As godmother of the Victory II, Molly Grace Applegate practiced smashing liquor bottles within the yard of her San Diego house and giving speeches to her canine Lamb Chop who fell asleep midway via her speech.
However the 12-year outdated did a superb job on Monday, Might 12, christening the ship at Pier One in Chicago with a bottle of Maker’s Mark Bourbon. The milestone second marked Victory II’s 10-night cruise between Chicago and Toronto.
“As her grandparent, I can say with absolute confidence that if anybody can convey attraction, luck and just a bit little bit of sparkle to this ship, it’s Molly,” John Waggoner, founder and CEO of Victory Cruise Strains, stated.
Molly Grace Applegate stands subsequent to her godmother picture onboard Victory II.
As Molly’s grandfather, Waggoner stated, “You have got already introduced pleasure to our life and I do know you’ll convey success to Victory II.”
The emotional second marked the total return of Victory Cruise Strains. Each Victory I and Victory II ships had been purposely constructed for the Nice Lakes, providing a refreshing different to river and ocean cruising.
Coming Out of Retirement to Save Victory Ships
Waggoner got here out of retirement to resurrect the cruise line, which he as soon as owned. Following the chapter of Hornblower Group, Waggoner and his spouse, Claudette, paid $1.9 million in money for the 2 auctioned ships.
John Waggoner, founder and CEO of Victory Cruise Strains
“It’s arduous to consider we solely bought the Victory II 395 days in the past,” Waggoner stated on the christening.
In that quick period of time, Victory II was up to date in preparation for cruising once more. Waggoner thanked “my total household who help my loopy concepts and help me unconditionally.”
Victory Cruise Strains is dedicated to all-inclusive, small ship, coastal cruising on the Nice Lakes and Canadian coasts. Victory Cruise Strains is the one cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier and provides essentially the most cruises – 33 departures in 2025 – that hit all 5 Nice Lakes in a single voyage.
Each ships will function 10-15 night time voyages from Chicago, Toronto, Milwaukee and Montreal now via October.
Victory II docked at Chicago’s Navy Pier
“We lengthen our deepest gratitude to everybody who has made it doable for us to showcase all 5 Nice Lakes and supply company with the chance to create lasting journey reminiscences collectively,” Waggoner stated.
Christening Victory I
The christening ceremony started onboard Victory II within the Compass Lounge by first honoring america and Canada with the singing of the nationwide anthems, as each share the Nice Lakes.
Molly Grace Applegate in entrance of Victory II at Chicago’s Navy Pier
Remarks had been made by Select Chicago Vice President Partnerships Jordan Engerman, Nationwide Museum of the Nice Lakes Govt Director Kate Fineske, Victory Cruise Strains Chief Working Officer David William Kelly and John Waggoner.
Jordan Engerman of Select Chicago
The spotlight of the ceremony was Molly Grace Applegate, granddaughter of John and Claudette Waggoner who christened the Victory II.
Victory II’s inaugural crusing is the cruise line’s hottest itinerary, 10-nights between Chicago and Toronto together with a pre-cruise lodge with ports of name in Escanaba and Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Detroit, Cleveland and Port Colborne (Niagara Falls).
David William Kelly
Victory Cruise Strains included excursions give company a chance to get pleasure from each morning and afternoon choices. Highlights embrace The Henry Ford Expertise in Detroit, Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame in Cleveland and the Soo Locks & Maritime Heritage Tour in Sault St. Marie.
“Victory Cruise Strains will convey hundreds of tourists to Chicago and we’re proud the cruise line is docking proper right here downtown at Navy Pier,” stated Jordan Engerman on behalf of Select Chicago.
“Cruise visitation helps native jobs and companies throughout town and is one more method for vacationers to discover our wealthy and various vacation spot,” Engerman stated.
Kate Finesse of Nationwide Museum of Nice Lakes
On the Victory II cruise, LakeLorian Ian Ross hosts lectures, dialogue and solutions questions all through the journey. LakeLorians present unique programming in collaboration with the famend Nationwide Museum of the Nice Lakes in Toledo, Ohio.
Chicago night time scene as Victory II begins cruise to Toronto, Canada
Pictures by Jackie Sheckler Finch
Cowl picture courtesy of Victory Cruise Strains
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