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<\/p>\nBUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) \u2014 On Thursday, for the first time in decades, a cruise ship carrying more than 100 passengers docked in Buffalo, marking what city leaders called a major milestone for the waterfront and the region\u2019s growing tourism industry.<\/p>\n
The American Patriot, a 130-passenger vessel operated by American Cruise Lines, arrived Thursday evening at Erie Street Dock near Erie Basin Marina. <\/p>\n
The ship\u2019s arrival represents the return of U.S.-flagged domestic cruising to the Great Lakes region and signals Buffalo\u2019s emergence as a destination in the expanding cruise market.<\/p>\n
Passengers were welcomed with cheers from local leaders and residents gathered along the waterfront.<\/p>\n
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Officials with the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation say the arrival is another sign of Buffalo\u2019s ongoing waterfront transformation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just the beginning,\u201d said Mark Wendel, president of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. \u201cWe are really looking forward to this being a growing industry and receiving multiple cruise ships.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tourism leaders said the economic impact could be significant. Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, said the seven cruises expected to arrive this year alone could generate more than $1 million in economic activity for the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Great Lakes cruises have shown that in other port cities, these travelers often make return visits,\u201d Kaler said. \u201cThey get a little taste of Buffalo during the trip, and it motivates them to come back and share their experiences with family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
WATCH: Buffalo waterfront welcomes first cruise ship in decades<\/p>\n
‘This is just the beginning’: Buffalo waterfront welcomes first cruise ship in decades<\/p>\n
Visitors arriving in Buffalo said the city\u2019s waterfront and scenery immediately stood out.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow green it is and how beautiful \u2014 we have had nothing but good weather, \u201dBetsy Bargo, visiting from San Diego, said. <\/p>\n
Bargo added cruising the Great Lakes had long been on her travel bucket list.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the Great Lakes and we learned about it in school,\u201d Bargo said. \u201cSome of the history we learned is pretty interesting, so to actually see it in person is very interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other passengers said the smaller size of the cruise ship made the experience more personal and enjoyable.<\/p>\n
As cruise ships make their return to Buffalo, the Erie Street Dock near the Erie Basin Marina is just a temporary docking site.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the governor’s office released renderings of the Outer Harbor cruise ship terminal, located at the Slip 2 parcel on Fuhrmann Boulevard, the former site of the Pier Restaurant that was demolished in 2007. Construction is slated to begin in July 2026, with a grand opening scheduled for the 2028 summer season.<\/p>\n
The governor’s office said the project reimagines the Slip 2 site as cruise ship docking for both domestic and international travel. The terminal will house services including customs inspections and public restroom facilities.<\/p>\n