Green Bay welcomes Victory II cruise ship at Leicht Memorial Park, June 10, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay is already looking ahead to next year’s cruise ship visits.
Cruise the Great Lakes announced Thursday it’s adding four visits to Green Bay and expecting a record-breaking economic impact for 2026.
Next year, there will be a total of six cruise ships docking at Leicht Park — up from two in 2025. A more-than $327,000 economic impact is expected from Great Lakes cruise ship visits.
“For a lot of people, this is their first exposure to Green Bay and we oftentimes hear that as a result, people are gonna be planning some return trips, so I think there’s some follow-on impact,” Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich said.
Six visits to Green Bay with up to 785 passengers in 2026 is a big jump from 2025.
Genrich said retail and attractions like Lambeau Field and the National Railroad Museum will see the biggest bump financially.
“Just a lot of amenities that are easily accessible here in downtown Green Bay when people are getting off the ship at Leicht Park. You know, a number of breweries and restaurants and coffee shops and boutiques, of course along Broadway,” Genrich said.
The four additional cruise ships coming to Green Bay will be American Cruise Lines, with a brand new ship. The other two visits will be Victory Cruise Lines.
Local leaders said investments in the docking at Leicht Park are a big reason for the increase.
“The captains that have come in, in part, they absolutely love the views from the ship. It’s very easy for them to get in and out. So they love the port,” Discover Green Bay President & CEO Brad Toll said.
Cruise the Great Lakes said the city provides passengers a unique experience.
“We hear all the time from the cruise guests getting back on the ship after spending a day in the destination, ‘Wow, we had no idea there was that much here. We’re coming back,'” Cruise the Great Lakes Tourism Director Sally Berry said.
In total, Cruise the Great Lakes’ economic impact is expected exceed $300 million in 2026 — a 25% increase from 2025. The state’s tourism has grown, thanks in part to the cruising industry.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without our coastal communities, which welcome travelers to stay in our local hotels, dine in our restaurants, visit our museums and learn about our state’s crazy culture,” Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said.
Cruise the Great Lakes said 2026 cruises are already nearly sold out. While six cruises are coming to Green Bay in 2026, Green Bay leaders hope that number continues to grow each year.
In June, the Victory II cruise ship docked twice at Leicht Memorial Park. During their stop, passengers spent the day on excursions to Green Bay Botanical Garden, the National Railroad Museum and Lambeau Field.
Leicht Park will be undergoing changes next year. A new pavilion and waterfront plans will be complete by fall 2026.
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