Victory Cruise Lines® Reveals Expedition Highlights for Ocean Victory™ Inaugural 2022 Season
NEW ALBANY, Ind., July 27, 2021 – Victory Cruise Lines®, sister brand of American Queen Steamboat Company®, a Hornblower® Group company, marks its expedition experience debut with the new Ocean Victory™ in 2022. Created for intimate access with an innovative X-Bow design, the vessel sails 12 and 13-day journeys through the less-traveled regions of Alaska’s Inside Passage led by a seasoned expedition team. Like-minded explorers will deploy kayaks and Zodiacs with expedition leaders, view wildlife from sliding observation platforms, witness marine research by California Polytech University students in real-time and have engaging discussions with First Nation leaders. Accommodating only 186 guests, the focus of the expedition program is exploring Alaska up close.
“My most memorable travel experiences have always been journeys of complete immersion – whether it’s in a culture, an ecosystem, region or simply being immersed with my family and fellow travelers,” shares John Waggoner, chairman of Victory Cruise Lines. “Alaska is such an incredible destination, and our Ocean Victory expedition sailings were created to deliver an unmatched level of immersion for guests to experience this singular region like never before.”
The Ocean Victory inaugural Alaska season expedition program highlights include:
Anan Creek Bear and Wildlife Observatory: Guests will venture into the Alaskan wilderness for a once-in-a-lifetime look at the forest’s wildlife in their natural habitat. They will have the opportunity to travel by jet boat from Wrangel through the Eastern Passage to the Anan trailhead. Anan Creek provides the perfect landscape for an observatory, as it is one of the largest salmon runs in Southeast Alaska. This makes it a prime location for the local bear population to feed, as well as bald eagles and harbor sealsAt the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory, guests will experience up-close views of these majestic creatures.
Five Finger Whale Lighthouse: Historic Five Finger Whale Lighthouse is located at the confluence of Stephen’s Passage and Frederick Sound in Southeast Alaska. The island on which it sits, and the surrounding waters, are a home to nesting seabirds, foraging songbirds, bald eagles, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, harbor porpoise, transient killer whales and large numbers of humpback whales.
Kake Tlingit Village – Experiencing the traditional culture of Kake, guests will be welcomed with warmth by the Tlingit residents and encouraged to participate in their long-standing traditions. Just a short walk from the dock is the community hall, where a carving or weaving demonstration will take place. Then, guests can step out onto the dancefloor where local dancers will perform traditional songs and dances before gazing at the world’s largest one-tree totem.
Petersburg – In Petersburg, the Ocean Victory docks right beside Alaska’s largest home-based halibut-fishing fleet, which calls this shallow, protected harbor home. These abundant waters and endless supply of ice from nearby LeConte Glacier led Norwegian fisherman Peter Buschmann to build the region’s first cannery and invite his fishing countrymen to join him. Hence the town’s name and its strong Norwegian culture. With large cruise ships unable to access Petersburg, Ocean Victory’s smaller size allows guests the unique opportunity to call on this charming, authentic Alaskan village.
Waterfall Coast – Guests will be challenged to keep track of the vast number of waterfalls encountered along Baranof Island’s beautiful eastern coast, the little known “waterfall coast.” Ocean Victory’s many observation areas invite guests to enjoy this scenic landscape from on board or right at water level by kayak or Zodiac. This almost hidden shoreline is also prime for wildlife discovery from seals and deer to tidepools ready to reveal secret worlds and treasures.
The brand new, expedition Ocean Victory will sail between Vancouver, B.C. and Sitka, Alaska on 12 and 13-day journeys and feature ports of call that larger ships cannot access, including Baranof Island’s eastern coast. Ports of call include: a pre-cruise hotel stay in Vancouver, B.C.; Canadian Inside Passage; Fiordland (Kynoch Inlet); Ketchikan/Metlakatla; Misty Fjords National Monument; Wrangell/Stikine River Wilderness; Waterfall Coast/Baranof Wilderness; Petersburg/Le Conte Glacier; Tracy Arm/Endicott Glacier; Kake/Frederick Sound/Five Finger; and Sitka, Alaska. Sailings available in May; June; July; Aug.; Sept. 2022.
Fares start at $3,699 per guest, plus port fees, taxes and gratuities with FREEDOM savings available on select bookings through August 31, 2021 and can be accessed with the offer code: FREEDOM.
For more information on Victory Cruise Lines’ 2022 itineraries, sailing dates and to book a reservation, contact your travel professional or call 888-907-2636 or visit www.victorycruiselines.com.
For images, please visit https://spaces.hightail.com/space/Guzj66ocIW | Photo Credit: Victory Cruise Lines
Victory Cruise Lines
New Albany-based Victory Cruise Lines® operates Victory I® and Victory II™ identical 202-passenger ships and the upcoming, newly-built 200-passenger vessels, Ocean Victory™ and Ocean Discoverer™. Victory Cruise Lines operates all-inclusive cruises to Canada, the Great Lakes, New England and Eastern Seaboard, with upcoming itineraries to Alaska on the Ocean Victory in 2022 and the Ocean Discoverer in 2023. For more information about Victory Cruise Lines, contact a travel agent or visit www.victorycruiselines.com.
American Queen Steamboat Company
American Queen Steamboat Company® is the operator of the U.S.-flagged, American Queen®, the largest, most opulent riverboat in the world. Longer than a football field, towering six decks in height and laced with fanciful gingerbread trim, she is a marvel of modern engineering. Her journeys through the heartland offer a unique perspective on America’s history, culture and landscape with convenient departures from some of America’s most iconic river port cities, including Memphis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Minneapolis. In April 2014, American Queen Steamboat Company began serving the Pacific Northwest with the opulence and grandeur of the American Empress® and added the American Duchess™ to the Mississippi River in August 2017. The newest and fourth boat to join the American Queen Steamboat Company fleet is the American Countess™, which made its debut in March 2021 and sails the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers.
About Hornblower Group
Hornblower Group is a global leader in world-class experiences. The corporate entity of Hornblower Group is comprised of American Queen Steamboat Company® and City Experiences. Seaward Services, Inc., a marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned vessels, is also a subsidiary of Hornblower Group, operating and maintaining U.S. Navy Ranges and port facilities, including local oil spill response. Today, Hornblower’s footprint spans 111 countries and territories, and 125 U.S. cities, with offerings including water-based experiences, land-based experiences, overnight cruise experiences, and ferry and transportation services. Hornblower Group is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional corporate offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New Albany, Indiana; New York, New York; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information visit hbcorp.hornblower.com.
Contact: Elsbeth Pratt/Halley Autry
LOU HAMMOND GROUP