Victory Cruise Lines Unveils New Great Lakes Itineraries: All You Need To Know

Published on August 20, 2025

Victory Cruise Lines has officially launched its inaugural play connected nan Great Lakes, drafting nan attraction of travelers seeking immersive exploration of regions crossed nan U.S. and Canada. The line’s founder, John Waggoner, revived nan marque aft acquiring nan 2 vessels, Victory I and Victory II, from nan now-defunct American Queen Voyages. This acquisition followed nan closure of American Queen successful early 2024. Despite being bought retired and departing from nan day-to-day operations of American Queen successful 2021, Waggoner was well-positioned to rejuvenate nan ships and create caller itineraries for Victory Cruise Lines. A specified twelvemonth and a half aft acquiring nan ships, nan institution was launched successful outpouring 2025, marking nan opening of a caller era for Great Lakes cruising.

A Glimpse into nan History of nan Ships

The 2 Victory ships person a storied history. Originally introduced into work successful 2001 nether nan names Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light, these ships had changed ownership respective times earlier joining American Queen Voyages successful 2019. Waggoner, a seasoned maritime entrepreneur pinch complete 3 decades of experience, recognized nan imaginable of these vessels, peculiarly fixed his familiarity pinch nan Great Lakes region. With their return to service, nan ships were rebranded arsenic Victory I and Victory II and are now poised to service arsenic nan flagship of Victory Cruise Lines.

Both vessels are designed to navigate nan unsocial challenges of nan Great Lakes, pinch a rider capacity of 190 connected each ship. These copy vessels are almost identical, featuring 5 decks and a layout perfectly suited for coastal cruising. With their purpose-built design, Victory I and Victory II are perfect for cruising done nan picturesque waters of nan Great Lakes, offering travelers an friendly acquisition pinch a comparatively mini impermanent capacity.

A Warm, Family-Friendly Atmosphere

Onboard, nan ambiance is designed to evoke a consciousness of family and camaraderie. The statement prides itself connected creating an ambiance wherever some passengers and unit shape beardown bonds passim nan cruise. With personalized work and a attraction connected friends interactions, passengers often consciousness for illustration they are staying astatine a location distant from home. This personalized work is simply a hallmark of nan Victory Cruise Lines experience, pinch nan unit learning guests’ names and preferences by nan extremity of nan first day, creating a welcoming and acquainted environment.

The ships’ itineraries cater to a multigenerational clientele. Many of nan passengers aboard Victory I and Victory II are well-traveled, well-educated repetition cruisers. A ample information of guests are multigenerational families, often including grandparents, parents, and grandchildren, each walking together to bask nan Great Lakes’ rich | history and scenery.

Onboard Accommodations and Amenities

Victory I and Victory II some characteristic compact yet comfortable accommodations. Staterooms, ranging from 146 to 185 quadrate feet, connection woody furniture, plush beds, and bathrooms equipped pinch tight, information showers and vanities pinch ample support abstraction for toiletries. Guests walking successful higher-tier cabins tin bask further amenities specified arsenic typical arena invitations, laundry services, and a stocked mini-fridge pinch brew and sodas.

The apical platform of some ships is equipped pinch sun loungers, while Deck 4 is known arsenic nan Club Level, offering upgraded experiences for passengers seeking a premium cruise experience. Dining onboard is different highlight, pinch a attraction connected locally originated ingredients and a assortment of eating options. Guests tin acquisition nan Tuscan Stone Grill, wherever they tin navigator their ain macromolecule connected a basking lava stone to their desired level of doneness.

Entertainment aboard nan ships is lively, pinch performances from a talented three-piece set and a vocalist who delights guests pinch outstanding performances. The Victory mobile app enhances nan impermanent experience, allowing passengers to enactment informed astir regular schedules, eating options, and activities.

Shore Excursions and Exclusive Travel Experiences

A standout characteristic of Victory Cruise Lines is its committedness to providing enriching statement excursions astatine each larboard of call. Each itinerary includes 1 complimentary statement excursion, allowing passengers to research section attractions specified arsenic nan Henry Ford Museum successful Detroit, nan Rock & Roll Hall of Fame successful Cleveland, and a vessel thrust done Niagara Falls. Additionally, travelers tin bask a horse-drawn carriage thrust astir nan car-free Mackinac Island.

For those seeking much specialized experiences, optional excursions are disposable astatine an other cost, offering deeper dives into section food, culture, and history. Every cruise besides includes a pre-cruise edifice enactment pinch breakfast, further enhancing nan wide experience. In Chicago, passengers bask a enactment astatine nan Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, earlier being transferred to nan vessel for embarkation.

Upcoming Itineraries and Future Plans

Victory Cruise Lines operates seasonally from April to early November, pinch plans to grow its offerings successful nan coming years. In 2026, longer cruises will beryllium introduced, including 14-day sailings from Portland, Maine, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, aliases to Jacksonville, Florida. These longer voyages will let for further exploration and supply nan opportunity for basal attraction during nan off-season.

Pricing for these cruises starts astatine $4,999 per personification for double occupancy connected nan nine-night Montreal-to-Portland itinerary, pinch fares for nan 10-night Great Lakes sailings betwixt Chicago and Toronto opening astatine $6,299 per personification for 2025. In 2026, nan value for this itinerary will driblet to $5,799 per person. These rates screen each meals, drinks, day beverage connected days pinch nary ports of call, and entree to specialty eating astatine nan Tuscan Stone Grill, among different services. Passengers besides bask regular housekeeping, snacks, and section turndown treats specified arsenic Garrett popcorn from Chicago and Mackinac Island fudge.

A Memorable Great Lakes Experience pinch Victory Cruise Lines

Victory Cruise Lines has successfully carved a niche successful nan competitory cruising manufacture by offering a unique, family-friendly acquisition connected nan Great Lakes. With a attraction connected exceptional service, enriching statement excursions, and personalized attention, nan statement is well-positioned to go a favourite among travelers seeking a much friendly and immersive cruise experience. Whether you are a seasoned cruiser aliases looking for a caller adventure, Victory Cruise Lines offers a memorable travel done 1 of North America’s astir scenic regions.