9 nights Great Lakes Grand Discovery | Toronto, Ontario to Chicago, Illinois and reverse

Type of Vessel

Delight in the intimate 202-passenger Victory I identical to its sister ship the Victory II.
Refined, intimate ship experiences The indisputable joy of sailing is brought to life on the M/V Victory I and II, agile intimate ships that easily navigate canals and locks, tranquil bays, and hidden ports where larger ships dare not go. Onboard, the fresh, modern open-air lounges, inviting dining venues, and generous windows ensure you never miss a chance to savor the spectacular view.
Intuitive and attentive service Whether it's a favorite cocktail served on deck or the delicate chocolate on your pillow ensuring sweet dreams, the attentive, intuitive crew of 84, are available whenever you need them.
On-board experts and included excursions Aboard the M/V Victory I and II, engaging specialists will share their expertise freely in presentations and impromptu discussions throughout the journey. In port, inclusive shore excursions with knowledgeable local guides provide meaningful opportunities to uncover the rich history, unique wildlife, and fascinating cultures of the destinations you will visit.

Deck Plans

Skillfully designed to foster a convivial atmosphere, the M/V Victory I and II invite you to relax and unwind as you discover the world's most remarkable coastal regions. Soak up a private ocean view in your choice of stateroom. Enjoy quiet time in a cozy corner. Stretch your legs on the promenade. Or gather with friends as you watch the world go by. With five decks and seven different stateroom categories including an Owner's Suite, there is something for everyone.

Itinerary

Day 1: Toronto, Ontario | Welcome to Toronto, the most multicultural diverse city on the planet where more than 140 languages are spoken. It's estimated that over half of Toronto's residents were born outside Canada, and despite its complex makeup, Torontonians generally get along. Toronto is a vibrant city abuzz with activity. Some of the world's finest restaurants are found here, alongside happening bars and clubs and eclectic festivals. Head to the port to begin your journey aboard the M/V Victory I.
Day 2: Niagara Falls and Welland Canal | After a leisurely morning onboard, you will disembark the ship at Port Colbourne on the southern end of the Welland Canal. The original Welland Canal was opened in 1829 and was extended to reach Lake Erie in 1833. The current canal was completed in 1932 and boasts eight locks. As the M/V Victory I awaits its turn to transit the locks, you will drive through the Niagara Wine Region, home to 25 vineyards and over 50 wineries. At Niagara Falls, you will embark on the famous Hornblower "Voyage of the Falls" for a cruise into the misty spray of Horseshoe Falls. Back on shore, you will drive along scenic Niagara Parkway to a charming local restaurant followed by a special visit to a local winery for a fabulous tasting before rejoining the ship at Port Weller.
Day 3: Cleveland, Ohio | Cleveland's landmarks date to its days as a turn-of-the-20th-century manufacturing center, including the Steamship William G. Mather, now part of the Great Lakes Science Center. It is also known for the stately Cleveland Museum of Art, the I.M. Pei-designed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum and its famous West Side Market-Cleveland's oldest publicly owned market-which opened to the public in 1912. Today the market is home more than 100 vendors and hosts a million visitors a year.
Day 4: Detroit, Michigan | Sailing from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, the M/V Victory I will call on Windsor, Ontario, known as The City of Roses, or Detroit, Michigan, known as the "Motor City", depending on port schedules. Your shore excursions will be the same, regardless of the city in which the M/V Victory I docks. Just outside of Detroit, you will visit the Henry Ford Museum, created to document the genius of ordinary people. Housed in a sweeping, nine-acre, single-floor space with soaring 40-foot ceilings, the design and sheer scope of the museum is as grand as the vision that inspired it. Local expert docents will escort guests to see the museum's highlights that include the limousine that carried President John F. Kennedy on that fateful day in Texas, the bus in which Rosa Parks stood her ground and sparked the Civil Rights movement, and the chair from the Ford Theatre in which Abraham Lincoln was sitting when he was shot.
Day 5: Lake Huron | The second largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron boasts a surface area of 23,000 square miles. Like the other Great Lakes, it was formed at the end of the last ice age as the glaciers retreated. With over 30,000 islands, Lake Huron has more shoreline than any of the other Great Lakes. After a scenic day of cruising, you will gather in the ship's main dining room for a gourmet dinner.
Day 6: Sault Saint Marie | Today, you will transit the Soo Locks from Lake Huron into Lake Superior at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. Your guided excursion includes a visit to the Valley Camp Museum Ship, a stop at the Soo Locks viewing platform, and a walk through the visitor's center to learn about the four parallel locks - MacArthur (1943), Poe (1895), Davis (1914), and Sabin (1919) - which pass an average of 10,000 ships per year.
Day 7: Little Current, Manitoulin Islands | This morning, you will cruise though the rugged beauty of Georgian Bay, sometimes called the sixth Great Lake. Your destination is Manitoulin Island, the world's largest freshwater island and home of the Ojibwa people, part of the First Nation of Anishinaabe. Also known by the anglicized name Chippewa, the Ojibwe are the largest population of First Nations people in continental North America. They speak the Anishinaabe language and live mostly in the Great Lakes region of Canada. They are known for their birch bark canoes, cultivation of wild rice, the creation of dreamcatchers, and their historic use of pictographic birch bark scrolls.
Day 8: Mackinac Island, Lake Michigan | You'll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. After breakfast, go ashore for a narrated horse-drawn carriage ride of Mackinac Island, including the Victorian-era Grand Hotel, where the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed. Visit Fort Mackinac, which was constructed by the British in 1780, taken by the Americans in 1796, and reclaimed by the British at the start of the War of 1812. This evening, the cocktail hour in the outdoor lounge features a captivating presentation by the onboard historian.
Day 9: Scenic Sailing of Lake Michigan | The only Great Lake located entirely within the United States, Lake Michigan has a surface area of more than 22,000 square miles, making it the sixth largest lake in the world. The name Michigan is believed to come from the native Ojibwe word mishigami, which translates to "great water". After a scenic day of cruising, you will gather for a festive welcome reception, followed by dinner in the ship's main dining room.
Day 10: Chicago, Illinois | Your cruise ends in the "Windy City". Situated at the mouth of the Chicago River, on the southern coast of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a city of art, music, and industry. Visit the Michigan Mile or get to know the city's rich architectural history with a riverboat tour. With shopping, museums, dining, music and theater, there's something for every taste in this iconic American city. After disembarking, enjoy your private transfer to the airport or post-cruise hotel stay.

