The reborn Victory Cruise Lines has a new partnership for enrichment programs and is offering unique culinary experiences for its new cruises on the Great Lakes.
Victory is partnering with the National Museum of the Great Lakes to launch a program of lectures and discussions with LakeLorians who will lead lectures, host discussions and answer guest questions throughout journeys around the Great Lakes.
“The Victory Cruise Lines team has supported the museum for several years, and we are excited to partner with the cruise line to enhance their enrichment program through training and education for their LakeLorians,” said Kate Fineske, executive director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo. “With this unique collaboration, the Victory I and Victory II will be floating extensions of our institution and we look forward to sharing the science and history of The Great Lakes together.”
“Our guests are looking to not just visit ports in the region but learn as much as they can about the Great Lakes and this partnership is a wonderful addition to the guest experience,” noted Victory’s chairman John Waggoner.
Victory is committed to innovative quality dining throughout the cruises. he added. Acclaimed cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in multiple venues, plus culinary events throughout each cruise. Gourmet selections include freshly prepared lobster and regionally inspired dishes; unlimited beverages including an extensive wine list, choice spirits, local craft beers and specialty coffees. There are open bars in lounges throughout the vessel.
Cruising connoisseurs can celebrate the christening celebrations of Victory I in Toronto on April 27 and Victory II at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 12.
Each Victory Cruise Lines voyage includes one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with complimentary ground transfers between the hotel and vessel; all oceanview accommodations, some with veranda. A shore excursion is included in every port, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. Fares include unlimited wi-fi; live daily onboard entertainment and enrichment aa well as hiking sticks for excursions.
Victory is already planning a second Great Lakes season for 2026, featuring 40 voyages with several new ports and itineraries, 34 of which visit all five Great Lakes.
“We have received wonderful feedback on those 2025 itineraries,” Waggoner says. “We have also listened to our guests and travel advisors, where they want to explore in 2026 and look forward to continuing to offer new ports and itineraries.”
New itineraries include Portland to Quebec City and the reverse; Quebec City to Chicago and the reverse; and Toronto to Milwaukee on May 14 and Milwaukee to Toronto on May 23. Among the new ports and highlights are Milwaukee, Pictured Rocks, Sturgeon Bay, Whitefish Bay, Trois-Rivières, Gaspé, Baie-Comeau, and Saguenay.
Return “favorites” include Chicago to Toronto and the reverse beginning in April and running through September; two round-trip cruises from Chicago that comprehensively explore Lake Superior with stops in the lesser-visited ports of Thunder Bay, Duluth, Houghton and Marquette; three cruises from Chicago to Montreal running 11 nights; Portland to Toronto in April; and Montreal to Portland in October.
Each Victory voyage aims to provide a well-rounded and luxury experience, including a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with breakfast; complimentary ground transfers; outside view accommodations (some with open verandas); and an included shore excursion in every port. Guests can look forward to cuisine in multiple venues, specialty restaurants like the Tuscan Stone Grill, unlimited beverages, open bars and lounges, unlimited Wi-Fi, live onboard entertainment, enrichment programs with LakeLorians, and hiking sticks.
Victory acquired the two ships in May, 2024, following the bankruptcy of American Queen Voyages which operated the ships under the names Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager.
Veterans of American Queen Voyages have signed on to run the new company. Among the key members of Victory Cruise Lines leadership team are, David Kelly and Bill Annand, in operations; Christina Hobbs, administration; Bob Salmon, sales; Kari Tarnowski, marketing and Eric Long, reservations.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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