A list of Viking cruise stops in Alpena.

ALPENA — Great Lakes cruise season in Alpena kicked off on Monday, as the Viking cruise ship Octantis anchored in Thunder Bay and shuttle boats transported its passengers to Alpena for onshore excursions.

This is the third year Viking has included Alpena as one of its stops on its Great Lakes cruise packages and each year the number of visits has increased.

In a press release, Sarah Morrison, media outreach support specialist for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, said Monday’s visit was the first of 26 this season. She said once on shore, the guests had plenty of attractions to choose from.

Morrison said some passengers went on a nature retreat at the North Point Nature Preserve, while others did a craft beer and wine tour in downtown Alpena. Others chose to tour several of the lighthouses in the Alpena area. Some passengers took a guided tour of downtown and visited the historic locations.

While in town, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Maritime Archeologists and resource protection specialists met with Viking Octantis’ director of science to discuss plans for the continued partnership.

“The ability to expand science in the sanctuary is also a benefit of the Viking ships coming into Alpena,” Morrison said in her press release.

On Monday, Alpena Kayak Tours owner Jeff Konzak said he is having a custom boat made by Moran Iron Works that will shuttle people and Kayaks out to the shipwrecks in Lake Huron where they can get an up-close view of the old ships. The new boat, named TATT CAT, is expected to be delivered to Alpena later this month and kayak tours should begin shortly after that.

A Viking cruise ship will return to Alpena on Sunday.