2018 2019 Victory Cruise Line brochure Ponders

2018 / 2019

All-Inclusive Cruising ALONG AMERICA’S FIVE GREAT LAKES, THE STORIED ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY & THE ATLANTIC COAST

Experience old world luxury on intimate coastal cruises At Victory Cruise Lines, we are committed to delighting travellers with the singular joys of small ship cruising on the North American and Canadian coasts.

Our coastal cruises on all five Great Lakes, the French Canadian Maritimes and coastal New England offer a refreshing alternative to your usual river and ocean cruises. Both the M/V Victory I and M/V Victory II are elegant small ships, designed specifically to cruise along magnificent coastlines, journey through seaways and inland lakes, and navigate hidden harbors to access more remote ports of call. That’s just the beginning of the unique advantages of coastal cruising with us.

Québec

CANADA Ontario

THUNDER BAY Lake Superior

HOUGHTON

Whitefish Bay

SOO LOCKS/ SAULT STE. MARIE LITTLE CURRENT

MARQUETTE DULUTH

Michigan

MACKINAC ISLAND

Manitoulin Island

Georgian Bay

Lake Huron

PARRY SOUND

TORONTO

STURGEON BAY

GREEN BAY

Welcome to the world of Victory Cruise Lines!

Michigan

Wisconsin Minnesota

Lake Michigan

WELLAND CANAL PORT COLBORNE

MUSKEGON/ HOLLAND

MILWAUKEE

Lake Ontario

NIAGARA FALLS

Lake Erie

DETROIT/ WINDSOR

CLEVELAND CHICAGO

Illinois

Pennsylvania

Indiana

Ohio

GASPÉ PENINSULA

Gulf of St Lawrence Prince Edward Island

TADOUSSAC

CANADA CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. New Brunswick

QUEBEC CITY

Nova Scotia

er

HALIFAX

ce

Riv

Maine

wr

en

BAR HARBOR

St .

La

Bay of Fundy

MONTREAL

PORTLAND

Vermont

Atlantic Ocean

New Hampshire

New York

Massachusetts

BOSTON PROVINCETOWN/ CAPE COD PLYMOUTH

R.I. Connecticut

New Jersey

NEWPORT

Shearwater Dining Room

The Victory Difference Small Ship with Big Hearted Staff We are not one of the new mega ships that carry thousands of passengers. To the contrary, while our technology is modern, we only carry 202 passengers on each cruise. Our limited capacity gives our personnel aboard our ships the opportunity to provide non-stop superior service from beginning to end. On every cruise, our guests tell us how our staff on board exceeded all their expectations.

Destinations Done Right We know you probably have in mind an idea of what you’re looking for when it comes to cruising The Great Lakes, The St. Lawrence Seaway or The Atlantic Coast. To really get a taste of the life in these magical places, we offer the most in depth tours and shore experiences available on all of our itineraries. The size of our vessels allows us to visit ports that bigger ships cannot. Our tours on The Great Lakes are customised especially with you in mind. We go all out to give you the opportunity to see and experience it all, at a pace that suites your needs and tastes. We don’t just go to a port, we get into the community, meet the people, explore the history, and feel the culture.

We are the only cruise company offering ports of call on all 5 Great Lakes allowing us to bring you the sophistication of the great cities of the region like Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee and Cleveland, as well as being fully immersed in the history and special stops of Mackinac Island, Marquette, Duluth, Little Current, Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, and the Canadian western gateway of Thunder Bay.

Exceptional Quality You will find our two ships, Victory I and Victory II to be beautiful boutique ships, much like European boutique hotels, with top level intuitive service which is attentive but never intrusive.

Our food is top quality and meets every taste.

We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you aboard soon. All of us at Victory Cruise Lines are committed to giving you the best destination cruise experience on The Great Lakes, The St. Lawrence Seaway & The Atlantic Coast.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 6

THE VICTORY EXPERIENCETM

8

LIFE ABOARD

12

DINING

14

AMERICA’S GREAT LAKES ITINERARIES

38

COASTAL NEW ENGLAND ITINERARIES

46

FRENCH CANADIAN MARITIMES ITINERARIES

54

DECK PLANS

FINANCIAL SECURITY For your peace of mind – In addition to being a part of one of the UK’s most established travel companies, Victory Cruise Lines, UK Sales agent Fred.\ Holidays is ABTA and ATOL bonded ensuring that you are financially protected in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

09 44

Introducing The Victory Experience

TM

Elegant Voyages

FINE DINING

PERSONAL SERVICE

Every meal will bring about moments of sheer bliss. Each day, you will enjoy mouthwatering canapés as a prelude to enjoying casual, healthy and sophisticated cuisine in two distinctive venues-our main restaurant, the classic Shearwater Dining Room and the more casual Cliff Rock Bar & Grille.

With 202 passengers and over 80 expertly trained staff ready to serve your every whim, from your arrival to departure you will receive top-notch service and attention to every detail, promising you intuitive, attentive service in casual, elegant surroundings.

Our outstanding, friendly, onboard staff is available throughout your cruise to help create a memorable experience, designed to exceed your expectations in every way possible.

ONBOARD ENRICHMENT

CLASSIC ACCOMMODATIONS

Our onboard enrichment program is a perfect complement to your cruise experience. Our lecture program includes engaging, destination-oriented historians and naturalists who share their vast knowledge and expertise of the history, ecology and culture of each of our ports of call.

Skillfully designed to foster a convivial atmosphere, the M/V Victory I & II invite you to relax and unwind as you discover the world’s most remarkable coastal regions.

Enjoy quiet time in a cosy corner.

Stretch your legs on the promenade.

Or gather with friends as you watch the world go by. No matter where you are, you’ll find perfectly designed spaces for every mood and every possibility.

Welcome Aboard

THE INAUGURAL SEASON M/V VICTORY II

BREATHTAKING WATER AND SHORE VIEWS

SMALL AND AGILE DESIGN

CHARMING & HISTORIC DOMESTIC PORTS

The M/V Victory II's multi-milliondollar makeover this year brings modern classic elegance to the waterways that she sails. With rich woods, custom fabrics and classic furnishings, the feel of each sister ship is refined yet modern with it's own unique style. Our crew's passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary service and quality compliment these newly refurbished iconic vessels.

Onboard, fresh, modern design tips its hat to our maritime past as spacious, open-air lounges, inviting dining venues, and generous windows ensure you never miss a chance to savor the view. You will enjoy unspoiled beauty only accessible from a coastal cruiser as you glide smoothly through the special harbors and lakes of the birthplace of America.

The indisputable joy of sailing is brought to life on the M/V Victory I and M/V Victory II, sister ships that easily navigate canals and locks, tranquil bays, and hidden ports where larger ships dare not go.

Embark on a thrilling expedition along North America’s historic five Great Lakes and the storied St. Lawrence River to the breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic coast. Choose from many remarkable itineraries that include time to explore British strongholds, the New England colonies, rare stops in quaint French Canadian villages, Victorian-era towns rich with seafaring history, and remote islands with spectacular wildlife viewing and fascinating local cultures.

Superior Service Friendly, professional onboard staff offers an extraordinary quality of gracious hospitality and personalised attention to discerning passengers. On board our M/V Victory I & M/V Victory II, you’ll experience the beauty, brilliance and thrill of cultural cruising on an intimate ship made for personal and up close memorable experiences.

Destination Excellence Our included shore excursions are led by knowledgeable local guides that provide meaningful opportunities to uncover the rich history and fascinating cultures of the destinations you visit.

Our remarkable itineraries also include time to explore lovely towns where you can enjoy shopping, stroll along the docks, or relax in waterfront parks. In addition, you’ll experience fascinating local culture, visit history through the colourful stories of the First Nation Communities in Little Current and many others who have sailed and worked these waterways.

Refined Public Spaces The M/V Victory I and M/V Victory II invites you to relax and unwind as you discover the world’s most remarkable coastal regions. Enjoy quiet time in a cosy corner. Stretch your legs on the promenade. Or gather with friends as you watch the world go by. No matter where you are, you’ll find perfectly designed spaces for every mood and every possibility.

SHEARWATER DINING ROOM

The Seascape Tavern Share stories and laughter with friends and fellow travellers in the casual comfort of this cosy, English-style tavern. In the early evening, talented musicians bring the ship to life with all your favorite songs.

Cliff Rock Bar & Grille Enjoy outdoor dining and fresh selections at the Cliff Rock Bar and Grille, where “hot rock” cooking is the specialty of the day, every day. Choose your ingredients and watch them cook to perfection on 100% pure volcanic lava rock. Serving buffet breakfast and lunch and seated dinner (Reservations required for dinner).

Shearwater Dining Room Savor delicious cuisine in the easy elegance of the main dining room, where a professional wait staff serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from our chef’s menu of regionally inspired dishes.

SEASCAPE TAVERN

The Compass Lounge Attend an enriching presentation by an onboard specialist in our main lounge. Gather around the grand piano for an old fashioned sing-along. After dinner, cocktails, music, and dancing keep the fun going into the evening hours.

Observation Deck and Sun Deck Lounge on the aft deck on comfortable, cushioned outdoor sofas under the pergola ...the perfect place to celebrate a successful shore excursion, gather for afternoon cocktails, amber sunsets or a little late-night stargazing. In the morning or afternoon, take advantage of the forward deck to greet the day with your morning coffee, relax with a book and soak up some rays on one of the outdoor lounge chairs.

Latitude Salon and Spa Renew yourself with a relaxing massage or with one of our many beauty treatments during your cruise.

