Port Milwaukee welcomes first cruise ship of 2025 season

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee's cruise ship season is underway with the arrival Monday of a ship longer than two football fields. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Viking Octantis will be the city's inaugural ship to set sail across the Great Lakes. 

There are 22 cruise vessels, scheduled between six different companies, all expected to depart throughout the season.

Milwaukee is a "turnaround port," which means that voyages will start and end here, which can help boost economic development throughout the city.

"Anytime you have thousands of people coming in and staying at hotels, and eating at restaurants, and going to bars and shows, and just experiencing the neighborhoods we have in Milwaukee, they are spending money," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. 

According to Cruise the Great Lakes, 22,000 passengers will cruise the Great Lakes this year -- an increase of nearly 10% compared to 2024.