Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I Set to Dock in Toledo, May 30th
Published: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 10:00 am
By: Ashley Streichert Lovejoy
Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I Set to Dock in Toledo, May 30th
The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), the Toledo–Lucas County Port Authority, and Destination Toledo today announced that Victory I — a 286‐foot, 190‐guest small ship operated by Victory Cruise Lines — will berth at Toledo on Friday, May 30, 2025, marking the city’s first cruise‐ship visit in more than a generation.
“This landmark stop is another step toward our vision of making Toledo the Great Lakes city and the gathering place for Great Lakes conversations,” said Kate Fineske, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “Our partnership with Victory Cruise Lines extends the museum experience onto the water, and now — for the first time — onto Toledo’s waterfront itself.”
Through NMGL’s Lakelorian Program aboard Victory I, guests encounter onboard exhibits, lectures, and hands‐on activities showcasing Great Lakes history. When the ship is in regional ports, passengers can opt for exclusive shore excursions to the National Museum of the Great Lakes, arranged in collaboration with Destination Toledo.
The May 30 call became possible after swift coordination among the three local partners. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority worked to allocate secure dock space, Destination Toledo is helping curate a one‐day Toledo experience for passengers, and NMGL will provide Great Lakes programming that pairs with the cruise line’s enrichment‐focused brand.
Joe Cappel, Vice President of Business Development for the Toledo–Lucas County Port Authority, said, “Reintroducing cruise tourism to Toledo has been a long‐held goal. By opening our docks to Victory I, we are proving that our harbor and our city are ready to welcome more vessels — and the economic vitality they bring.”
Lance Woodworth, CEO of Destination Toledo, added, “Cruise guests will step off the ship and immediately discover Toledo’s museums, restaurants, and beautiful Glass City Riverwalk. This collaboration shows what happens when partners move quickly and collaboratively.”
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Although Victory I’s Toledo visit is a one‐time stop in 2025, all partners expressed optimism about attracting additional cruise calls in the coming years, building on growing demand for intimate Great Lakes itineraries that larger ocean ships cannot match.
“We’re thrilled to drop anchor in Toledo for the first time,” said John Waggoner, Founder and CEO of Victory Cruise Lines. “The Port Authority’s seamless coordination and the museum’s world-class programming made it an easy decision to make this call.”
About the National Museum of the Great Lakes: Founded in 1944, the Great Lakes Historical Society has been preserving our shared cultural history by publishing a quarterly journal Inland Seas® since 1945; by operating a maritime museum since 1952; by offering educational programs to the general public since 1956; by conducting underwater archaeological research across the Great Lakes since 2001; and by managing the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship since 2014 and Museum Tug Ohio since 2019. The opening of the National Museum of the Great Lakes enables the Great Lakes Historical Society to continue its mission to preserve and make known the important history of the Great Lakes.
About Victory Cruise Lines:
Victory Cruise Lines® is committed to delighting travelers with the joy of all-inclusive, small ship, coastal cruising on The Great Lakes and Canadian Coasts. Comprised of the Victory I® and Victory II®, the 190-guest ships are purpose-built to cruise on all five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the French-Canadian Maritimes. Service and cuisine. Entertainment and enrichment. Discovery and adventure. Explore legendary lakes and coastal ports showcased with captivating insight and intimate perspectives with Victory Cruise Lines, Discover Beyond®.
About Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority:
The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority is a nationally recognized leader in transportation and economic development. Located in Northwest Ohio, the Port Authority manages the Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza (home to Amtrak and Greyhound), and the Port of Toledo, one of the most diversified ports on the Great Lakes. In addition to its transportation assets, the Port Authority supports job creation and investment through innovative financing programs that help businesses grow and thrive. With a focus on infrastructure improvements, facilities management, and economic development, the Port Authority plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for Northwest Ohio residents. Learn more at www.toledoport.org.
About Destination Toledo:
Destination Toledo is a not-for-profit organization and the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Lucas County and the Greater Toledo region. Our core mission is to attract meeting, convention and tourism business to the region through strategic, long-term marketing, sales, and partnership efforts. This combination of strategic planning helps position Toledo as an attractive travel destination that greatly attributes to visitor spending at area hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail, and local service providers, leading to economic growth and well-being of the entire Toledo region.
tags: Boat Museum, Event, Feel Good Story, Industry News, Lake Erie
