Victory Casino Cruises Halts Operations, Furloughs Staff

Victory Casino Cruises has furloughed staff after its only ship, the Victory I, entered an extended dry dock for scheduled maintenance with no date set for its return to service, according to Florida Today.

The ship's last sailing was a “Bon Voyage Cruise” on September 28, after which it went into dry dock, according to the company. 

An update posted to the company's social media, signed “Captain Tim,” said the extended maintenance period means Victory is temporarily halting operations.

Before the shutdown, the vessel sailed twice daily Tuesday through Sunday on five-hour gaming cruises into international waters, offering more than 600 slot machines and table games. 

The company relocated the ship from Jacksonville to Port Canaveral in 2017. Social media posts from Victory employees indicate the company's entire staff has been furloughed.

Victory Casino Cruises did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the number of employees furloughed or when the ship is expected to resume sailing.

End Of An Era?

Victory Casino Cruises launched its first gambling cruise from Port Canaveral in July 2011, after CEO Lester Bullock partnered with New York investors to relaunch a casino ship there - three earlier gambling-ship operators at the port had each gone bankrupt. 

The company operates as Tynda Holdings LLC, doing business as Victory Casino Cruises. It expanded in 2014 with a second vessel based at Mayport, near Jacksonville, before consolidating back to a single ship, the Victory I, at Port Canaveral in 2017. 

In December 2025, the company said it had welcomed its three-millionth passenger through the Port Canaveral terminal.