Trip at a Glance –
SFDS Great Lakes Reunion Cruise

This reunion cruise is being coordinated in collaboration with SFDS alumni volunteers, with a limited block of cabins held for the SFDS community.
You’ll sail on a regular public departure, but our SFDS group will enjoy
planned opportunities to gather, reconnect, and give back to the school.

• Dates: 15-25 May, 2027
• Hosted program: Includes a dedicated pre‑cruise hotel night in Toronto arranged by Varsity Voyages, followed by the Toronto–Chicago cruise.
• Duration: 10 nights, including a 1‑night pre‑cruise hotel stay in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Purpose: Celebrate our friendships from St. Francis de Sales High School in Chicago, IL.
• Eligibility & space: Open to SFDS alumni from all class years, plus their families and friends, with space limited to 12 held cabins (double occupancy).
• Fundraising: Varsity Voyages will donate 150.00 USD per person, in your name, to SFDS High School for each guest who books and sails on this reunion cruise through Varsity Voyages.
• Bonus giving opportunity: When you book independent travel through Varsity Voyages—vacation, pilgrimage, family trip, or business travel—I will make a donation on your behalf to St. Francis de Sales High School, turning personal travel plans into added support for SFDS HS
• Since SFDS HS is a qualifying 501(c)(3), your employer may be able to match this gift—potentially doubling the impact of your participation.

About the SFDS Great Lakes Reunion Cruise 

This 10‑night SFDS Great Lakes Reunion Cruise turns your gathering into a floating SFDS community, where alumni, family, and friends reconnect in a relaxed small‑ship setting. Instead of a crowded banquet hall, you’ll sail from Toronto to Chicago with time built in for conversation, reflection, and sweeping lake views. More than just a vacation, every cabin includes a built‑in per‑person donation that directly benefits St. Francis de Sales High School, celebrating the friendships and faith formed there while helping ensure the same experience for the next generation.

SFDS Great Lakes Reunion Cruise Itinerary 

• Day 1 – Saturday, 15 May 2027: Toronto pre‑cruise stay.
  
Arrive in Toronto, settle into your hotel, and ease into the trip with fellow SFDS classmates over an informal evening near the Harbourfront or Distillery District. It’s a relaxed start to your reunion, with time to reconnect, laugh, and remember the stories that began at St. Francis de Sales High School.
  
• Day 2 – Sunday, 16 May 2027: Toronto – embarkation.
  Enjoy a free morning to explore Toronto’s sights, then meet at the pier to board your Great Lakes cruise together. As the ship sails out of Toronto, everyday routine gives way to shared adventure, with days ahead devoted to conversation, friendship, and gratitude for the paths your SFDS years set in motion.
  
• Day 3 – Monday, 17 May 2027: Niagara Falls & Port Colborne, Ontario.
  Experience the power of Niagara Falls and the charm of Port Colborne with classmates at your side. Whether you’re taking photos at the Falls or strolling the canal and waterfront, it’s a day to reflect on how far you’ve all come since walking the halls of St. Francis de Sales.
  
• Day 4 – Tuesday, 18 May 2027: Cleveland, Ohio
  Experience the power of Niagara Falls and the charm of Port Colborne with classmates at your side. Whether you’re taking photos at the Falls or strolling the canal and waterfront, it’s a day to reflect on how far you’ve all come since walking the halls of St. Francis de Sales.
  
• Day 5 – Wednesday, 19 May 2027: Detroit, Michigan
  Discover Detroit’s energetic blend of music, history, and reborn riverfront. From museums to the Riverwalk and lively dining, you’ll see how the city has evolved—much like your own class—while you reconnect, laugh, and reflect on the paths that began at St. Francis de Sales.
  
• Day 6 – Thursday, 20 May 2027: Lake Huron Scenic cruising
  Today is about slowing down and simply being together at sea. Enjoy Lake Huron’s wide‑open views from lounges and open decks as conversations flow easily, giving you space to reminisce, relax, and savor the rare gift of unhurried time with classmates.
  
• Day 7 – Friday, 21 May 2027: Lake Superior Scenic Cruising and the Sault Ste. Marie Soo Locks
  Glide across the calm waters of Lake Superior and pass through the impressive Soo Locks, a highlight of Great Lakes engineering. Against this dramatic backdrop, everyday scenes—stories on deck, quiet moments over coffee—become new memories shared with your SFDS community.
  
• Day 8 – Saturday, 22 May 2027: Mackinac Island. Michigan
  Step into the storybook charm of Mackinac Island, where car‑free streets, horse‑drawn carriages, and lakeshore paths set the scene. Explore together at your own pace, from iconic hotels to scenic overlooks, while easy conversation makes it feel like no time has passed since graduation.
  
• Day 9 – Sunday, 23 May 2027: Escanaba, Michigan
  Rediscover Escanaba’s small‑town warmth as you stroll its waterfront, parks, and historic sites. With the bay as your backdrop, you’ll have plenty of time to swap stories, take photos, and appreciate the friendships and faith community that helped shape your SFDS years.
  
• Day 10 – Monday, 24 May 2027: Milwaukee Wisconsin and Sailing on Lake Michigan
  Enjoy Milwaukee’s vibrant lakefront, historic neighborhoods, and inviting city atmosphere before returning to the ship. As you sail down Lake Michigan, the ship becomes a comfortable “living room” for your class—perfect for one more round of conversations, laughs, and quiet gratitude.
  
• Day 11 – Tuesday, 25 May 2027 : Welcome to Navy Pier, Chicago – Disembarkation

  Sailing into Chicago provides a fitting finale to your Great Lakes reunion. After a final morning of photos, hugs, and last conversations on board, you head home with a shared promise not to let so much time pass before meeting again—and to keep supporting the SFDS community that first brought you together.

Inclusions