Over the last five years, the Great Lake Cruising Coalition and communities including NEMI have worked hard on establishing the Island as a go-to for cruise ships.
Island resident and guide, Roy Eaton, says the cruise ships add to the Island economy, provide an opportunity for visitors to get to see the beauty of the North Channel and also take part in a wide variety of activities.
He says yesterday they played host to passengers from the new expedition cruise ship, the Le Champlain.
He says he took his group to M’Chigeeng First Nation, which provided presentations on making quill boxes and also provided a First Nation cultural experience with a smudging ceremony, Anishabek dancing at the powwow grounds and a visit to the Church of the Immaculate Conception founded in 1854.
Eaton adds the Le Champlain and The Victory will be returning to Manitoulin on October 9th giving visitors and residents alike one last opportunity to see the big ships before winter sets in.
Photos provided by Roy Eaton