Miami-based Victory Cruise Lines, which is the most recent specialist in Great Lakes and St Lawrence River luxury voyages, welcomed the inaugural cruise of its new ship, MS Victory II, to Detroit MI on Monday. The ship was launched as Cape Cod Light, operated by Delta Queen Coastal Voyages.
Although Victory II was finally finished in 2004, it was not placed into passenger service, so the current cruise was ship’s first revenue passenger trip. The most noticeable change to the cruiser is the glass enclosure which now surrounds former Hot Rock Grill on its stern.
Before departure, Port Montreal awarded a commemorative plaque to Captain Giorgios Theodorou, who spent many years with Celebrity and Azamara, as well as Master of sistership "Saint Laurent" (for Haimark in 2015).
MS Victory II embarked guests on July 27 and departed from Montreal on July 28 to head north to visit Quebec prior to continuing to St Lawrence Seaway, Toronto, Welland Canal and Cleveland, and reached Detroit yesterday morning, August 6.
With Victory I and Victory II both in operation, this marks the first time in more than 50 years that any Great Lakes cruise ship operator has been able to offer 2 ships at the same time.