A big company’s decision to refocus its future operations will impact a series of small Upper Peninsula cities, including Marquette.

American Queen Voyages, the company which owns the familiar Ocean Navigator as well as the Ocean Voyager, has announced it will not return to the Great Lakes next year.

The Ocean Navigator docked at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette in early June, having made another stop in Marquette in 2022.

In addition to Marquette, ports of call in the Upper Peninsula had included Escanaba, Houghton and Sault Ste. Marie.

“Our primary commitment is to deliver a best-in-class cruise vacation with a focus on immersive culinary and destination experiences,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president of American Queen Voyages, in a statement. “Our customers consistently tell us our U.S. river itineraries are exceptional and demonstrate this by returning again and again.”

He noted that sailing Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager over the winter months in the Great Lakes was never part of the cruise line’s 12-month plan.

Going forward, all of the company’s focus is being put into updating and enhancing its river product, he said.

This, of course, is viewed as bad news.

The passengers on these ships — and we’re not talking about huge numbers of people here — experienced Marquette, especially the downtown and North Third Street areas, in a very unique way.

They, in turn, took this positive experience with them, informing others of what Marquette has to offer.

We believe far beyond their immediate economic impact, that this was an important aspect of their visits.

And we can’t help but wonder if another company is prepared to pick up where American Queen Voyages will leave off.