The first cruise ships of the 2026 season are expected to begin transiting the Welland Canal within the next week and a half. George's Greek Village, a restaurant in St. Catharines, Ontario sitting right next to the canal, is a great spot for watching ships go by, and part of this week's video was recorded from that location, including the segment showing the cargo ship.
Whether you're planning to watch from shore or considering booking a passage yourself, here is a look at what the 2026 Great Lakes cruise season has to offer.
The 2026 Season: Four Lines, Mid-April Through October
Four cruise lines are running Great Lakes routes that transit the Welland Canal in 2026: Viking, Ponant, Victory Cruises, and Pearl Seas. The season runs from around mid-April through October. Ships begin moving through the canal in April, but mid-May is when the scenery shifts noticeably — the trees fill in, the flowers come out, and that holds through the fall.
The City of Port Colborne publishes a cruise ship schedule on its website showing which days ships are docked. That is a useful resource whether you're planning a day trip to watch or keeping tabs on the season.
Watching From Port Colborne
Ship passengers may be whisked away on their excursions to Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake, but the ships sit dockside and are easy to view from across the canal right on West Street. Port Colborne is a food, shopping, and event destination that weaves the importance of the marine industry throughout a quaint community well worth exploring on its own.
Canal Days and the Parade of Boats
Each year Port Colborne hosts Canal Days, a festival that typically takes place on the first weekend of August. The event includes a parade of boats one evening and a fireworks display. There is usually a cruise ship docked during the festival; Pearl Mist has appeared there on multiple occasions, and it looks to be back this year.
Viewing the Transit: Roads, Parking, and Viewing Centers
If you want to watch ships while they are actually moving through the canal, there are several options beyond Port Colborne. Roads adjacent to the canal allow you to pull over and watch, and designated parking areas exist along the route. Three viewing centers are worth a specific trip.
Lock 8 Gateway Park, Port Colborne
Right in Port Colborne, Lock 8 Gateway Park is an excellent ship-watching spot with a dedicated viewing area, a park, and a parking lot. It puts you close to the action at the southern end of the canal.
Lock 7 in Thorold
Lock 7, located in Thorold, has a small maritime museum on site and offers a clear view of ships as they transit the lock.
Lock 3 Viewing Center, St. Catharines
The Lock 3 viewing center in St. Catharines has a raised platform accessible by a staircase — there is no elevator, but the elevated position puts you above the ships as they rise or lower through the lock. The facility also includes a museum and a gift shop stocked with maritime books and related items. The museum is open to the public with a recommended $5 donation, and it is also home to the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Indoor spaces and the gift shop typically close around 5:00 p.m., but the viewing center itself may be accessible in the evenings and potentially around the clock. If you are making your way through the Niagara region, it is worth the stop.
👁 Viewing Locations at a Glance
- Port Colborne: Ships docked; visible from across the canal; shops and restaurants nearby
- Lock 8 Gateway Park, Port Colborne: Viewing area, park, and parking lot; great for watching ships in transit
- Roads along the canal: Pull over and watch ships in transit; some parking available
- Lock 7, Thorold: Maritime museum on site; good viewing of ships in transit
- Lock 3 Viewing Center, St. Catharines: Elevated platform (stairs, no elevator); museum and gift shop; possible evening access
Thinking About Sailing? What the Great Lakes Cruise Experience Looks Like
The four cruise lines in 2026 offer notably different experiences. Viking and Ponant operate expedition-style ships — smaller vessels that in some cases sail to Antarctica earlier in the season before arriving on the Great Lakes. Pearl Seas and Victory Cruises take a different approach, with a more intimate style of ship suited to the inland waterway experience.
Pricing for entry-level cabins runs approximately $750 USD per night, or around $1,000 CAD. Most sailings run nine to eleven days, with some running slightly longer. Prices fluctuate and are always subject to change, so the figures above are a general starting point. Some of the ports of call on Great Lakes itineraries include Toronto, a port in the Muskoka region, Chicago, Duluth, and Sault Ste. Marie.
💡 Jules' Tip: Check the Port Colborne cruise ship schedule before making a trip. It shows which days ships are in port so you can plan your timing accordingly.
The Welland Canal and the St. Lawrence Seaway
The Welland Canal is part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the major waterway system that connects North America to the world. The canal is in its 197th navigation season in 2026 — the fourth iteration of the original waterway — bridging the 99.4-metre height difference between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie through eight locks.
While cruise ships have become a highlight of the season, it has always been primarily a commercial shipping route. Cargo ships transit the canal throughout the season, carrying goods between the Great Lakes and global markets. The Great Lakes hold approximately 20 percent of the world's freshwater surface water and represent a major economic corridor for both Canada and the United States.
In the 1970s, a diversion was built to route ships around downtown Welland, eliminating the constant bridge openings that had been disrupting traffic through the city for decades. The old section of canal that ran through Welland's downtown has since been converted into a recreational waterway. It is not designed for motorized boating — it is used for activities like canoeing, kayaking, and rowing. A Float Fest typically takes place there each July. For rowers, it is a world-class facility, and several clubs row the canal regularly. If regattas are your thing, check out the Welland International Flatwater Centre events page for upcoming races this season.