COMPASS LOUNGE

Onboard Amenities

Indulgent Accommodations •

Casual but sophisticated onboard ambiance

•

Savor the view in the Cliff Rock Bar & Grille, our casual dining venue

•

Relax in your stateroom with personal robes and slippers

•

Top of the line bath amenities that are environmentally sensitive

•

Premium mattresses & 100% Egyptian cotton bedding

•

Enjoy an apéritif before or after dinner in the English-Style Seascape Tavern

•

LCD flat screen television (satellite) with on demand movies

•

Hair dryer

•

Complimentary Internet and Wi-Fi

•

Personal Cabin service with daily housekeeping that caters to your preferences, with a luxury pillow menu and sweet dreams nightly turndown

•

Complimentary free-flowing non-premium wines, beer and spirits

•

Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea service featuring three internationally themed high teas

•

Latitude Salon and Spa featuring indulgent scented oil treatments and a beauty salon for manicures, pedicures and styling

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Spacious suites and staterooms, in room telephone, electronic safe & Individual climate control

•

Please note, gratuities are not included and are payable on board

OWNER'S SUITE

CATEGORY A STATEROOM

CATEGORY AA STATEROOM

Pamper Your Palate ON BOARD AND ON SHORE Beyond outstanding service and hospitality, every meal will bring about moments of sheer bliss. Each day, you will enjoy mouth-watering canapés as a prelude to enjoying casual and sophisticated cuisine in two distinctive venues. The Shearwater Dining Room, our main restaurant, offers classic epicurean delights with selections including, perfectly Roasted Rack of Lamb Dijonnaise or Pan Seared Scallops Provençal. Enjoy Chicken with Roasted Vegetables or Miso Glazed Atlantic Cod to a perfectly Roasted Prime Rib of Beef with Creamy Horseradish Sauce. For more casual fare, enjoy the view from the Cliff Rock Bar & Grille with selections including Black Angus NY Sirloin, marinated Atlantic Salmon, and Ahi Tuna. Your indulgence in either venue is not complete without a decadent slice of Chocolate Cake topped with fresh fruit or a classic, traditional Apple Pie a' la mode.

ROASTED RACK OF LAMB DIJONNAISE

We feature 3 internationally themed high teas, a divine British Royal High Tea, a delectable Viennese High Tea and a delicious Maharaja High Tea.

HEALTHY OPTIONS For the health conscious, or guests with restricted diets, you'll find a variety of healthy dining alternatives that are low in calories and fat but still loaded with flavor. We are committed to our guests’ physical well-being so each dish features fresh ingredients that are both light and satisfying.

INTERNATIONAL THEMED HIGH TEA

DELICATE FRESH SEAFOOD

AERIAL VIEW OF HORSHOE FALLS, NIAGARA

America's Great Lakes Spectacular views, old world elegance & resort Islands • ABOARD THE M/V VICTORY I •

ONTARIO’S BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE

GREAT LAKES GRAND DISCOVERY Nearly 15,000 years ago, the last of the great glaciers retreated, leaving us the Five Great Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. These vast bodies of water contain more than one fifth of the planet’s fresh surface water, and together are the largest body of freshwater in the world. On the M/V Victory I, a small ship exclusively designed for coastal cruising, you’ll delve into North America’s maritime history throughout the Great Lakes, set sail through the storied Georgian Bay, admire the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and take in the breathtaking vistas of the southern Canadian coast.

Our remarkable itineraries include time to explore lovely towns where you can enjoy shopping, stroll along the docks, or relax in waterfront parks. They include rare stops in quaint French Canadian villages, Victorian-era towns rich with seafaring history, and remote islands with spectacular wildlife viewing.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii nI e T rI N a rEyR A R Y Ontario

Lake Superior

Québec

Whitefish Bay

SOO LOCKS/ SAULT STE. MARIE LITTLE CURRENT

Michigan

Manitoulin Island

MACKINAC ISLAND

Georgian Bay

Lake Huron

TORONTO

WELLAND CANAL PORT COLBORNE

Wisconsin Michigan

Lake Michigan

Lake Ontario

NIAGARA FALLS New York

Lake Erie

WINDSOR/ DETROIT

Pennsylvania

CLEVELAND CHICAGO

Indiana

neighborhood for its bars, live music and coffee shops. And the city is becoming easier to visit: a train now whisks travellers downtown from the airport in 25 minutes. Toronto has long been known for its cultural diversity and continues to draw major artistic and sporting events, including the Toronto International Film Festival each September, and the 2016 N.B.A. All-Star game, held outside the United States for the first time.

Day 2: Niagara Falls (Welland Canal) Port Weller

Ohio

Day 1: Embark in Toronto, Ontario

Opened in 1829, the Welland Canal continues to play a vital role, allowing goods to travel from Great Lakes ports like Cleveland and Detroit to the ocean ports of Montreal and Quebec City. As our ship begins its canal transit, you’ll step off in Port Colborne for a scenic drive into the vineyard-laced landscapes of the Niagara Peninsula. Then a thrilling Hornblower Cruise takes you through the Great Niagara Gorge and past Bridal Veil Falls into the very heart of Horseshoe Falls - where the mighty spray and roar of Niagara virtually envelop you! At the Château des Charmes, founded by a fifthgeneration French winegrower, you’ll enjoy a tour, tasting and lunch. You’ll have free time to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake before reboarding the M/V Victory I, now docked in Port Weller on Lake Ontario.

Welcome to Toronto, the most multicultural diverse city on the planet, where over 140 languages are spoken. Toronto is remaking itself as Canada’s premier city, quietly slipping out of the shadow of Montreal and Vancouver. Last year, the Queens Quay on Lake Ontario reopened, part of the largest continuing urban revitalization project in North America. The Junction, a former industrial area, has emerged as Toronto’s most stylish

Day 3: Cleveland, Ohio Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland represents the heartland of American life and history. Industrial landmarks from its days as a lakeside manufacturing town still stand in testament to Cleveland’s roots. But the city of

Illinois

10 DAYS | TORONTO TO CHICAGO (and reverse) DAY Day Day Day Day Day Day Day

PORT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Day 8 Day 9 Day 10

Toronto, Canada (Embark) Port Colborne/Niagara Falls/Welland Canal Cleveland, Ohio Windsor, Ontario/Detroit Michigan Scenic Sailing Lake Huron Little Current Soo Locks/Sault Ste. Marie/ Scenic Sailing Lake Superior Mackinac Island Scenic Sailing of Lake Michigan Chicago, Illinois (Disembark)

today is also filled with beautiful urban spaces and is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Here in a striking structure designed by I. M. Pei, you’ll discover more than just a museum of rock and roll memorabilia. With our expert guide, you’ll explore the evolution of the musical genre that shaped a generation and track its cultural impact. Among the exhibits are Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche and Michael Jackson’s famous glove. You’ll also explore the wonderful West Side Market, set in a 1912 landmark and home to more than 100 vendors.

Day 4: Detroit, Michigan/Windsor, Ontario Sailing from Lake Huron to Lake Erie, we will call on Windsor, Ontario, known as The City of Roses, or Detroit, Michigan depending on itinerary schedule. Just outside of Detroit, we’ll visit the Henry Ford Museum which was created to document the genius of ordinary people. Housed in a sweeping, nine-acre, single-floor space with soaring 40-foot ceilings the museum is dedicated to showcasing the finest collection of its kind. The sheer scope and design of the museum is as grand as the vision that inspired it. Local experts will escort guests to see the museum’s highlights that include: the limousine that carried President John F. Kennedy on that fateful day in Texas, the bus in which Rosa Parks stood her ground and sparked the Civil Rights movement, and the chair from the Ford Theatre in which Abraham Lincoln was sitting when he was shot.

Day 5: Scenic Sailing of Lake Huron Delight in this day of cruising aboard the casually elegant M/V Victory I. Today finds our intimate ship navigating the second largest

GRAND HOTEL BRUNCH

of America’s Great Lakes. If you count Huron’s 30,000 islands, the lake actually has the longest shoreline of any of The Great Lakes. Enjoy convivial conversation with your fellow passengers or join an engaging discussion with our shipboard experts; who are well-versed in the history, peoples and natural wonders of The Great Lakes region. Elegant dining in two distinctive venues with free-flowing house wine, beer and spirits to enhance your day.

Day 6: Little Current, Manitoulin Islands (Georgian Bay) Sail into the rugged beauty of Georgian Bay where you’ll step ashore in Little Current, the gateway to Manitoulin Island. Learn about the island’s nautical heritage as you journey to the Immaculate

Conception Church. With its distinctive architecture evoking a teepee, this church is a focal point of the community, bringing together the beliefs of the Ojibwe culture and Catholic Church. At the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, enjoy a tour through the art galleries and exhibits of this heritage museum. You can browse the artisan shop and participate in a smudging ceremony, an ancient ritual that uses the smoke from cedar, sage, sweet grass and other plants regarded for their healing powers. A drum and dance performance offers further insight into Ojibwe culture.

Day 7: Soo Locks/Scenic Sailing Lake Superior

one settlement by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century, and remained so until the war of 1812. Today the locks on the American Soo side bypass the St. Mary’s Rapids that fall over 20 feet connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron and Michigan. The Soo locks are the busiest in the world in terms of tonnage, accommodating 1000 foot freighters. Traveling upstream and arriving to Mackinac Island, the ship will dock on the Canadian side of the river at Roberta Bondar Place, named for Canada’s first female astronaut.

In Sault Ste. Marie guests will have the option of a half day tour visiting attractions on either the US or Canadian side of the border.

Located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, the twin - “Soo’s” - of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and Michigan were originally established as

In Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, you will visit The Bush Plane Museum and Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site. The collections and exhibits of the

Bush planes tell the story of how these brave Canadians battled Ontario’s many forest fires. At the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, you’ll find stone buildings and period gardens from the 1800’s.

In Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan you will visit The Valley Camp Museum Ship which houses over 100 exhibits in her 20,000 square feet of cargo holds which contains hundreds of interesting artifacts, paintings, shipwreck items, models, and exhibits of objects related to maritime history. In addition, The Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit holds the two lifeboats from the stricken vessel. Torn away during the sinking, these lifeboats are two of very few major artifacts recovered after the tragic demise.

