Real Estate Website Design Best Practices And Examples

Table Of Content

• Tip 3: Include Valuable Content
• Squarespace
• The Best Real Estate Website Design: 24 Examples
• Why I Chose Agent Image

Hence, the time you spare for this inspiration will never be wasted. Get ready to jot down the best features you will find for your upcoming project. Integrating SEO into your home builder website involves optimizing your online presence to increase your site's visibility in local search results. SEO is an excellent tool to boost custom home-building businesses as it uses keywords and optimizes your website for mobile while creating links for better visibility. JDG Constructions' passion is building excellent custom architect-designed homes, from the foundation, frame, and exterior details to luxury finishes. This outstanding homebuilder website is aesthetically pleasing and displays interactive elements consistently on the site.

Best Real Estate CRMs of 2024 U.S. News - U.S. News & World Report

Best Real Estate CRMs of 2024 U.S. News.

Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Tip 3: Include Valuable Content

Property websites are a cost-effective way to get your property details online. Moreover, it also drives traffic while generating quality leads. If you are working with similar projects, skipping this real estate website design collection might be unlucky. Here’s Level Barvikha, a modern residential estate that offers the comfort of luxury city apartments and countryside ambiance in the Moscow region. Specifically, the hero scene introduces the business via a resourceful video background.

Squarespace

Since most real estate entrepreneurs and small business owners aren’t coders, ease of use was of utmost importance. Website builders that made it easy to build a website through a drag-and-drop interface, for example, received higher rankings than those that required some knowledge of HTML. With Wix, it couldn’t be any easier or more convenient to bring your ideal real estate website to life. You don’t need any coding or design experience as Wix’s drag-and-drop interface is specifically created for beginners. Since there are more than 800 templates and over 200 third-party apps you can connect to, you’ll be able to customize your site in no time. You're not getting a 360-solution to agent management, IDX integration, and other essential marketing tools, but you're not paying for it either.

The Best Real Estate Website Design: 24 Examples

So, you can create anything you like, but if you don’t know how to build websites, WordPress will be more difficult to start with. Agent Image is renowned as the premier real estate website designer of luxury agents, especially those who are working the glittering, mega metropolises on either coast. So, if you want to work with mega-millionaires and need a site that shows off your sense of style and class, Agent Image is for you.

Ways Retargeting Can Supercharge Your Real Estate Marketing Strategy

But for more design control and flexibility, Wix will give you much more freedom. The website builders I’ve listed in this article cut down the learning curve and the startup lead time. If you want to hire someone to build your site, they will likely use WordPress.

Presson (Drag & Drop Website Builder)

Ultimately, the true goal to build a great real estate website is to understand what the general population is looking for and work on those principles. Therefore, the website design of DeLeon Realty is minimalism at its finest. It has all the core information that is needed for the visitors to understand and maneuver themselves on the website.

Why I Chose Agent Image

It's somehow turned making your personal website into some sort of interactive game, rather than a chore. If you don't hire a team like Curaytor or Placester to create your site, this would be a friendly secondary option. There are 16 key real estate templates, and 1000s of other general theme choices. Duda lacks native MLS functionality, so you'll need to outsource this feature through a third party.

How to Choose the Best Real Estate Website Builder

Videos are one of the most engaging communicative marketing methods available today. They are the best story-telling tools, and practically every business has utilized them to enlighten, engage, and persuade their potential clients. By far, the biggest benefit of Placester is its IDX manager, where you can easily manage MLS feeds and individual listings. This is a substantial money-saving opportunity for agents and brokers needing property listings. Another great feature of Placester is their do-it-for-me package. This is huge for people who lack the time to build their websites independently.

People need to trust in the real estate companies they’re employing to help them out. The best real estate websites find just the right balance by positioning themselves as professionals who will always keep their customers’ best interests in mind. One element that often is overlooked on real estate websites is the copy. Lisa Grehn, the real estate agent behind this website, uses empathy throughout to pitch how she can help people.

Team member biographies let potential customers know a bit about the people who work there and show who they are professionally. Testimonials and real estate biographies give depth and reassure people that they’re dealing with a reputable company. Hands down, these sites attract the most home shoppers and sellers. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have your real estate website.

