Federal Operation in the Great Lakes Leads to Crew Removal of Victory Cruise Lines

During routine dockings at the Port of Detroit, thirteen crew members from Victory Cruise Lines vessels, Victory I and Victory II, were removed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on July 9 and 11. These crew members, previously authorized to work in the United States and recruited through third-party agencies, were detained as part of an ongoing federal operation in the Great Lakes region.

Due to the active nature of the investigation, CBP has not released specific details. In the wake of the incident, Victory Cruise Lines, which resumed operations earlier this spring under new ownership after the discontinuation of American Queen Voyages, is fully cooperating with authorities.

John Waggoner, the company’s founder and chairman, emphasized that ensuring crew welfare and maintaining a positive guest experience are top priorities. Waggoner and other company executives are currently on board the ships to address the situation. Other cruise operators in the area have reportedly encountered similar crew removals as well.

Despite the incident, the vessels Victory I and Victory II will continue to operate their scheduled itineraries throughout the Great Lakes and New England-Canada regions into the fall.

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