American Queen Steamboat Company recently closed on the purchase of the Victory I and sister ship Victory II from Sunstone Ships, in addition to the Victory brand, according to a press release.
A sales price was not disclosed.
“American Queen Steamboat Company celebrated a record year in 2018, and the recent addition of the Victory I and Victory II to our fleet is a wonderful way to start 2019,” said American Queen Steamboat Company Chairman and CEO John Waggoner. “Our repeat guests have long shared their desire to sail the Great Lakes and these vessels, currently undergoing a shipyard refresh alongside the under construction American Countess, will deliver unforgettable travel memories in a new and growing region.”
Starting May through October 2019, Victory Cruise Lines will offer 10-day, all-inclusive sailings on the Great Lakes. Victory I will sail between Montreal and Detroit visiting Quebec City, Kingston, Toronto/Welland Canal, Port Colborne/Niagara Falls and Cleveland. Victory II will sail between Toronto and Chicago calling on Port Colborne/Niagara Falls/Welland Canal, Cleveland, Detroit, in addition to sailing scenic Lake Huron, Little Current and visiting Soo Locks/Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island and ending on Lake Michigan.
The Victory I and Victory II join the American Queen Steamboat Company fleet under the Victory Cruise Lines name, alongside the flagship American Queen, the American Duchess, a 166-guest paddlewheeler sailing the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and the American Empress in the Pacific Northwest.
The new American Countess, currently under construction in Louisiana, will debut in 2020.