You'll be able to set sail on a cruise from Chicago next year: Two Victory Cruise Lines vessels are set to make their return to the city in 2025, becoming the only line to dock at our very own Navy Pier.
The 190-passenger vessels, Victory I and Victory II, have been out of the water for about a year, when their owners went bankrupt and put the ships up at auction. Funnily enough, the vessels were previously operated by American Queens Voyages, founded by one John Waggoner, who came out of retirement to re-buy the ships for $1.9 million.
36 trips are scheduled for next year's season, and the vessels will make stops in places including Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Cleveland, Detroit, Niagara Falls and more. While most other Great Lakes cruises originate or end in Milwaukee, the Victory will be "bookended by Chicago and Toronto," as reported by Crain's Chicago Business.
"Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes.” said Waggoner in an official statement.
The ships can accommodate 190 passengers, and a 10-day trip from Chicago to Toronto starts at $7,399 per person, while a 15-day round-trip starts at $9,699. Bookings are available now via the official website.
If you just can't wait to hop on the water and see the city in all of its splendor from a different point of view, you might want to consult out list of best boat tours in Chicago. What can we say? There's just something about taking in Chicago from both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan that reminds us of how much we love this great town of ours.