Victory Cruise Lines Launches 2025 Great Lakes Season with Christening of Victory I

Victory Cruise Lines officially kicked off its 2025 Great Lakes cruising season with the christening of Victory I in Toronto on April 27, 2025.

The event marked a major milestone for the company, led by founder and CEO John Waggoner, who purchased the 190-guest Victory I and its sister ship, Victory II, less than a year ago. Designed specifically for Great Lakes voyages, the two ships offer travelers an intimate, all-inclusive cruising experience distinct from traditional river and ocean cruises. 

For the 2025 season, Victory Cruise Lines is offering 33 sailings that cover all five Great Lakes in a single itinerary. The company remains the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s downtown Navy Pier, where Victory II will be christened on May 12, 2025. Both vessels will operate 10- to 15-night voyages departing from Chicago, Toronto, Milwaukee and Montreal through October.

“As we celebrate the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes, I must reflect on the amazing feat by an incredible team that has brought this vision to life once again,” said John Waggoner, founder and CEO of Victory Cruise Lines. “Thank you to everyone here, as well as those not in the room today, that have believed in us and this dream to share our passion for cruising here on the Great Lakes.”  

The christening ceremony, held in the Compass Lounge aboard the Victory I, began with the national anthems of the United States and Canada, a nod to the two countries that share the Great Lakes. Speakers included Kelly Jackson, Vice President of Destination Development at Destination Toronto; Kate Fineske, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes; COO David William Kelly; and Waggoner himself. The event's highlight was the christening moment, when Emily Coleman, daughter of John and Claudette Waggoner, broke a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky against the bow as Toronto’s skyline framed the celebration.

“Victory Cruise Lines will bring thousands of visitors to Toronto, with many taking time to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, culture, and cuisine,” Kelly Jackson shared on behalf of Destination Toronto. “Cruise visitation supports local jobs and businesses across the city and Victory's resumption of service underscores Toronto’s growing role as a key port in the Great Lakes cruise market.” 

Victory I’s inaugural voyage follows the line’s most popular itinerary, consisting of 10 nights sailing between Toronto and Chicago, featuring stops at Niagara Falls (via Port Colborne), Cleveland, Detroit, Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island and Escanaba, Michigan. Included excursions allow guests to experience top local attractions like The Henry Ford Museum, Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a Soo Locks maritime heritage tour.

Onboard, guests can choose from three dining venues, including the new Tuscan Stone Grill concept, which offers an interactive, upscale experience featuring hot-stone cooking against panoramic Great Lakes views. Partnering with the National Museum of the Great Lakes, the LakeLorian also hosts lectures, leads discussions, and answers questions throughout each voyage. Combining deep expertise with a love for the Great Lakes, LakeLorians deliver exclusive programming developed in collaboration with the esteemed museum based in Toledo, Ohio.

Every Victory Cruise Lines journey includes a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, complete with complimentary ground transfers between the hotel, ship and airport. Guests enjoy all water-view accommodations—some featuring private verandas—along with a shore excursion in every port, from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Detroit.

Onboard, travelers are treated to acclaimed cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner across multiple venues, as well as special culinary events throughout the cruise. Menus feature gourmet options, such as freshly prepared lobster and dishes inspired by regional flavors. Unlimited beverages are included, with an extensive wine list, premium spirits, local craft beers, and specialty coffees available at open bars and lounges throughout the ship. Guests also enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi, daily live entertainment, enrichment programs led by LakeLorians, and complimentary hiking sticks for onshore adventures.

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