Day 8: Mackinac Island We’ll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. With no cars allowed on the island, your horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambience of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about the island’s history and see turn-of-the-century summer homes built by early captains of American industry. High atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, your tour of Fort Mackinac delves into its strategic importance during the War of 1812. Then take in the views from the Grand Hotel’s verandah, the longest in the world, and enjoy the hotel’s famous Grand Luncheon Buffet. Back in town, you’ll have time to browse through galleries and boutiques. Before sailing this evening, the Grand Hotel’s resident historian Bob Tagatz will come aboard for a colourful talk on the history of Mackinac Island and its world-famous hotel.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii nI e T rI N a rEyR A R Y experts; who are well-versed in the history, peoples and natural wonders of the Great Lakes region. Elegant dining in two distinctive venues with free-flowing house wine, beer and spirits to enhance your day.

Day 10: Disembark in Chicago, Illinois This morning, we'll arrive at the port in Chicago Illinois. After breakfast, you'll disembark the M/V Victory I and make your way to the airport for your flight home.

2018 DEPARTURES AND PRICING Toronto to Chicago*

Chicago to Toronto*

Sat, June 30 – Mon, July 9 Mon, Sept 10 – Wed, Sept 19 Fri, Sept 28 – Sun, Oct 7

Sun, June 3 – Tue, June 12 Mon, July 9 – Wed, July 18 Sun, Oct 7 – Tue, Oct 16

All-Inclusive cruise only from

£4,999pp

2019 DEPARTURES AND PRICING Toronto to Chicago*

Chicago to Toronto*

Mon, May 13 – Wed, May 22 Sat, July 6 – Mon, July 15 Thur, Aug 29 – Sat, Sept 7 Fri, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 13

Wed, May 22 – Fri, May 31 Sun, June 9 – Tue, June 18 Thur, June 27 – Sat, July 6 Tue, Aug 20 – Thur, Aug 29 Wed, Sept 25 – Fri, Oct 4 Sun, Oct 13 – Tue, Oct 22

All-Inclusive cruise only from

£5,160pp

For flight and land inclusive programmes please call for details Day 9: Scenic Sailing of Lake Michigan Delight in this day of cruising aboard the casually elegant M/V Victory I. Today finds our intimate ship navigating the third largest Great Lake by surface area and the sixth largest freshwater lake in the world. Because Lake Michigan is joined to Lake Huron at the Straits of Mackinac, they are considered one lake hydrologically. Many rivers and streams flow into Lake Michigan, and the major tributaries are the Fox-Wolf, the Grand and the Kalamazoo. There is a diversion from the lake into the Mississippi River basin through the Illinois Waterway at the Chicago River. Lake Michigan’s cul-de-sac formation means that water entering the lake circulates slowly and remains for a long time (retention) before it leaves the basin through the Straits of Mackinac. Enjoy convivial conversation with your fellow passengers or join an engaging discussion with our shipboard

AERIAL VIEW OF MACKINAC ISLAND HARBOR

GREAT LAKES EXPLORER: LAKE SUPERIOR, MICHIGAN & HURON Our exclusive voyages explore the rich maritime heritage, indigenous cultures and pristine natural beauty of Lake Superior, Huron, and Michigan. Aboard our stylish 202-guest M/V Victory II, our cruises includes fine dining, free flowing house wine, beer and spirits, engaging shipboard experts, and all-inclusive shore excursions with our expert Great Lakes lecturers.

M / V V I C TO R Y I I I T I N E R A R Y Ontario

Lake Superior

Québec

SOO LOCKS/ SAULT STE. MARIE LITTLE CURRENT MACKINAC ISLAND

Michigan

PARRY SOUND

Georgian Bay

Manitoulin Island

Lake Huron

STURGEON BAY

Lake Ontario

GREEN BAY New York

Wisconsin

Michigan

Lake Michigan MILWAUKEE

Illinois

MUSKEGON/ HOLLAND

Lake Erie

WINDSOR

Indiana

Pennsylvania

Ohio

10 DAYS | WINDSOR TO MILWAUKEE (and Reverse) DAY

PORT

Day Day Day Day Day

1 2 3 4 5

Day Day Day Day Day

6 7 8 9 10

Windsor, Ontario (Embark) At Sea Parry Sound Little Current SOO Lock Transit/ Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Mackinac Island Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisconsin Muskegon/Holland, Michigan Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Day 1: Embark in Windsor, Ontario Arrive in Windsor , Ontario, known as "The City of Roses" and board the M/V Victory II. This evening, gather for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as we embark on our Great Lakes journey.

Day 2: Senic Sailing of Lake Huron The second largest of The Great Lakes, Lake Huron boasts a surface area of 23,000 square miles. Like the other Great Lakes,

it was formed at the end of the last ice age as the glaciers retreated. With over 30,000 islands, Lake Huron has more shoreline than any of the other Great Lakes. After a scenic day of cruising, we’ll gather in the ship’s main dining room for a gourmet dinner.

Itinerary Highlight

The Ojibwe Tribe

Day 3: Parry Sound Parry Sound is a beautiful town, located on the shores of an inland “ocean”, Georgian Bay. The area boasts many beautiful beaches, parks and trails. This charming waterfront town is within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and home to 6,500 residents in the town itself, and over 14,000 in the immediate area. In the Summer, the population grows to nearly 100,000 people with seasonal residents, making for a very interesting dynamic! The area boasts several Provincial Parks and unlimited water for boating, canoeing/kayaking, fishing and other things to do. Parry Sound is the birthplace of hockey legend Bobby Orr, the namesake of the local community centre and the town’s own Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.

Day 4: Little Current Sail into the rugged beauty of Georgian Bay where you’ll step ashore in Little Current, the gateway to Manitoulin Island. Learn about the island’s nautical heritage as you journey to the Immaculate Conception Church. With its distinctive architecture evoking a teepee, this church is a focal point of the community, bringing together the beliefs of the Ojibwe culture and Catholic Church. At the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, enjoy a tour through the

OJIBWE TRIBE, LITTLE CURRENT PHOTO COURTESY MARY KILBREATH PHOTOGRAPHY

Also known by the anglicized name Chippewa, the Ojibwe are the largest population of First Nations people in continental North America. They speak the Anishinaabe language and live mostly in the Great Lakes region of Canada.

They are known for their birch bark canoes, their cultivation of wild rice, the creation of dreamcatchers, and their historic use of pictographic birch bark scrolls.

Itinerary Highlight

The Grand Hotel Experience the tradition of Grand Hotel, located on northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island. You will never forget the spectacular views from a rocking chair overlooking the Straits of Mackinac from the world’s longest porch. Third-generation, family-owned by the Musser family, Grand Hotel is rich in history, a place where time moves at the pace of horse-drawn carriages and bicycles. Here, meals are an event and traditions such as Afternoon Tea in the Parlor and nightly dancing remain a noteworthy part of the guest experience. Take a step away from it all and unwind in the warm hospitality that has been charming guests since 1887.

Grand Hotel offers exceptional accommodations, with each guest room uniquely decorated by interior designer Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper & Co. in New York City.

Grand Hotel is recognized as Travel + Leisure’s 500 World’s Best Hotels and the Best Hotel in Michigan, and Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 5 Midwest Resorts

THE GRAND HOTEL, MACKINAC ISLAND

M / V V I C TO R Y I I I T I N E R A R Y

Featured Speaker Grand Hotel Resident Historian, Bob Tagatz Mr. Bob Tagatz is currently the Resident Historian and Concierge at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. He has over 29 years of civic experience in historical preservation in Michigan, Florida and Georgia.

His particular area of interest is the study of turn-of-the century wood frame hotels. He assembled the hotel’s first archives and published a book and DVD on the history of The Grand Hotel. Bob also represents the hotel as a member of The Society of American Travel Writers and Historic Hotels of America. Mr. Tagatz came to Mackinac Island specifically because of his interest in The Grand Hotel, but has since become totally enamored with the beauty and history of Michigan and its people. He feels extremely fortunate for hiscontinued study at what he feels is one of the most historically significant resort hotels in the United

art galleries and exhibits of this heritage museum. You can browse the artisan shop and participate in a smudging ceremony, an ancient ritual that uses the smoke from cedar, sage, sweet grass and other plants regarded for their healing powers. A drum and dance performance offers further insight into Ojibwe culture.

Day 5: Soo Lock Transit/Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Today, guests will have the option of a half day tour visiting attractions on either the US or Canadian side of the border.

On the Canadian side of Sault Ste. Marie, guests will visit The Bush Plane Museum and Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site. The collections and exhibits of the Bush planes tell the story of how these brave Canadians battled Ontario’s many forest fires. At the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, you’ll find stone buildings and period gardens from the 1800’s.

On the US side, in Michigan, guests will visit The Valley Camp Museum Ship which houses over 100 exhibits in her 20,000 square feet of cargo holds which

History of Grand Hotel Resident Historian Tagatz,shipwreck Biographyitems, models, contains hundreds of interesting artifacts, Bob paintings,

and exhibits of objects related to maritime history. In addition, The Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit holds the two lifeboats from the stricken vessel. Torn away Mr. Bob Tagtz is currently engaged as Resident Historian and Concierge at Gran during the sinking, lifeboatsIsland, are two of very few major Hotelthese on Mackinac Michigan.

He has overartifacts 29 yearsrecovered of civic experience i after the tragic demise. historical preservation in Michigan, Florida and Georgia. His particular area of interest is the study of turn-of-the century wood frame hotels. He assembled th hotels first archives and published a book and DVD on the history of Grand Ho Day 6: Mackinac Island Bob also represents the hotel as a member of The Society of American Trave Writerswhich and Historic Hotels America.

We’ll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, connect Lake of Huron to Lake Michigan. With no cars allowed on the island, your horse-drawn carriage Mr. Tagatz came to Mackinac Island specifically because of hisHistoric interest in Gran tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambience of this National since history becomeand totally with the beauty and history of Landmark. LearnHotel, aboutbut thehas island’s seeenamored turn-of-the-century summer Michigan and its people. He feels extremely fortunate to be beginning his eightee homes built by captains of American High atop a bluff overlooking yearearly of study at what he feels is industry. one of the most historically significant resorts ho in the United the Straits of Mackinac, your tour of Fort Mackinac delvesStates. into its strategic importance during the War of 1812. Then take in the views from the Grand Hotel’s verandah, the longest in the world, and enjoy the hotel’s famous Grand Luncheon Buffet. Back in town, you’ll have time to browse through galleries and boutiques.

