Cruise Review: Victory I

When American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) announced it would be taking over the Victory Cruise Lines brand, anticipation was high to see what the river operator would make of the oceangoing Victory I and Victory II. Fresh off my excellent experience onboard AQSC’s American Empress, I had learned some of what to expect, and I was eager to see what the company had up its sleeve.

During our preview sailing onboard the intimate 202-guest Victory I, we sampled a portion of the line’s extensive Great Lakes Grand Discovery route. Oceanic itineraries include the St. Lawrence Seaway, Coastal New England and, soon, Mexico.

The vessel is in good shape, save for a few blemishes. For example, newly applied stateroom wallpaper makes for a clean redesign, but it isn’t properly aligned in some areas. And cabin mattresses are too tall for comfort. (AQSC’s clientele is fond of a certain mattress that, when placed on the existing frames, made the height excessive.) Nonetheless, Victory I is already modifying them to sit lower while still offering storage for luggage below.

In short, the transition is in progress.

“We’re a learning industry,” said John Waggoner, chairman and CEO of AQSC, noting that the company is constantly making enhancements.

Cabins onboard are cozy. Although none feature private balconies, window vistas are expansive, as is storage. The bathrooms, carried over from the previous owner, are small, with even smaller cylindrical showers that are difficult to bathe in without contacting both the enclosure and curtain.

Elsewhere, Victory I features comfortable venues adhering to AQSC’s reputation. The crystal chandelier-laden Compass Lounge is stately yet casual, inviting guests to gaze out the windows and listen and dance to live tunes. The Tavern is a great inclusive bar decorated with rich mahogany tones and stained-glass accents.

When it comes to cuisine, Coastal Dining Room — with its gleaming white details and architecturally handsome corbels outlining a grid ceiling — hosts delicious full-service dinners.

As guests enter, they can preview each available dish (fully plated) for the evening. As a bonus, The Grill has been dramatically overhauled by enclosing the indoor space to showcase appetizing self-service breakfasts and lunches, complete with a wraparound view.

Rounding out shipboard amenities are a gym with a handful of exercise equipment, and a spa consisting of a singular treatment room.

For travel advisors who are wondering how to differentiate Victory from AQSC for clients, Waggoner says there’s not a large contrast.

“We don’t really position them differently,” he said. “My expression is, ‘It’s another arrow in our quiver."

Victory I is mostly consistent with AQSC’s domestic-registered ships, but for now, the vessel is foreign-flagged. While the registration process is expected to take a couple years, the company intends to re-register in the U.S.

For now, Victory can accurately be described as “AQSC lite,” with more enhancements to come to bring it fully up to par. New carpeting, decking, LED lighting and linear polyurethane paint are all on the way.

The Details
Victory Cruise Lines
www.victorycruiselines.com