FRS Clipper (Victoria Clipper)

[Blue Bus Fan]

What ever happened to Victoria Clipper II? Does anyone have photos of her?

[Kahloke]

May 17, 2021 19:32:42 GMT -8 Blue Bus Fan said:

May 17, 2021 12:43:18 GMT -8 elwharust said:

looks like IV could use some fresh paint

Isn’t Victoria Clipper IV retired?

As far as I know, Clipper IV is retired, which explains her fading paint.  She's still docked at the Clipper terminal in Seattle, so I'm guessing they haven't found a buyer yet.

[avgeekjoe]

David Gudgel, CEO of Clipper Vacations gave a 7:52 long interview on C-FAX about Victoria Clipper's future after about 20 seconds of intro.  Well worth a listen discussing the lack of details on when Seattle-Victoria service will return but "we will be back" complete with a recent drydocking of the vessels, the low probability of vaccine passports and more.  "Toughest time in company history, for sure."

[paulvanb]

This just in!

www.timescolonist.com/news/local/clipper-ferry-to-sail-into-victoria-on-sept-17-for-first-time-since-start-of-pandemic-1.24353227

[avgeekjoe]

From Clipper Navigation:

Seattle to Victoria, BC Fast Ferry and International Travel Packages

UPDATE – August 24, 2021 – Per the Canadian government announcement on August 24th, the Canadian marine border will open for commercial ferry operations into Victoria, BC starting in September. FRS Clipper plans to resume fast ferry service between Seattle, WA and Victoria, BC starting on September 17, 2021. We also plan to begin accepting ferry and hotel package bookings in Victoria starting September 6, 2021. Our Victoria Clipper V fast ferry schedule, fares and available packages in Victoria will be made available to book at that time. Please note that we will not be booking our Seattle, Vancouver or Portland packages at this time. While we are not maintaining a waiting list for Victoria bookings, you are more than welcome to reach out to us on our Contact Us form and we will provide you with email updates from our newsletter. Thank you for the continued support!



All valid travel credits have been extended through April 29, 2022.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions: www.clippervacations.com/contact-us/

IMPORTANT: Please note that all dates and information are subject to change based on shifting circumstances.

Good news, especially with the WSF Anacortes-Sidney run in indefinite limbo at best.

[Blue Bus Fan]

Victoria Clipper has changed their name to FRS Clipper:

www.clippervacations.com

Can we see possibly new livery on the vessels!

[Blue Bus Fan]

Victoria Clipper V has been put into modified livery for FNS Clipper. The thread should be renamed to FNS Clipper Ferries.

[1foot2ships]

Just curious if anybody here has been onboard or has seen the passenger loads since they resumed service.

[avgeekjoe]

No, but FRS Clipper just suspended until Spring of 2022 as per KOMO.  Checked the FRS website and confirms: www.clippervacations.com/

[avgeekjoe]

Sadly FRS Clipper had to cancel due to low ridership.  From CityNews 1130:

CEO David Gudgel says the pandemic has hurt demand and the company has only managed to cover 60 per cent of its operating costs last month.



“We understood when we restarted service that it was going to be a lesser demand environment than what we’ve experienced in our history. That was one of the reason we went to just departures — just four days a week — to focus on that weekend traffic which is historically greater this time of year,” he said.



He adds, “We wanted to be able to put our crews back to work and that was really the first time we had the opportunity to do that starting September 17.”



“What we’ve found is that our demand was not coming close to meeting those operating costs: the crewing costs, the fuel costs, the port fees and such,” he said.

[Barnacle]

Oct 12, 2021 11:31:30 GMT -8 avgeekjoe said:

Sadly FRS Clipper had to cancel due to low ridership.  From CityNews 1130:

CEO David Gudgel says the pandemic has hurt demand and the company has only managed to cover 60 per cent of its operating costs last month.



“We understood when we restarted service that it was going to be a lesser demand environment than what we’ve experienced in our history. That was one of the reason we went to just departures — just four days a week — to focus on that weekend traffic which is historically greater this time of year,” he said.



He adds, “We wanted to be able to put our crews back to work and that was really the first time we had the opportunity to do that starting September 17.”



“What we’ve found is that our demand was not coming close to meeting those operating costs: the crewing costs, the fuel costs, the port fees and such,” he said.

Disappointing but not surprising.  I suspect that WSF wasn't surprised by this either... they decided to wat until Spring as well.

[Blue Bus Fan]

Victoria Clipper is coming back to Victoria starting in April:

vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/victoria-clipper-to-resume-seattle-sailings-in-april-1.5784064

[paulvanb]

Victoria Clipper V arriving as we wait to leave on the Coho. I filmed her entrance and docking in 4k. Odd that she is registered in Cyprus. V2V Princess still sitting like a lump on a log.

[Mv Suquamish]

Why is the IV not in service

[elwharust]

Dec 19, 2022 14:14:23 GMT -8 Mv Suquamish said:

Why is the IV not in service

if you look at page 3 of the thread about half way down you'll find your answer 

[Dane]

I just booked my first Clipper trip. Curious to try it out - was very convenient for my itinerary. Kenmore Air, the alternative I was seriously looking at with their sea place service, was just way to expensive. Conventional flights were very limited and also quite expensive.

I get a 15% discount on the Clipper. Even with that, in the worst seats, I'm in for $250 Canadian and am pretty sure I'll get dinged for a baggage fee when I travel.

[Dane]

Clipper may go on strike Labour Day long weekend: www.timescolonist.com/business/victoria-clipper-workers-set-strike-for-labour-day-weekend-7448621

[paulvanb]

Aug 24, 2023 7:20:32 GMT -8 Dane said:

Clipper may go on strike Labour Day long weekend: www.timescolonist.com/business/victoria-clipper-workers-set-strike-for-labour-day-weekend-7448621

Sounds like another job for Vince Reddy.