Victory Cruise Lines Reviews 

The staff!!! Everyone, from the folks vacuuming stairs to the Captain were welcoming and so hospitable. They truly went out of their way top assure we had a memorable journey.

Our accommodations in a suite were wonderful and our attendant, Ari, was great! The food and entertainment were exceptional. I felt like the cruise director was very disorganized . More detailed information about some of the excursions, like Mackinac Island , would be helpful up front . At least we were able to change the time from afternoon to morning for that one, or we would have not had much time to explore the island. The high speed ferry to and from the island, rather than the 40 minute ferry, would have been better. Overall I thought that most of the staff were exceptional , helpful and friendly.

quarters a little tight.

Everyone was so friendly and helpful- our steward, waiters, guys at at door disembarking, office staff, cruise director, doctor., cooks and household staff. Every need was met. Delish food and great entertainment. Enjoyed every minute.

The people, the food, the tours, the room were all fantastic.

Every staff member we interacted with was polite, friendly, and enthusiastic to please. Whether greeting us on the stairs in passing or on our return from an excursion to see how our day went, they were all smiles. Our room was kept immaculate, and the bed was very comfy. There was a wide variety of food, and snacks, tea, & coffee were always available. Our 'menu' back home has been comparatively dull : )

Everything about this cruise was excellent: well-organized, food was amazing, in-house-band, service, cleanliness, staff, and on board activities. I would not have changed anything!

great crew, great food

When I arrived on board I was thoroughly surprised to see many of the staff from our cruise last October were working this cruise. Suddenly I felt like we were back with family! It was an extremely comfortable cruise and the food was once again excellent. The programs in the lounge were interesting and fun. The tours off ship offered so many choices!

This is the best way to travel! I love the smaller ships! Been on the 6,000 people ships that offer more than everything. On this cruise we were family and friends with the other cruisers as well as the staff. Victory is the BEST!

Note that this cruise was of the Great Lakes starting in Chicago and ending in Toronto. A great way to see some major cities and be able to relax between the visits and let the captain “drive”.

I felt there was a lack of activities on board the ship, especially the day we did not dock. For instant there could’ve have been trivia, guests talent show or even karaoke, something like a putting contest with green carpet holes, movie (there was some movies, but it was not the day we were at sea), Bingo, etc.
The band was very good and so was the singer and it would’ve been better if they consistently ended at around 10:30 not between 9:45 and 10:15.
I thought that the tour guide taken us around the Henry Ford innovation museum was very good and would’ve liked a similar experience in the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame.
The meals were ok to good. The soup and desserts were very good but the main courses in general were just mediocre.
We found the employees very nice, efficient and friendly.

There was so much that was positive BUT when you do not get the opportunity to rate all areas of the cruise....something is missing and wrong. In all our travels we were always ask to rate individually the food, staff, excursions, cruise director etc etc. I have inquired TWICE to get someone from guest relations to send a DETAILED survey or call me. This far, I have heard nothing but this "generic" request for a review. Very Very disappointing.

The staff onboard the Victory Cruise ship was excellent. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and professional. Dining areas were clean. Food and service were excellent both in the dining room and the buffet.

I found the staff very helpful and perceptive of needs. I especially note 2 employees that served my daughter and me, Enrique (cabin steward) and Maria (dining room). The renovation of this older ship served us well, but we had the single elevator out of service for about 20 minutes so I commend the repair team.

An amazing experience seeing the USA as I never have before.
Pleased the focus was the 250th Celebration but disappointed Detroit did not have a 4th fireworks show.
Excursions were well organized and excellent. Two of the excursions did not have well informed speakers during the bus ride. One bus ride was outright scary traveling to Ohio.
Our room was cozy and comfortable, finding it even better than one of our expensive hotels.
Meals, entertainment, history talks and craft time gave it a friendly, homey feeling.
But what especially stood out was your wonderful crew of hard working people.
All so polite, friendly, approachable, fun!

