American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Victory Review, An Ideal Ship For Alaska — UPDATE: AQV Shuts Down Feb 20, 2024

American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Victory

By Anne Kalosh

Update Feb 24, 2024: The three riverboats of American Queen Voyages, including the American Queen, ceased operations earlier this week as will the company’s pair of coastal ships. The bottom line is that the line never recovered from the COVID period, and the American Queen was the only member of the fleet that turned a profit.

American Queen Voyages‘ (AQV) first expedition ship, Ocean Victory, is winding down its inaugural Alaska season and will return in summer 2023 so it’s a good time to take stock of the experience.

If you’re reading QuirkyCruise, you’re probably already a “small is beautiful” advocate, and this 186-passenger ship is just right for nudging into coves and inlets and up close to glaciers.

It can visit small communities like Kake Tlingit Village, Petersburg and Wrangell without overwhelming them.

Ocean Victory has a fleet of kayaks for exploring. Here, Misty Fjords, Alaska. * Photo: Michel Verdure

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“Encounter” Travel Offered by Ocean Victory

A marine biologist by education, American Queen Voyages (AQV) founder and Chairman John Waggoner took personal interest in assuring Ocean Victory’s expedition program is rich with science under the guise of the line’s “encounter” travel, delving deeper into the destinations and getting to know the local people.

American Queen Voyages founder and Chairman John Waggoner, left, and Brendan Applegate geared up for a Zodiac adventure. * Photo : Anne Kalosh

Part of this is having students aboard from California Polytechnic State University, Waggoner’s alma mater, on Ocean Victory’s deep expedition team.

The team, which can number 18 on some voyages, mingles the enthusiastic and knowledgeable students with seasoned authorities in a wide range of fields, from geology to whale communications.

There’s even an expedition photographer and an expedition musician.

Waggoner also tapped David Giersdorf, whose family pioneered expedition cruising in Alaska, to help craft the itineraries and shoreside experiences, capitalizing on his vast, decades-long expertise.

Destinations on these 12- or 13-day trips, sailing between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Sitka, Alaska, are Kake and Frederick Sound, Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, Petersburg, the Waterfall Coast (Gut Bay), Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Ketchikan and Metlakatla and Fiordland (Kynoch Inlet) in Canada’s Inside Passage.

Close-up glacier view from a Zodiac — Endicott Arm, Alaska. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

Coming Back Transformed

I spent a few days onboard at the start of the inaugural season (May 2022), and the bar was set high before our first Zodiac adventure, when Expedition Leader Jessika Picinich briefed passengers.

“After a trip, you come back with memories. After an expedition, you come back transformed,” she said.

On a Zodiac with Waggoner and passengers, Caleb, a Cal Poly student, retrieved a long, thick ribbon of bull kelp from the water, tearing off a piece to munch on as he explained this marine algae is a source of nutrients for many species.

Eagle-eyed Caleb, one of the Cal Poly students on the expedition team. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Two professional expedition leaders in our boat included the U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Zodiac captain, who on a very windy day with plenty of waves and spray, adroitly steered closer to harbor seals as they popped their heads out of the water and near stellar sea lions splayed across a sandy islet.

Caleb pointed out Brandt’s cormorants, common murre, guillemots, oystercatchers and Canada geese.

We were not in Alaska but en route, stopping to explore Washington’s Sucia Island Marine State Park. Sucia’s shores are dotted with islands, whose rock is primarily sandstone carved into intriguing curves and formations.

Caleb talked about the flora, including madrones, trees with distinctive orange-red flaky bark.

Capturing a shot from a Zodiac off Sucia Island. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Chilled and damp but exhilarated, I hopped from the Zodiac back aboard Ocean Victory where Hotel Director Bertrand Petyt surprised us with cups of thick, rich hot chocolate. Not Swiss Miss, either, but real gourmet stuff.

And this wasn’t just showing off for Waggoner — it’s the kind of thoughtful touch AQV routinely provides throughout.

And it was the ideal cap to a preview of the adventures that would come in Alaska where the ship’s sea kayaks would be deployed along with the Zodiacs for experiences up close to glaciers, icebergs and wildlife.

