Latest news with #VictoryI
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22-05-2025
- Business
This Cruise Line Lets You Visit Iconic Frank Lloyd Wright Sites as You Voyage Along the Great Lakes
While beach breaks, ziplining, and walking tours are common shore excursions on a cruise ship's itinerary, architectural immersions are less so, particularly in the U.S. To geek out over design, cruisers would need to drop anchor in Milan or Barcelona. But a new partnership between Victory Cruise Lines and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is changing that by bringing architectural enthusiasts to some of the late architect's sites in Illinois and Michigan. The journeys will be available starting May 2025, onboard Victory I and Victory II . Fresh off a 2024 refurbishment, each ship can accommodate up to 190 guests in 95 staterooms. There are lectures on board that educate travelers about Wright's work, life, and legacy—all curated by the Foundation's Taliesin Institute. Off board, there are shore excursions to his sites are available in three ports: Muskegon, Michigan; Chicago; and Detroit, Michigan. These are available on some of the 10-Night 'Toronto to Chicago' voyages, the 10-Night 'Chicago to Toronto' voyages and the 15-Night 'Chicago Roundtrip'. Interior of a Victory Cruise Lines stateroom. Chicago is an epicenter of Wright's work, as he launched his career in downtown Chicago working as a draftsman with Louis Sullivan. While ships dock at Chicago's Navy Pier, travelers can visit four sites via the 'Frank Lloyd Wright: His Home & Vision for the Future' excursion: Unity Temple, which Wright designed between 1905 and 1908 in the near-Western suburb of Oak Park. The Frederick C. Robie House, a 9,000-square-foot example of Wright's Prairie School Style completed in 1910 near the University of Chicago on the city's South Side. Wright's home and studio in Oak Park, where he raised his family. It is also the largest concentration of Wright homes worldwide, home to 25 of his projects. The Rookery Building, designed by Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root in 1888 in the Loop. (Wright was tasked to remodel the lobby in 1905). In addition to Illinois, cruisers can also visit Wright sites in another Great Lakes state, Michigan. From the Muskegon port of call, one excursion visits the Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, a Prairie School Style home completed in 1909, and the David M. and Hattie Amberg House Wright designed in 1911. Journeys start from $5,779 per person and you can learn more or book your sailing at
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
2025 cruise season launch: Port of Montreal's Grand Quay all set to welcome close to 60,000 passengers and crew members Français
MONTREAL, April 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The Port of Montreal is pleased to announce the official launch of the 2025 cruise season, heralded by the return of Victory Cruise Lines' Victory I. With 58,000 passengers and crew members expected during the season, and tourist attractions spanning the Great Lakes and international destinations, Montreal affirms its position among North America's top cruise destinations. It's also an opportunity to mark the start of high season at the Grand Quai, which offers public spaces and events to the city's citizens and visitors. A great season ahead The 2025 cruise season features 42 operations from 13 cruise lines and 21 different ships, for an estimated total of close to 60,000 passengers and crew members. For the 2025 cruise season, the Port of Montreal highlights the new vessels calling at Montreal for the first time: Seven Seas Splendor (Regent Seven Seas Cruises), Silver Shadow (Silversea Cruises), and Allura (Oceania Cruises). "The Port of Montreal is proud to launch a new cruise season that manifests the vitality of our city and its appeal to cruise lines and travellers from around the world. Beyond the tourism aspect, cruises generate significant economic benefits for the local and regional community. It's also a great opportunity to showcase our river, our expertise and our hospitality," said Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Port of Montreal. "At Tourisme Montréal, we are proud to see that 97% of cruise passengers are satisfied with their experience in Montréal. Our city continues to establish itself as one of North America's top cruise destinations. Our unique position as a preferred embarkation port for luxury ships brings tangible economic benefits to the city—across accommodations, dining, and cultural experiences. Wishing everyone a great season ahead!" said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. Major benefits for Greater Montreal The cruise industry remains an important economic driver and a real asset as a tourism draw for the city. In 2024, the economic impact was estimated at $25 million, not including the contribution of the river excursion sector, which attracted close to 120,000 passengers. Every cruise ship arrival brings direct business to the city's shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, generating direct and indirect jobs. This momentum also supports local initiatives that promote Montreal's cultural heritage while stimulating the local economy. Victory I: a lasting presence in Montreal To mark the season's first stopover, a commemorative plaque was presented to John Waggoner, owner of Victory Cruise Lines, with Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority, and Captain Geir Lilleeng, master of the Victory I, also attending. The Victory I has a long history with Montreal. The ship first called under the name Saint-Laurent in July 2016 with the Haimark Line. It was then purchased by Victory Cruise Lines and renamed Victory I, before being bought by American Queen Voyages and renamed Ocean Voyager. In 2023, John Waggoner bought both vessels from the cruise line, renamed them Victory I and Victory II, and went back to the corporate name Victory Cruise Lines. Between 2016 and 2024, the two vessels made 35 calls to Montreal, carrying 7,167 passengers (PAX). By scheduling four stopovers this year, Victory Cruise Lines affirms its intent to develop Montreal as a must-see destination on its routes. Launch of the summer season at the Grand Quay The return of warm weather also signals the start of peak season at the Grand Quay. This summer's programming features a lineup of major events. Highlights include C2 Montréal, the Climate Summit in May, SAQ Inspire, Startupfest, the Salon de la Femme noire, and the Martinique Gourmande festival, which tops off the summer season. These events are in addition to the site's outstanding attractions: the green roof, Commencement Square along the river, and the Port of Montreal Tower with its spectacular views of the city and the St. Lawrence River. A unique setting to welcome visitors, residents and cruise passengers all summer long! Click here for the full schedule of cruise ship arrivals and departures at the Port of Montreal About the Port of Montreal Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the largest container port in Eastern Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada's two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal. The MPA factors economic, social and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation and accountability. Port activity in Canada supports some 590,000 jobs and generates $93.5 billion in economic activity. About Tourisme Montréal Founded in 1919, Tourisme Montréal is a private non-profit organization that works to position Montréal as a world-class destination for various leisure and business tourism markets. As such, the organization leads innovative tourist welcome strategies with a twofold objective: ensuring that visitors enjoy a high-quality experience and maximizing the economic benefits of tourism. Now uniting more than 1,000 businesses working directly or indirectly in the tourism industry, Tourisme Montréal plays a leading role in the management and development of Montréal's tourism offer and makes recommendations on issues with regard to the city's economic, urban and cultural development. For more information, please visit SOURCE Montreal Port Authority
