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Peregrine Travel Centre

Great Lakes Grand Discovery (Victory I & II)

Great Lakes Grand Discovery (Victory I & II)

From USD $6,389

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Description

Nearly 15,000 years ago, the last of the great glaciers retreated, leaving behind the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Those vast bodies of water contain more than one-fifth of the planet’s fresh surface water, and together make up 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 lakes, set sail on 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 and 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.

Trip Name
Great Lakes Grand Discovery (Victory I & II)
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Motor Ship/Small Ship Length: 286 ft, 87 m Passenger Capacity: 202 Built/Refurbished: 2001/2015 Refined, intimate ship experiences The indisputable joy of sailing is brought to life on the M/V Victory I and II, agile intimate ships that easily navigate canals and locks, tranquil bays, and hidden ports where larger ships dare not go. Onboard, our 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 spectacular view. Intuitive and attentive service With a caring crew of 84, pampering no more than 202 guests, you’ll feel at home from the moment you step on board. Whether it’s a favorite cocktail served on deck or the delicate chocolate on your pillow ensuring sweet dreams, our attentive, intuitive staff are available whenever you need them. Serving you is our pleasure. On-board experts and included excursions Aboard the M/V Victory I and II, you’ll often travel in the company of engaging specialists focusing on areas where our journey takes us. They share their expertise freely in presentations and impromptu discussions throughout the journey. In port, included shore excursions with knowledgeable local guides provide meaningful opportunities to uncover the rich history, unique wildlife, and fascinating cultures of the destinations you will visit. Onboard Amenities Complimentary coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks and filtered water - Free flowing house wine, beer, and spirits during entire cruise - Free Internet & WiFi available onboard - 100% Egyptian cotton bedding - Personal robes and slippers - Top of the line bath amenities that are environmentally sensitive - Premium mattresses - In-room electronic safe - Individual climate control - LCD flat screen television (satellite) - Alarm clock - Hair dryer - Telephone - Daily housekeeping with nightly turndown - Onboard Salon & Spa - Themed afternoon tea service 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 casual and sophisticated cuisine in distinctive venues. The Seascape Tavern Share stories and laughter with friends and fellow travelers in the casual comfort of this cozy, English-style tavern. In the early evening, talented musicians bring the ship to life with all your favorite songs. Cliff Rock Bar & Grille Enjoy fresh air and fresh selections at the Cliff Rock Grille, where “hot rock” cooking is the special 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. 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. The Compass Lounge Log onto the ships WiFi and catch up on the latest news or send a few emails to friends back home. Attend an enriching presentation by an onboard specialist. Gather around the grand piano for an old fashioned sing-along. After dinner, music, and dancing keep the fun going into the evening hours. Observation Deck Lounge & 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 & Spa Renew yourself with a relaxing massage or with one of our many beauty treatments during your stay. Latitude Salon and Spa features indulgent scented oil treatments and a beauty salon for manicures, pedicures and styling. 

