An American Cruise Lines ship is docked at Leicht Memorial Park in Green Bay Aug. 6, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay is seeing six cruise ship stops this summer, which triple the amount the city saw last year.
American Patriot docked at Leicht Memorial Park Wednesday night and will be leaving Friday.
After making its first ever stop in Green Bay earlier this summer, American Cruise Lines is on its third of four visits to the city this season.
“Folks love Lambeau Field,” said Captain Jerry Smith of the American Patriot. “I think we hear that on board all the time. It’s one of the top things they want to do when they get here.”
A plaque commemorating the cruise line’s initial visit was presented to Captain Smith on Thursday as the ship’s passengers enjoyed excursions around the city.
Examples of excursions include one that visits the Mulva Cultural Center and Seroogy’s Chocolates and another that visits the Automobile Gallery and the National Railroad Museum.
“I think what we’re seeing is the more opportunity the ships have to visit Green Bay, the likelier they are to spread the word among colleagues and their companies, so we’re seeing a little bit more traction develop,” said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich.
American Cruise Lines has three Great Lakes itineraries with a max capacity for 130 guests. The trips that could include a stop in Green Bay include one from Buffalo, New York, to Milwaukee, and a second departing Milwaukee, making a loop around Lake Michigan and returning to Milwaukee.
Along with two visits from Victory Cruise Lines, a total of 785 cruise passengers will visit Green Bay this year, carrying an economic impact of about $367,000.
“Economic impact a lot of times it comes from overnight stays at hotels,” said Brad Toll, President and CEO of Discover Green Bay. “Obviously, they have their hotel coming with them, so the economic impact initially is maybe not as big as it could be. The opportunity is a lot of people on board plan to come back.”
There’s expected to be at least six stops from cruise ships again next year, but Discover Green Bay is hopeful they can add a few more.
“They’re still in that planning phase, so right now we’re just making sure we do an outstanding job with the cruise ships that are in so they make sure they want us to be on their itinerary next year,” said Toll.
“It’s been a success for us,” said Smith. “We plan to be back next year and hopefully keep expanding our itineraries.”
American Patriot left Milwaukee and will return to Milwaukee with stops in Sheboygan, Escanaba, and Ludington.
On American’s website, we found a similar nine-day cruise with a price tag starting at $8,395 per person.
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