Afford2Stage isn’t your typical real estate site – the business doesn’t sell properties. Instead, it gets properties ready to sell by staging homes to make them more attractive and marketable. The site, made with Wix, is easy to navigate and jam-packed with portfolio information, services, testimonials, and information on why staging makes financial sense. A real estate website is the digital stage where properties shine, agents take the spotlight, and potential clients gather for a virtual meet-and-greet.

Best Real Estate Websites of 2024 39 Examples + Templates

Table Of Content

• Why I Chose Wix
• Grow your business with our suite of digital products and services
• Why is your real estate website essential to marketing?
• best WordPress plugins for betting websites
• Features
• The importance of Aesthetics in Real Estate Websites

Agent Image has 24+ years of experience and a portfolio of 26,000+ sites. Book a free consultation and receive 20% off the purchase of any website package. The best real estate customer relationship management (CRM) platforms are Wise Agent, LionDesk and Realvolve. All three received above-average scores from the Forbes Advisor team.

Why I Chose Wix

The price is relatively affordable, as long as you don’t mind signing up for a lengthy contract. Plus, the appointment setting feature is a must for realtors looking for an easy way to show properties to clients. Prices are pretty affordable, too, with plans starting at $16 per month.

Grow your business with our suite of digital products and services

It’s great for highly producing teams and brokerages, but it’s prohibitive for agents just starting. The platform’s CRM is very basic, a limitation for those seeking a more sophisticated functionality. But Placester focuses on the websites and lets you choose your CRM with tons of integrations to choose the CRM you want.

Why is your real estate website essential to marketing?

The search functions, categorized informational menus, and showcased homes are front-page news, so finding exactly what you’re looking for is a total breeze. The women-duo leads with authority by offering their site in 5+ languages. The only aspect that needs a bit of improvement is the photo quality; however, the site performs, loads, and works as designed. Her company is modeling the Los Angeles color themes, nightlife vibe, and overall class by the way she presents herself and her properties. There's no header menu for listings and resources; you must scroll a bit down the page to click on any other CTAs.

The whole website cleverly makes use of the full-screen for every important aspect of the page. Designed a very clean and contemporary website for a real estate company helps people to get the best deals around and find just what they are looking for. We are building a platform for people who want to buy/sell businesses. High end design for real estate services company looking to break the mould of templated look of most sites.

What is a real estate website builder?

We only chose website builders with positive reputations and plenty of raving reviews from current and former customers. Forbes Advisors’ top-recommended real estate website builders are Zyro, GoDaddy and HostGator. Zyro offers powerful AI tools that simplify setup for users who aren’t keen on learning the ins and outs of web design. GoDaddy and HostGator both offer intuitive website builders that make it easy to get a simple site set up in minutes, which you can then customize using the tips above. Brokerages with multiples offices in multiple locations often benefit from having a real estate website dedicated to explaining what each group of agents offers consumers.

Examples Of The Best Website Designs For Real Estate

Embracing a minimalist design, the Atwater Village Real Estate website focuses squarely on a clear, direct call to action. This simple landing page approach strips away any potential clutter, allowing visitors to immediately understand what steps they need to take next—let them help you find your dream home. The prominence of the call to action right on the homepage streamlines the user experience. It enhances lead capture efficiency by reducing the time and effort needed to engage potential clients.

Features

Top 10 Real Estate Websites - YourStory

Top 10 Real Estate Websites.

Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Check the website example to see some comprehensive neighborhood guides. The turquoise gradients stand out from the sea of countless websites. One of the first considerations you will need to make when developing a website for your corporation or organization is the color scheme.

The key to a successful online real estate website lies in the value provided. The amazing thing about the website design here is that you get the entire history plus all the different branches of this real estate corporation on the same page as you scroll down. The one great thing about this scrolling animation website is the excellent use of photographs along with the text. A mix of media and texts not only keeps the user engaged but also explains your work and services in a better manner. A collection of inspirational websites made by real Squarespace users. An expert team of corporate housing specialists and property partners work tirelessly to manage and maintain our variety of handpicked furnished apartments with acute attention to detail.

Here’s S&P, an international real estate boutique specializing in the design, marketing and sale of super-prime real estate and properties of distinction. To represent the firm at its finest, a well-built website is crafted. Particularly, it uses black and white color scheme with uncluttered web components. The header bears the logo on the center and the menu spreading evenly on both sides.

