Meet Victory I, a small ship with big character.
Meet the small ship with big character.
WHEN IT COMES TO SMALL SHIP luxury cruising, there’s a new cruise line and ship for adventurers to consider: Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I.
Launched in July 2016, Victory Cruise Lines connects passengers with grace, style, and luxury to fascinating cultures along untapped itineraries. Embark on memorable seasonal voyages throughout the Great Lakes and French Canada & New England during the summer months and out of Miami to Cuba in the winter. But no matter the route, life aboard Victory I is relaxing with a slower pace than most cruise ships.
ONBOARD AMBIENCE _ Built in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1999 as Cape May Light, and having several other names over the years including Sea Voyager and Saint Laurent, the 300-foot long, 210-passenger Victory I was designed for coastal cruising. With 90 crewmembers, Victory I coddles her passengers with superb service and style that is often found on luxury ships. The entire crew, from the captain to the waiters, are seasoned professionals, and many came from working on the bigger cruise ships.
The majority of the 105 staterooms are on Decks 3 and 4; staterooms on Deck 4 open to an outside deck area. The average stateroom size is around 160 square feet, but don’t let that smaller size distract you from the fact that the beds and linens are extraordinarily comfortable with premium mattresses, 100 percent Egyptian cotton bedding, deluxe duvets, and a choice of pillow options. Other stateroom amenities include personal robes and slippers, high-end bath amenities that are environmentally sensitive, and LCD flat-screen TVs with satellite.
True evidence of a luxury cruise can be found in the quality of the menu and the consistently excellent taste of the cuisine by a master chef. Indeed, the Shearwater Dining Room on Deck 1 was a favorite gathering place for passengers because the daily menu is exquisite. The best seats in the restaurant are next to the large picture windows, and the wait staff makes an effort to quickly remember passengers’ names and preferences.
There is also the option to dine on deck at the outdoor Cliff Rock Bar & Grille where the specialty on the menu is Hot Rock cooking, where diners cook their own steak or fish on an authentic volcanic lava hot rock. ( Reservations are suggested because there is limited seating.)
For more mingling, the casual Seascape Tavern is a cozy spot to relax in the comfort of a traditional English-style tavern. In the early evening, live musicians perform favorite songs. The Compass Lounge is a comfortable spot to log onto the ship’s free WiFi, attend an enriching presentation by an onboard specialist, gather around the grand piano for an old-fashioned sing-along, or enjoy after-dinner music and dancing.