From Navy Pier to Niagara: Sailing All 5 Great Lakes with Victory Cruise Lines
Growing up in Chicago, the lake was never just a backdrop for me—it was where my daydreams began. The wide blue horizon always hinted at something more: quiet coves, charming port towns, and journeys just beyond the skyline. Those childhood daydreams are what eventually led me to host Great Lakes voyages, and now, as the owner of River & Vine Travel, I get to help fellow Chicagoans (and former Chicagoans) trade the shoreline view for the feeling of actually being out on the lake. When you step aboard, my goal is to turn a familiar shoreline into a curated voyage and make it effortless to reserve your stateroom and begin your own Great Lakes story.
Getting Ready to Embark
When I arrive at Navy Pier in Chicago for a Great Lakes sailing, it always feels like stepping into a celebration. The pier buzzes with energy—families wandering together, couples on dates, and visitors soaking in the lakefront views and that unmistakable skyline. Then my eye finds the ship: impressive and approachable, large enough to feel like a true voyage yet intimate enough to feel personal. In that moment, the idea of a Great Lakes cruise stops being a daydream and becomes something I can actually walk toward, step by step, as I get ready to welcome my group on board.
For those of us who call Chicagoland home—or used to—it is remarkably easy. You pack your bags, grab a taxi or ride share, or even hop on public transit, and before long you are at the pier with the ship right in front of you. There are no airports to navigate, no red‑eye flights to suffer through—just a smooth, close‑to‑home start to a luxurious escape on the water.
Embarkation Ease
Embarking on a small ship with Victory Cruise Lines feels refreshingly effortless compared to the big-ship ports many people picture. From the very first step, the experience is intimate and relaxed, with none of the rushed, crowded atmosphere you find at the world’s busiest cruise terminals. Instead of weaving through long lines and cavernous buildings, you simply make your way to the gangway and step aboard a ship that feels curated rather than colossal.
Your luggage can stay comfortably by your side if you wish, so there is no wondering when—or if—your suitcase will appear outside your stateroom. The scale is human, the pace unhurried, and the transition from shore to ship is as smooth as a gentle pour of a favorite wine, very much in the spirit of River and Vine’s focus on savoring the journey, not just the destination. It is the kind of embarkation day experience I love sending my clients into, especially those who appreciate ease over chaos.
First moments on board
Stepping aboard, the experience feels personal from the very first moment. Instead of being funneled into a long, snaking line, you are greeted at a small reception area that feels more like a boutique hotel than a cruise terminal. A friendly agent at the reception desk welcomes you with a warm smile and genuine hospitality, the kind of greeting that immediately lowers your shoulders and lets you know you are in good hands.
Your passport and reservation are confirmed in just a few simple steps, and then you are free to wander—to find your stateroom, to peek into the lounges, or to head straight for a cozy chair to take it all in. That easy, unhurried welcome reflects both Victory’s relaxed small‑ship style and the kind of thoughtful, gracious service I look for when I recommend a ship to my clients and to special groups like my fellow alumni.
The Compass Lounge
Whenever I board, the Compass Lounge quickly becomes my personal “living room” on the ship. It is an inviting, central space where people naturally gather, and it often serves as your first real chance to sit down, exhale, and feel the start of the voyage. After check‑in, you may be welcomed in here for a relaxed Welcome Brunch, giving you a place to meet fellow travelers, reconnect with friends, and start savoring the day.
Throughout the cruise, the Compass Lounge transforms with the rhythm of the itinerary. During the day, it becomes a comfortable setting for enrichment talks and destination briefings, where you can learn more about the ports you will be exploring. In the evenings, the atmosphere shifts as live entertainment, cocktails, and easy conversation create a warm, social vibe—perfect for catching up with classmates from long ago or simply unwinding with a drink as the lake slips past outside.
The Tavern: my favorite moment
One of the most vivid moments from my ship inspection was stepping into the Tavern. It struck me immediately as so comfortable and genuinely inviting that I could instantly picture our alumni group gathered there. The room has a warm, club‑like feel, with spaces that encourage conversation rather than just passing through.
Just off the Compass Lounge, the Tavern offers a baby grand piano, classic board games, and plenty of corners where you can linger over a drink and good company. I imagined classmates sitting at the bar sharing college stories, or spreading out a board game at a small table while the lake views glide by just outside the large windows. Whether you are meeting old friends, striking up a conversation with fellow travelers, or simply watching the world drift quietly past, the Tavern always seems to carry an easy, welcoming buzz—the kind of place where time slips away in the best possible way.
The Coastal Dining Room
When I first walked into the Coastal Dining Room, what stood out to me was how it felt like a favorite neighborhood restaurant that just happens to float on the Great Lakes. Tables are set with crisp white linens, comfortable tufted chairs, and little touches—like a single red rose—that make the space feel refined yet relaxed. Beyond the windows, the views change with the route: city skylines, tree‑lined shores, and open stretches of water all become part of the backdrop to your meal.
This is the kind of dining room where you linger over conversation, savor a glass of wine, and recap the day’s adventures with friends who have known you for decades. If you can picture yourself toasting the day in a setting like this—sharing stories from long‑ago homerooms or reunions while the lake glimmers outside—this is where those moments will unfold on your Victory Cruise.
The Grill
Up at The Grill, the mood shifts into a more casual kind of indulgence. Here, the focus is on relaxed, unhurried dining surrounded by floor‑to‑ceiling Great Lakes views. During my inspection, I loved how the buffets looked vibrant and fresh, with colorful salads, beautifully plated main courses, and decadent desserts all presented in a way that invited you to take your time.
This is where you might linger over a cappuccino as the ship eases toward the next port, or build the perfect plate for lunch with the lake stretching out on every side. The atmosphere reminded me of what my river and wine cruise clients love most—unrushed meals, quality food, and ever‑changing scenery—only here, the experience is right in North America, close to home for so many Chicago area locals and alumni.
Your stateroom and next steps
Once you have a feel for the lounges and dining spaces, the next part of your virtual tour is where you will retreat at the end of each day: your stateroom. On my inspection, I paid attention to which categories felt best for couples, which worked well for solo travelers, and which locations seemed particularly quiet or convenient. When we plan together, I will match you with a stateroom that fits how you like to travel—whether you want to be near the action, tucked away in a quieter corridor, or positioned for the best views.
If you can see yourself in these spaces—laughing with classmates in the Tavern, lingering over dinner in the Coastal Dining Room, or sipping coffee as the Great Lakes unfurl outside—then this virtual tour is just the beginning. Reach out to me at River & Vine Travel, and I will help you choose the right Victory Cruise Lines itinerary for our alumni group or for your own circle of friends, handle the stateroom details, and make it easy to turn your Chicago memories into a brand‑new Great Lakes story on the water.