Ocean Voyager

The 2001-built Ocean Voyager cruise ship (fka "MS Victory I"/until 2021, and "MS Saint Laurent" until 2015) was initially owned by the company Haimark Line (subsidiary of the luxury river cruisetour operator Haimark Travel). Haimark declared bankruptcy in the end of 2015. Currently, the ship is owned by Clipper Group and chartered to AQSC/American Queen Voyages. Launched in 2016, this new cruise brand operates itineraries on the Great Lakes (USA and Canada) during summer, and to Caribbean roundtrips from Florida (during fall and winter months).

After resuming service in 2022 (following the 2-year hiatus due to the Coronavirus crisis) the boat was renamed from "Victory 1" to "Ocean Voyager".

From the same series (sistership) is the fleetmate Ocean Navigator (formerly Victory 2, Cape Cod Light, Sea Discoverer). Both were built in resemblance to the traditional American coastal steamboats of the late-19th century. They both started operations on itineraries on the Great Lakes, Canadian Maritime, East Coast USA and Southern USA.

The vessel (IMO number 9213129) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311050400) and registered in Nassau.

Later in 2024, the ship will be renamed "Victory I" and reflagged to the USA.

History - construction and ownership

The 210-passenger ship Ocean Voyager was launched in 2001 (as "Cape May Light") by Atlantic Marine (shipyard Jacksonville Florida / now BAE Systems Southeast Florida). The vessel was originally built for Great Lakes Cruises (USA-based company) and designated for expedition voyages with itineraries in Central and South America.

The ship (originally named "Clipper Voyager") was ordered by the Copenhagen Denmark-based company Clipper Group AS. The company specializes in marine shipping, cruise shipping, and also car and passenger ferries. The vessel was operated under charter by Haimark Line - specializing in small ship expedition cruise touring. Before entering service for Haimark, the vessel was extensively refurbished in Charleston SC.

The vessel's last charterer was the Copenhagen-based company Albatros Travel, which specializes in polar expedition cruises and tours. The company Cruise Management International Inc provided deck and engine management, while the sister-company CMI Leisure Management Inc handled the onboard hotel operations.

MS Saint Laurent ship's inaugural cruise for Haimark was on May 30, 2015, leaving from homeport Montreal Canada. Before the launch, Haimark Line invested USD 3,5 million for an extensive drydock refurbishment of all interior spaces. Then the ship was renamed from "Cape May Light". Unfortunately, on June 18, 2015, with all 274 people on board, the St Laurent cruise ship collided with the concrete wall bumper of Eisenhower Lock (Saint Lawrence Seaway) located near Massena NY. The number of injured was 21.

In April 2016 was announced that vessel's operator Haimark Line Ltd had cancelled all scheduled voyages. All booked Haimark customers were refunded, but the company didn't provide reimbursement for air travel payments, hotels or other expenses that don't constitute water transportation or related services. Booked travelers who have previously obtained a refund from their travel insurance or credit card issuer were not eligible.

In November 2018, American Queen Voyages (AQSC) signed an agreement to purchase the brand "Victory Cruise Line", as well as its chartered (from Sunstone Ships) vessels. Victory Cruise Line has a separate fleet and management and operates as a subsidiary company of AQSC/AQV.

Following the bankruptcy of Hornblower Group in 2024 (February), American Queen Voyages was placed for sale. Hornblower was sold to Strategic Value Partners and announced reorganization plans, focusing on its other subsidiaries. In April 2024, both AQV's coastal ships (Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager) were auctioned and sold for a total of US$1,901,000 (or US$950,500 per vessel) to John Waggoner (AQSC's  Founder). The backup bidder (US$1,801 million) was Ship Management Group LLC. In May, the new shipowner announced that following a drydock refurbishment period, both boats would be chartered to/start services for the restored Victory Cruise Lines. Under their previous names - Victory I (Ocean Voyager) and Victory II (Ocean Navigator)- both would be deployed on the Great Lakes.

Decks and Cabins

MS Ocean Voyager ship features a beautifully appointed interior with only 105 staterooms. Its stylish staterooms offer high thread-count bedding, premium mattresses, pillow menus and L'Occitane bath amenities. Passengers enjoy free WiFi Internet access and 24-hour room service, as well as nightly turndown service. The stateroom entertainment systems feature LCD-TVs with satellite programming and radio/alarm clocks with Ipod Docking Station. Outside staterooms include armoires and picture windows for panoramic views.

The boat has 5 passenger decks, of which 4 are with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Victory 1 ship's dining options include the Shearwater Dining Room, Tavern and Outdoor Grill. Guests can enjoy fine a la carte dining in the main restaurant or the outdoor Cliff Rock Grill & Bar. they can treat themselves to fresh "hot rock" cooking at Cliff Rock, savor regionally inspired cuisine and western classics at Shearwater Dining Room, indulge in delightful afternoon tea service, complete with cakes and cookies, mingle with friends at the British-style Seascape Tavern.

The boat has an Observation Lounge, Sun Deck, Terrace, Boutique Shop. Expertly guided shore excursions are included. Learn Aboard (shipboard enrichment program) is hosted by experts in culture, history and natural wonders of the places visited.