Petyt, a luxury cruise veteran — and it showed in the finesse of his team’s many thoughtful touches and service refinements — knew Alaska from previous ships. He said Ocean Victory is different.

It frequents “small places. It’s all about discovery, exploring the wildlife and about learning,” he said, noting one facet of that is bringing Native story-tellers on board.

Ocean Victory doesn’t have a traditional bow but there are plenty of other open-deck spaces for wildliffe viewing and lots of veranda rooms. * Photo: Michel Verdure

The Small But Mighty Ocean Victory

Ocean Victory is perfectly crafted for “encounter” travel.

At 7,400 gross tons, it is small enough to visit really cool places and people, yet large enough to house roomy accommodations, most with verandas, and ample public spaces.

Top deck Jacuzzi and comfy spots for lounging. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

These include a main lounge/lecture theater, an observation lounge with spotting scopes, a library, gift shop, sea-view fitness center, small spa, an outdoor pool with two Jacuzzis and a mudroom for expedition gear.

The sea-view fitness center. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

There’s a main restaurant and a casual bistro.

A cozy corner of the main restaurant. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

A wing of the elegant dining room. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

X-BOW Advantages

The ship’s distinctive inverted bow, Ulstein Design’s patented  X-BOW, is not only eye-catching, it makes for a smoother ride, less vibration and reduced noise.

Check out that X-BOW!. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

This creates a smaller acoustic footprint, according to a scientist who’s part of the Sound Science Research Collective led by Dr. Michelle Fournet, which has a partnership with AQV that sends experts on whale acoustics aboard to enrich the experience.

They drop hydrophones from Zodiacs so passengers can hear the whales, give informative briefings and conduct research that travelers can participate in. The collective is studying the impact that underwater noise from ships has on whales’ ability to hear each other and communicate.

At season’s start, in Vancouver, Rosalind Campbell, councillor of the Musqueam Indian Band, welcomed Ocean Victory and its travelers to her people’s ancestral lands. She said she’d never cruised before but was tempted by this vessel.

And Kathy deLisser, regional vice president – Canada for Ceres Terminals, called Ocean Victory one of Vancouver’s “coolest” ships.

“This ship represents the latest and greatest in sustainability,” added Carmen Ortega, trade development manager, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, who singled out Ocean Victory’s use of cleaner fuel and its X-BOW.

Ortega’s especially pleased about the quiet since for several years the port authority’s Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program has encouraged ships to voluntarily slow down to reduce noise in key feeding areas for southern resident killer whales.

RELATED: Read our expert tips for spotting whales and knowing what you’re seeing.

John Waggoner’s Favorite Perch

Ocean Victory carries 18 Zodiacs, sea kayaks and other exploration tools. The spacious main lounge/expedition lecture theater is fronted by large flat screens, with smaller ones positioned throughout.

A lecture on whale soundings in Ocean Victory’s main lounge with its many flat-screens. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Steps away are two viewing platforms, one on each side of the ship.

These are key since Ocean Victory doesn’t have an observation bow. Because the platforms are directly over the water, they afford stunning views.

They are Waggoner’s favorite perch. “When you get near a pod of killer whales or dolphins, you are right over the water,” he said.

John Waggoner with a whale expert on one of Ocean Victory’s retractable observation platforms — his favorite perch on the ship. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Locally Sourced Specialties

When it comes to dining, the noted American chef Regina Charboneau, AQV’s culinary ambassador, is just one reason why the food is so good.

In Alaska, fresh seafood is abundantly available and served onboard.

David Kelly, executive vice president, AQV, ensures salmon, king crab and other delicacies are featured when available.

A king crab boil may be held on the top deck where there’s indoor-outdoor seating at the bistro with its big, drop-down windows that can be opened in fine weather. This casual venue typically serves a menu similar to the main dining room and has an evening prime rib carving station.

Alternative dining high on Deck 8 in the Panorama Restaurant. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

Drop-down windows in the top-deck Panorama Restaurant. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

There may be two or three nights of special deck barbecue events per voyage.

But the main dining room, though elegant, is casual, too — as suits expedition cruising.

