NEW ALBANY, IN, Jan. 29, 2020 – Victory Cruise Lines, committed to small-ship cruising on the Great Lakes and the North American and Canadian coasts, announced new 2020 voyage itineraries and city stays for Victory II following the success of the 2019 season.
Operated by American Queen Steamboat Company, a Hornblower® Families Company and a leader in U.S. river cruising, the 202-guestVictory II will offer three new itineraries, including a new Great Lakes voyage from Chicago to Niagara Falls with a post-cruise stay in Niagara Falls.
Cruisers who book before March 31, 2020, can enjoy major savings on select itineraries, including up to $2,000 off per stateroom during the Sail On To Victory Wave Season Campaign. Also new for 2020, guests will have the opportunity to select from a number of premium experience upgrades in addition to the already included daily itineraries. The Chicago to Niagara itinerary will also feature an included post-cruise hotel stay in stunning Niagara Falls, Ontario with a city tour and up-close excursion to the falls on the famed Hornblower catamaran.
Further details on the new Victory II Great Lakes itinerary include:
Victory II Chicago, Illinois to Niagara Falls, Ontario (or reverse)
Available itineraries: May 2020 through August 2020
A dynamic, 10-day itinerary that begins or ends with an overnight stay in legendary Niagara Falls and travels to the time-honored ports of Detroit, Green Bay and Chicago. Guests will experience the vibrancy of these robust cities balanced with the quiet, charming atmosphere of Mackinac Island on Lake Huron.
Ports of call on this Great Lakes itinerary include:
Chicago, Illinois
New for the 2020 season, Victory Cruise Lines will now dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, one of the Windy City’s most iconic landmarks. Spanning six city blocks into the southern coast of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the perfect destination to welcome cruisers to Chicago. This one-of-a-kind city is bursting with sights to be seen – from retail and dining options to the Chicago Theatre, museums, sports and of course, the Bean. Guests can stroll the Magnificent Mile or the city’s famed canyons of glass and steel, embracing the hustle and bustle of this urban American destination.
Muskegon, Michigan
This outdoor escape on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore offers multiple state parks and trails, two rivers perfect for paddleboarding, 26 miles of beaches and a winter sports park. Maritime historians will appreciate the included tour of the USS LST (Landing Ship, Tank) 393 Veterans Museum. An optional premium experience finds guests traveling by motorcoach to Grand Rapids to visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, which portrays the life of America’s 38th president and includes his burial site. Thrill seekers will enjoy the Dune Buggy Adventure premium experience, which includes an exhilarating ride through the diverse geography and dunes of Muskegon’s landscape.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
The many colors of this historic town come to life during this engaging excursion, from the red-flowing wineries to vibrant markets full of local cultivators and purveyors selling goods year-round. Jokingly referred to as a ‘pelican playground,’ this coastal destination’s craft breweries, boutiques and fresh sea fare make it a favorite stop for cruisers.
Mackinac Island
A true hidden gem, Mackinac Island’s itinerary takes guests on a carriage tour of the charming island, followed by a visit to Fort Mackinac. Afterward, guests can take a step back and unwind with warm hospitality and old-world charm at the Grand Hotel. The hotel also boasts the world’s largest porch featuring stunning views of the Straits of Mackinac.
Detroit, Michigan
Nothing beats the Motor City when it comes to exploring the captivating history of America’s automotive industry. A visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is available as an optional premium experience and will delight any auto-aficionado with its vast and varied artifacts collection. All guests may choose from included excursions to the Detroit Institute of Arts and its staggering 100-plus galleries, the Motown Museum, the West Canfield Historic District and other city highlights.
Cleveland, Ohio
Known as America’s “North Coast,” Cleveland features a wide variety of cultural attractions amidst the city’s cool, revitalized atmosphere. Guests can expand their minds at the world-class Cleveland Museum of Art with over 45,000 works to explore, while music lovers can enjoy a trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Also available as a premium experience is the Authentic Amish Adventure, which offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life with a visit to an Amish home for a traditional wedding feast in Geauga County.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
New for 2020, both directions of this Great Lakes itinerary will now include a hotel stay with views overlooking the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls. After taking in the majestic beauty of the falls on the famed Hornblower boat excursion, a narrated driving tour reveals popular attractions, including the Whirlpool Rapids, the Floral Clock and Table Rock Park. The day concludes with a stop in downtown Niagara Falls to stroll, shop and eat at the guests’ leisure. Guests will also receive a Falls Incline Railway All-Day Pass to enjoy a unique vantage point as they rise and descend along the inclined track, as well as an on-site Victory Cruise Lines concierge at the hotel for any local needs. For those sailing from Chicago to Niagara Falls, there is also an included transfer to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport the following day.
With the Wave season discount, fares for Victory Cruise Lines’ 2020 voyage itineraries begin at $2,799 per person on board Victory II. To take advantage of the Wave season promotions, reservations can be made with referral code Onto Victory.For more information, or to book with Victory Cruise Lines, please visit www.victorycruiselines.com or call 888-907-2636.
Photo Credit: American Queen Steamboat Company
American Queen Steamboat Company
American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC), a leader in U.S. river cruising based in New Albany, Ind. was founded in 2011. The company’s fleet of U.S. flagged riverboats sail America’s heartland and the Pacific Northwest on itineraries from six to 23 days. Ushering in a renaissance of travel on U.S. rivers with an all-English speaking crew, AQSC has earned multiple accolades for the company’s high levels of service, gourmet cuisine and authentically delivered shore excursions. AQSC’s flagship vessel, American Queen, launched in 2012 and offers authentic and timeless experiences inspired by the palatial Mississippi steamboats of the Mark Twain era. In April 2014, AQSC christened American Empress to sail the Pacific Northwest with the same opulence and grandeur, followed by the American Duchess, a unique boutique paddlewheeler in the U.S., which set sail in August 2017. The new American Countess, currently under construction in Louisiana, will debut in April 2020, joining the American Queen and American Duchess on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. For more information on American Queen Steamboat Company or to book a cruise on the American Queen, American Duchess, American Empress and upcoming American Countess, please visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/, call 888-749-5280 or contact your travel agent.
Victory Cruise Lines
New Albany-based Victory Cruise Lines operates Victory I and Victory II, identical 202-passenger ships and the upcoming newly-built 200-passenger vessel, the Ocean Victory, on order to be delivered by 2021. Victory Cruise Lines operates all-inclusive cruises to Canada, the Great Lakes, New England, Mexico and South America, with upcoming itineraries in Alaska. For more information about Victory Cruise Lines, visit www.victorycruiselines.com, call 888-907-2636 or contact your travel agent.