In October 2024 were announced details on the ship's dining options, including the new Tuscan Stone Grill at The Grill (open for buffet breakfast and lunch). This upscale restaurant is open for dinner and provides an interactive dining experience with hot stones allowing guests to cook at their tables.

Dining offerings include exclusive dishes and menus with local food specialties and fresh fish (subject to availability) as well as a wine selection reflecting the ship's itinerary routes.

The Coastal Dining Room is complimentary and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Chef’s Menu lists regionally inspired dishes.

The Tavern is an English-style pub with live music in the evenings.

Itineraries

MV Ocean-Voyager itinerary calendar has regularly scheduled Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway cruises in the USA and Canada. The ship also operates regular cruises to Cuba leaving round-trip from Miami Florida. The newly refurbished ship entered service on July 8, 2016.

• AQV/Victory Cruise Line's USA-Canada itinerary program offers 15-day itineraries leaving out of Chicago (Navy Pier), Toronto and Montreal. Cuba cruises from Miami started on October 28, 2016. The roundtrip itineraries range from 4-days (Miami to Havana) to 14-days (around Cuba / circumnavigation itinerary.
• In October 2017 was announced the inaugural Cuba cruise season will offer 13- to 15-night island circumnavigation itineraries starting in March 2018. All the themed "Cuba 360-degree" itineraries circumnavigate Cuba and visit UNESCO sites as part of the company's shore excursions program. All-inclusive fares (per person, double occupancy) started from USD 7,000, with promo prices from USD 5,500 plus USD 400 airfare credit.
• The inaugural Cuba cruise departed from Miami on April 20, 2018. The 15-night itinerary visited 4 Cuban ports - overnights in Havana (3 overnights) and Santiago de Cuba (1), plus Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Maria la Gorda. Following the maiden voyage, Victory 1 operated out of Miami on 5 more roundtrip itineraries.
• 2018 Cuban season ended with an 11-day repositioning cruise (May 5) with included flight Miami to Havana and an overnight.

Victory Cruise Lines itinerary program (January-April 2019) included 13- and 14-night Cuba circumnavigation cruises on MS Victory I. For the winter, the company offered reduced pricing plus early booking discounts on all Miami-Cuba cruises. All-inclusive fares for 13-night itineraries started at USD 6,000 pp (included early-booking discount). Select departures had an overnight hotel or air credit of USD 500 pp.

The ship's Cuba circumnavigation itineraries were Miami roundtrips - 2019 departures Jan 29, Feb 15, Mar 1, 15, 29. Each voyage features educational activities (interactions with Cuban artists, musicians, naturalists, entrepreneurs).

For season 2019 (May through October), Victory Cruise Line scheduled 10-day "Great Lakes" cruises operated with all-inclusive deals. Victory 1 ship was homeported in Toronto and Chicago, with route ports Port Colborne ON, Cleveland OH, Detroit MI, Lake Huron (scenic cruising), Little Current (Manitoulin Island), Soo Locks (connecting Lake Superior with Great Lakes). Sault Ste Marie, Mackinac Island, Lake Michigan. This "Great Lakes Grand Discovery" itinerary on MS Victory 1 in 2019 is offered on (departures) May 13-22-31, June 9-27, August 11-20-29, October 4-13. Signature destinations are Georgian Bay, Niagara Falls, Southern Canadian coastal cruising. Prices started at USD 6390 per person (double occupancy fares).

Ocean Voyager's "maiden season" (inaugural cruise under the new ship name) started on January 4, 2022. The program was based on Yucatan Mexico itineraries. The roundtrips from Cozumel visited three Yucatan ports (Campeche, Progreso, Valladolid) and as complimentary shore excursions - visits to Malecon de Campeche (beach resort tourism area), Chichen Itza (El Castillio, La Piramide/aka Kukulkan Temple, with Mayaland Hotel overnight stay), Merida (Gran Museo del Mundo Maya).

Victory Cruise Lines deals

Follows the list of onboard amenities and services offered complimentary to all passengers (cruise price inclusive) regardless of cabin grades:

• accommodation: sleeping area (2 twin beds or 1 queen bed / excepting Owners Suites and Category E (with 1 fixed queen bed, 100% Egyptian cotton bedding sets, premium mattresses), en-suite bathroom (robes, slippers, make-up mirror, hairdryer), electronic safe (in the closet), individual climate control, flat LCD TV (satellite programming), direct dial phone (outside line), radio (alarm, docking station)
• daily housekeeping, nightly turndown service
• daily tour (1 excursion in each cruise port)
• complimentary drinks (coffee, tea, bottled water, soft drinks, house brand beers and wine by the glass with all lunches and dinners)
• all onboard meals
• brunch time Consume and Afternoon Tea service

Victory Cruise Line/AQV fares were inclusive of all daily-scheduled tours (excursions ashore), including full-day Niagara Falls and Mackinac Island (Lake Huron). Deals were also inclusive of alcohol (beer and wine) at lunch and dinner.

Not included in the cruise deals are:

• flights (domestic or international airfare to and from the port destination)
• Other beverages (not mentioned above)
• gratuities (onboard and on shore excursions), port charges, cruise insurance.

Victory Cruise Line's closest competitor (in both USA and Cuba) is Pearl Seas Cruises.