Cruise ship makes first stop of the season in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The cruise ship season is now underway on the Great Lakes.

The 200-passenger ship called the Pearl Mist arrived in Milwaukee Tuesday morning around 8 a.m.

The ship makes stops along the Great Lakes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada. Milwaukee is a turn-around city meaning it will serve as the passenger’s beginning or end of the trip, bringing in thousands over the next few months.

Last summer, ships stopped in Milwaukee only twice. This summer there will be 11 stops.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett hopes it will continue to grow for years to come.

“I really think that you’re going to see this Great Lakes cruising industry grow and we are so well positioned right now,” he said. “It’s very, very exciting.”

The Pearl Mist leaves Milwaukee on Wednesday morning. The next cruise ship is expected to arrive on July 4.