Victory Cruise Lines is now in full service after christening its second ship, Victory II, in Chicago on May 12.
The ceremony followed the April 27 christening of Victory I in Toronto, which ushered the cruise line back into service after CEO John Waggoner purchased the ships last year following American Queen Voyages' closure.
His granddaughter, Molly Applegate, is Victory II's godmother, and she broke a bottle of bourbon on the ship's bow during the ceremony.
Members of the Chicago and Great Lakes tourism industries offered remarks.
"Victory Cruise Lines will bring thousands of visitors to Chicago, and we are proud the cruise line is docking right here downtown at Navy Pier," said Jordan Engerman of Choose Chicago, the city's destination marketing organization.
Victory is the only cruise line that will dock at Navy Pier.
"There is no city in the world quite like Chicago, and we are delighted to celebrate here today at Navy Pier as Victory II joins Victory I in sailing the Great Lakes once again," Waggoner said.
Both Victory ships accommodate 190 passengers.
Copyright 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All rights reserved. From https://www.travelweekly.com. By Teri West.