The iconic steamboat company, the American Queen will be branching out into the United States’ Great Lakes region.

The company announced it would be purchasing Victory Cruise Line, a company which has two ships – the Victory I and Victory II – and will be operating under the American Queen fleet from January 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eMgO2m349U

“Victory Cruise Lines has established itself as the leading cruise line on the Great Lakes, and our bookings for 2019 are already 35 percent ahead of our actuals of 2018,” said Victory Cruise Lines President and CEO Hans Lagerweij.

“AQSC’s established and strong product and brand is well-suited to take the Victory vessels and Victory Cruise Line brand forward, creating one of the largest North American Great Lakes and U.S. river cruising companies in the country.”

The two Victory Cruise Lines vessels are identical and will be updated with the American Queen touch. More details will be revealed closer to the launch date.

“We are pleased to purchase the Victory I and Victory II, which will fuel the continued success and growth of American Queen Steamboat Company,” said American Queen Steamboat Company Chairman and CEO John Waggoner.

“We look forward to working closely with Victory Cruise Line’s new and existing travel partners. These vessels enable us to provide guests with more diverse cruising options, particularly in the Great Lakes, a region that our customers have been requesting for years.”