Victory Cruise Lines Officially Relaunches Great Lakes Cruising

When John Waggoner greeted guests to the christening ceremony of Victory I in Toronto Harbour on April 27, the CEO and founder of Victory Cruise Lines did what he does best: charm everyone with his inimitable passion for cruising and zest for his pursuit of providing stellar passenger experiences on the Great Lakes.

Speaking with palpable emotion, Waggoner described how he emerged from retirement to revive the Victory brand within 380 days of acquiring its two vessels at bankruptcy auction. After technological updates and interior refurbishments of the 190-passenger vessels purpose-built to transit the narrow locks of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, Victory I, built in 2001, and Victory II, built in 2004, were ready to navigate through coastal waters and all five Great Lakes, calling at Canadian and American ports along the way. 

Speaking upliftingly of Victory Cruise Lines as “an opportunity to connect,” Emily Coleman, John and Claudette Waggoner’s youngest daughter and godmother of Victory 1, anticipated a season of congenial cruising transcending political climes.

“In a world that sometimes feels designed to divide us…we find support, joy, kindness and openness with each other on this beautiful little ship,” she said.

Moments later, on the sunny deck backdropped by Toronto’s glittering skyline, Coleman smashed a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky against the bow, naming Victory 1. 

Fifteen days later in Chicago on May 12, Waggoner greeted guests aboard Victory II. Jordan Engerman, vice president of Choose Chicago Partnerships, proudly welcomed Victory as the only line exclusively privileged to berth at Navy Pier. Minutes later, backdropped by Chicago’s stunning skyline, godmother Molly Applegate, granddaughter of John and Claudette Waggoner, smashed a bottle of Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon against the bow, officially naming Victory II.

Guests who’d enjoyed a pre-cruise stay at Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk were all set to cruise the line’s most popular itinerary, the 10-night cruise between Chicago and Toronto, reversing the route TMR took for Victory 1’s inaugural voyage.

These are highlights of that first cruise.

By the time Captain Geir Lilleeng navigated Victory I into Lake Ontario, guests were busy sipping Champagne in the Compass Lounge as crew members detailed the voyage ahead. In each port of call, guests could choose one of three types of excursions: included, premium (extra fee), and immersive (extra fee).

Crew showed us how to use the Victory app to view excursion details, as well as access daily schedules for LakeLorian lectures and evening entertainment. Unlimited free Wi-Fi makes using the app easy.  

A Taste of Victory Cruise Lines’ Shore Excursions

Excitement soared as we approached the Canadian town of Port Colborne. Besides offering a walking tour of this pretty town brimming with shops and eateries, and an immersive visit to Niagara’s maple syrup hub, Victory includes a no-fee visit to Niagara Falls with access to the Niagara Falls Power Station and Tunnel, which leads to the base of the Falls.

In Cleveland, some guests spent the day enjoying the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (access is complimentary to Victory guests), while others explored the city’s art and culture, or visited the Cuyahoga Valley and Goodyear site. 

Detroit surprised first-time visitors with its revitalized and walkable waterfront area. Car buffs were thrilled by the included tour to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. The premium Detroit Designers tour was among our cruise highlights, as the curator guided an exclusive tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright House and Saarinen House at Cranbrook.

In Toledo, an immersive visit to the National Museum of the Great Lakes enthralled ship aficionados. 

A highlight for some was when we docked at Sault Ste. Marie’s new U.S. cruise dock in the morning, allowing guests to view ships passing through the Soo Locks that connect Lake Huron and Lake Superior. While some explored The Soo’s history, others crossed the water to Canada’s Sault Ste. Marie for an engaging experience with the Baawaating First Nations people who showcased their indigenous culture, traditions, and cuisine.

Thanks to its compact size, Victory I can berth alongside Mackinac Island’s pier. As Victory included the essential horse-driven carriage ride with entrance to the hilltop fort, guests had free time to indulge in a lavish lunch at the Grand Hotel, or learn the art of fudge-making at Mission Point Resort.

A Great Lakes Experience Perfect for Clients

“The pleasure of Victory’s Great Lakes cruise is in experiencing the local charms,” said Kathryn Estomo, as we strolled from an art center in Escanaba, Michigan. A travel advisor with Camarillo Travel based in Ventura County Calif., Estomo praised Victory’s quality of included excursions.

Dubbing the entire cruise “amazing for art, culture and food,” she called Victory I “the perfect size ship for this destination,” and added, “I would recommend this to over-60 clients who love adventure, appreciate moderate pricing, and are flexible. For example, people joked about the showers, yet said they had great fun, loved the food, loved the ports, loved the entertainment. It whet their appetite for a Canada-New England cruise departing from Toronto.”

Orlando-based cruise specialist Amy Madson, owner of Madson & Associates with husband, Michael, “loved the itinerary and included excursions to all the cool stuff.”

Madson said she would recommend Victory to clients wanting a small ship experience at good value.

Both ships have all outside-facing accommodations, ranging from the largest – two Owners Suites at 335 square feet with semi-private verandas – to standard staterooms of 161 square feet with verandas, along with various entry level rooms. Madson told TMR she recommends the “compact but sufficient” 165-square-foot category B staterooms on Deck 3 for their convenient indoor access.

All rooms come with refreshing Aveda amenities and a bar stocked with soda and beer.

Victory Cruise Lines’ Dining

We also found dining a highlight. Victory has honed their cooks’ culinary skills to consistently produce good quality, beautifully plated, regionally-inspired cuisine featuring a variety of fish, seafood, meats, and desserts.

For a change of pace, guests can enjoy grilling their choice picks on sizzling rocks in the Tuscan Stone Grill.

Every menu included vegetarian options. And every meal was graced with attentive servers eager to refill glasses of wine.

Victory Cruise Lines Basics to Know

Victory Cruise Lines is the only cruise line to visit all five Great Lakes in one itinerary, and the only one to include a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with breakfast at a premium hotel, along with ground transfers to the ship.

The line’s 2025 season offers a total of 33 Great Lakes itineraries ranging from 10- to 15-night voyages, with departures from Chicago, Toronto, Milwaukee, and Montreal. The 2026 season features 40 voyages, including new itineraries and new ports.

All cruises include unlimited beverages, including wines, spirits, craft beers and specialty coffees, unlimited WI-FI, daily onboard entertainment, and enriching LakeLorian lectures.