However, passengers get elevated service there and throughout, consistent with the AQV experience on the lakes and rivers “so what we’re known for resonates across all seven vessels,” Kelly said.

David Kelly calls Ocean Victory “an elegant expedition experience.” * Photo: American Queen Voyages

(The company also operates the American Queen, American Duchess, American Empress and American Countess riverboats and coastal vessels Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator.)

RELATED: Enjoy Writer Karl Zimmermann’s review of American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Voyager on the Great Lakes.

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An Elegant Expedition Experience aboard Ocean Victory

This is an “elegant expedition experience,” Kelly said, unlike the family-style dining on some expedition ships.

When there’s a buffet at lunch, the chef is out front, preparing a special made-to-order pasta. Waiters assist, carrying plates to the table.

The chef’s daily pasta station. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Hotel Director Betrand Petyt with afternoon snacks. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Passengers dine well. Here, grilled lobster tail, but fresh Alaska seafood is more commonly served onboard. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

Accompanying cocktails, the hors d’oeuvres and canapes are a step above, such as scallops or melon and Parma ham with little vials of injectable sauce. I loved the always-available coffee, tea, cookies and fresh fruit station in the main lounge/lecture theater.

Besides a hot drink when alighting from a chilly Zodiac trek, there are hot face towels, and “Having the hotel director there or the captain or the expedition director to greet guests back is key,” Kelly said.

One of his favorite luxurious touches is the heated bathroom floor in all accommodations.

My bathroom, with heated floor, a standard feature in all Ocean Victory accommodations. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

But this is not a formal ship, with no formal attire required. “If you been out on a Zodiac all day and you’re cold and wet, we want you to come home, get showered and go to dinner comfortably,” Kelly said. “If you meet people on a Zodiac, you can join them for dinner. The venues lend themselves to being social and having a good time.”

Well-Thought-Out Accommodations

During my short shakedown trip, I snagged one of the nicest suites onboard, suite #703, up top near the bridge. But everyone I talked to seemed pleased with their accommodations and the ones I saw were similar in style to mine, if not as spacious.

It was a proper suite, two rooms: a living area with sofa, a large flat-screen television and a refrigerated mini-bar, and a bedroom with a desk and a walk-in closet with two hanging racks, deep drawers, safe and bathrobes.

The bathroom, with shower only, had the standard heated floor, especially nice when coming in from outdoors with cold, wet feet.

My suitcase in 703, home sweet home — for a few days, anyway! * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Anne’s abode — Suite 703, a deluxe suite with private veranda high on Deck 7 next to the bridge. * Photo: American Queen Voyages

Seated at the desk in the bedroom beside sliding glass doors onto a huge veranda, I really appreciated how comfortably and thoughtfully designed that suite was.

The desk was the right height for writing and had good lighting and plenty of outlets and USB ports.

Plenty of well-placed outlets and USB ports for convenient charging. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

There were lots of hooks on the walls, great for hanging damp expedition gear (boots and things can be stored in the mudroom’s lockers), and ample shelves and cabinets.

The blue, gray, silver and white color palette was just right for expedition cruising, and large prints of nature scenes graced the walls.

My suite was quiet, with no vibration to rattle doors or glasses on the table.

The veranda, furnished with three chairs and a small table, was large enough to host a small whale-watching party. I frequently stepped outside to soak in the views.

2023 Ocean Victory Schedule

Ocean Victory returns to Alaska in 2023 with two itineraries: Sitka to Vancouver, 13 days and 12 ports (with fares starting at $4,199), and Vancouver to Sitka, 12 days and 11 ports (fares from $3,699).

American Queen Voyages’ Mike Hicks on the top deck with Ocean Victory alongside at Vancouver’s Canada Place. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

The season stretches from early May through September.

These cruises book well ahead. It’s not too soon to start thinking about an Alaska trip in 2023, when a very strong season is forecast by all lines.

If I were going, I’d choose a small expedition ship for the best, most authentic and educational experience, away from the crowds of the big-ship ports.

And Ocean Victory, with its great facilities, many creature comforts and, most important, environmental and enrichment aspects, fits the bill.

Interested in this Cruise?

Here’s booking info for American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Victory in Alaska in 2023.

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