Itinerary Highlight

Popelka Trenchard Glass Visit the home of nationally known artists Stephanie Trenchard and Jeremy Popelka, who cast glass sculptures and blow glass, specializing in Murrini, a Venetian technique. Classes in the Glass Blowing Experience are offered year round taught by Popelka. Trenchard shows her abstracted oil painted landscapes. In addition to fine art glass, they have light fixtures, jewelry, gifts and they give demonstrations.

Before sailing this evening, the Grand Hotel’s resident historian Bob Tagatz will come aboard for a colourful talk on the history of Mackinac Island and its world-famous hotel.

Day 7: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Sturgeon Bay is a large sub-basin of water to the west of Lake Michigan and since 1835, has served as a major shipping hub in the region. The city is bisected by an iconic bridge, which straddles the shipping canal connecting Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Door County can trace its local indigenous tribes back an astounding 12,000 years, inhabited predominantly by the Potawatomi tribe. In more recent times, French explorers Jean Nicolette and Father Marquette traveled along this coast.

Today Door County is a region of considerable natural beauty and can be experienced through its many museums, galleries, lighthouses, historic sites, churches and its fabulous orchards. Many residents are direct descendants of those who colonized this region, each community leaving its “mark” along the length and breadth of Green Bay. The Belgians settling in the south, the

Scandinavians to the north, while the Icelanders preferred to drop their roots on Washington island.

Our visit ashore includes a scenic drive through pastoral Door County, where we will visit a local winery and cheese making center, along with one of the Cherry orchards that makes Door County the “cherry capital of the world”. During our time in the town of Sturgeon Bay we will visit the Maritime Museum and one of the fascinating glass blowing studios for a demonstration of this elegant craft.

In the afternoon, guests will enjoy a traditional fish boil and sample this Great Lakes' culinary tradition.

Day 8: Green Bay, Wisconsin The city of Green Bay is located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin in a large sub-basin of water to the south end of Green Bay itself – at the mouth of the Fox River.

Green Bay is the third-largest city in the state and well known as the home of the National Football League team, the Green Bay Packers.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y Our first visit ashore will be to the National Railway Museum of America, which is dedicated to preserving the nation’s extraordinary railroad history. The museum is fortunate to have the Dwight D. Eisenhower command car, Union Pacific’s #4107, the largest steam locomotive ever built, the Pennsylvania RR#4890 electric locomotive, and the futuristic “Aerotrain”.

In 2017 the museum will open a special exhibit to display the chinaware from Jay Christopher’s collection including silver service plates and china used on railroads, steamships and the early airlines. Traveling further back in history we visit Heritage Hill State Historical Park, a 48 acre open-air museum operated in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The site contains more than 30 historical structures, most moved from other locations.

The structures include log cabins from the fur trade era, buildings from Fort Howard, and stores and public buildings from the late 19th century. Live historic interpreters, wearing period style clothing, populate the park during summer operations. Previously the property was used as a prison farm with orchards tended by prison labor.

DUTCH VILLAGE, HOLLAND MICHIGAN

2018 DEPARTURES AND PRICING Windsor to Milwaukee* Tues, July 10 – Tues, July 19 All-Inclusive cruise only from

£4,999pp

Day 9: Muskegon/Holland This morning you’ll board the USS LST 393. Launched on November 11, 1942 in Newport News, Virginia, this historic transport ship logged more than 51,000 nautical miles - including its service in June of 1944 when it made 30 round trips to the beaches of Normandy. Now a museum filled with fascinating wartime artifacts and historical documents, your guided tour will also show the shipboard technology and living conditions endured by our World War II soldiers. Enjoy a narrated sightseeing drive through the handsome historic district of Muskegon and continue to the charming town of Holland to visit the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory. You’ll have a chance to engage with the artists who craft the only authentic blue and white delftware made in America and to see wooden shoes being carved on machines that were imported from the Netherlands. Before returning to ship, you’ll also see an authentic 250-yearold working Dutch windmill and meet the artisans at Nelis’ Dutch Village where carefully constructed buildings recreate a 19th-century Dutch village.

Day 10: Disembarkation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin This morning, we’ll arrive at the port of Milwaukee. After breakfast, you’ll disembark the M/V Victory II and make your way to the airport for your flight home.

For flight and land inclusive programmes please call for details

MINER’S CASTLE, UPPER PENINSULA, MICHIGAN

NATURAL SPLENDORS OF THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES Sailing from Milwaukee all the way to Thunder Bay on the northern shores of Lake Superior, our exclusive voyage explores the maritime heritage, indigenous cultures and thriving industries that have shaped the history and character of these regions. Aboard the stylish 202-guest M/V Victory II, our cruise includes fine dining, free flowing house wine, beer and spirits, engaging shipboard experts, and all-inclusive shore excursions.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y Ontario

THUNDER BAY Lake Superior

Whitefish Bay

HOUGHTON

SOO LOCKS/ SAULT STE. MARIE

MARQUETTE DULUTH

MACKINAC ISLAND

Michigan

STURGEON BAY

Lake Huron

GREEN BAY Wisconsin

Minnesota

MILWAUKEE

Illinois

Lake Michigan

Lake Erie

Indiana

Ohio

9 DAYS | MILWAUKEE TO THUNDER BAY Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day

PORT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Day 3: Sturgeon Bay / Sail along Door County

The city of Green Bay is located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin in a large sub-basin of water to the south end of The Green Bay itself - at the mouth of the Fox River. Green Bay is the third-largest city in the state and well known as the home of LakeNational Ontario the Football League team, The Green Bay Packers.

Sturgeon Bay is a large sub-basin of water to the west of Lake Michigan and since 1835, has served as a major shipping hub in the region.

The city is bisected by an iconic bridge, which straddles the shipping canal connecting Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Door County can trace its local indigenous tribes back an astounding 12,000 years, inhabited predominantly by the Potawatomi tribe. In more recent times, French explorers Jean Nicolette and Father Marquette traveled along this coast.

New York Michigan

DAY

Day 2: Green Bay, Wisconsin Québec

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Embark) Green Bay, Wisconsin Sturgeon Bay (Sail along Door County) St. Ignace / Mackinac Island SOO Lock Transit/Scenic Sailing of Lake Superior Marquette, Michigan Houghton, Michigan Duluth, Minnesota Thunder Bay, Ontario

Day 1: Embark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Arrive at the pier where the elegant M/V Victory II awaits.

Settle in to your outside stateroom before joining your fellow passengers for dinner with free-flowing wines, cocktails and beverages

Our first visit ashore will be to the National Railway Museum of America, which is dedicated to preserving the nation’s extraordinary railroad Pennsylvania history. The museum is fortunate to have the Dwight D. Eisenhower command car, Union Pacific’s #4107, the largest steam locomotive ever built, the Pennsylvania RR#4890 electric locomotive, and the futuristic “Aerotrain”.

In 2017 the museum opened a special exhibit to display the chinaware from Jay Christopher’s collection including silver service plates and china used on railroads, steamships and the early airlines.

Traveling further back in history we visit Heritage Hill State Historical Park, a 48 acre open-air museum operated in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The site contains more than 30 historical structures, most moved from other locations.

The structures include log cabins from the fur trade era, buildings from Fort Howard, and stores and public buildings from the late 19th century. Live historic interpreters, wearing period style clothing, populate the park during summer operations. Previously the property was used as a prison farm with orchards tended by prison labor.

Today Door County is a region of considerable natural beauty and can be experienced through its many museums, galleries, lighthouses, historic sites, churches and its fabulous orchards. Many residents are direct descendants of those who colonized this region, each community leaving its “mark” along the length and breadth of Green Bay. The Belgians settling in the south, the Scandinavians to the north, while the Icelanders preferred to drop their roots on Washington island.

Our visit ashore includes a scenic drive through pastoral Door County, where we will visit a local winery and cheese making center, along with one of the Cherry orchards that makes Door County the “Cherry Capital of the world”. During our time in the town of Sturgeon Bay we will visit the Maritime Museum and one of the fascinating Glass Blowing studios for a demonstration of this elegant craft. It would be a pity to miss out on a local Wisconsin tradition.

Itinerary Highlight

Sturgeon Bay & Door County Step ashore in the port of Sturgeon Bay and visit the Door County Maritime Museum. Situated along the bustling waterfront, this museum showcases the region’s rich maritime heritage from its fishing fleet and hardy sea captains to the skilled craftsmen, bold inventors and lonely lighthouse keepers who have contributed so much to the area. Then we’ll take you into the beautiful wooded landscapes of Door County, a peninsula that extends into Lake Michigan to form the sheltering waters of Green Bay. Visiting one of the region’s many wineries and spending time with a local gardener promise an added dimension to your exploration of this pastoral corner of the Great Lakes region. Of course, no visit to Door County would be complete without a Fish Boil, so today’s lunch will be enjoyed ashore so you can sample this local culinary tradition featuring freshly caught Lake Michigan whitefish with Door County cherry pie to complete the meal.

CHERRY GROVE, DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y In the afternoon, guests will enjoy a traditional fish boil and sample this Great Lakes' culinary tradition.

Day 4: St. Ignace / Mackinac Island We’ll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. With no cars allowed on the island, your horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambience of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about the island’s history and see turn-of-the-century summer homes built by early captains of American industry. High atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, your tour of Fort Mackinac delves into its strategic importance during the War of 1812. Then take in the views from the Grand Hotel’s verandah, the longest in the world, and enjoy the hotel’s famous Grand Luncheon Buffet. Back in town, you’ll have time to browse through galleries and boutiques. Before sailing this evening, the Grand Hotel’s resident historian Bob Tagatz will come aboard for a colourful talk on the history of Mackinac Island and its world-famous hotel.

Day 5: Soo Lock Transit / Scenic Sailing of Lake Superior Located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, the twin - “Soo’s” - of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and Michigan were originally established as one settlement by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century, and remained so until the war of 1812.