I spilled coffee all down my new light blue sweatshirt and it set all day while we were on Mackinac Island. I thought it was ruined. Your expert launderers got the stain out! It still looks like new. Thank you!

Victory 1 – A First-Class Great Lakes Experience
Some vacations are enjoyable. Others become lifelong memories. Our Great Lakes cruise aboard the Victory 1 was unquestionably the latter.
Although Victory Cruise Line has only been operating for two years, the leadership and experience of owner and longtime cruise industry veteran John Waggoner are evident throughout the operation. From the booking process through final disembarkation, every aspect of the guest experience felt thoughtfully planned and expertly executed.
The ship itself is not new, but it has been beautifully refurbished and impeccably maintained. Our stateroom was comfortable, the public spaces were inviting, and the overall atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
The food was outstanding—among the best we have experienced on any cruise line. Every meal was well prepared and beautifully presented. What made the dining experience even more special was the service. Our wait staff greeted us like old friends and quickly learned our dining and beverage preferences, making every meal feel personal and relaxed. By the end of the cruise, we felt less like passengers and more like welcomed guests.
One of our favorite gathering places was the Compass Lounge. During the day, we enjoyed informative presentations about the Great Lakes region, its history, and the communities we visited. In the evenings, the lounge came alive with outstanding entertainment. The musicians and performers were exceptionally talented, and many evenings the lounge was filled with guests singing, dancing, and enjoying every minute.
Another highlight was the size of the ship. With approximately 170 guests onboard, we quickly became acquainted with fellow travelers who were friendly, engaging, and fun-loving. The smaller size created a sense of community that enhanced the entire experience.
The included shore excursions were well organized, enjoyable, and well curated. Each port offered unique opportunities to learn about the history, culture, and character of the region. We especially appreciated how seamlessly the excursions were coordinated.
One example of the extraordinary dedication taking place behind the scenes involved our motorcoach driver, Patrick. While we sailed overnight between ports, Patrick drove to our next destination so he would be there to greet us and transport us on the following day's excursion. Learning about the logistics required to support this cruise gave us an even greater appreciation for the dedicated people who make it all happen.
What truly sets Victory Cruise Line apart, however, is its staff. Every crew member we encountered demonstrated not only professionalism and attention to detail but also a genuine desire to serve others. We have experienced excellent service on several cruise lines over the years, but the Victory 1 crew stands at the very top of our list.
While every crew member contributed to our experience, we would be remiss if we did not recognize a few individuals who made our cruise especially memorable: Futhur, our room steward; Mark in the dining room; Sara in the lounge; Putu at the bar; Cruise Director Nicole; and musicians Sean and Jerry. Nicole somehow managed to excel in two roles, serving as an outstanding Cruise Director by day and the lead vocalist during the evening entertainment. Together with Sean and Jeremy, they created performances that became one of the highlights of our cruise.
If you're looking for water slides, casinos, and thousands of passengers, this probably isn't your cruise. But if you value exceptional service, fascinating destinations, outstanding food, and the opportunity to truly get to know fellow travelers and crew members, Victory 1 delivers an unforgettable experience.
Bottom line: If you are considering a Great Lakes cruise, we wholeheartedly recommend the Victory 1. We believe it is one of the finest travel experiences we've enjoyed in many years—and one we'll remember fondly for years to come.

I booked with Tara, who was very helpful, with 3 other women for a Great Lakes Tour on Victory II. Being a relatively new cruise line I was a little scepticle but the experience was "top shelf". The rooms, bath (although a very small shower),dining venues, coffee bars, bar, gathering spaces, shore excursions, entertainment, staff and crew were more than I expected. The afternoon craft classes were fun.
I would like to mention particular staff I encountered: Angelo, in charge of our room, Preston, in the Main dining room along with Edward, our favorite server and Norma our Sommalier. As for the Grill, thank you to Rahnl and Sachin our favorite bar tender. Madeline had a rough job and did it with grace and patience. One recommendation I would make on her talks each night although helpful, we could only concentrate on the next day or two and not three or four days in advance. The Niagra Falls Walk downhill was difficult for people with mobility issues and access to the tram up and back would have been helpful. A thought for the future.
I loved out trip, made lots of memories with my lady friends and hope to get my husband on the next one. Thank you Victory Cruise Line

