The passenger cruise ship Ocean Navigator is scheduled to call on the Port of Green Bay on two upcoming dates, June 16, 2022, and June 30, 2022, community leaders announced today.
Discover Green Bay, with the help of the City of Green Bay, Brown County, The Port of Green Bay, Downtown Green Bay, Inc., On Broadway Inc., and C&M Presents have been working to bring cruise ships to the region for several years. Unforeseen issues and a global pandemic quelled past opportunities.
A community-wide effort and coordinated planning between organizations were responsible for the ship’s arrival.
Brown County officials ensured the channel between the Bay of Green Bay into the Fox River would be able to accommodate passenger ships.
"Tourism in Brown County is a major economic driver. We have always proudly welcomed visitors through the terminals at Green Bay’s Austin Straubel International Airport and we are excited to now offer another option for visitors to enter our community,” County Executive Troy Streckenbach said.
The City of Green Bay made many necessary updates to the dock wall at Leicht Park.
“City of Green Bay Officials have done a fantastic job ensuring the dock wall at Leicht Park received the necessary maintenance to successfully welcome these long-anticipated cruise ships to Green Bay,” said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich.
Both County Executive Streckenbach and Mayor Genrich will be greeting passengers as they disembark the ship.
Discover Green Bay worked closely with Susan Broberg of C&M Presents, a destination management company, who was responsible for planning and executing the excursions that showcase the community for the cruise passengers, many of whom are European and may have never been to Wisconsin.
“After many years of planning, wondering when these ships would actually arrive, it will be great to see these ships finally coming down the Fox River so we can proudly show off our community with fun tours,” said C&M presents owner, Susan Broberg.
Discover Green Bay is prepared to welcome passengers upon their arrival using the new Mobile Visitor Center. Tourism representatives will be stationed at Leicht Park to offer a hospitable entry into Green Bay and share information about the community for the passengers’ afternoon free time.
“First impressions are extremely important,” said Cameron Teske, Vice President of Visitor Experiences at Discover Green Bay. “Discover Green Bay is well-equipped to roll out the red carpet for these visitors ensuring a positive first impression as they enter our community. We will uphold Green Bay’s reputation of being friendly and welcoming.”
The ship Ocean Navigator operated by American Queen Voyages is cruising two different, 16-day excursions throughout Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and the Bay of Green Bay. The ship will arrive on June 16 at 7:00 a.m. carrying 108 passengers plus crew, and on June 30 with 132 passengers plus crew. The ship will be docking in the Port of Green Bay for 24-hours each time, leaving at 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
There will be security on the dock, but residents are invited to stop by Leicht Park for some cool views of Green Bay’s first-ever passenger cruise ships.