Today the locks on the American Soo side bypass the St. Mary’s Rapids that fall over 20 feet connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron and Michigan. The Soo locks are the busiest in the world in terms of tonnage, accommodating 1000 foot freighters. Travelling upstream and arriving from Mackinac Island, the ship will traverse through the locks.

Day 6: Marquette, Michigan Marquette is on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordering Lake Superior.

It has a population of 21,000 and is a major port known primarily for shipping iron ore. Marquette is also the home for Northern Michigan University and in 2012 was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. In the 17th century, the region to the east and west of Marquette was well known to French missionaries and in the 19th century to trappers seeking furs. However development of the area did not begin, until 1844, with the discovery of iron deposits. In 1850, the name was formally adopted to honor

Jacques Marquette, the French Jesuit missionary who explored the region.

In the late 19th century, during the height of iron mining, Marquette became nationally known as a summer haven for visitors who were brought in by Great Lakes passenger steamships, filling the city's hotels and resorts.

Our sightseeing program will visit the Michigan Iron Industry Museum that interprets the extraordinary story of this core US industry. The museum is located in suburban Marquette on the site of an original Iron forge. Closer to town we will visit the working harbour and see the impressive 1000 feet long Iron ore dock where material is currently loaded onboard working Great Lakes freighters. En route we drive by the impressive dome of Northern Michigan University (NMU) that resembles a gigantic igloo, with visits to the Maritime Museum and lighthouse.

Day 7: Houghton / Houghton Canal, Michigan The Keewenaw Peninsular jets out into Lake Superior and is known for it massive deposits of high-grade copper, upon which the economy of both Horton and Hancock are based. Nowadays the Hancock Houghton Canal also called The Keewenaw Waterway - is a convenient short cut for the M/V Victory II as it makes its way to and from Duluth, Minnesota. In its hay day this canal was a hive of commerce as freighters arrived with supplies for the local communities and departed full of copper. The waterway itself is partly natural and partially artificial combining Portage Canal, Portage Lake Canal, Portage River, Lilly Pond, Torch Lake and Portage Lake. The upper part of the Peninsula is also called, Copper Island as it is separated from the mainland by the canal.

As the M/V Victory II ties up alongside the towns of Houghton and Hancock, which is mid-way through the canal, we disembark and immediately cross to the north bank making our way to the Quincy Copper Mine for a closer look at how this region prospered. We are able to enter the mine itself and have an appreciation how miners moved around beneath the earth and extracted this valuable resource. The mine operated from 1846 to 1945 but there was also some additional mining activity until the 1970’s. After lunch, we are off to visit the Internationally recognized A.E. Seamen Mineral museum located on the grounds of the Michigan Technological University. This is the official Michigan State Mineral museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of minerals including a fascinating collection of phosphorescent deposits.

Itinerary Highlight

Thunder Bay "Amid the vast conifer forests of Northwestern Ontario lies the City of Thunder Bay. Nestled along Lake Superior's beautiful western shore, the land here is etched by jagged rock outcroppings and graced with a splendor of smaller lakes and streams� The gateway to Canada's great outdoors, Thunder Bay is situated on the shores of the world's largest freshwater lake, embraced by the Nor'Wester Mountain range, Thunder Bay is a vibrant urban community in a wilderness setting.

The largest city on Lake Superior, Thunder Bay is only 90 minutes by jet aircraft from the major international airports of Toronto and Minneapolis. With the Trans-Canada Highway alongside the city, Thunder Bay's central location in the centre of the continent and at the head of the Great Lakes made it a natural meeting and trading site as far back as the Paleo-Indian civilisation 11,000 years ago. The first Europeans arrived in the 17th century and established a series of fur trading posts at the place they named Baie de Tonnere, or Thunder Bay. In 1798, the North West Company built Fort William near the mouth of the Kaministiquia River, which quickly became a lively community of Scottish traders, French voyageurs and Native trappers. Today, that era is revisited at Fort William Historical Park, one of Canada's Top 10 Visitor Attractions.

THUNDER BAY LOOKOUT AT SLEEPING GIANT PROVENCIAL PARK

M / V V I C TO R YI t iI n I eI Tr aI Nr yE R A R Y Day 8: Duluth, Minnesota Duluth was a trading post more than 300 years ago and is now an International Port located in Northeastern Minnesota. The city is nestled in the hills overlooking Lake Superior, which contains 10% of the world’s fresh water.

Originally settled by the Sioux and Chippewa, Duluth was claimed for France in 1679 by Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Lhut, the city’s namesake.

Our visit to Duluth starts with a drive past the Aerial Lift Bridge, which guards the harbour, then along the North Shore Scenic Drive for an excellent overview of the city and its environs. We then climb Hawk Ridge to experience the unique phenomenon of the “Raptor flight path” - as these hunting birds migrating from the Arctic come to a screeching halt, as they crest the ridge and wonder how they will cross the breadth of Lake Superior far below. Enjoy a scenic walk along the waterfront to Leif Erikson Park, which houses a replica Viking ship and then down to “The Depot” which houses an exceptional collection of trains and carriages from a bygone era. The afternoon is free to explore Canal Park and the wonderful restored ships and exhibits from Duluth’s past.

Day 9: Disembark in Thunder Bay, Ontario This morning, we'll arrive at Thunder Bay, after breakfast you'll disembark the M/V Victory II and make your way to the airport for your flight home.

AERIAL LIFT BRIDGE, DULUTH, MINNESOTA

2018 DEPARTURES AND PRICING Milwaukee to Thunder Bay – 9-Day Itinerary* Thurs, July 19 – Fri, July 27 All-Inclusive cruise only from

£4,469pp

For flight and land inclusive programmes please call for details

SWIMMERS ENJOY THE GEORGIAN BAY ON ONTARIO'S LAKE HURON COAST. COURTESY OF BERT HOFERICHTER/ ALAMY STOCK

MIDWEST MAJESTY & THE ARCHIPELAGOS OF GEORGIAN BAY Georgian Bay, tucked into Ontario's Lake Huron, is a bit of a misnomer. At 5,792 square miles it's not that much smaller than Lake Ontario (7,320 square miles), earning it the nickname “the sixth Great Lake.” With more than 1,240 miles of grayish-pink granite shoreline, it is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a summer freshwater playground for boaters, anglers, and kayakers.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y Ontario

THUNDER BAY

Ontario

Lake Superior HOUGHTON

Minnesota

SOO LOCKS/ SAULT STE. MARIE

MARQUETTE DULUTH

MACKINAC ISLAND

LITTLE CURRENT PARRY SOUND

Michigan

Georgian Bay

Manitoulin Island

Lake Huron

Wisconsin

Itinerary Highlight

Michigan

Lake Michigan

Illinois

Lake Erie

DETROIT

Indiana

Ohio

10 DAYS | THUNDER BAY TO DETROIT DAY Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day

PORT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Thunder Bay, Ontario (Embark) Duluth, Minnesota Houghton. Michigan Marquette, Michigan SOO Lock Transit/Scenic Sailing of Lake Superior Mackinac Island Little Current, Manitoulin Parry Sound At Sea Detroit, Michigan

Day 1: Embark in Thunder Bay, Ontario On arrival in Thunder Bay, you will arrive at the pier where the elegant M/V Victory II awaits. Settle in to your outside stateroom before joining your fellow passengers for dinner with freeflowing wines, cocktails and beverages.

Day 2: Duluth, Minnesota Duluth was a trading post more than 300 years ago and is now

Hawk Ridge One of nature’s remarkable spectacles can be witnessed each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth. Migrating raptors, originating from summer breeding areas as far north as the Arctic and with wintering destinations as far south as points in South America, concentrate in impressive numbers at the western tip of Lake Superior. In addition, the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve has over 4 miles of hiking trails where you can explore geology, flora, and wildlife.

RED-TAILED HAWK JUST BEFORE RELEASE AT HAWK RIDGE IN DULUTH, MINNESOTA COURTESY OF HOFERICHTER/ ALAMY STOCK

an International Port located in Northeastern Minnesota. The city is nestled in the hills overlooking Lake Superior. Originally settled by the Sioux and Chippewa, Duluth was claimed for France in 1679

by Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Lhut, the city’s namesake.

Our visit to Duluth starts with a drive past the Aerial Lift Bridge, which guards the harbour, then along the North Shore Scenic Drive for an excellent overview of the city and its environs. We then climb Hawk Ridge to experience the unique phenomenon of the “Raptor flight path” - as these hunting birds migrating from the Arctic come to a screeching halt, as they crest the ridge and wonder how they will cross the breadth of Lake Superior far below. Enjoy a scenic walk along the

Itinerary Highlight

Quincy Copper Mine The Quincy Mine is an extensive set of copper mines located near Hancock, Michigan. The mine was owned by the Quincy Mining Company and operated between 1846 and 1945, although some activities continued through the 1970s. The Quincy Mine was known as "Old Reliable," as the Quincy Mine Company paid a dividend to investors every year from 1868 through 1920. The Quincy Mining Company Historic District is a United States National Historic Landmark District.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y waterfront to Leif Erikson Park, which houses a replica Viking ship and then down to “The Depot” which houses an exceptional collection of trains and carriages from a bygone era. The afternoon is free to explore Canal Park and the wonderful restored ships and exhibits from Duluth’s past.

Day 3: Houghton, Michigan The Keewenaw Peninsular jets out into Lake Superior and is known for it massive deposits of high-grade copper, upon which the economy of both Horton and Hancock are based. Nowadays the Hancock Houghton Canal - also called The Keewenaw Waterway - is a convenient short cut for the M/V Victory II as it makes its way to and from Duluth, Minnesota. In its hay day this canal was a hive of commerce as freighters arrived with supplies for the local communities and departed full of copper. The waterway itself is partly natural and partially artificial combining Portage Canal, Portage Lake Canal, Portage River, Lilly Pond, Torch Lake and Portage Lake. The upper part of the Peninsula is also called, Copper Island as it is separated from the mainland by the canal.

