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Voyages Cruise Guide – What’s Inside:
Voyages by U.S. Tours presents its 20-page inaugural guide to cruise opportunities on the oceans and rivers of the world. This new division of respected operator U.S. Tours aims to become “group cruise central” for professional tour planners. In the guide, profiles of 10 partner lines provide highlights of each cruise company and suggested voyages. These partners include Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean, plus small-ship lines AmaWaterways, American Queen Steamboat, Seabourn and Victory. From beginning to end, Voyages by U.S. Tours handles all the details of planning a cruise, including collecting deposits and final payments, coordinating schedules, getting documents, arranging for special side trips and just going to bat for you should a problem arise. Its dedicated group department also can offer complimentary meeting space on the ship if needed and coordinate any special events you might wish to include.
Victory Cruise Lines operates two boutique cruise ships sailing unique coastal itineraries. Reminiscent of traditional coastal steamers, the ships offer an inclusively priced, destination-focused experience with fine dining, personalized service and onboard enrichment programs.
Fleet size
Two identical, 202-passenger ocean-going coastal vessels. The Victory I commenced service in July 2016 and was joined by the Victory II in July 2018. Due to their size, the boutique ships can easily navigate canals and locks, tranquil bays and ports of any size. Amenities include a fitness center, salon and spa, elevator, a lounge, outdoor bar and observation deck.
Destinations
Costal cruising along America’s five Great Lakes, the French Canadian Maritimes, Cuba, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Atlantic Coast. Victory is the only cruise company offering ports of call on all five Great Lakes, with stops including Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and Mackinac Island. The line also offers a 14-day circumnavigation of Cuba with four ports of call and a new cruise/land tour from Miami to the Yucatan Peninsula with a two-night stay in Campeche.
Discernible differences
Victory Cruise Lines offers an inclusive vacation with emphasis on the destination. Shore excursions in each port are included in the fare, and onboard enrichment features destination-oriented talks by historians. The ships sport a casual ambiance, with fine dining in the main restaurant, an English-style tavern and a casual outdoor dining venue. All staterooms (146 to 185 sq. ft.) have a walk-in shower and LCD flat-screen TV with on-demand movies and satellite programming. Fares include complimentary internet and Wi-Fi, plus non-premium wine, beer and spirits onboard. Currently, on select sailings in the Great Lakes and Canada, Victory is not charging a single supplement.
Group policies
Minimum of five cabins (double occupancy) constitutes a group booking, with one free tour conductor space upon selling 15 full-paying passengers. Rates are guaranteed for 14 days without deposit, and a deposit of $500 per person holds cabins and secures the group.
What’s new
Victory is beginning its fourth year of operation, adding a second ship in 2018. The additional ship enabled Victory to launch new programs, including its winter Yucatan Peninsula cruises and an expanded summer program in the Great Lakes and Canada.
Awards won
The three-year-old company received its first awards in 2018, including two Gold and two Silver Magellan awards from Travel Weekly. The company has been recognized for its marketing programs and interaction with the professional travel community.
Suggested Voyages
These 1900s-style coastal cruisers are all-inclusive luxury, small-ship experiences that include a two-week Great Lakes Cruise and a beautiful St. Lawrence Seaway Experience. Luxury cruising close to home in turn-of-the-20th-century style.
