Cruise
Victory II Returns to The Great Lakes: A New Era in Small Ship Cruising
Article and photography by Judi Cohen (Traveling Judi)
On a sunny spring morning, with the magnificent Chicago skyline in the background, our Great Lakes adventure aboard Victory II’s inaugural voyage began at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier. Upon embarkation, we attended the ship’s christening ceremony in the Compass Lounge, where CEO, John Waggoner, delivered a moving speech about the company’s history and vision. Both the American and Canadian national anthems were performed. It was a heartwarming ceremony, blending family, celebration, and a spirit of unity. It was an apt beginning to a cruise in Canada and the United States.
It was touching to see Mr. Waggoner well up with tears when introducing his 12-year-old granddaughter, Molly Applegate, Victory II’s Godmother. Molly and the family proceeded to the bow of the ship to christen Victory II with the smashing a bottle of Maker’s Mark Kentucky bourbon against the bow, drawing loud cheers and applause!
Sailing away at sunset from Navy Pier afforded a glorious view of the city one last time before our epic Great Lakes journey.
A Classic Small Ship with Modern Comforts
Victory II is small and nimble, measuring just under 300 feet in length with a capacity of 190 passengers. Designed for comfort rather than flash, she offers a welcoming atmosphere, with elegant wood interiors and comfy furnishings styled in nautical blues and creams. It felt like sailing in my summer cottage, albeit with many welcome bells and whistles!
The ship’s size and layout made it convenient to move around from one deck to the next and to access dining, lounges, observation decks, the gym, the spa and the purser’s desk. All were located next to a central staircase with one elevator servicing all decks except for the sun deck which could be accessed by stairs only. We never needed a deck plan or directions, although a deck plan was posted on the wall on every deck. It was simple and intuitive.
Cozy Cabin
Our cozy, well-appointed Ocean View Stateroom with twin beds and two large windows was located on Deck 4 accessed directly from the Promenade deck. While the cabin did not have a balcony there were two chairs outside our cabin. It was relatively small (161 sq. ft.), but the cabin was very well designed with lots of drawers, closets, shelves and two desks. Even with the two of us (and considering that we each overpacked), everything found a place without difficulty. The cabin was also equipped with a hair dryer, bar fridge and safety deposit box.
The bathroom had a large shelf below the sink for all our toiletry items. The shower was quite small with a ‘clingy’ shower curtain, however the powerful water pressure and the heated floor, more than compensated for that. Any mention of the ‘clingy’ shower curtain became an endearing and funny conversation-starter among guests!
Each morning our stateroom attendant, Mas, refreshed the luxe bed linens, fine quality soap, shampoo, shower gel, fluffy white towels, bathrobes and slippers, returning in the evening to turn down our cabin. We looked forward to the small locally sourced gifts and cards left on our pillows at turndown, especially the dark chocolate-covered cherries, and the box of Mackinac Island fudge.
A Relaxed Daily Routine – Entertainment, Enrichment and Activities
Days aboard Victory II followed an unhurried rhythm balancing activity and downtime. Mornings and afternoons featured shore excursions at each port of call. Guests could do as many or few as they wanted. For those remaining onboard for all or part of the day, there were movies and enrichment lectures, coffee, drinks and craft-making in the Compass Lounge. Some mornings, enrichment talks were given by Ian, the Victory II Lakelorian, about the history and ecology and economic importance of the Great Lakes, as well as on the freighters carrying raw materials. Victory Cruise Lines partnered with the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo to offer these immersive onboard lectures. With two sea days on our itinerary there was ample time to relax, play trivia games, do puzzles or just watch the passing scenery in the lounge and bar. Evenings included a port talk by Madeline. Bacha, Victory II’s Shore Experience Manager, pre-dinner cocktails and canapes in the lounge, and live music and dancing after dinner. There were no flashy Broadway-style shows or casinos on this ship, however, with the Victory II band and the talented singer Michaelyn Oby, I can confidently say it was the best entertainment of any small ship I have cruised on.
Cuisine and Service That Rivals Top Restaurants
Victory II has two dining venues, the Coastal Dining Room on Deck 1, and the Grill on Deck 4.
The Grill was a lovely space at the stern with windows all around for a panoramic view that made it feel like we were dining al fresco!
Breakfasts, served in The Grill and in the Coastal Dining Room, were leisurely affairs with daily smoothies, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, omelets, and croissants that rivaled any Parisian bakery. At lunch there were sandwiches and salads, as well as daily fish, meat and soup.
Dinner in the Coastal Dining Room was a grand experience, with starter choices including beer-battered Wisconsin Cheese Curd and Seafood Chowder, a variety of pasta dishes suitable for vegetarians, and main courses such as perfectly seared duck breast, Michigan Bluegill fish cakes, grilled Red Grouper, and filet mignon, all paired with thoughtfully selected wines. The dessert creations tempted our sweet tooth at every meal, with the likes of chocolate fondant cake, crème brulé, along with house made ice creams and sorbets.
The Grill transformed for dinner into The Tuscan Stone Grill specialty dining venue. Reservations were required but there was no additional cost. We cooked lamb, steak, shrimp and fish on an individual hot lava stone. Side dishes were served once our main courses were cooked. Appetizers and desserts could be ordered from the daily menu.
With both the Fleet Executive Chef, Dariusz from Anglo Eastern, and Executive Chef, Ron, from Victory II on our sailing, every meal felt like an ‘event’ with menus curated to reflect both local flavors and global tastes. Coupled with the exceptional service staff, meals were delightful and indulgent. This did not feel like an inaugural voyage at all in terms of the culinary experience. Everything was perfect!
Itinerary Highlights- Shore Excursions
Our 10-day itinerary touched all five of the Great Lakes, with six ports of call (Mackinac Island, Escanaba, Cleveland, Detroit, Sault Ste. Marie, and Port Colborne) between Chicago and Toronto. Included excursions were offered in every port. Our favorites were a horse carriage tour on Mackinac Island, a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and most notably a trip to Niagara Falls for a wet and wonderful voyage into the Horseshoe Falls.
We found the Immersive excursion from the Port of Detroit to the National Museum of the Great Lakes and a tour of the James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship in Toledo to be outstanding. In Cleveland, the Premium excursion to the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the former estate of F.A. Seiberling, the co-founder of the Goodyear Tire Company was fabulous, and on Mackinac Island we also opted for a Premium excursion for a Grand Luncheon at the historic Grand Hotel, allowing us to admire the colorful Dorothy Draper-designed interiors and sit on the longest porch in the world.
Final Thoughts
Sailing aboard Victory II felt deeply personal, from the heartfelt christening at Chicago’s Navy Pier to the final sunrise in Toronto, my lifelong hometown. Victory II’s outstanding food and service, the comprehensive Great Lakes itinerary, and the expert-led enrichment combined to create a perfect trifecta. It was a cruise that combined intimacy, history, learning, and scenic beauty. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the region or a returning traveler like me, this Great Lakes voyage with Victory Cruise Lines is hard to beat.
Victory Cruise Lines’ fare includes one pre-cruise hotel night, transfers to and from the ship, one shore excursion in each port, unlimited Wi-Fi, unlimited beverages wine, spirits, craft beers and speciality coffees), and all meals and services onboard.