As the M/V Victory II ties up alongside the towns of Houghton and Hancock, which is mid-way through the canal, we disembark and immediately cross to the north bank making our way to the Quincy Copper Mine for a closer look at how this region prospered. We are able to enter the mine itself and have an appreciation how miners moved around beneath the earth and extracted this valuable resource. The mine operated from 1846 to 1945 but there was also some additional mining activity until the 1970’s. After lunch, we are off to visit the Internationally recognized A.E. Seamen Mineral museum located on the grounds of the Michigan Technological University. This is the official Michigan State Mineral museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of minerals including a fascinating collection of phosphorescent deposits.

Day 4: Marquette, Michigan Marquette is on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordering Lake Superior. It has a population of 21,000 and is a major port known primarily for shipping iron ore.

Marquette is also the home for Northern Michigan University and in 2012 was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. In the 17th century, the region to the east and west of Marquette was well known to French missionaries and in the 19th century to trappers seeking furs. However

development of the area did not begin, until 1844, with the discovery of iron deposits. In 1850, the name was formally adopted to honor Jacques Marquette, the French Jesuit missionary who explored the region. In the late 19th century, during the height of iron mining, Marquette became nationally known as a summer haven for visitors who were brought in by Great Lakes passenger steamships, filling the city's hotels and resorts. Our sightseeing program will visit the Michigan Iron Industry Museum that interprets the extraordinary story of this core US industry. The museum is located in suburban Marquette on the site of an original Iron forge. Closer to town we will visit the working harbour and see the impressive 1000 feet long Iron ore dock where material is currently loaded onboard working Great Lakes freighters. En route we drive by the impressive dome of Northern Michigan University (NMU) that resembles a gigantic igloo, with visits to the Maritime Museum and lighthouse Day 5: Soo Lock Transit/Scenic Sailing of Lake Superior Located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, the twin - “Soo’s” - of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and Michigan were originally established as one settlement by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century, and remained so until the war of 1812. Today the locks on the American Soo side bypass the St. Mary’s Rapids that fall over 20 feet connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron and Michigan. The Soo locks are the busiest in the world in terms of tonnage, accommodating 1000 foot freighters.

Traveling upstream and arriving to Mackinac Island.

THE OLD ORE DOCK, MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN

Day 6: Mackinac Island We’ll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. With no cars allowed on the island, your horsedrawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambience of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about the island’s history and see turn-of-the-century summer homes built by early captains of American industry. High atop a bluff overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, your tour of Fort Mackinac delves into its strategic importance during the War of 1812. Then take in the views from the Grand Hotel’s verandah, the longest in the world, and enjoy the hotel’s famous Grand Luncheon Buffet. Back in town, you’ll have time to browse through galleries and boutiques.

Before sailing this evening, the Grand Hotel’s resident historian Bob Tagatz will come aboard for a colourful talk on the history of Mackinac Island and its world-famous hotel.

Day 7: Little Current, Manitoulin Sail into the rugged beauty of Georgian Bay where you’ll step ashore in Little Current, the gateway to Manitoulin Island.

Learn about the island’s nautical heritage as you journey to the Immaculate Conception Church. With its distinctive architecture evoking a teepee, this church is a focal point of the community, bringing together the beliefs of the Ojibwe culture and Catholic Church. At the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, enjoy a tour through the art galleries and exhibits of this heritage museum. You can browse the artisan shop and participate in a smudging ceremony, an ancient ritual that uses the smoke from cedar, sage, sweet grass and other plants regarded for their healing powers. A drum and dance performance offers further insight into Ojibwe culture.

Day 8: Parry Sound

MACKINAC ISLAND

Parry Sound is a beautiful town, located on the shores of an inland “ocean”, Georgian Bay. The area boasts many beautiful beaches, parks and trails. It is ideally situated just off highway 400, in the Southernmost part of Northern Ontario. This charming waterfront town is within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and home to 6,500 residents in the town itself, and over 14,000 in the

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y immediate area. In the Summer, the population grows to nearly 100,000 people with seasonal residents, making for a very interesting dynamic! The area boasts several Provincial Parks and unlimited water for boating, canoeing/kayaking, fishing and other things to do. Parry Sound is the birthplace of hockey legend Bobby Orr, the namesake of the local community centre and the town's own Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.

Day 9: Scenic Sailing of Lake Huron Delight in this day of cruising aboard the casually elegant M/V Victory II. Today finds our intimate ship navigating the second largest of America’s Great Lakes. If you count Huron’s 30,000 islands, the lake actually has the longest shoreline of

any of the Great Lakes. Enjoy convivial conversation with your fellow passengers or join an engaging discussion with our shipboard experts; who are well-versed in the history, peoples and natural wonders of the Great Lakes region. Elegant dining in two distinctive venues with free-flowing house wine, beer and spirits to enhance your day.

Day 10: Disembark in Detroit, Michigan This morning, we’ll arrive at the port in Detroit, Michigan. After breakfast, you’ll disembark the M/V Victory II and make your way to the airport for your flight home.

2018 DEPARTURES AND PRICING Thunder Bay to Detroit* Fri, July 27 – Sun, Aug 5 All-Inclusive cruise only from

£4,999pp

For flight and land inclusive programmes please call for details

THE SPIRIT THE OF DETROIT, SPIRIT OFDETROIT, DETROITMICHIGAN STATUE

BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE, ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE

Coastal New England Historic ports, abundant sea life & charming villages • ABOARD THE M/V VICTORY II •

THE COASTLINE OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

HISTORIC NORTH ATLANTIC & COASTAL NEW ENGLAND Enjoy cruising along North America’s stunning East Coast as the M/V Victory II traces the history from the Tea Party-era buildings of Boston to the hilltop citadel in Halifax. Along the way, you’ll experience some of the most historic and postcardpretty sites in the United States as well as Canada's Atlantic Ocean port. You’ll revel in the old-world elegance of Newport’s summer homes and explore the galleries in lively Provincetown. Tour the first Pilgrim settlement in Plymouth and the old port waterfronts of Portland. Then sail to Bar Harbor, the gateway to the mountains and cliffs of neighboring Acadia National Park, before arriving in Halifax.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y Day 2: Provincetown/Cape Cod CANADA

Québec

New Brunswick

Maine Nova Scotia

BAR HARBOR

HALIFAX Bay of Fundy

PORTLAND Vermont New Hampshire

Massachusetts

BOSTON Connecticut

R.I.

PROVINCETOWN/ CAPE COD PLYMOUTH

NEWPORT

Atlantic Ocean

8 DAYS | BOSTON TO HALIFAX (and reverse) DAY Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day

Provincetown is located on the northern tip of the Cape Cod Peninsula where the Mayflower made landfall in 1620 and where the pilgrims spent five weeks before sailing onward to Plymouth, MA. During our time ashore we will visit the Pilgrim Monument and the Provincetown museum, which is custodian to artifacts and documents relating to this seminal event in American history - in particular the so called “Mayflower Compact” which established the rule of law for the “New land”. Guests will enjoy our “Dolphin Fleet” adventure, fun and science whale watching expedition starting from the Provincetown Pier, heading off into the rich ocean that surrounds Cape Cod. We will have the benefit of a trained experienced naturalist with us who will explain the behaviour of each

creature we encounter. Aboard the whalewatching vessel you can observe the combined electronic displays of chart plotters and bathymetric instruments that records the path of any species we encounter. In the afternoon, we'll enjoy the Trolley Tour of Provincetown commencing with the extraordinary Pilgrim Monument and the Provincetown Museum where the "Mayflower Compact” was signed.

We then head out of town to visit the remarkable Cape Cod National Seashore with its rolling sand dunes, where accomplished local artists constructed fragile wooden hideaways, often spending weeks on end, painting this ever changing seascape. We head back into Commercial Street, the heart of Provincetown and along the gallery district through narrow lanes lined with unique tiny shops.

PORT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Boston, Massachusetts (Embark) Provincetown/Cape Cod/Cape Cod Canal Newport, Rhode Island Cape Cod Canal/Plymouth, Massachusettes Portland, Maine Bar Harbor, Maine Sea Day Halifax, Nova Scotia (Disembark)

Day 1: Embark in Boston, Massachusetts Welcome to Boston, Massachusetts. This capital city was founded in 1630 and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It played a key role in the American Revolution and the freedom of our country today. As you board the lovely M/V Victory II, settle into your outside stateroom before joining your fellow guests for dinner with free flowing house wines and cocktails.

PROVINCETOWN, CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

Itinerary Highlight

The Breakers Mansion

The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America.

Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) established the family fortune in steamships and later in the New York Central Railroad, which was a pivotal development in the industrial growth of the nation during the late 19th century. The Commodore's grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, became The Breakers dining room Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system in 1885, and purchased a wooden house called The Breakers in Newport during that same year.

In 1893, he commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a villa to replace the earlier wood-framed house which was destroyed by fire the previous year. Hunt directed an international team of craftsmen and artisans to create a 70 room Italian Renaissance- style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin. Allard and Sons of Paris assisted Hunt with furnishings and fixtures, Austro-American sculptor Karl Bitter designed relief sculpture, and Boston architect Ogden Codman decorated the family quarters.

After the trolley tour we'll spend some free time strolling down the Provincetown Pier and exploring the cafes, galleries and boutiques of this unique community.

The Cape Cod Canal This seven mile long canal is an artificial waterway connecting Cape Code Bay in the North to Buzzards Bay in the south. It is part of the Intracoastal waterway system that bisects the peninsula and is spanned by the Cape Cod Railroad bridge and two highway bridges. Despite being an active waterway, the Cape Cod Canal is often frequented by visiting schools of whales and dolphins, at which time the canal is closed to traffic.