12 Best Real Estate Podcasts to Listen to - Real Estate

12 Best Real Estate Podcasts to Listen to.

Posted: Tue, 13 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

It’s important, first off, to have your online presence to show your credibility in the real estate marketplace. When you get potential buyers seeking you out online, they want to see that you’re an established and credible business. It’s a basic website builder that anyone can use, much like Wix. They have templates to get you started, and it’s mostly drag and drop. But if that’s not an issue, you can easily build a beautiful real estate website within a few hours. That depends on what you’re looking for, where you are in your real estate business, and your budget.

Edelweiss Cruises Milwaukee Boat Tours, Rentals, & Private Charters

Table Of Content

• Largest cruise ship on Great Lakes makes first visit to Milwaukee
• Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
• Great Lakes cruising season kicks off in Milwaukee with Viking Octantis, the largest cruise ship to sail the lakes
• Pearl Seas Featured Cruises
• Sign up to receive updates from Viking

A display of fake stuffed birds also changes with the ship's location to match the native wildlife; for the Great Lakes, that means a bald eagle, loon, sandhill crane and other native birds. "We're anticipating that cruise passengers will have a growing impact on Milwaukee's economy for many, many years to come," Johnson said. The Octantis exceeds the International Maritime Organization Energy Efficiency Design Index requirements by almost 38%, according to Viking.

Largest cruise ship on Great Lakes makes first visit to Milwaukee

In 2020 Pearl inked a deal with the Port of Milwaukee to make it a turnaround location for ships through at least 2030. The lease provides priority docking rights at Pier Wisconsin, the dock immediately east of Discovery World downtown, with a guarantee the Pearl Mist will use the turnaround point — i.e. beginning or ending cruises in Milwaukee — at least five times per year. This year Pearl is offering seven-day and 11-day cruises between Milwaukee and Toronto. Several organizations are helping promote the passenger cruise business in Milwaukee and throughout the Great Lakes.

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

Discover this car-free island by carriage, bicycle or on foot; kayak along the shoreline. "People don’t realize how many great local restaurants Milwaukee and Wisconsin has; you have to leave it to appreciate it," said Cathy Randall, another Octantis passenger. Wildlife is a theme throughout the ship, with digital displays changing based on where the ship is sailing.

Great Lakes cruising season kicks off in Milwaukee with Viking Octantis, the largest cruise ship to sail the lakes

Mackinac Island is a living Victorian town where personal motorized vehicles are prohibited – all those visiting or living on the island travel by horse or horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, or on foot. While Mackinac Island is known for its opulent Victorian homes and hotels, it has a long Native American history. Anishinabe-Ojibwe tradition holds that the island was a sacred place populated by the first people and was home to the Great Spirit Gitchie Manitou.

Cruise Lines Visiting Milwaukee

These cruises around the world are complemented by a steadily growing fleet of river cruise ships travelling in Germany and many European countries. While bigger than other Great Lakes vessels, the 378-passenger Octantis is still smaller than other cruise ships that can carry thousands of passengers. Most passengers are from North America, either the U.S. or Canada, with some Brits and Australians, according to the cruise line. And its target clientele is clearly older and less rowdy than some other cruise lines. "With multiple experiences just minutes from our vibrant, walkable downtown, Milwaukee is an ideal destination for a stop for Great Lakes cruises."

Cruise ship Milwaukee arrival; Viking Octantis, 1st vessel of 2023 season

There is still availability this year aboard other Viking Great Lakes cruises, including Great Lakes Explorer, which starts in Milwaukee, and Undiscovered Great Lakes, which ends in Milwaukee. But you will find other familiar cruise ship amenities, on a smaller, quieter scale, designed for colder destinations like the Great Lakes and Antarctica. That includes three small pools of different temperatures (hot, warm and cold), accessible via a swim-through from an indoor sunning deck with a retractable glass roof. There’s also an outdoor terrace with heated, sunken couches around gas-powered lava rock fire pits. The Octantis, which gets its name from the South Star, Sigma Octantis, took its maiden voyage with passengers in Antarctica in January.

