On a nine-night Victory Cruise Lines voyage from Chicago to Toronto in early May, the trip stood out for its blend of ocean and river cruising, a maritime-history focus, and a surprisingly personal onboard feel—plus a clear look at demand, logistics, and costs
When you stepped out onto the promenade on Victory I on a windy. 45-degree night after leaving Milwaukee. the water looked like it went on forever—dark and vast enough to feel less like inland travel and more like open ocean. But the next time the ship pulled in. the rhythm flipped: getting on and off took seconds most days. and the ports felt close enough that the trip stopped feeling scheduled and started feeling flexible.
This was the atmosphere on a nine-night Victory Cruise Lines Great Lakes cruise from Chicago to Toronto that began in early May and ran across some of the region’s most sought-after stops. The cruise line. which relaunched with two ships in 2025 and kicked off its second season in April. carried a 190-guest ship—Victory I—through a route that included Mackinac Island. Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Locks, and ports like Cleveland and Detroit, before continuing into Canada.
The Great Lakes are drawing more attention than ever. More than 25,000 passengers are expected to sail there this year, up 5% from 2025, according to Cruise the Great Lakes.
1. The trip felt like a mix of ocean and river cruising
nThe ocean-like surprise came early. On one night after leaving Milwaukee. a traveler opened the cabin door—located on a promenade that doubled as a balcony—and saw what looked like pitch-black water as far as the eye could reach. The rush and enormity of Lake Michigan on that blustery night more closely resembled the sea than expected.
Yet when the ship docked, it was hard to miss the other side of the experience. Boarding and leaving the vessel was quick, with fewer and smaller crowds than travelers typically find on an oceangoing ship. Just as importantly. the ship docked close to the city center in most ports. letting travelers come and go with more room to breathe.
In Cleveland, Detroit, and Canada’s Port Colborne, shore excursions offered by the cruise line ran in the morning. Motor coaches were parked steps away from the ship. After getting back, travelers returned with a backpack and water bottle and headed out on foot for the afternoon.
2. It was built for maritime history lovers
nHalfway through the cruise, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan became the kind of stop that turns sightseeing into something you can actually watch happen. The ship visited Sault Ste. Marie and transited through the Soo Locks. which raise or lower vessels to allow them to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.
As the ship approached the locks, an announcement was made and a crowd gathered at the front to watch the process.
Later that afternoon, there was an excursion to the Museum Ship Valley Camp, where visitors can explore exhibits inside the freighter’s cargo hold. The Soo Locks Visitor Center offered another vantage point just down the street, with a way to see the locks and learn about the site’s history.
Onboard. LakeLorian—trained guides as part of Victory’s partnership with the National Museum of the Great Lakes—offered lectures throughout the voyage. The sessions covered the types of ships in the region and what it’s like to spend winter on an ore boat. among other topics. The descriptions were tied to ships passing during the trip. which made the learning feel more immediate than reading about it back home.
3. The ship felt personal, not packaged
nThe sense of closeness wasn’t only about quick logistics and walkable ports. It also came from how the cruise was run.
American Queen Voyages’ founder, John Waggoner, revived Victory. The fleet’s two ships—purpose-built to sail the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and French-Canadian Maritimes—were owned by American Queen Voyages before it shut down in 2024. Waggoner was no longer involved with the company at the time. according to the cruise’s history: American Queen Steamboat Company acquired Victory Cruise Lines in 2019 and later merged the two into American Queen Voyages.
The ships were built in 2001, but they were refurbished prior to the relaunch and underwent another round of upgrades this year. Victory I showed some age, but it felt comfortable and carried many modern amenities, including complimentary espresso machines and reading lights by the bed.
What stood out most was the way staff seemed to run the day like a personal service. The shore excursions manager gave nightly previews of each destination. held office hours to answer questions and offer assistance with bookings. checked guests into motor coaches. and sent people off over the intercom. The cruise director also doubled as an onboard singer. with a Carole King tribute set that was singled out for enjoyment.
Even smaller details landed. There was a small onboard spa, and the spa manager—who offered massages, facials, and other treatments—remembered the traveler’s name after meeting her just once the first night of the cruise.
Dinner, lounge time, and even the gym had familiar faces. Whether at one of the two restaurants onboard, in the Compass Lounge, or in the small but well-appointed gym, the same people appeared again and again in a way that felt unique even among other ships the traveler has sailed.
How the cruise played out day to day
nThe trip began in Chicago and moved toward Canada. with stops that included Mackinac Island and a ferry connection from St. Ignace, Michigan. On the fourth day of the sailing, the traveler reached Mackinac Island, after docking in St. Ignace where the ship had been.
Around 9 a.m., the day started with a short walk to Watercolor Cafe. A sun-filled dining area offered prime waterfront views. There, a cherry Poppie—described as the cafe’s take on a Pop-Tart—helped fuel the next stretch of the day.
Afterward, the itinerary shifted into exploration: hiking through Mackinac Island State Park toward Arch Rock, perusing shops on Main Street, and stopping by the 1880s Grand Hotel.
By the end of the nine-night voyage, the traveler also took a boat tour of Niagara Falls, explored Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and strolled through downtown Detroit.
The numbers behind the experience
nCosts vary by sailing date, cabin category, and other factors, but a 10-night trip—including a pre-cruise hotel stay—from Chicago to Toronto beginning on Sept. 5 currently starts at $6,899 per guest, according to Victory’s website.
Fares include food and drinks on board, excursions in each port (with additional options for added fees), and Wi-Fi, among other inclusions.
The reporter received access to this cruise from Victory Cruise Lines. The arrangement for editorial control remained with the outlet.
Great Lakes cruise Victory Cruise Lines Victory I Mackinac Island Soo Locks Sault Ste. Marie Niagara Falls Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Detroit downtown cruise pricing American Queen Voyages