Revived Victory Cruise Lines Opens Bookings for Inaugural Great Lakes Season
by Dori Saltzman
Photo: Victory Cruise Lines
Two months after John Waggoner announced he would be reviving Victory Cruise Lines, the cruise line has opened up reservations for its inaugural Great Lakes Season in spring 2025.
Comprising the 190-passenger Victory I and Victory II, Victory Cruise Lines will sail all five Great Lakes, as well as the St. Lawrence Seaway and French-Canadian Maritimes. Victory I will be re-christened in Toronto on April 27, 2025 and Victory II at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 12. The ships will then sail a combined 36 voyages on the Great Lakes in its first season.
“As long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations of the inaugural season…” said Waggoner, Victory Cruise Lines chairman and founder, who purchased the ships in May 2024.
The cruise line will mark its inaugural season with a special New England & Canada 2025 Reunion Cruise from Portland, Maine to Toronto, departing April 16, 2025.
Voyage options for the 2025 season include:
- Ultimate Great Lakes (25 departures, April through Sept.): This nine-night cruise touches all five Great Lakes, sailing from Chicago to Toronto and includes a pre-cruise hotel night.
- Ultimate Great Lakes (6 departures, May through Aug.): This nine-night cruise touches all five Great Lakes, sailing from Milwaukee to Toronto and includes a pre-cruise hotel night in Chicago, along with transfer to Milwaukee.
- Ultimate Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway (3 departures, Sept. and Oct.): This 11-night cruise touches all five Great Lakes, sailing from Chicago to Montreal and includes a pre-cruise night.
- Great Lakes & Thunder Bay (2 departures, May and June): This two-week cruise touches two Great Lakes, sailing roundtrip from Chicago, and includes a pre-cruise hotel night, as well as a Mackinac Island overnight.
All Victory Cruise Lines voyages include ground transfers between pre-cruise hotel and the ship, an included shore excursion in every port, unlimited beverages and Wi-Fi, and more.
