Latest news with #JohnWaggoner
Travel Weekly
14-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
The reborn Victory Cruise Lines christens second ship
Victory Cruise Lines is now in full service after christening its second ship, Victory II, in Chicago on May 12. The ceremony followed the April 27 christening of Victory I in Toronto, which ushered the cruise line back into service after CEO John Waggoner purchased the ships last year following American Queen Voyages' closure. His granddaughter, Molly Applegate, is Victory II's godmother, and she broke a bottle of bourbon on the ship's bow during the ceremony. Members of the Chicago and Great Lakes tourism industries offered remarks. "Victory Cruise Lines will bring thousands of visitors to Chicago, and we are proud the cruise line is docking right here downtown at Navy Pier," said Jordan Engerman of Choose Chicago, the city's destination marketing organization. Victory is the only cruise line that will dock at Navy Pier. "There is no city in the world quite like Chicago, and we are delighted to celebrate here today at Navy Pier as Victory II joins Victory I in sailing the Great Lakes once again," Waggoner said. Both Victory ships accommodate 190 passengers.
Travel Weekly
10-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Sweet Victory: Two coastal ships with a long history get new lease on life
ONBOARD THE VICTORY I -- Freshly painted, with new carpet, curtains, furniture, glassware and cutlery, the Victory I may not be in its ninth life, but it sure is close. Under new ownership, the 190-passenger coastal ship is back on the Great Lakes, to be joined in May by sister ship the Victory II. And "Victory" is a fitting name, since this is one of cruising's great comebacks. Entrepreneur John Waggoner came out of retirement to revive the line, which he once owned, following the 2024 bankruptcy of parent company Hornblower Group. Waggoner and his wife, Claudette, paid $1.9 million in cash at auction for the ships. Shaded lounge seating on Victory I's sundeck. Photo Credit: Anne Kalosh During Victory I's naming festivities in Toronto on April 27, Waggoner recounted how, in a "very short 380 days," he was able to arrange financing to resume operations, "put the band back together," set up reservations and accounting systems, repair both ships (including a new engine for the Victory II) and enhance the interiors, open bank accounts for credit card payments, launch sales and marketing, develop a website, set up a call center and "a thousand other tasks" to restart service. The Victory I's christening in Toronto was an emotional event for the Waggoners. Their youngest daughter, Emily Coleman, served as the godmother, smashing a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky on the bow. The event was sentimental for me, too. Recalling the Cape May Light's debut In April 2001, I was present to report on the ship's first naming, as the Cape May Light, for Delta Queen Coastal Voyages, then a new brand. It was a rare U.S.-built cruise ship, constructed at Atlantic Marine in Jacksonville, Fla., as part of a strategy to revive commercial shipbuilding and create American jobs by financing U.S.-built ships with government loan guarantees through the U.S. Maritime Administration. A deluxe outside stateroom with a veranda that is shared with other staterooms on Deck 4. Photo Credit: Anne Kalosh The Cape May Light had national, patriotic significance far beyond its small size. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao served as the godmother, and the naming took place near Washington, in Alexandria, Va. Maritime union brass turned out, and a thick cloud of cigar smoke swirled around their intense discussions in the bar. Delta Queen Coastal Voyages belonged to Chicago business mogul Sam Zell's American Classic Voyages, which also operated Delta Queen Steamboat Co., American Hawaii Cruises and United States Lines. The Cape May Light and its sister, the Cape Cod Light, were designed to expand Delta Queen's river focus into coastal operations, including the Great Lakes. But the Cape May Light sailed for just a few months: The 9/11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing travel downturn led to American Classic Voyages' bankruptcy. The U.S. Maritime Administration took possession of the two Cape ships -- the Cape Cod Light had never even sailed -- which languished for years. In 2006, Waggoner put in an offer for the ships but was outbid. Eventually Denmark's Clipper Group, a bulk cargo operator with an office in Nassau, acquired the vessels, reflagged them to the Bahamas and put them out for charter. The Cape May Light, renamed the Sea Voyager, housed relief workers for Haiti's 2010 earthquake recovery and did a stint as a floating dormitory for St. Mary's College in Maryland. In 2015, it would go back to what it was built to do. Chartered to Haimark Line, it was renamed the Saint Laurent and launched Great Lakes itineraries. But early on, the ship struck a lock in the St. Lawrence Seaway and an insurance dispute led to Haimark's demise. Victory Cruise Lines is born Haimark had also been planning to launch Cuba cruises under a partnership with Bruce Nierenberg, an entrepreneur who had snagged a license to sail between the U.S. and Cuba when relations between the countries thawed during the Obama administration. A "LakeLorian" lecture in the Compass Lounge. Photo Credit: Anne Kalosh When Haimark went under, Nierenberg became CEO of the newly formed Victory Cruise Lines, designed to pick up Haimark's Great Lakes business and launch Cuba cruises on the ship that was now named Victory I. In 2019, Waggoner's American Queen Steamboat Co. (AQSC), part of Hornblower, acquired Victory: At last the ships were his. The first Trump administration abruptly halted Cuba cruises in June of that year, and the company focused on the Great