistee.
The stop marks the first cruise ship visit to Ludington in several years and is viewed by community leaders as the beginning of efforts to establish the city as a Great Lakes cruise destination. A second visit is scheduled for Aug. 14.
The American Patriot, owned by American Cruise Lines, carries up to 130 passengers on Great Lakes itineraries. Passengers have the option to take several planned excursions, which include trips to the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine Village and other local attractions. They may also chose to explore downtown Ludington.
Great Lakes cruising has become a growing tourism sector. Cruise the Great Lakes, the region’s cruise marketing organization, had reported more than 150,000 passenger visits and more than 700 port calls across the Great Lakes in 2025, generating more than $230 million in regional economic impact. Those figures are up about 15% from 2024, reflecting increased passenger traffic, port visits and shoreside spending in communities that host cruise ships.
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