A streamlined survey with questions and ratings would be good.
That said, we found the Victory II ship was just the right size, was beautiful and well kept. The crew and staff were excellent: highly competent and extremely courteous and helpful. Our cabin attendant, Achmad, was pleasant, cheerful, and conversational. In The Grill, Rahul would welcome us with coffee and orange juice at breakfast. Wayan would make a point of greeting us and asking about our day. Dinner in the evening was a delicious and relaxing time making new friends while also getting to know our server, Edward, and the beverage provider, Norma.
Visiting the Great Lakes for the first time, we thought that the locations where the ship docked were very well chosen, offering a variety of sights and experiences. The house band, led by James, was wonderfully talented and entertaining each night. We enjoyed listening to Noah, Jett, and especially Ki'ora's wide variety of music as the theme changed each evening. Guest singer, Michael Lynn was also a pleasure to listen to.
Shore Excursions manager, Madeline was remarkably capable of juggling multiple questions, bookings, arrangements and their logistics, always with a smile on her face.
The buses to the onshore excursions were clean and comfortable, with friendly drivers who were punctual.
Of the local guides, Tammy was by far the most energetic and enthusiastic as she proudly showed us and taught us about the history of Detroit and led us on a discovery walk of her favorite exhibits in the Henry Ford Museum.

If we had one suggestion to make, it would be to consider encouraging travelers with "mobility challenges" (walkers, rollators, etc...) to stick with level 1 excursions. For example, people with walkers found it difficult to keep up with "fast-paced" local guides, forcing everyone else to have to slow down and wait.

The staff was absolutely amazing!! The attentiveness of the staff was wonderful and the food was incredible! The crafts were so fun and I went home with a bracelet that I made that everyone who as seen it loves. The band had me on the dance floor every night and most of the night. I absolutely loved them! I felt like many of the staff members were my friends by the end of the cruise and I miss them already. Keep up the good work and I hope to cruise with you again soon.

After more than sixty years of cruising—from an early voyage aboard a cargo ship to sailings on Regency, Oceania, Seabourn, Queen Mary II, and more than twenty other cruise lines—I have become a demanding judge of cruise experiences.

While researching Great Lakes cruises, I repeatedly encountered glowing reviews of Victory Cruise Lines, a company unfamiliar to me at the time. After completing their ten-day Great Lakes voyage, I can say those reviews were entirely justified. Quite simply, it was the finest cruise I have ever experienced.

The cuisine was exceptional—the best food I have enjoyed on any ship. Every meal reflected true gourmet standards in both preparation and presentation.

The service was equally impressive. Every member of the crew was professional, attentive, and genuinely cheerful, creating an atmosphere of warm hospitality throughout the voyage.

The ship was immaculate from bow to stern. Although the staterooms were compact, they were thoughtfully designed with more storage space than is typically found even on larger vessels.

The enrichment lectures were informative and engaging, adding valuable context to the destinations visited along the route. The passenger mix, largely travelers in their seventies and eighties, contributed to a relaxed and congenial onboard atmosphere.

Evenings were highlighted by an excellent four-piece band with a superb vocalist, while The Tavern became a favorite gathering place thanks to its outstanding bar service and welcoming ambiance.

In an era when many cruise lines compete by becoming larger and more elaborate, Victory Cruise Lines succeeds by excelling in the fundamentals: exceptional cuisine, impeccable service, engaging enrichment, and understated elegance.

After countless voyages, I did not expect to discover a new favorite cruise line. Yet that is exactly what I found aboard Victory Cruise Lines. To my dismay, they do not offer more destinations. I am eager to take their Halifax/Jacksonville voyage.