Lakes itineraries. Then the Covid-19 pandemic struck. With Canadian ports closed, AQSC canceled Victory's 2020 season. As cruising resumed in 2021, AQSC rebranded as American Queen Voyages, combining its river and coastal fleets. Victory I became the Ocean Voyager and Victory II the Ocean Navigator. Around that time, Waggoner sold his stake to private equity and left Hornblower, which had brought in new management. In early 2024, American Queen Voyages filed for bankruptcy. Waggoner was saddened to see the company he'd built evaporate so quickly. But he also missed the cruise business, and when the ships were put up for auction, he decided to get back in. Once he and his wife had won the Victory pair, they got financing to spruce up the ships, and in a "very short 380 days," he said, the line was relaunched. The Victory I now The Victory I looks fresh but retains it original elements and historic charm. New technology includes LED screens with destination information in the stair landings and the Compass Lounge, the main entertainment and lecture venue. The Compass Lounge is where the "LakeLorian," a storyteller/destination expert trained by the National Museum of the Great Lakes, gives briefings. Diners at the Tuscan Stone Grill cook their steaks on individual hot stones. Photo Credit: Anne Kalosh A compass rose-inspired floor on the Saloon Deck, stained-glass accents in the cozy Tavern, and the tin ceiling and chandelier in the main Compass Lounge are all original and give the ship historical flavor. In the Coastal Dining Room, one dinner menu's entrees included rack of lamb, Boston scrod, spaghetti aglio e olio, Punjabi eggplant, New York sirloin steak, grilled chicken breast and Atlantic salmon -- all elegantly plated. I found the grilled haloumi appetizer and Valrhona chocolate dessert scrumptious. The Grill, a casual buffet spot during the day, converts into the Tuscan Stone Grill by night. Each diner gets a preheated stone to cook their own filet mignon, sirloin or salmon. Staterooms start at 146 square feet, and most have windows, not balconies. My Category AA deluxe outside stateroom with veranda was 161 square feet, with a compact shower, Aveda toiletries, a desk and stocked minifridge. The AA rooms open to a shared veranda. A grilled haloumi appetizer served in the Coastal Dining Room. Photo Credit: Anne Kalosh This is a quaint but well maintained ship, comfortable and perfectly sized for the Great Lakes. I'm happy that after 24 years and many incarnations, it's back where it belongs.
Travel Weekly
05-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
River cruise veteran John Waggoner on the Victory revival
John Waggoner abruptly exited retirement last year to revive Victory Cruise Lines, purchasing its two former ships from the bankruptcy of American Queen Voyages, the line he'd founded. Cruise editor Teri West spoke with Waggoner days before the naming of the Victory I about the brand's revival and what the future might hold. John Waggoner Q: What has the journey been like to reach this moment? A: We didn't have much time to think about this because the boats came up for auction, and there was only 30 days that you had to get your letter of interest in, get your deposit in, go to the auction, close, do a cash closing and then you have two boats. And you go, "All right, well, now we need to set up a whole company and do a bunch of repairs and set up a sales and marketing team, set up a reservation center, set up office space, hire all the crew." And we've done all that in just over a year, like 380 days. Q: I'd imagine that a lot of it was just pure adrenaline. A: I think more terror, but yeah. But I would say fear is a good motivating factor sometimes. Q: What do you think makes the Great Lakes a good cruise destination? A: One couple has been on 60 different cruises, and their reason to take this cruise is, "We don't have to fly overseas. We don't have to take a six- or eight- or 10- or 12-hour flight. You're right here. We get to stay close by for medical care and everything else, and we get to learn more about our country." Q: Are there other locations that these ships are headed? A: We just need to hit a home run our first year, so we need to focus just on the Great Lakes. But for 2026, I think we'll add some Eastern Seaboard cruises, maybe a Bahamas trip and maybe winding up in New Orleans. We're working on those itineraries now, but they won't be until the end of 2026. Q: American Cruise Lines bought four of American Queen Voyages' vessels, then scrapped a couple of them. I'm curious how you felt about that. A: I put my heart and soul into American Queen, and anytime you put your heart and soul into something you see get destroyed, you have to say, "Geez, that just doesn't feel good at all." Q: How will the experience on these vessels differ under the new ownership? A: One guest just said, "John, after you left, the spark went out. The flame went out. You could see it in the employees. So service wasn't as good, food wasn't as good, entertainment wasn't as good, because a lot of the really good people left. But now that you're back, oh, my God, there is more heart and soul. Everybody is so friendly, the food is excellent, the entertainment is excellent, the short trips that you put together." And I think that's a difference between an owner that's been in the maritime business for 50 years and the fact that you bring the whole team together that's an experienced team. Q: How are you feeling about, not just what folks onboard are saying but about sales, bookings and where business is headed? A: We were at about 70% of our revenue target before we even ran our first trip, which is remarkable. I would say I'm like every other cruise operator in the last three or four weeks. As an investor, watching my 401(k) go down is concerning, but I think we'll all get through that.
