Victory Cruise Lines opens sales for 2025 Great Lakes season

They'll operate on the 190-passenger Victory I and Victory II, with christening celebrations planned for Victory I in Toronto on April 27 and Victory II at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 12.

'Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes,' said Victory Chairman John Waggoner, who together with wife Claudette acquired the two ships in May.

The season will begin with a 'New England & Canada 2025 Reunion Cruise' from Portland, Maine to Toronto departing April 16, 2025. Hosted by John and Claudette Waggoner, the 10-night cruise through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes will reunite friends from past voyages and feature guest entertainers Phil Westbrook, and Greg and Lindy Pendzick.

Victory Cruise Lines will operate 36 Great Lakes voyages in a single season. Thirty-three of those visit all five of the lakes. All departures include a one-night pre-cruise premium hotel stay and transfers. 

Chicago to Toronto

The nine-night (10 with the pre-cruise hotel) 'Ultimate Great Lakes' cruise, from Chicago to Toronto and touching all five lakes, is available on 25 departures, April through September. Destinations include Escanaba, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks) and Detroit, Michigan; Cleveland, Ohio; and Port Colborne (for Niagara Falls), Ontario.

Milwaukee to Toronto

This 'Ultimate Great Lakes' cruise also explores all five lakes in nine nights (10 with a pre-cruise hotel night in Chicago), on six departures, May through August. Travelers transfer from Chicago to embark the ship at Milwaukee and visit the same ports as the Chicago-Toronto itinerary.

Chicago to Montréal

The 'Ultimate Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway' cruise departs Chicago and visits all five lakes in an 11-night program (12 with the pre-cruise hotel), adding a transit of the St. Lawrence Seaway and ending at Montréal. Three departures are available in September and October.

Roundtrip Chicago

The 'Great Lakes & Thunder Bay' cruise focuses on Lakes Michigan and Superior with overnights at Mackinac Island and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Two departures of the 14-night itinerary (15 with the pre-cruise hotel) are offered in May and June. Destinations include Marquette, Houghton, Sault Saint Marie (Soo Locks) and Muskegon, Michigan; Duluth, Minnesota; Thunder Bay, Ontario; and Green Bay.

Inclusives and $1,000 savings

Besides the pre-night hotel and transfers, fares also include a shore excursion at every port, unlimited beverages (wines, spirits, local craft beers, specialty coffees) and Wi-Fi. Fares start at $5,799 per person, double occupancy, with $1,000 inaugural season savings per person.