Cleveland Cruise Stop Count to Double in 2025 with the Return of Victory Ships
Victory Cruise Lines will resume operations on the Great Lakes in the spring of 2025. The cruise line’s two vessels, formerly known as Victory I and Victory II, were rebranded as the Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager after being acquired by the American Steamboat Co. in 2019. Here is an image of the Ocean Navigator when it was docked in Cleveland in 2022.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The presence of cruise ships in Cleveland is expected to increase significantly next year with the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes.
The boutique cruise line plans to reactivate its two ships in 2025 following a hiatus through 2024.
David S. Gutheil, chief commercial officer for the Port of Cleveland, anticipates that Cleveland will host more than 50 cruise ship visits in 2025, a sharp rise from the 23 expected in 2024.
The Victory ships will account for approximately 30 of those stops, he said.
“This is very good news for Cleveland and the Great Lakes and shows that interest in cruising on Great Lakes is strong,” Gutheil said. “Cleveland is one of the most popular stops on the itineraries.”
The two Victory ships – dubbed Victory I and Victory II – have been regulars in Great Lakes cruising for nearly a decade.
In 2019, the two ships were purchased by American Queen Steamboat Co., which changed its name to American Queen Voyages in 2021.
Earlier this year, American Queen Voyages declared bankruptcy and shut down, resulting in several of its vessels being put up for sale at auction.
John Waggoner, who previously owned American Queen Steamboat Co., acquired the two former Victory ships (recently renamed) and plans to relaunch them in spring 2025. Reservations for sailings starting in mid-April are now open.
“As long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations for the inaugural season as we prepare to sail these magnificent waters,” Waggoner stated last month. “Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most importantly, our ships will serve as a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes.”
The two ships, each accommodating up to 190 passengers, feature 95 staterooms, several restaurants, lounges, and other amenities.
Several Great Lakes itineraries that travel between Chicago and Toronto will include stops in Cleveland. These ships dock at the Port of Cleveland, located just west of the Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Additional ports of call on these routes include Niagara Falls, Detroit, Mackinac Island, and Sault Ste. Marie.
In the upcoming year, Cleveland is expected to host a variety of cruise ships such as the Viking Polaris, Viking Octantis, Pearl Mist, Le Champlain, and MS Hamburg.
Read more:
Great Lakes cruise business — and Cleveland’s port — take a hit with American Queen shutdown
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