The following is text of a news release from American Queen Steamboat Co. (AQSC):
(NEW ALBANY, Ind.) — American Queen Steamboat Co. recently closed on the purchase of Victory I and sister ship Victory II from Sunstone Ships Inc., in addition to the Victory brand. This investment expands the company’s portfolio to include small ship cruising on the Great Lakes. Victory I and Victory II will spend the winter and spring season at Gulf Island Shipyard in Houma, La., undergoing a multimillion-dollar refurbishment and upgrade program before re-entering service in May.
Starting May through October , 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 Lake Huron, Little Current and visiting Soo Locks/Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island and ending on Lake Michigan.
The 202-passenger Victory I and Victory II are small ships purposefully designed for coastal cruising with every modern convenience to explore North America’s maritime history throughout the Great Lakes and southern Canadian coast. Guests on board will have inclusive shore excursions in each port of call, multi-course fine dining with specialty and casual options including spirits, beer and wine, onboard evening entertainment, and Internet and Wi-Fi in public areas.
Victory I and Victory II join the AQSC fleet under the Victory Cruise Lines name, alongside the flagship American Queen, American Duchess, a 166-guest boutique 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.