Day 3: Newport, Rhode Island Mansions and grand homes are synonymous with Newport and birthplace of the so-called “Gilded Age”, named after Mark Twain’s 1873 novel of the same name. America’s richest and famous families flocked to this elegant seaside resort and turned it into their summer playground. Newport has also been called “America’s Versailles” because of the elaborate architecture in America’s National Registered Landmark District. This morning we will visit “The Breakers” - grandest of all Newport’s summer cottages and symbolic of the Vanderbilts family wealth where they showcased their social and mercantile power. We will also visit “The Elms”, a mansion built by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burwind from Philadelphia and New York in 1898 and designed with the French Château d’Asnieres in mind. Newport is dominated by its closeness to the sea and the Ten Mile Drive showcases the relationship between its residents and the magnificent seascape. After lunch on board,

we will have free time to explore the “old Port” in this lovely maritime community.

Day 4: Plymouth, Massachusetts Join us in the morning as we head out to Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank for a mesmerising whale watching marine expedition.

In the afternoon as we arrrive in Plymouth, you'll reflect on the surprise and apprehension the pilgrims must have felt, while setting foot for the first time in the new world.

Our journey through the Plimoth Plantation will showcase this iconic period in American history, as we stroll through this living museum located beside modern Plymouth. Three outdoor exhibits will bring colonial America to life and will showcase daily activity in the New England of the 1600s.

Plimoth Plantation, Mayflower II, and Plimoth Grist Mill are part of the museum’s exhibits and are located conveniently close to one another. In addition to learning about the Pilgrims, you will leave with an appreciation of the Native American Wampanoag tribe and their relationships with the Pilgrims during this colonial era. At the conclusion of our visit, guests can see Plymouth Rock for themselves.

Day 4 Alternative: Martha's Vineyard Alfred Eisenstadt the renowned photographer and journalist said of Martha’s Viinyard “Nowhere in the World is there a place more beautiful than this”.

Martha’s Vinyard is the largest island off the coastal United States that is unconnected to the mainland by a bridge or a tunnel. There are six tiny towns, but there are no casinos, no stoplights, no big box

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Itinerary Highlight

Cape Cod Bay The Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary sits at the mouth of Massachusetts and was voted the Best Place to See Aquatic Life in USA Today's latest 10-Best Reader's Choice travel awards contest. As one of the primary feeding grounds for Humpback Whales, Finback Whales, Pilot Whales, Minke Whales and the endangered Right Whales, you'll undoubtedly experience these incredible marine mammels upclose.

Itinerary Highlight

Martha's Vineyard Bathed in scenic beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts wide-eyed day-trippers, celebrity second-home owners, and urbanites seeking a restful getaway; its 15,000 year-round residents include many artists, musicians and back-to-nature types. You'll find cosy inns, chef-driven restaurants and a bounty of green farms and grand beaches. Martha's Vineyard is the largest island in New England, extending some 23 miles at its widest. Although it sits just 7 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Vineyarders feel themselves such a world apart that they often refer to the mainland as 'America.'

stores and no chain restaurants. What it does have is a profusion of Gingerbread cottages, fishing villages, lighthouses, fabulous beaches and the famous Aquinnah cliffs, with no less than 38 farms (and counting) sprinkled inside 100 square miles of island life.

We begin our visit In the community of Oak Bluffs as we navigate our way through the narrow streets of this Victorian summer resort, where time might just be standing still as we drive past hundreds of colourful gingerbread cottages and residences. Then its onward to the year round seaport of Vineyard Haven, with its many boutiques, restaurants, a beautiful harbor and one of the five Island lighthouses. We'll enjoy lunch on board before continuing our exploration of Martha’s Vinyard on a 20 mile scenic ride “up-Island” through the historic farming towns of Chilmark and West Tisbury, with beautiful barns, stone walls and scenic overviews. Then onward to the working fishing village of Menemsha, the Cliffs of Aquinnah (which look as though they have been freshly painted) and the 1799 Gay Head Lighthouse. We return down-Island to

Edgartown to view the elegant homes of the former whaling captains with their individuality and turn of the century charm and the famous Edgartown Lighthouse.

Day 5: Portland, Maine Portland is located on a peninsular that protrudes into Casco Bay. The Old Port waterfront combines active fishing wharves, combined with warehouses that have been converted into restaurants, shops and museums. Sightseeing includes the Portland architectural district, Pollard Head Lighthouse and a visit to Kennebunkport and Kennebunk with free time to visit these quaint communities.

Coaches depart from the port to explore Portland. We will drive through the elegant Victorian Mansion district, past the boyhood home of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and many of the former Sea Captain’s homes.

Then we will drive out to see Casco Bay and the famous Portland Head light that guards the channel and access to this port.

M / V V I C TO R YI t Ii In e I Tr IaNr yE R A R Y After lunch on board, we'll depart via coach for a short ride to Kennebunkport.

Kennebunkport’s Lower Village and Dock Square are located close to the ocean and the Kennebunkport River. Since the early 1600 this community has been a shipbuilding mecca, with locally constructed five-masted schooners, sliding into the Atlantic to eventually work in every corner of the globe. This New England community has long been the summer residence of former President G.W. Bush and many others seeking to relax in this New England maritime atmosphere.

We will have free time to visit this quaint community, after which we will tour past the architecturally significant homes of nearby Kennubunk. We will also visit the Franciscan Monastery and pause by the quirky “wedding cake house”.

natural beauty and a handsome collection of churches that line the shore.

Lunenburg actually contains Nova Scotia's largest fishing fleet and we are likely to see some of these vessels in action.

Day 7: Scenic Sailing of Atlantic Coast We'll follow the path of the fishing trawlers who leave the northern extremities of the USA, past the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, heading out to sea. Unlike them, however we'll turn North East and hug the coast of Nova Scotia passing storied harbors full of maritime history.

Day 8: Disembark in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Day 6: Bar Harbor, Maine The town of Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island, nestled inside Frenchman’s Bay, in a region that typifies the rugged Atlantic coastline of Maine. After breakfast, we will depart on a brief coach ride to Acadia National Park, which is the smallest designated park of its type in the Unites States. Our first stop will be at lovely Sand Beach flanked by pink granite walls and opens to the Atlantic on one side. Then we motor up Cadillac Mountain to see the extraordinary Thunder Hole. Notably this Summit is the highest elevation on the Eastern Seaboard, with stunning views across Frenchman’s Bay to the Atlantic Ocean below. On our way back to Bar Harbor we will visit the Compact Abbe Museum to learn about the Wabanaki Indian Nations that lived in this coastal region. In the afternoon, enjoy lunch on your own at a local restaurant with time to stroll the pretty coastal outpost community of Bar Harbor.

Day 6 Alternative: Lunenburg The Old Town of Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Considered to be the best surviving planned British colonial town in North America, you can still see the tall ships moored off the port and hear the blacksmith’s hammer, while our local guide offers tales of lives lost on the ocean.

This morning we will stroll and tour Lunenburg’s harbour-side streets, lined with unique shops and restaurants that blend with the well-preserved and colourfully painted historic homes, much like a living museum from the 18th century.

Our day ashore includes a visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, an exploration of wharf-side vessels, the extraordinary aquarium, and the famous Bluenose II, a replica of the original world famous racing schooner. After lunch we embark on a scenic drive through Mahone Bay, famous for its picturesque

This morning we will arrive in the beautiful city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After breakfast aboard you will disembark the ship and make your way to the airport for your return flight home.

2018 DEPARTURES AND PRICING Boston to Halifax*

Halifax to Boston*

Sun, May 20 – Sun, May 27 Sun, Jun 03 – Sun, Jun 10 Wed, Sept 5 – Wed, Sept 12 Wed, Sept 19 – Wed, Sept 26 Wed, Oct 3 – Wed, Oct 10

Sun, May 27 – Sun, June 3 Wed, Sept 26 – Wed, Oct 3 Wed, Oct 10 – Wed, Oct 17

All-Inclusive cruise only from

£3,949pp

For flight and land inclusive programmes please call for details

AERIAL VIEW OF CHATEAU FRONTENAC

French Canadian Maritimes A remarkable mix of architecture, heritage, art, & culture • ABOARD THE M/V VICTORY II •

M/AM

CHÂTEAU FRONTENAC, QUEBEC CITY

THE FRENCH CANADIAN MARITIMES & HISTORIC ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY Endless storybook coastlines and primeval landscapes set the backdrop for Canada’s alluring Atlantic provinces — but it’s the rich maritime heritage and notably friendly locals that give this region its distinct appeal. Experience the diverse highlights of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, from historic Halifax and the resort town of St. Andrews to the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island's Scottish heritage, and more.

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Gulf of St Lawrence

TADOUSSAC

CANADA

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

New Brunswick

QUEBEC CITY

Nova Scotia

Riv

er

HALIFAX

Maine

MONTREAL

St .

La

wr

en

ce

CANADA

Lake Superior Vermont Ontario

New Hampshire

Atlantic Ocean

Lake Huron

Lake Ontario

WELLAND CANAL PORT COLBORNE

Massachusetts

New York

R.I. Connecticut

NIAGARA FALLS

Day 4: Scenic Sailing of The Gulf of St. Lawrence

Michigan

Lake Michigan

Lake Erie

DETROIT Pennsylvania

CLEVELAND

New Jersey

Ohio

11 DAYS | HALIFAX TO DETROIT (and reverse) DAY Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day

PORT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Canada. We will then drive along the North Shore of P.E.I. to Cavendish Bay, Prince Edward Island National Park, and the farmstead that inspired L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Guests can tour the house as well as other settings from the book, including: the Haunted Woods, Lover’s Lane, and Balsam Hollow. Enjoy free time strolling along the shores of the bay or the charming city center before we return to the ship for an exceptional dinner overlooking the sea.

Halifax, Nova Scotia (Embark) Scenic Sailing of the Atlantic Ocean Charlottetown, P.E.I. Scenic Sailing of the Gulf of St. Lawrence Whale Watching /Tadoussac Quebec City, Quebec Montreal, Quebec Scenic Sailing of St. Lawrence River Niagara Lakes / Port Colborne Cleveland, Ohio Detroit, Michigan

Day 2: Senic Sailing of the Atlantic Ocean Delight in this day of cruising aboard the casually elegant M/V Victory II. Today finds our intimate ship cruising along the Atlantic Ocean.