Pearl Seas Featured Cruises

There's also Norwegian cuisine, of course, in Mamsen's restaurant, named for the cruise line founder's mother, Ragnhild “Mamsen” Hagen, and serving things like waffles, open-faced sandwiches and split pea soup. Passengers will have a range of opportunities to learn about the city's history, culture, economy and environment. "Maybe they're only going to be here for a few hours today but they are spending money locally," said Theresa Nemetz of Milwaukee Food & City Tours. Milwaukee will be the first of 33 port calls bringing more than 10,000 passengers to the city this year.

Viking Octantis Launches Season in Milwaukee - Cruise Industry News

Viking Octantis Launches Season in Milwaukee.

Posted: Fri, 05 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron, Parry Sound is a picturesque port town with charming cottages and spectacular views. As you cruise the Georgian Bay, enjoy its serene beauty from the ships’ sun deck where you can admire views of Flowerpot Rocks, windswept pines, rugged coast, and clear blue waters. With two dock experiences just minutes from a vibrant, walkable downtown, Milwaukee is an ideal destination or stop for a Great Lakes cruise. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is located a short 8-mile drive from downtown, making it an easy trip no matter where you're traveling from.

'It was like a dream': Viking Octantis cruise ship arrives at Port Milwaukee, marking start of cruise season 'It was like a ... - WDJT

'It was like a dream': Viking Octantis cruise ship arrives at Port Milwaukee, marking start of cruise season 'It was like a ....

Posted: Thu, 04 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Embark on an awe-inspiring half-day kayaking through the picturesque waters of Baawaating (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario). Navigate the serene St. Mary's River towards the scenic Bellevue Park, marveling at the captivating landscapes that unfold before you. Our seasoned guides, well-versed in indigenous culture, will accompany you on this enriching expedition, imparting their wisdom about the local ecosystem, traditions, and history. As you traverse the waterways, keep an eye out for magnificent wildlife such as bald eagles and blue herons while learning about the area's significance to Indigenous communities. Plantours Cruises is one of the most experienced organizers of ocean and river cruises; the Bremen-based company is very successful in operating the smallest cruise ship in Germany, the MS Hamburg.

Milwaukee WI is a Lake Michigan cruise port and city, ranked by population (around 595,000) state's biggest and Midwestern USA's 5th-largest (after Chicago, Columbus, Indianapolis, Detroit). The city is on Lake Michigan's western shore and is also the main economic and cultural center of Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha Metro (total population over 2 million). A genuine Wisconsin experience with Usinger brats and specials on taps of Spotted Cow on a fun cruise of downtown Milwaukee and the shoreline of Lake Michigan. If you are a passenger looking for recommendations on hotels, restaurants, or other attractions to visit while in Milwaukee, please follow this link to VISIT Milwaukee's cruising page. Viking Cruises will utilize the Port’s City Heavy Lift Dock this season as their port-of-call location. The South Shore Cruise Dock, located immediately east of the Lake Express High Speed Ferry terminal, will serve as the future port-of-call for vessels the size of the Viking Octantis.

The South Shore Cruise Dock is now able to serve as the port-of-call for vessels that size thanks to the Capital Tourism grant Port Milwaukee got from the state. The ship includes a library, World Cafe, pools and several suite and room options. The Viking Octantis is 665 feet long with room for 378 guests and 250 crew members. Fur traders and French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans in the Milwaukee area.

MILWAUKEE — The first cruise ship to enter Milwaukee's port in 2023 has arrived. "When these beautiful vessels dock in Milwaukee, the dollars don’t just stay on the ship. Instead, they are spread around the community," said Peggy Williams-Smith, VISIT Milwaukee President and CEO. City leaders say it not only opens a door to the Midwest's hidden gem, but also is a driver for the economy. More touches of Norway throughout include a rock art display that resembles a Norwegian knitting pattern, and traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blankets in staterooms. The ceiling in the two-deck Explorers' Lounge features constellations, a nod to the Viking explorers who used the stars to navigate.

Great Lakes cruising season begins in Milwaukee with Viking Octantis

Table Of Content

• Why Viking
• Wisconsin Brat Cruise
• Our Vessels
• Great Lakes Explorer
• Night Great Lakes and Georgian Bay
• Milwaukee WI homeport for Pearl Mist ship (Pearl Seas Cruises) 2021 through 2030

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on cruise schedules, special events, and promotions throughout the year. Keep up with the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in the Milwaukee metro area. Up-to-the-minute business news, thoughtful analysis and valuable strategic insights for Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin business leaders. Enjoy a breathtaking aerial adventure which departs from our floatplane base in Parry Sound Harbor and follows Georgian Bay’s rugged coastline. Soar above the scenic Killbear Provincial Park, past historic Parry Island, and over the fantastic South Channel.