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Embark in Toronto, Ontario
Welcome to Toronto, the most diverse city on the planet, where over 40 languages are spoken. Toronto is reinventing 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 as part of the largest continuing urban revitalization project in North America. The Junction, a former industrial area, has emerged as Toronto’s most stylish neighborhood, teeming with bars, live music and coffee shops. And the city is becoming easier to visit. A train now whisks travelers 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 NBA All-Star game, held outside the United States for the first time.
Day 2 - Day 2: Niagara Falls (Welland Canal)/Port Colborne
Opened in 1829, the Welland Canal continues to play a vital role, allowing goods to travel from Great Lakes ports such as Cleveland and Detroit to Montreal and Québec City. As our ship begins its canal transit, you’ll step off in Port Weller 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 fifth-generation French wine-grower, you will enjoy a tour, tasting and lunch. Before re-boarding the M/V Victory I, now docked on Lake Erie, you’ll have free time to explore Port Colborne.
Day 3 - 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 today is also filled with beautiful urban spaces, and is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. There, 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.
Day 4 - Day 4: Detroit, Michigan
Sailing from Lake Huron to Lake Erie, just outside the city, we’ll visit The Henry Ford Museum, which was created to document the genius of ordinary people. Housed in a sweeping, 9-acre, single floorspace with soaring, 40-foot ceilings, the museum is dedicated to showcasing the finest collection of its kind. The sheer scopeand design of the museum are as grand as the vision that inspired it. Local experts will escort guests to see highlights that include the limousine that carried President John F. Kennedy on the day of his assassination, the bus on which Rosa Parks stood her ground and sparked the Civil Rights movement, and the chair from Ford’s Theatre in which President Abraham Lincoln was sitting when he was shot.
Day 5 - Day 5: Scenic Sailing on Lake Huron
Delight in a day of cruising onboard the casually elegant M/V Victory I. Today finds us cruising on the second-largest of America’s Great Lakes. If you count Lake Huron’s thousands of islands, the lake actually has the longest shoreline of any of the Great Lakes. Enjoy convivial conversation with fellow passengers, or join an engaging discussion with our shipboard experts, who are well-versed in the history, peoples and natural wonders of the region. Partake in elegant dining in two distinctive venues, with free-flowing non-premium beer, wine and spirits to enhance your day.
Day 6 - Day 6: Little Current, Manitoulin Island, Ontario (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 the Catholic Church. At the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, enjoy a tour through the art galleries and exhibits of the heritage museum. You can browse the artisan shop and participate in a smudging ceremony – an ancient ritual that uses smoke from burning cedar, sage, sweet grass and other plants regarded for their healing powers.
Day 7 - Day 7: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario
Located at the mouth of the St. Marys River, the twin – “Soos” – of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Michigan, were 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. Marys Rapids, which fall over 20 feet, connecting Lake Superior to Lakes Huron and Michigan. The Soo Locks are the busiest in the world in terms of tonnage, accommodating 1,000-foot freighters. In Sault Ste. Marie, guests will have the option of a half-day tour to visit attractions on either the U.S. or Canadian side of the border.
Day 8 - Day 8: Mackinac Island, Michigan
We’ll awaken in the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. With no cars allowed on the island, a horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to experience the Victorian ambiance 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 the structure’s strategic importance during the War of 1812. Then take in the views from the Grand Hotel’s veranda – 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 we sail in the evening, the Grand Hotel’s resident historian, Bob Tagatz, will come aboard for a colorful talk on the history of Mackinac Island and its world-famous hotel.
Day 9 - Day 9: Scenic Sailing on Lake Michigan
Delight in a day of cruising aboard the casually elegant M/V Victory I. Today we set sail on 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 Rivers. 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 conversation with fellow passengers, or join an engaging discussion with our shipboardexperts, who are well-versed in the history, peoples and natural wonders of the region.
Day 10 - Day 10: Disembark in Chicago, Illinois
Today we arrive in Chicago, signaling the end of our journey. End your experience with breakfast before disembarking the M/V Victory I.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change depending on 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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
