Categories: Travel

Victory Cruise Lines – Great Lakes Voyages

John Waggoner’s Victory Cruise Lines Opens for Bookings on Great Lakes

Out of the ashes of now-defunct American Queen Voyages (AQV) rises Victory Cruise Lines, a reborn cruise line offering all-inclusive, small ship coastal cruising on the Great Lakes and Canadian Coasts. The recast line, owned by former AQV Chairman and founder John Waggoner, is now open for reservations for the 2025 inaugural season. Waggoner had disagreed with AQV parent Hornblower’s board of directors about selling Victory Cruise Lines ships and then shutting down AQV entirely earlier this year.

Comprised of the 190-guest Victory I and Victory II, these ships were purpose-built in Jacksonville, Fla., to cruise on all five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the French-Canadian Maritimes. The size and maneuverability of these vessels are perfectly suited for coastal cruising in this region. Cruisers can celebrate the christening celebrations of Victory I in Toronto on April 27 and Victory II at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 12.

John Waggoner
“As long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations of the inaugural season and we prepare to sail these magnificent waters,” said Waggoner, Victory’s chairman and founder, who acquired the two ships in May 2024. “Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes.”

Victory will mark its inaugural season with a special New England & Canada 2025 Reunion Cruise Portland to Toronto departing April 16, 2025. Hosted by John and Claudette Waggoner, the 10-night cruise through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes will reunite friends from past voyages featuring notable guest entertainers, Phil Westbrook, and Greg and Lindy Pendzick.

Victory Cruise Lines voyages along the coastlines journeys through seaways and lakes, navigates hidden harbors and calls on downtown marinas with ease. Victory will be the only coastal cruising product on the Great Lakes that docks at Navy Pier in Chicago. It will offer 36 voyages on the Great Lakes in a single season. It will have the most coastal cruises in a single season that hit all five Great Lakes in one cruise, 33 voyages. Victory Cruise Lines also will be the only coastal cruising product that includes a one-night pre-cruise hotel at a premium property plus ground transfers to the ships for all voyages. Great Lakes itineraries feature the following voyages for the 2025 season:

Ultimate Great Lakes (All Five Great Lakes), Chicago to Toronto: A nine-night cruise, 10-night cruise + pre-cruise hotel will feature 25 voyages April through September 2025. Ports and lakes visited include Chicago, Ill.; Lake Michigan; Escanaba, Mich.; Mackinac Island, Mich.; Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks), Mich.; Lake Superior and Lake Huron; Detroit, Mich.; Lake Erie; Cleveland, Ohio; Niagara Falls (Port Colborne), Ontario; Lake Ontario; Toronto, Ontario.

Ultimate Great Lakes (All Five Great Lakes), Milwaukee to Toronto: A nine-night cruise, 10-night cruise + pre-cruise hotel in Chicago, will feature six voyages May through August 2025. Ports and lakes featured include Chicago, Ill.; transfer to Milwaukee, Wis.; Lake Michigan; Escanaba, Mich.; Mackinac Island, Mich.; Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks), Mich.; Lake Superior and Lake Huron; Detroit, Mich.; Lake Erie; Cleveland, Ohio; Niagara Falls (Port Colborne), Ontario; Lake Ontario; Toronto, Ontario.

Ultimate Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway (All Five Great Lakes), Chicago to Montreal: An 11-night cruise, 12-night cruise + pre-cruise hotel, three voyages, September and October 2025. Ports and lakes visited include Chicago, Ill.; Lake Michigan; Escanaba, Mich.; Mackinac Island, Mich.; Sault Ste Marie (Soo Locks), Mich.; Lake Superior and Lake Huron; Detroit, Mich.; Lake Erie; Cleveland, Ohio; Niagara Falls (Port Colborne), Ontario; Toronto, Ontario; Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway; Montreal, Quebec

Great Lakes & Thunder Bay, Two Great Lakes + Mackinac Island Overnight, Roundtrip Chicago: A 14-night cruise, 15-night cruise + pre-cruise hotel, two voyages, May and June 2025. Ports and lakes visited include Chicago, Ill.; Lake Michigan, Mackinac Island, Mich. (Overnight); Marquette, Mich.; Houghton, Mich.; Duluth, Mich.; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Lake Superior; Sault Saint Marie (Soo Locks), Mich.; Lake Michigan; Green Bay, Wis. (overnight); Muskegon, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.

Onboard, guests will enjoy Victory’s LakeLorian lecture program including engaging, destination-oriented historians and naturalists who share their vast knowledge and expertise of the history, ecology, and culture of each port of call. Victory I and Victory II feature a home-away-from-home atmosphere with gathering spots including the Compass Lounge, home to a grand piano and a favorite locale for old fashioned sing-alongs.

The English-style Tavern is another favorite onboard venue to share stories and laughter with friends and fellow travelers. Guests can lounge on the aft deck on the Observation and Sun Deck with cushioned outdoor sofas, the perfect place to celebrate a successful excursion, gather for afternoon cocktails, amber sunsets, or late-night stargazing.

Victory chefs bring exclusive culinary delights to the table with menus of local specialties and fresh fish when available. The wine selection reflects the routes and fine wines from the various regions. The Coastal Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from the chef’s menu of regionally inspired dishes. The Grill serves buffet breakfast, lunch and seated dinner. Guests will also find a variety of healthy dining alternatives that meet their dining needs.

Each Victory voyage includes one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with complimentary ground transfers between the hotel and vessel; all oceanview accommodations, some with veranda; an included shore excursion in every port from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit; acclaimed cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in multiple venues plus culinary events throughout each cruise; gourmet selections including freshly prepared lobster and regionally-inspired dishes; unlimited beverages including an extensive wine list, choice spirits, local craft beers and specialty coffees; open bars and lounges throughout the vessel; unlimited Wi-Fi; live daily onboard entertainment and enrichment with the LakeLorians; and hiking sticks.

Victory Cruise Lines fares are all-inclusive and based on double occupancy from $5,799 per guest. Fares include Inaugural Season Savings of $1,000 per guest.

__________________