What’s in a name? Well, if you ask John Waggoner, quite a lot actually. For this 30+ year veteran of building brands designed to explore North America’s legendary waterways and coasts, the recent revival of Victory Cruise Lines is more than a triumphant success as the company’s name implies; it’s the next chapter in a storied career of delivering immersive and meaningful ways to travel.

A lifelong desire to celebrate the histories of great American cities and off-the-radar destinations, to share the joys of discovery and experiential moments with like-minded people, and to create companies where a sense of family, ownership and commitment is embraced by both employees and guests have always been the driving forces behind John’s entrepreneurial endeavors. And as the chief visionary for Victory Cruise Line’s 2025 launch, he is the perfect subject for our debut issue of Victory Visions: A Great Lakes Cruise Blog.

If you’re not yet familiar with the name John Waggoner, you’ll want to be. Above all, this is a man who loves people – from all walks of life and industry. Their stories, their characters, their contributions. John is the guy who looks you in the eye when he speaks, says your name dozens of times in conversation, asks what you think, and really takes in all that you have to say. That he possesses exceptional business savvy is secondary, for to have a successful company (he’s had many), he believes you must surround yourself with good people. And with every venture undertaken, John has onboarded a crew of good people.

Why all this talk of John’s personality? Because his genuine nature is contagious, and it is in the very DNA of Victory Cruise Lines.

The re-launch of this highly anticipated, small-ship cruise brand does not come without some bittersweet history, however. Victory’s two sister ships – the 190-guest Victory I and Victory II, both purpose built to explore the Great Lakes and Canadian Maritimes – were formerly part of American Queen Voyages (AQV), a passion project of John’s that grew into the premier name in river and coastal cruising in the United States. Part of that business strategy was always to sell at a certain time, which John reluctantly did in 2019. Reluctantly, because he loved the company and the people he worked with so much. Heartbreakingly, because the new owners weren’t able to keep the company going and AQV closed down in early 2024.

Fast forward to May 2024 and like a phoenix rising, John did what he does best and mobilized a team of investors to secure the purchase of the two Victory ships and happily, Victory Cruise Lines was reborn. His tightknit management and shipboard operations teams are staffed by former colleagues and a profound enthusiasm for the future of Victory is shared by all.

As the line gears up to offer its 10- to 15-night all-inclusive voyages next spring, our Victory Visions blog will look at the people, places and cultural movements that helped shape a nation. We’ll shine a spotlight on the great cities that fueled the rise of the American Industrial Revolution, and how those iconic cities are being reinvented today. We’ll answer questions like: Where does the water for Niagara Falls flow from? How did Chicago rebuild after the fire? Why aren’t there cars on Mackinac Island? We’ll profile titans of industry and captains of culture, share stories on legendary museums and orchestras, go behind the scenes of life on board the Victory boats, and so much more.

So, what’s in a name? For John Waggoner, it’s integrity. For Victory Visions, it’s a view into the future. And for Victory Cruise Lines, it’s your ticket to discovery.