Why Viking

The Soo Locks is a series of parallel locks that make river travel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron possible, thereby linking Superior to the lower Great Lakes and the Atlantic. Opened in 1855 to allow ships to bypass the river’s 21-foot fall over roiling rapids, this innovative lock system—along with the Erie Canal built 30 years prior—was one of the great engineering projects of its day. Marie in Michigan; its bridge crosses over the Soo Locks, connecting the two cities. "I’m here to show off our city to the thousands and thousands of cruise ship passengers who will pass through Port Milwaukee," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Hundreds of passengers on board the Viking cruise ship spent the day seeing and appreciating everything Milwaukee has to offer.

Wisconsin Brat Cruise

Visit the USS Silversides Submarine, a Gato class WWII Submarine, and explore the accompanying Submarine Museum. The USS Silversides was commissioned shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to complete 14 war patrols in the Pacific during WWII. Silversides was one of the most successful submarines in the Pacific Theater of World War II, with 23 confirmed sinkings. She received a Presidential Unit Citation for cumulative action over four patrols and twelve battle stars. The accompanying two-story museum shares the experiences of local heroes who served in World War II. Next visit the SS Milwaukee Clipper, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and designated a National Historic Landmark.

Our Vessels

Originally founded as a fur trading post, a settlement was established in 1803 and Fort William was erected. In 1970, Fort William and neighboring Port Arthur were merged to form the City of Thunder Bay. Today, it is one of Ontario’s most vibrant cities and a center of art and culture. Its Waterfront District is beloved for its views across the bay of the Sleeping Giant, a long line of mesas that resemble a giant lying on its back. From outstanding beauty to historic cities and a deep connection to nature, the Great Lakes are an undiscovered treasure, boasting stunning national parks best explored via tranquil kayaking and hiking.

Rochester misses the boat on fast-growing Great Lakes cruises - CITY Magazine. Arts. Music. Culture.

Rochester misses the boat on fast-growing Great Lakes cruises.

Posted: Mon, 08 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

While cruising the Great Lakes & Georgian Bay, travel to picturesque port towns, view historic ships and lighthouses, and admire some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world. From quaint Victorian towns to the traditional villages of the native Ojibwe, enjoy a backstage pass to the culture, customs, and cuisine of the most magnificent sites in the region. The Viking Octantis’ arrival in Milwaukee jump-starts a season where 31 port calls by various cruise ships are planned. The pristine shores of Frazer Bay, Killarney and Parry Sound are best explored by kayak or RIB while peaceful walking trails lead into the woodland realms of native flora and fauna.

This year, 33 ships are scheduled to bring 10,000 passengers to the city, up from 1,000 in 2018. In 2022, Viking Expeditions started a seasonal Great Lakes cruise program with one ship deployment and one-ways (8-day itineraries) between homeports Toronto, Thunder Bay ON and Milwaukee WI. After debarkation in Thunder Bay, passengers return to Milwaukee by air, and the cruise ship embarks another group of travelers (flown to Thunder Bay) for the return voyage (via Duluth MN) to Milwaukee. The boat was scheduled to stay in homeport overnight (for ~48 hours) on each call. The exclusive deal provides the company with priority docking rights at Milwaukee's downtown dock located east of Discovery World, Pier Wisconsin. The deal guaranteed the cruise ship Pearl Mist to use Pier Wisconsin as homeport (for turnaround operations / roundtrips) at least 5 times per year.

Some of these rooms have adjoining doors, an option for guests who are traveling in a group or who wish to have a living room. Led by experienced and friendly guides, paddle along the calm and serene waters of Georgian Bay, taking in the picturesque scenery around you. From rugged rock formations to peaceful coves, explore the natural beauty of the area at a leisurely pace, perfect for beginners or those who have never kayaked before. Stop for breaks to take in the views and enjoy light refreshments at the end of your exploration. Experience the Silver Lake Sand Dunes like never before on a one-of-a-kind exploration on an open air dune scooter. Taste the delicious characteristics that arise from the unique climate of West-Central Michigan.