27-06-201906-07-2019USD $6,389Category E
27-06-201906-07-2019USD $7,109Category D
27-06-201906-07-2019USD $7,729Category C
27-06-201906-07-2019USD $8,139Category B
27-06-201906-07-2019USD $8,349Category A
27-06-201906-07-2019USD $8,759Category AA
27-06-201906-07-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
06-07-201915-07-2019USD $8,139Category B
06-07-201915-07-2019USD $8,349Category A
06-07-201915-07-2019USD $8,759Category AA
06-07-201915-07-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
06-07-201915-07-2019USD $6,389Category E
06-07-201915-07-2019USD $7,109Category D
06-07-201915-07-2019USD $7,729Category C
15-07-201924-07-2019USD $6,389Category E
15-07-201924-07-2019USD $7,109Category D
15-07-201924-07-2019USD $7,729Category C
15-07-201924-07-2019USD $8,139Category B
15-07-201924-07-2019USD $8,349Category A
15-07-201924-07-2019USD $8,759Category AA
15-07-201924-07-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
24-07-201902-08-2019USD $6,389Category E
24-07-201902-08-2019USD $7,109Category D
24-07-201902-08-2019USD $7,729Category C
24-07-201902-08-2019USD $8,139Category B
24-07-201902-08-2019USD $8,349Category A
24-07-201902-08-2019USD $8,759Category AA
24-07-201902-08-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
02-08-201911-08-2019USD $6,389Category E
02-08-201911-08-2019USD $7,109Category D
02-08-201911-08-2019USD $7,729Category C
02-08-201911-08-2019USD $8,139Category B
02-08-201911-08-2019USD $8,349Category A
02-08-201911-08-2019USD $8,759Category AA
02-08-201911-08-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
11-08-201920-08-2019USD $6,389Category E
11-08-201920-08-2019USD $7,109Category D
11-08-201920-08-2019USD $7,729Category C
11-08-201920-08-2019USD $8,139Category B
11-08-201920-08-2019USD $8,349Category A
11-08-201920-08-2019USD $8,759Category AA
11-08-201920-08-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
20-08-201929-08-2019USD $6,389Category E
20-08-201929-08-2019USD $7,109Category D
20-08-201929-08-2019USD $7,729Category C
20-08-201929-08-2019USD $8,139Category B
20-08-201929-08-2019USD $8,349Category A
20-08-201929-08-2019USD $8,759Category AA
20-08-201929-08-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
29-08-201907-09-2019USD $6,389Category E
29-08-201907-09-2019USD $7,109Category D
29-08-201907-09-2019USD $7,729Category C
29-08-201907-09-2019USD $8,139Category B
29-08-201907-09-2019USD $8,349Category A
29-08-201907-09-2019USD $8,759Category AA
29-08-201907-09-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
07-09-201916-09-2019USD $6,389Category E
07-09-201916-09-2019USD $7,109Category D
07-09-201916-09-2019USD $7,729Category C
07-09-201916-09-2019USD $8,139Category B
07-09-201916-09-2019USD $8,349Category A
07-09-201916-09-2019USD $8,759Category AA
07-09-201916-09-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
16-09-201925-09-2019USD $6,389Category E
16-09-201925-09-2019USD $7,109Category D
16-09-201925-09-2019USD $7,729Category C
16-09-201925-09-2019USD $8,139Category B
16-09-201925-09-2019USD $8,349Category A
16-09-201925-09-2019USD $8,759Category AA
16-09-201925-09-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
25-09-201904-10-2019USD $6,389Category E
25-09-201904-10-2019USD $7,109Category D
25-09-201904-10-2019USD $7,729Category C
25-09-201904-10-2019USD $8,139Category B
25-09-201904-10-2019USD $8,349Category A
25-09-201904-10-2019USD $8,759Category AA
25-09-201904-10-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
04-10-201913-10-2019USD $6,389Category E
04-10-201913-10-2019USD $7,109Category D
04-10-201913-10-2019USD $7,729Category C
04-10-201913-10-2019USD $8,139Category B
04-10-201913-10-2019USD $8,349Category A
04-10-201913-10-2019USD $8,759Category AA
04-10-201913-10-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite
13-10-201922-10-2019USD $6,389Category E
13-10-201922-10-2019USD $7,109Category D
13-10-201922-10-2019USD $7,729Category C
13-10-201922-10-2019USD $8,139Category B
13-10-201922-10-2019USD $8,349Category A
13-10-201922-10-2019USD $8,759Category AA
13-10-201922-10-2019USD $9,999Owners Suite

Inclusions

    • Experience the tradition of the 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. Owned by the Musser family for three generations, the Grand Hotel is rich in history, a place where time moves at the pace of horse-drawn carriages and bicycles. Here, meals are events, 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 warm hospitality and old-world charm.
    • Meet Grand Hotel Resident Historian and Featured Speaker
    • Bob Tagatz. He is currently the resident historian and concierge at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. He has over 29 years of civic experience in historic 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 recorded a 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. Tagatz went 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 his continued study at what he feels is one of the most historically significant resort hotels in the United States.

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