Enjoy convivial conversation with your fellow passengers or join an engaging discussion with our shipboard experts; who are well-versed in the history, peoples and natural wonders of The Great Lakes region. Elegant dining in two distinctive venues with free-flowing house wine, beer and spirits to enhance your day.

Day 3: Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Located on Prince Edward Island, Canada’s tiniest and most charming province, Charlottetown is famous for its red earth and Day 1: Embark in Halifax, Nova Scotia white beaches. This morning our coaches leave Upon arriving in Halifax, you will go to the pier where the elegant the port and will initially follow the same historic M/V Victory II awaits. Settle in to your outside stateroom before trail through Charlottetown, which was walked joining your fellow guests for dinner with free flowing house by the delegates participating in the historic wines and cocktails. conference leading to the Confederation of

Serving as a partial boundary between the U.S. and Canada, The St. Lawrence River is an important route for trade and travel. The waterway is fed by the world's largest source of freshwater - The Great Lakes, beginning at the outflow of Lake Ontario near Kingston and flowing northeast to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. The river spans 744 miles and widens significantly near Quebec City to become the St. Lawrence estuary Day 5: Whale Watching / Tadoussac Tadoussac, where The St. Lawrence River meets the outflow of the Saguenay River, is one of the most exciting whale-watching sites in the world.

Between May and October, up to 13 species of cetaceans make their way upriver from the Atlantic Ocean, to become temporary residents in the salty rich waters of the St. Lawrence.

These sea mammals include blue whales, the largest animals on the planet, and the impressive humpbacks, which swim up into the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord near Tadoussac to

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Itinerary Highlight

Montreal Notre-Dame Basilica Notre-Dame Basilica is a significant part of the Catholic religious heritage of Montreal. Visitors interested in the arts of the past will be amazed with the church’s impressive crypt, where they can study its origins. The present-day Basilica, which was inaugurated in 1829, was built on a plan set back slightly from the placement of the original church, which stood on the plot of ground covered today by Notre-Dame Street. As a result, many archaeological treasures of major ethnographic value still exist in the area around the Basilica and underneath its front square.

M / V V I C TO R YIItTtiIiInInNee IETrrR aIaN rA ryyERRYA R Y feed. The M/V Victory II makes a rendezvous with our whale watching boat off the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord and guests transfer onto the “Grand Fleuve”, which is staffed by a crew who are experts in whale behavior.

fire ships were dispatched towards the port. We then drive out of Quebec City to see the historical and majestic Montmorency Falls including a cable car ride to the top where you will have magnificent views across to the Ile d’Orléans.

This region of The St. Lawrence River has also been the home of several indigenous tribes and at one time hunters from the far north traveled into the St. Lawrence to augment their whale catch. Nowadays the region is committed to sustaining a safe and rich environment for these extraordinary creatures and the only catch one can make is through the lens of a camera.

This afternoon guests are encouraged to stroll on their own out of the port, which is located close to lower town and visit the Petit Champlain and take the funicular railway to the Château Frontenac to stroll the magnificent Dufferin Terrace.

Day 7: Montreal, Quebec

Day 6: Quebec City, Quebec Quebec City is the only walled community in North America and is deeply engaged in preserving its history and its unique place in Canada. In the morning, our coaches depart for the Plains of Abraham at the point where the battle between the invading English forces and the defenders took place as they stormed the upper city and captured the town. Then onward to pretty Place Royale in the lower-town, which in 1759 was bombarded from across the river, as WHALE WATCHING

This morning we will depart the ship for a city tour of Montreal including a walking tour of Old Montreal with a visit to the Notre Dame Basilica.

Then, a drive-through of the downtown business district and up to the top of Mont Royal for a commanding view of the city and The St. Lawrence River.

We also visit one of the world’s largest and most important Botanical Gardens in downtown Montreal.

MONTMORENCY FALLS, QUEBEC

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Itinerary Highlight

Niagara Falls Since its formation 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls has been a destination for world explorers, honeymooners and daredevils alike. Only here can you get closer than you ever imagined to the American side of Horseshoe and Bridal Veil Falls – and create mist-covered memories to last a lifetime.

Don your poncho (provided) and soak in the power and beauty of Niagara Falls aboard the iconic Maid of the Mist, or climb the wooden stairs to the Hurricane Deck on Cave of the Winds and feel tropical-storm like conditions as you stand underneath the Bridal Veil Falls.

M / V V I C TO R YI tTIi InNe IT Er Ia RNrAyERRYA R Y Day 8: Scenic Sailing of St. Lawrence River Delight in this day of cruising aboard the casually elegant M/V Victory II. Today finds our intimate ship navigating The St. Lawrence River, formed from the world's largest source of fresh water – The Great Lakes. Enjoy convivial conversation with your fellow passengers or join an engaging discussion with our shipboard experts; who are well-versed in the history, peoples and natural wonders of this historical seaway. Elegant dining in two distinctive venues with free-flowing house wine, beer and spirits to enhance your day.

Day 9: Niagara Lakes / Port Colborne After a leisurely morning on board, we’ll disembark the ship at Port Colbourne on the southern end of the Welland Canal. The original Welland Canal was opened in 1829 and was extended to reach Lake Erie in 1833. The current canal was completed in 1932 and boasts eight locks. At Niagara Falls, we’ll embark on the famous Hornblower “Voyage of the Falls” for a cruise into the misty spray of Horseshoe Falls. Back on shore, we’ll drive along the scenic Niagara Parkway, through the Niagara Wine Region, home to 25 vineyards and over 50 wineries to the charming Château des Charmes for lunch and wine-tasting. After lunch, we'll continue to the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to peruse the shops and galleries before rejoing the ship at Port Weller.

Day 10: Cleveland, Ohio Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland represents the heartland of American life and history. Industrial landmarks from its days as a lakeside manufacturing town still stand in testament to Cleveland’s roots. But the city of today is also filled with beautiful urban spaces and is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here in a striking structure designed by I. M. Pei, you’ll discover more than just a museum of rock and roll memorabilia. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the evolution of the musical genre that shaped a generation and track its cultural impact. Among the exhibits are Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche and Michael Jackson’s famous glove. You’ll also explore the wonderful West Side Market, set in a 1912 landmark and home to more than 100 vendors.

Day 11: Disembark in Detroit, Michigan Sailing from Lake Huron to Lake Erie, we will call on Detroit, Michigan signaling the end of our journey. After breakfast, you’ll disembark the M/V Victory II and make your way to the airport for your flight home.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME, CLEVELAND, OHIO

2018 DEPARTURES AND PRICING Halifax to Detroit*

Detroit to Halifax*

Sun, June 10 – Wed, June 20 Sat, June 30 – Tues, July 10 Wed, Aug 15 – Sat, Aug 25

Wed, June 20 – Sat, June 30 Sun, Aug 5 – Wed, Aug 15 Sat, Aug 25 – Tues, Sept 4

All-Inclusive cruise only from

£5,549pp

For flight and land inclusive programmes please call for details

Sisterships

The M/V Victory I and M/V Victory II

ONBOARD A

• Quality ro

Refurbished: 2015 I Length: 286.32 ft. I Width: 50ft I Draft: 13.52 ft. I Speed: 12 knots Gross Tonnage: 4954 tons I Registry: Nassau, Bahamas I Voltage: 110 volts I Guests: 202

Crew: 84 I Suites: 2 (325 sq. ft.) I Staterooms: 101 (130-190 sq. ft.)

Deck Plans

n Owner’s Suite: Ocean view suite boasting sweeping views, interior and exterior entrances, a semi-private terrace, one queen bed and one sofa bed, sitting area, armoire and chest of drawers, complimentary minibar (restocked daily), in-room safe, evening canapÊs, complimentary laundry service & fresh fruit daily.

(Deck 3 / 335 sq ft) n Category AA: Ocean view with direct access to the open-air promenade. Two twin or one queen bed, armoire and chest of drawers, mini fridge & fresh fruit daily.

(Deck 4 / 161 sq ft) n Category A Stateroom: Ocean view stateroom, two twins or one queen bed, armoire and chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.

(Deck 3 / 185 sq ft) n Category B Stateroom: Ocean view stateroom, two twin or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.

(Deck 3 / 146 sq ft) OBSERVATION DECK

n Category C Stateroom: Ocean view stateroom, two twin or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.

(Deck 2 & 3 / 152 sq ft) n Category D Stateroom: Ocean view stateroom, two twin or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.

(Deck 1 / 158 sq ft)

Built: 2001 | Refurbished for Great Lakes Coastal Cruising: 2015 | Length: 286.32 ft | Width: 50 ft | Draft: 13.52 ft | Speed: 12 knots | Gross Tonnage: 4954 tons | Voltage: 110 volts Registry: Nassau, Bahamas | Guests: 202 | Crew: 84 | Suites: 2 (335 sq ft) | Staterooms: 146-190

AMENTIES

obes and slippers

n Category E Stateroom: Ocean view stateroom, queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers & fresh fruit daily.

(Deck 1 / 160 sq ft)

2018 / 2019

All Inclusive Cruising ABOARD THE M/V VICTORY I & M/V VICTORY II

(01954 232 802 9 Cox's End, Over, Cambridge CB24 5TY email:sales@ponderstravel.co.uk www.ponderstravel.co.uk

Terms and conditions for back page: All prices are per person based on two adults sharing a cabin, are subject to availability and change. Single supplements may apply, please call for details. Itineraries are subject to change depending upon weather and port availability. Substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water levels, changes in policy or other uncontrollable factors. All-Inclusive price includes shore excursions, free-flowing non-premium wine, beer & spirits, internet and Wi-Fi, cabin accommodation and port taxes. Pricing does not include air fares, overseas transfers and pre and/or post cruise accommodation unless otherwise stated. Gratuities are payable on board and are not included in the fare, $15pp per day (2018) and $15.50pp per day (2019). Fred.\ Holidays is the UK general sales agency for Victory Cruise Lines, full operator terms and conditions apply. E&OE.