Victory Cruise Lines, a boutique operator specializing in small-ship voyages, is preparing to re-enter the U.S. market this April with a renewed focus on the Great Lakes and Canadian maritime regions. The relaunch is being led by John Waggoner, founder of AQV-American Queen Voyages, who is bringing the brand back with two refurbished 190-passenger vessels: Victory I and Victory II.
Originally designed to navigate the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the French-Canadian Maritimes, the ships were previously operated by American Queen Voyages, which acquired Victory Cruise Lines in 2019. The parent company ceased operations last year, at which point Waggoner was no longer affiliated.
The vessels have undergone refurbishment and will serve a combination of popular and lesser-visited North American ports. According to Waggoner, the line’s clientele typically consists of well-traveled individuals now seeking domestic itineraries that emphasize national heritage and regional character. He noted that many guests express a desire to immerse themselves in American and Canadian culture during their voyage.
Waggoner, along with his wife Claudette, who co-owns the company, will host the line’s inaugural voyage of the season—a 10-night sailing aboard Victory I departing from Portland (Maine) to Toronto. This journey will precede the vessel’s formal christening.
Victory II is scheduled to be christened in Chicago on May 12. Beginning in 2025, the line will offer itineraries ranging from 9 to 14 nights. These include comprehensive sailings of all 5 Great Lakes—Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior—on routes between Chicago, Milwaukee, and Toronto. Other voyages will include transit through the St. Lawrence Seaway between Chicago and Montreal, and a roundtrip from Chicago covering Lakes Michigan and Superior, with overnight stops such as Michigan’s Mackinac Island.
Port calls will include cities such as Detroit and Marquette in Michigan; Green Bay (Wisconsin); and Port Colborne (Ontario) which provides access to Niagara Falls. Notably, Victory Cruise Lines will be the only line permitted to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Guests can expect a variety of shore excursions, including a visit to the Soo Locks and Museum Ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Onboard, passengers will have access to a LakeLorian enrichment program in collaboration with the National Museum of the Great Lakes, featuring lectures by historians and naturalists. Amenities include three distinct dining venues, a sundeck, salon, and spa.
Pricing for the sailings begins at US$4,999 per person, which includes a pre-cruise hotel stay, hotel-to-ship transfers, all meals and beverages on board, one guided tour in each port, Wi-Fi access, and additional inclusions.