Milwaukee Smashes Cruise Ship Traffic Records

The American Patriot ship at Pier Wisconsin. Photo taken June 24, 2026 by Jeramey Jannene. All Rights Reserved. Milwaukee welcomed 19,820 cruise passengers during its 2026 season, a record for the city’s Great Lakes cruise industry. The season closed Oct. 31 with the departure of the American Patriot. The Viking Polaris had opened the season on April 23. Across 62 ship calls, eight cruise vessels brought visitors to Milwaukee from around the world. The passenger total far exceeded the previous record of 13,568. The number of calls also set a record, more than doubling the previous high of 27. In 2025, Milwaukee recorded about 11,000 passengers across 22 cruise ship calls. “Milwaukee s 2026 cruise season was another exciting opportunity to showcase our city to visitors from around the world,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement. “Each ship docked along our shoreline brings visitors who support our local businesses and restaurants and contributes to the vibrancy of our waterfront.