All Inclusive

All meals, beer, wine, cocktails and excursions are included.

Food and Dining

Beyond outstanding service and hospitality, every meal will bring about moments of sheer bliss. Each day, you will enjoy mouth-watering canapes as a prelude to casual and sophisticated cuisine in distinctive venues.
Cliff Rock Bar & Grille and Lighthouse Bar & Grille | Enjoy fresh air and fresh selections, where "hot rock" cooking is the special of the day, every day. Choose your ingredients and watch them cook to perfection on 100% pure volcanic lava rock. Serving buffet breakfast and lunch and seated dinner.
Shearwater Dining Room and Victory Dining Room | Savor delicious cuisine in the easy elegance of the main dining room, where a professional wait staff serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from the chef's menu of regionally inspired dishes.

Onboard Activities/Events

The Seascape Tavern and Whale of a Tail Tavern | Share stories and laughter with friends and fellow travelers in the casual comfort of this cozy, English-style tavern. In the early evening, talented musicians bring the ship to life with all your favorite songs.
The Compass Lounge and Great Lakes Lounge | Log onto the ships Wi-Fi and catch up on the latest news or send a few emails to friends back home. Attend an enriching presentation by an onboard specialist. Gather around the grand piano for an old fashioned sing-along. After dinner, music, and dancing keep the fun going into the evening hours.
Observation Deck Lounge & Sun Deck and Seaview Bar | Lounge on the aft deck on comfortable, cushioned outdoor sofas under the pergola, the perfect place to celebrate a successful shore excursion, gather for afternoon cocktails, amber sunsets or a little late-night stargazing. In the morning or afternoon, take advantage of the forward deck to greet the day with your morning coffee, relax with a book and soak up some rays on one of the outdoor lounge chairs.

Staterooms or Cabins

After exhilarating days on shore, escape to your own private retreat featuring fresh, modern decor, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, deluxe duvets, and your choice of different pillow options. All 105 staterooms and suites also offer individual climate controls, magnifying makeup mirrors, plush towels, coveted Deluxe bath amenities, personal robes and slippers, generous closets and under-bed storage.
Owner's Suite | Ocean view suite boasting sweeping views, interior and exterior entrances, a private terrace, one queen bed and one sofa bed, sitting area, armoire and chest of drawers, complimentary minibar restocked daily, in-room safe, evening canapes, complimentary laundry service and fresh fruit daily. Located on deck three, enjoy 312 square feet of space.
Category AA | Ocean view with direct access to the open-air promenade. Two twins or one queen bed, armoire and chest of drawers, mini fridge and fresh fruit daily. Located on deck four, enjoy 132 square feet of space.
Category A | Ocean view stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire and chest of drawers and fresh fruit daily. Located on deck three, enjoy 162 square feet of space.
Category B | Ocean view stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers and fresh fruit daily. Located on deck three, enjoy 138 square feet of space.
Category C | Ocean view stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers and fresh fruit daily. Located on deck two, enjoy 136 square feet of space.
Category D | Ocean view stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers and fresh fruit daily. Located on deck one, enjoy 134 square feet of space.
Category E | Ocean view stateroom, queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers and fresh fruit daily. Located on deck one, enjoy 134 square feet of space.

Spa

Latitude Salon and Spa | Featuring indulgent scented oil treatments and a beauty salon for manicures, pedicures and styling- renew yourself with a relaxing massage or with one of the many beauty treatments during your stay.