Cleveland – August 20, 2024 —

In 2025, the Port of Cleveland will welcome the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes and Cleveland.

The Port of Cleveland first began welcoming cruise ships to its docks in 2017.  Since then, each year, cruise season in the Great Lakes begins in late May and lasts through mid-September.

In 2024, the Port of Cleveland welcomed just over 20 cruise ships to its dock. However, in 2025 that will change thanks to the return of Victory Cruise Lines.

“This is very good news for Cleveland and the Great Lakes and shows that interest in cruising on Great Lakes is strong,” said Dave Gutheil, chief commercial officer for the Port of Cleveland.  “Cleveland is one of the most popular stops on the itineraries.”

After a 1-year hiatus, Victory Cruise Lines will soon return to the Great Lakes and Cleveland with more than 30 calls already scheduled. The cruise line will return to the waters with two vessels, Victory I and Victory II, both of which have sailed the Great Lakes for nearly a decade.

In 2019, both ships were purchased by American Queen Steamboat Co., later known as American Queen Voyages. In early 2024, the company declared bankruptcy and put several of its vessels up for sale. Former American Queen Steamboat Co. owner, John Waggoner, bought the two vessels with plans to reintroduce the vessels in 2025.

“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,” said Waggoner.

The two vessels, with a passenger capacity of approximately 190 people each, explore all five of the Great Lakes making stops in Chicago, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto and more. The cruise line is currently booking trips for 2025 and beyond.

For more information on vessel arrivals in Cleveland, click here.