Former Victory Cruise Lines vessels Victory I and Victory II have been renamed Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator, new brand American Queen Voyages has announced.
The ships, due to resume operations next year, will offer a mix of lakes and ocean sailings.
Ocean Voyager (pictured) returns on January 4 with Mexican itineraries and Ocean Navigator will offer summer voyages in the Great Lakes after it repositions from Georgia, US, on April 10.
Both 202-passenger vessels are currently in South Carolina, US, undergoing “minor adjustments” ahead of the upcoming season.
Chief operating officer Shawn Bierdz said: “The transformation of our small-coastal vessels to Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator was a natural next step as we introduce our American Queen Voyages lakes and ocean experiences.
“Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator will deliver innovative itineraries and enrichment programming showcasing the best of North America’s unique waterways.”
The American Queen Voyages umbrella brand was created in September following a merger of American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines.
American Queen Voyages is comprised of ships operating river, ocean and expedition itineraries.
It includes an expanded fleet of seven vessels on the Mississippi River with the acquisition of Victory Cruise Lines and plans to run eight ships by 2023.
“The evolution into American Queen Voyages has enabled us to blend elements of the guest experience enjoyed from our river vessels into the lakes and ocean experience onboard Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator,” said David William Kelly, executive vice president of vessel operations for American Queen Voyages.
“We are currently making minor adjustments to these vessels, training their crews and look forward to guests experiencing for themselves soon.”
