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 ill 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 regionallyinspired 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;
Victory is taking bookings for a 2025 season cruising on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the French-Canadian Maritimes. Cruises of from nine to 15 nights are scheduled on the two ships from May through October.
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.
Waggoner has a long history, starting with Hornblower Marine Services in 1994 and a number of other ventures that became American Queen Steamboat Co, which combined with Victory Cruise Lines to become American Queen Voyages. He had retired from American Queen before the company went bankrupt in February, 2024.
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. Victory II is getting a new engine and control system and new interior treatments in a $3-million refurbishment at a shipyard in Maine. Meanwhile, Victory I needs only half a million dollars of cosmetic refurbishments, according to Waggoner.
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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