There’s a new player in the Great Lakes cruise market. Victory Cruise Lines launched its first ship, Victory I, on April 27 in Toronto, followed by the Victory II on May 12 in Chicago.
The two ships are virtually identical, purpose-built for sailing the Great Lakes and coastal waters; each accommodates just 190 passengers.
The ships rekindle the glory years of passenger shipping across the Great Lakes from the 1850s through the 1960s, when ships transported people to and from places like Buffalo, Detroit and Chicago. Passenger shipping all but disappeared with the rise of the jet age, save for an occasional ferry boat taking guests across Lake Michigan or to islands such as Mackinac Island.
The Victory ships first entered service in 2001 as Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light but then passed through various owners. The duo joined American Queen Voyages in 2019, which went under in early 2024.
John Waggoner, a 30-year-plus maritime entrepreneur, snapped up the two ships and founded Victory Cruise Lines. He renovated them in 2024 before they began the company’s inaugural season this year.
The cruise I sailed on departed from Chicago’s Navy Pier and called at Escanaba, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie and Detroit, Mich.; Cleveland, Ohio; Niagara Falls from the Canadian side at Port Colborne; and concluded in Toronto.
Each trip includes a pre-cruise hotel night with breakfast; in Chicago, it was at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, an ideal location to walk to the river for a boat architectural tour or the popular line of restaurants and clubs overlooking the water. Motorcoach transfers are provided from the hotel to the ship and, at conclusion of the cruise, from the ship to their airport.
Victory provides one free shore excursion in every port, including the Henry Ford Museum outside of Detroit, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, a wet and wild boat ride amid the Niagara Falls, and a ride around carless Mackinac Island by horse-drawn carriage (including the historic Grand Hotel, famous as the movie setting for “Somewhere in Time”).
The excursions were smoothly operated by comfortable motorcoaches with local guides.
An included shore excursion was a boat ride into Niagara Falls from Ontario. (Photo Credit: Theresa Norton.)
Accommodations
There are five categories of outside staterooms, which measure 146 to 181 square feet on Decks 1 through 3. They are similar in decor and are cozy with very comfortable queen- or twin-size beds, a writing desk, small bathroom with shower and large vanity for storing cosmetics and such, and a flat-screen TV. A plush robe and slippers are provided, along with bath amenities.
On Deck 4, the Club-Level Staterooms measure 161 square feet, but have a door that opens to the outside deck. There are two chairs and a small table for relaxing in the fresh air. Guests in these rooms use the outside deck to access other areas of the ship, so they might get wet if it rains.
The Club-Level Stateroom windows are covered in a mirrored film, so guests can see out, but people passing by on the deck can’t see in. Extra amenities at this level include a mini-fridge stocked with sodas and beer, an exclusive Club-level dinner at Tuscan Stone Grill and shipboard credit. Coming soon is laundry service for two bags per cruise.
Twice-daily housekeeping services are included, as are sweet pillow gifts from the area the ship is docked with cleverly written notecards. Examples include Chicago’s famous Garrett Popcorn, fudge from Mackinac Island, and chocolate-covered cherries in Michigan.
Public Areas
The ship itself evokes an earlier era of passenger shipping with the English-style Tavern with dark woods and big comfy chairs. Guests also gather in the updated Compass Lounge, where the “Lake-Lorian” gives lectures on Great Lakes history and geography, movies are shown.
The house band is excellent. Made up of three multi-talented musicians, one night the drummer suddenly pulled out a saxophone and on another, the pianist brought out a trumpet. Theme nights include country, rock, jazz or musical tributes.
Especially popular were the performances with singer Michaelyn Oby, a veteran of American Queen Voyages. She received raucous applause accompanied by lit-up iPhones after her Diana Ross tribute.
Victory II also has a small spa and salon with extra services such as massages, facials and nail treatments.
The Sun Deck on Deck 5 is accessed by a stairway and features cushioned lounge chairs.
Wi-Fi throughout the ship is included, as is an app usable while onboard that shows the daily schedules, dinner menus, shore excursions and more.
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation near Detroit featured an old Holiday Inn sign in an exhibit on how auto traffic changes the American lifestyle. (Photo Credit: Theresa Norton.)
What’s for Dinner?
Dining is a delight. The main restaurant, the Coastal Dining Room on Deck 1, offers an array of selections for dinner, including vegan dishes. Selections might include herb-crusted Black Angus beef tenderloin, grilled walleye, garlic-seared Maine lobster tail, or miso-braised eggplant. The always-available options include grilled New York strip steak, Atlantic salmon and grilled chicken breast.
Early-risers continental breakfast is served in the Compass Lounge, or a la carte selections or buffet in the Coastal Dining Room. The Grill, located aft on Deck 4, serves a hot buffet breakfast and lunch on most days.
The Grill transforms into the Tuscan Stone Grill for dinner, which requires reservations (but no cover charge). It’s a fun experience, with each guest using a hot lava rock to cook their protein to their own taste; options include sirloin steak, beef tenderloin, lamb chops, rainbow trout or tuna. Dinner comes with a selection of side dishes – fried potatoes with parmesan, spinach with garlic and olive oil, or pasta with tomato sauces.
Target Clientele
Victory Cruise Lines attracts people who have cruised before, are well-traveled and well-educated. The majority come from U.S. and Canada, according to Vice President of Marketing Kari Tarnowski. She added that the Great Lakes cruises also attract multi-generational families, including one led by a 92-year-old who brought his 70-year-old children and their adult kids.
The ship does have raised thresholds, as are commonly found on older ships, which can create challenges for those in wheelchairs or using walkers. There is an elevator that runs from Deck 1 to Deck 4.
In conclusion, the Victory Cruise Lines ships offer a friendly, almost family-like experience in ports in all five Great Lakes. Itineraries include big cities and marquee attractions, as well as smaller, charming communities. The company offers a travel advisor resource center at its website, which includes online webinars, webinars, brochures and more.
For more information, visit www.VictoryCruiseLines.com.
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