Viking Polaris to kick off record-breaking season with April 23 arrival
MILWAUKEE – Port Milwaukee is excited to welcome the Viking Polaris as the first cruise ship to call on the City of Milwaukee for the 2026 season on Thursday, April 23.
“We are proud to kick off our record-breaking cruising season and welcome visitors from around the world to our city,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “Each arrival brings new energy to our waterfront, supports local businesses, and creates a powerful opportunity to showcase what makes our community special. Cruising in Milwaukee represents more diners in our restaurants, more overnight stays in our hotels, shoppers in our neighborhoods, and visitors experiencing our cultural attractions. This all supports more jobs for residents, stronger business for entrepreneurs, and increased revenue for vital city services. We are also excited to soon celebrate our new cruise dock, a major investment that further positions Milwaukee as a premier destination on the Great Lakes. By expanding our city’s reputation, we can ensure the economic benefits of tourism will be felt well beyond Milwaukee.”
Members of the local media are invited to attend a press conference and capture b-roll of the vessel’s arrival as the City welcomes passengers to Milwaukee’s lakefront.
WHAT: Port Milwaukee welcomes the first cruise ship of the 2026 season, the Viking Polaris
WHEN:
- Ship arrival: The Viking Polaris is scheduled to arrive at the City Heavy Lift Dock at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. This means the vessel will arrive through the breakwall between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. These times are subject to change.
- Media access (b-roll): Media will be granted access to the City Heavy Lift Dock between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to capture footage of the ship’s arrival prior to the press conference at Harbor View Plaza. Media must RSVP to Madison Goldbeck at magold@milwaukee.gov by Tuesday, April 21 to receive security clearance for dock access.
- Press conference: 1 p.m., Thursday, April 23 at Harbor View Plaza
WHO: Port Director Benji Timm, Alderwoman and Harbor Commissioner Andrea Pratt, Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith, and additional City of Milwaukee leaders
WHERE:
- Press conference: Harbor View Plaza | 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI
- B-roll location: City Heavy Lift Dock | 1230 S. Carferry Dr., Milwaukee, WI
Port Milwaukee is expecting a record-breaking season with 64 cruise vessel calls this season, with over 80 itineraries in Milwaukee, between late April and October. This also includes 32 turnaround visits and 11 Milwaukee round trip itineraries. There will be six companies and eight vessels. Port Milwaukee officials are estimating 20,000 global passenger visits this season. Last year, Port Milwaukee hosted 23 cruise ship calls and 11,255 passengers. The 2025 cruise season created a $2.5 million local economic impact and is projected to exceed $3.5 million this year.
Port Milwaukee’s third designated cruise dock, South Shore Cruise Dock-East, is slated for operations this cruising season. The facility is designed to accommodate the largest cruise ships operating on the Great Lakes-St Lawrence Seaway system.
American Cruise Lines will also kick off service to the Great Lakes this season, including two new itineraries to Milwaukee, which will be operated by the American Patriot. The vessel has a 130-passenger capacity. Eight calls, all turnaround visits, have been scheduled to Port Milwaukee for the 2026 season.
The public is encouraged to stay up-to-date on cruise ship arrivals and departures throughout the 2026 season by using Port Milwaukee’s virtual vessel tracker, available online here. Port Milwaukee will also be sharing upcoming cruise calls for the 2026 season online here.
