Duluth Embarks on New Era in Great Lakes Cruising

Fireworks and patriotic music aren’t the only attractions that will bring tourists to the Duluth waterfront on July 4. Having the luxury expedition vessel Clelia II (pronounced Clĕl•ee•ah) pass beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge and dock behind the DECC will usher in a glamorous new era of international cruise service for Duluth and the Great Lakes.

This, her maiden voyage to the Head of the Lakes, kicks off a series of one-week/one-way trips between Toronto and Duluth. Throughout the summer, the Clelia II will return to Duluth a total of six times – arriving just after daybreak every other Saturday morning to disembark passengers, then departing 12 hours later with up to 100 new passengers onboard for the ship’s return trip to Canada.

Cruise vessels have called on the Twin Ports periodically in recent years, but it’s been decades since we’ve enjoyed regular Great Lakes cruise service – or served as a destination and/or origination hub. Maritime, government and tourism leaders have worked collaboratively for over a year to arrange this summer tour and look forward to welcoming the Clelia II and its crew and passengers. Partnering on this initiative: Great Lakes Aquarium, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, Visit Duluth, the DECC, Monaco Air Duluth, Daniel’s Shipping Service, General Security Services Corp., Duluth Police and Fire Departments, UWS Transportation and Logistics Dep’t, the offices of Congressman Oberstar and former Senator Norm Coleman, and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. An interim U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Inspection Station will be located at the Great Lakes Aquarium where CBP officers will inspect and determine admissibility of disembarking passengers seeking entry into the U.S.

A Voyage through North America’s Magnificent Inland Sea

Passengers traveling between Duluth and Toronto will experience the adventure of a lifetime: a first-class expedition aboard a lavishly appointed vessel, with educational and cultural opportunities unlike anywhere else in the world. In addition to these two port cities, passengers aboard the Clelia II will visit many points of interest on their voyage through all five Great Lakes, including: ▪ Port Weller/Welland Canal/Niagara Falls

▪ Little Current, Manitoulin Island, Ontario ▪ Mackinac Island, Michigan/Soo Locks

▪ Houghton/Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan ▪ Thunder Bay, Ontario/Old Fort William

“It is a rare opportunity to explore the Great Lakes in such an up-close, personal way,” said Ron Johnson, Port Authority trade development director and treasurer of the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition. “Passengers learn about the history, industry, communities and natural beauty of the Great Lakes from a unique and memorable perspective.

The all-suite Clelia II offers the finest in small-ship travel. In preparation for Great Lakes service, the private, yacht-like vessel was completely refurbished and redecorated by Travel Dynamics International to accommodate up to 100 guests in 50 suites, each of which affords a lake view. She is 290 feet in length with a beam of 50 feet and is staffed by 60 European officers and crew. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, two lounges with A/V facilities, library with Internet access, gym and spa, beauty salon, boutique, two sun decks, marble-appointed bathrooms and teak floors. The vessel also has an ice-strengthened hull, making her suitable for cruises to Antarctica, which will begin later this year. Clelia II boasts luxury travel that packages the magnificence of North America’s inland sea with educational and cultural opportunities, wrapped up in what Travel Dynamics President George Papagapitos calls “intimacy and elegance.”

Clelia II scheduled arrivals/departures from Duluth: July 4, 18; August 1, 15, 29; and Sept.12. For cruise information, visit www.traveldynamicsinternational.com.

Visit Duluth is assisting Travel Dynamics International in setting up sightseeing tours and excursions for passengers who wish to explore area attractions once they arrive in Duluth…or before they board the vessel for Toronto. “Duluth is a city with broad appeal – endless sightseeing, attractions, events, open spaces and trails. We’ve been working in collaboration for years to accommodate cruises disembarking and embarking from our beautiful city. This makes it all worthwhile,” says Terry Mattson, President/CEO of Visit Duluth, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.

“Early indications have the Clelia II returning to the Great Lakes in 2010 along with two other cruise lines,” added Johnson. “If that’s indeed the case, cruising could have a huge economic impact on our region.”

• Lakeview design prevents infections from spreading , 8/10/2010
• Five artists honored at festival , 8/9/2010
• St. Mary's, Miller-Dwan Auxiliaries Award Scholarships , 8/6/2010
• Hayward Nursery to Continue Production This Year , 8/6/2010
• President Obama congratulates UMD math student UMD, 8/3/2010