Night Great Lakes and Georgian Bay

The ship is required to provide minimum annual rents of USD (starting in 2021), which must gradually increase to USD (by 2026) and USD (by 2036). MS Pearl Mist's itinerary includes Port Milwaukee as debarkation port (for westward Great Lakes voyages) end embarkation port (for eastward sailings). Our generous category K staterooms are over 300 square feet and are conveniently located on the 4th deck level of the ship. These staterooms offer guests easy access to the Pacific Lounge and open passenger decks, with breathtaking views.

Milwaukee WI homeport for Pearl Mist ship (Pearl Seas Cruises) 2021 through 2030

Learn the history of Odawa Mnis (Manitoulin Island) and Wiikwemkoong, as you make your way to Canada’s only officially recognized unceded territory. Next travel to Holy Cross Mission ruins, the site of a Roman Catholic Parish church in the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Reserve, north-eastern Manitoulin island. End your journey, with an introduction to the residential school system specific to Odawa Mnis. Along the way, enjoy interactive drum and song performance, as well as storytelling. Thunder Bay is known as “Canada’s Gateway to the West” for its location at the final navigational point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior.

The room also offers a full-size bathroom with all the modern amenities of a fine hotel. Situated along beautiful Penetanguishene Bay, this picturesque historic site is a reconstruction of an original 19th century British naval and military base. Originally conceived during the War of 1812, the actual construction of a Naval Establishment would have to wait for peacetime. Becoming operational in early 1817, the base served as an important supply link to more northerly British outposts, and safeguarded presents destined for Britain’s indigenous allies. Using the detailed map provided, explore the many naval and military sites on the harbor, including a variety of historic naval vessels, sailor’s barracks, a square for military drills, and original officer’s quarters. On this amazing journey aboard the Island Queen, we follow in the wake of early explorers as the captain brings the ship surprisingly up-close to the rugged shoreline of Parry Island and the Bay’s remote outer islands.

MILWAUKEE — Mayor Cavalier Johnson and local leaders on Thursday welcomed the Viking Octantis, the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. 31 port calls by various cruise ships are planned for the Port of Milwaukee in 2023, carrying about 12,000 passengers. Silver Islet sits on the southern edge of the Sibley Peninsula at the mouth of Thunder Bay. Nearby Sleeping Giant Provincial Park attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round with its diverse wildlife and many miles of hiking trails that lead to spectacular views of the Canadian Shield landscape.

In addition to being home to ten Fortune 1000 company headquarters, Milwaukee is also known for its historic architecture, markets, international seaport, and variety of museums, including the Milwaukee Art Museum just steps away from our dock. Milwaukee was first settled by Europeans in 1818, when French-Canadian fur trader Solomon Juneau arrived. German, Polish and Eastern European immigrants followed, bringing with them a long tradition of beer brewing.

Enjoy offerings that range from interpretations of classic European favorites to 21st century offerings that move wine style into the future. From historic ships and lighthouses to the restored mansions built by Muskegon’s most famous lumber barons, delight in the history and scenery of this quaint Michigan town. Referred to as “The Riviera of the Midwest,” Muskegon has grown from a fur trading and lumbering town to a vibrant tourist destination. Explore the delightful town of Holland where hundreds of Dutch immigrants live and immerse yourself in its genuine Dutch culture. Sail the vast waterways of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world.

Milwaukee welcomed on Thursday, May 4, the Viking Octantis -- the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. This is the first year the cruise line most known for its European river cruises is offering Great Lakes itineraries, including three eight-day trips that start or end in Milwaukee. One of those, Undiscovered Great Lakes, will make an additional Wisconsin stop at the Apostle Islands in Bayfield. Another tour, the 15-day Great Lakes Collection tour from Duluth, Minn., to Toronto, skips Milwaukee but makes a stop in Algoma.

Whether you’re visiting Milwaukee for the baseball and beer or your just along for the ride, there’s plenty to experience in the “Genuine American City". Nine counties and thousands of miles later, they stepped off the ship greeted by the sounds of polka music. Inside, the seven-deck ship features multiple restaurants and bars, one in a two-deck lounge at the bow of the ship with double-height windows dubbed the Explorers' Lounge. There's also an auditorium with walls of windows overlooking the stern of the ship, and a Nordic spa with a small pool lined by windows and chairs for relaxing and taking in the scenery.