Cision Canada
25-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- MEDIA INVITATION: LAUNCH OF THE 2025 CRUISE SEASON AT THE PORT OF MONTREAL/ Français
MONTREAL, April 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) will officially launch the cruise season on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Port of Montreal's Grand Quai, located at 200 de la Commune Street West. The launch will be marked by the arrival of Victory Cruise Lines' Victory I, which will be calling at Montreal. The event will be attended by Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Port of Montreal, Sylvie Charette, Chief Marketing Officer of Tourisme Montréal, John Waggoner, founder and owner of Victory Cruise Lines, and Geir Lilleeng, captain of the ship. The media are invited to attend a brief ceremony and meet the key players. A commemorative plaque will be presented to John Waggoner to mark the opening of the season. SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY **SHIP TOUR** A passport is required to take part in the ship tour. RSVP required before Thursday morning. Parking will be available at the Grand Quai. Journalists interested in visiting the ship or interviewing the captain are invited to make a request when confirming their attendance. SOURCE Administration portuaire de Montréal
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Great Lakes cruises: Victory Cruise Lines relaunching with US, Canada sailings this month
Great Lakes cruises: Victory Cruise Lines relaunching with US, Canada sailings this month Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Victory Cruise Lines, a small-ship cruise operator, is relaunching with two refurbished ships, Victory I and Victory II. Itineraries range from nine to 14 nights and include shore excursions, onboard lectures, and multiple dining options. Prices start at $4,999 per person, covering pre-cruise accommodations, transfers, meals, drinks, and various onboard amenities. A small-ship cruise operator is about to make a comeback in the U.S. Victory Cruise Lines is relaunching this month with Great Lakes and Canada cruises. American Queen Voyages' founder John Waggoner is reviving the brand with two 190-passenger ships, Victory I and Victory II. The vessels, which were purpose-built to sail the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway and French-Canadian Maritimes, were previously owned by American Queen Voyages before it shut down last year (Waggonner was no longer involved with the company at the time). American Queen Voyages acquired Victory Cruise Lines in 2019. Both ships have been refurbished, and will sail popular and lesser-visited ports within North America. Many of Victory's customers want to 'wrap (themselves) in the American or Canadian flag,' according to founder and chairman Waggoner. 'I think what we find is that a lot of our guests have traveled all over the world, and now they are looking for something that's at home,' he told USA TODAY. When will Victory Cruise Lines relaunch? Waggoner and his wife Claudette, who co-owns the company, will host Victory's first cruise of the year. The 10-night cruise aboard Victory I will sail from Portland, Maine to Toronto, Canada on April 16 ahead of the ship's christening. Victory II will be christened in Chicago on May 12. What can guests expect? Victory will sail itineraries ranging from nine to 14 nights in 2025. Those include All 5 Great Lakes cruises, which visit Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior, sailing from either Chicago or Milwaukee to Toronto (or departing from Toronto). The 5 Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway itinerary will sail between Chicago and Montreal, while the Great Lakes & Thunder Bay cruise round-trip from Chicago includes two great lakes – Michigan and Superior – and an overnight stay in Michigan's Mackinac Island, among other sailings. Stops will include Detroit and Marquette in Michigan; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Port Colborne, Ontario – giving guests access to Niagara Falls – and more. Victory will also be the only cruise line to dock at Chicago's Navy Pier. The company offers a variety of excursions along the way, from a visit to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and the Museum Ship Valley Camp, where guests can learn about the area's history, to a behind-the-scenes tour of Lambeau Field where the Green Bay Packers play. 'And then you hit Cleveland, where you dock right (near) the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,' Waggoner added. 'And then Detroit, where you get to go to the Henry Ford Museum of (American) Innovation.' The ships will also host a LakeLorian program in partnership with the National Museum of the Great Lakes, offering lectures from historians and naturalists. Other onboard features include three dining concepts, a sun deck and a salon and spa. How much does Victory Cruise Lines cost? Available cruises currently start at $4,999 per person, according to Victory's website. The fares include a pre-night hotel stay, transfers from the hotel to the ship, food and drinks onboard, a tour in each port, Wi-Fi and more. 'What I hope (guests) take away is the grandeur and the beauty of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway,' Waggoner said. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
