Victory Cruise Lines Reviews 

Staff was amazing. Everyone on board were very courteous and helpful with lots of smiles! Food was great and the music at night was fun! We also enjoyed all of the excursions we went on. Lots to see and explore. Everyone should take this cruise! C&R Free

The staff was great; very friendly courteous and helpful. The itinerary was excellent; even the tour of my hometown, Cleveland, where I learned things I never heard growing up. The entertainment and Lakelorian presentations were very enjoyable

The cruise was just great. I really appreciated all the detailed information about the lakes and boats sinking, etc. Also I loved the ship tours - the ore ship and icebreaker ship. The bus tours were very good also, although we didn’t have nearly enough time in the first mansion when we also went to the waterfalls. The tour was cut short (and the tour guide on that bus was quite awful). Mostly she shared everything about her own family, which we didn’t care to hear. I’m not the only one who felt that way!
The food was always fantastic and the waiters were top notch. Honestly, a negative was that the same entertainment night after night became a bit old. A variation in groups would be nice. The one special group that came aboard and entertained one evening was spectacular. That was a real treat. Thanks for a great trip.

Victory stands out for its classy, professional, personal and warm service and environment.
While the cabins and the showers are really small, Victory makes sure the cruise is really big and memorable.
The little touches like the personalized water bottles and the journals left a lasting impression.
Food was wonderful, every crew member had a smile and a pleasant greeting.
Service in the dining room and the grill was over the top.
I haven’t stopped talking about my cruise since I returned home.

This was my first cruise - at age 93. It was a challenge but am so glad I did it.
It was the Chicago to Chicago cruise, 5/28-6/12, 2026.
First off, the crew was terrific - all of them. Very professional, helpful, attentive and real.
The daily lectures were enlightening and an important part of the trip. Mansions and museums hold little interest for me but am glad I took the extra trips to tour the peninsulas, see nature and learn about the history and geology of each area.
The only awkward time was the long wait between leaving the hotel room and embarking on the Victory II.
Perhaps I'll try one more trip and explore the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Jason Hammer was helpful with advise.

We were unable to take the cruise. Due to SEVERE weather in Chicago our flights were cancelled by American Airlines.

We understand that many other people were also effected by flight cancellations.

Mr & Mrs Geuting

This was my third cruise. A few of the people recognized me. They were very accommodating for my needs in the cabin and I truly enjoyed it because it is so restful for a senior.. the food was excellent, and the entertainment was outstanding. In fact, everything was outstanding. I wish you would have more solo advantages.

The room too small: no place to sit. Shower so small like taking a shower in a test tube. On board sailing days boring. Complementary spirits 'bottom-bottom shelf'. Breakfast hours ended too early - we stay up late.
Staff and service were excellent.
Sites interesting as expected from previous cruise.

This was our second Victory Cruise. Our first (last summer) was so good that we returned this summer. Both cruises were excellent. To be specific:
1. Our accommodations were immaculate. Our room attendant 'Johan' was absolutely wonderful.
2. The lectures by our 'Lake Lorian' were varied, specific, well-researched, clearly explained, perfectly delivered and highly interesting.
3. The excursions were varied and so much fun! The bus drivers and guides were helpful, friendly, and kind to us.
4. The evening entertainment, i.e. the band (Ky'rya, James, Jett et al.) was adorable, and each of the performers was talented, personable, friendly and willing to chat with all us passengers! Their repertoire was also varied and absolutely appropriate for the crowd.
5. The bar staff were terrific 'Suchin' & 'Wilbon', thoughtful, kind, prompt, polite, friendly, funny and very good company! They never forgot a name or an order!
6. The meals were absolutely, astonishingly, and exceptionally, and consistently delicious. Equally important, we were ALWAYS well-served by the outstanding staff who were unfailingly friendly, polite, and eager to serve. Fine dining restaurants could take a lesson from Victory Cruises!
7. Finally, ALL the Victory staff members, were without exception, always kind, polite, friendly, and helpful.
8. Highest marks to Captain Vlad Ene, his officers, and the ship's senior staff. All of them made themselves available to us and all were friendly, helpful, and cordial to us at all times.
9. I would say unequivocally that both of our Victory cruises represented the epitome of outstanding customer service. We will be back! In the meantime, please commend your staff for their extraordinary hard work, positive attitude, and superb service. Victory should be pleased and proud that your staff represents your company so well. Be assured that I will speak well of, and recommend Victory to all who ask.
Kindest regards, Robert H., Gainesville., FL
Cruise date: May 28-June 12, 2026

Food was excellent; service exceptional. The house band was super talented. Loved having the lakelorian - Will - on board to educate us. Cindy with crafts was also a nice touch. We feel like Victory thought of everything that could make our cruise special and gave it to us. Thanks so much!

