CLEVELAND — Although this year's cruise season is winding down in Cleveland, there is plenty of reason for optimism as we look ahead to 2025.
The Port of Cleveland has announced that Victory Cruise Lines is coming back to the Great Lakes after a year-long hiatus, with 30 planned ports of call on the North Coast in 2025.
In all, the Port of Cleveland tells 3News it is expecting around 56 total cruise visits in 2025, with five different cruise lines making stops here: Victory Cruise Lines, Viking, Pearl, Ponant, and MC Hamburg.
By comparison, there were just over 20 cruise stops made in Cleveland in 2024.
“Cruising on the Great Lakes has risen significantly since 2017," explained Port of Cleveland Chief Commercial Officer Dave Gutheil. "In 2025, we will welcome five vessel lines into Cleveland, including the return of two Victory vessels back into the Great Lakes. The Port of Cleveland, and our other port partners in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System have worked tirelessly to increase tourism. We are all gratified to see our work paying off, and cruise passengers who are genuinely excited to visit Cleveland and other scenic locations around the Great Lakes.”
Victory Cruise Line's vessels, Victory I and Victory II, each have a passenger capacity of 190 people and have sailed on the Great Lakes for nearly a decade.
In 2019, both ships were purchased by American Queen Steamboat Co., later known as American Queen Voyages. The ships were renamed Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager.
Earlier this year, American Queen Voyages declared bankruptcy and ended its operation, while putting several of its vessels up for sale. Former American Queen Steamboat Co. owner John Waggoner purchased the two ships in May and started putting together a launch plan for 2025.
“As long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations of the inaugural season and we prepare to sail these magnificent waters,” said Waggoner in a statement announcing the launch of Victory Cruise Lines 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 of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes.”
Victory Cruise Lines is offering four different Great Lakes itineraries in 2025, three of them feature Cleveland as one of the stops. Other ports will include Detroit, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, and Niagara Falls.
The two vessels were each built in 2001, but have been refurbished since they were bought by Waggoner. They feature 95 staterooms, a crew of 80, with plenty of dining and onboard entertainment options.
Victory Cruise Lines fares are all-inclusive and based on double occupancy from $5,799 per guest. You can find out more and book your cruise by clicking here. Learn more about Victory Cruise Lines in the below video.