During routine calls at the Port of Detroit, crew members from Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory I and Victory II were removed by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on July 9 and 11.
Thirteen crew members—previously cleared to work in the USA and hired through third-party agencies—were detained as part of an ongoing federal operation on the Great Lakes. The CBP has not disclosed specific details due to the active nature of the investigation.
Victory Cruise Lines, which resumed operations this spring under new ownership following the closure of American Queen Voyages, is actively cooperating with authorities.
Company founder and chairman John Waggoner stated that the top priority remains crew welfare and the guest experience. Waggoner and other executives are currently aboard the vessels to manage the situation. Other overnight cruise operators in the region have reportedly experienced similar crew removals.
The ships Victory 1 and Victory 2 continue to operate itineraries throughout the Great Lakes and New England-Canada regions through the fall.