The tour was very good. Generally it was well organized and operated efficiently.

The weakest part of the tour was the beginning and the end. Getting to the hotel from the airport was problematic. It would be much better if you picked us up at the airport. At the end you dumped us at the airport 10 and a half hours before our flight. We had to sit outside of security ( without access to food). For nearly 5 hours.

The itinerary was great.

Shuttle destinations/drop off locations could have been better and had a longer run time.

Big issues with the dining situation. Prefer a two top. Not enough of them. Furniture is heavy and large for the space. Frustrating every lunch and dinner to find suitable seating

Servers were over extended.

Flexible tables and chairs that can be moved easily to accommodate any size party would be a fix. Have two seating times and more two top tables.

The buffet could have longer hours.

The food itself is exceptional. Great options. The daily featured wines were absolutely lovely.

All employees were extraordinary. Going above and beyond to make all passengers comfortable and happy. Entertainment was wonderful.

My rating is in comparison to Victory Great Lakers tour we took last year. Ground staff in Toronto was incompetent. No help and promises not fulfilled. Could not sit where we wanted for dinners because all good seats (by the window) were reserved for a tour group! I am sure we paid at least as much for out tickets was they did! Mackinac Island was terrible this year. Could not dock at the island had to take a 40 minute ferry ride. Grand Hotel, fort, butterfly house were all extra fees this year whereas last year they were included. Afternoon tour Mackinac was rushed no time to look around at middle of carriage ride. Entertainment was great as was the service staff.

There was a lot to really like about this cruise: itinerary, staff, meals. The reasons for my 3 star rating follow - some are easy fix and should be done. Others are a bit more complex due to the ship architecture and harder to fix:
1. included excursions - some were "ok" others were a waste of time. maybe have 2 levels?
2. dining room - staff was stressed: smaller more manageable furniture for staff and cruisers. maybe 2 seating's?
3. Check out process and passport collections - why do I need to go down you have my card? better communication or simply ship announcements.
4. Ship announcements for logistics were sparse or non existent. Do better!

The food was great, all the staff was so accommodating and the shore experiences were very educational.

Staff was very friendly and helpful. Ship is very well maintained. Food was exceptional.

This was our second trip with Victory Cruise Lines. It was as wonderful as our first trip. The staff are friendly and very helpful. The trips off the ship were very enjoyable and easy walking. The food is top notch.

The size of the ship is comfy and relaxing. The staff and guests become familiar this way. The staff is always helpful, kind, professional, respectful, cheerful and compassionate. I can't say enough positive about them. The ship is clean and everyone does such a good job! We sat in Rachelle's station for lunch and dinner. She was very attentive, observant, and offered other choices if you weren't happy. We sat in Max's section for breakfast. Such a kind, professional, efficient, attentive server. Always had my husbands juice ready when we came down. Food was excellent! Norma works very hard, as does all the staff, she keeps your beverages coming and is fast! The excursions were interesting. I was extremely dissatisfied when we went to Glensheen Mansion. We were stressed and rushed this excursion from beginning to end. We never did have time too view the gardens and grounds there. The guides we very good on excursions too!This is our 4th cruise with Victory and we are, and have been very happy on our cruises! Thank you all!!

Fabulous staff. Clean lean ship. Terrific food with great choices. Good entertainment.
Cabins could be a little larger.

The staff was friendly and did a wonderful job. We enjoyed the food very much along with most of the tours. House band was great and the 10 piece special band that came while we were in Green Bay was fantastic (the one night we stayed till the end). Having a night covered in Chicago is a plus (we stayed an extra 2 nights at the same hotel). Weren't expecting much in the way of the hotel, but the views out our window was fantastic and enjoyed staying there.

The only reasons we didn't give the cruise a 5 star: 1) the back deck where most of the outdoor seating was we didn't enjoy at all. The diesel smell was unbearable and the one spot where the smell wasn't bad it was too loud.

Almost all of the tours we took both included and extra were great. We both felt that the Thunder Bay tour was a complete waste - too much time getting to the Falls and then only having 20 minutes. Our tour guide spent most of the bus ride talking about her family and not giving us information about the area.

In closing, would recommend the cruise to others with letting them know about the deck situation.