Canadian World Traveller Summer 2019 Issue

46
The Smooth Cruise on Victory 1
Article and Photography by Steve Gillick
Captain Gary Kerr of the Victory 1
Cruise Ship, part of the fleet owned
by the American Queen Steamboat
Company, has an endearing quality about
him. His distinct Sean Connery-esque,
Scottish accent, along with his personable
nature and sense of humour identify him as
one of the key components of the Great
Lakes Grand Discovery Cruise.
Captain Gary joined me on the sundeck of
the ship while I was taking photos one afternoon.
When I asked about the attraction of
this particular cruise, he began by saying
that “on the big ships you would hardly ever
get the meet the captain” and then he
explained that the passengers, mostly ‘very
experienced travelers’, like the idea of
exploring their own backyard and that the
simple shore excursions allow the passengers
to learn, socialize and appreciate each
destination.
Later, just prior to our visit to the Niagara
Region, Captain Gary congratulated the
passengers in Cabin 311: “You’ve just won
the draw. You get to go over Niagara Falls in
a barrel”. He then thanked his multi-national
staff in front of all the passengers, with
pauses to allow for applause, mixed with
‘bravos”. In fact, a hallmark of the Victory
1’s charm is the friendly crew. I chatted with
Lourdes the head bartender on several occasions
about her home in the Philippines and
the delicious foods that I enjoyed on a visit
there several years ago. The Martinis that
Lourdes concocted (shaken, not stirred)
would have impressed any James Bond or
Sean Connery!
The Victory 1 began its journey in Chicago
on Lake Michigan, headed north to Holland-
Musekgon, then up to Mackinac Island
before entering Lake Huron to explore Little
Current on Manitoulin Island. A stop in
Detroit followed, as well as another in
Cleveland, before cruising to Port Colborne,
Ontario for visits to Niagara Falls and
Niagara-on-the-Lake. The ship then traveled
through the Welland Canal locks from Lake
Erie to Lake Ontario with disembarkation on
the last morning in Toronto.
On this abbreviated trip, we would get a
taste of the Great Lakes Discovery Cruise,
joining the ship for the Detroit to Toronto
portion. With thoughts of stormy lakes and
howling winds, I prepared myself for the
worst, with sea bands around my wrists and
Photo: Victory