Milwaukee Breaks Ground on $17M South Shore Cruise Dock

Milwaukee has officially begun construction on the South Shore Cruise Dock, its third designated cruise dock, located at 2320 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive. The new dock is designed to accommodate Seawaymax vessels, including large cruise ships like the Viking Octantis, and aims to enhance the passenger experience with better views and access to local attractions such as Bay View. This $17 million project, supported by city, state, and tourism grants, is expected to be operational by the middle of the 2026 cruising season. The dock's construction is part of Milwaukee's broader strategy to attract more cruise ships and increase economic impact from cruise tourism, which generated $2.5 million this year and is projected to reach $3.5 million next year with more visits. Local officials, including Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Port Milwaukee Director Jackie Q. Carter, celebrated the groundbreaking, emphasizing the city's commitment to being a welcoming destination for visitors. The project also highlights Milwaukee's competition with other Great Lakes ports and its efforts to maintain its status as a premiere Great Lakes port-of-call.