Media Releases
What's New At Clipper Vacations!
There's no better way to keep informed on what's happening at Clipper Vacations than visiting
the media room. Here you'll find press releases announcing new members of the Clipper
Navigation,
Inc. team, new ships in the Victoria Clipper fleet, the latest specials and promotions,
articles on
community involvement and reminders about upcoming vacation packages, sightseeing tour and
excursions that you won't want to miss! Stay tuned for all the latest news from the folks at
Clipper Vacations.
Links To Current Press Releases
2008 Press Releases05/22/08 - VICTORIA, BC – THE PERFECT “STAYCATION”
01/07/08 - ENJOY A SAN JUAN WHALE WATCHING “STAYCATION”
05/22/08 - AFFORDABLE GETAWAYS TO SEATTLE & VICTORIA, B.C.
04/24/08 - CLIPPER’S TULIP TOURS EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 3RD
03/24/08 - CLIPPER WELCOMES JEFF BOYER
03/24/08 - MICHELLE STEWART JOINS VICTORIA CLIPPER
03/10/08 - CLIPPER'S TULIP TOURS BEGIN APRIL 11
03/10/08 - CLIPPER GETAWAY TO THE YAKIMA VALLEY SPRING BARREL TASTING
01/02/08 - VICTORIA CLIPPER OFFERS A WINTER SPECIAL
01/02/08 - CLIPPER NAVIGATION NAMES A NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
01/02/08 - VICTORIA CLIPPER OFFERS SEATTLE "WINTER SPECIAL"
Archived Press Information
2007 Press Releases2006 Press Releases
2005 Press Releases
2004 Press Releases
2003 Press Releases
VICTORIA, BC – THE PERFECT “STAYCATION”
July 1, 2008
Think you can’t afford to get away this summer, Victoria, BC is only 80 miles and less than 3
hours away from Seattle, via the Victoria Clipper and you don’t need a Passport. Leave your car in
Seattle and hop aboard one of three daily departures from Pier 69. The ride is scenic, relaxing and
arrives in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, near hotels, restaurants and shopping.
If it’s been awhile, you may be surprised with the changes but pleased that the “traditional”
Victoria activities also still exist. This year, take the whole family – there is plenty to do and
see, and kids under 12 are free with a Clipper package.
Some of the most popular activities this summer include: the AdrenaLine Zip Trek Adventure,
whale watching excursions, the Royal BC Museum’s 150 Years – Free Spirit Exhibit, Vancouver Island
Winery and lunch tour via Limo, Andy Warhol Exhibit at the Victoria Art Gallery, Clipper’s tour to
Butchart Gardens including City Highlights, Afternoon Tea, many Spas and golf at a variety of
courses. Some upcoming special August events include the Dragon Boats Races and Symphony Splash.
In July and August, Clipper’s all inclusive overnight packages start at $178 pp/dbl and
include: Roundtrip between Seattle and Victoria via Victoria Clipper, transfers to/from hotel, one
night’s accommodations, breakfast, all taxes, and kids are free. Day trips are also available –
book online for best rates.
For reservations or more information, call 800-888-2535, or visit www.clippervacations.com.
Janis Smith Darrell E. Bryan
Vice President of Sales and Marketing President and CEO
Clipper Navigation, Inc. Clipper Navigation, Inc.
206-443-2560 206-443-2560
jsmith@victoriaclipper.com dbryan@victoriaclipper.com
ENJOY A SAN JUAN WHALE WATCHING “STAYCATION”
July 1, 2008
Enjoy a vacation close to home this summer with a day trip or overnight getaway to the San
Juan Islands. Nothing is more Northwest than Orca Whales in the San Juan Islands and Clipper
Vacations offers a variety of package options. On the Clipper trip, you will learn about the area
and whales, and have fun all at the same time.
The Victoria Clipper III departs every morning from Pier 69, on the downtown Seattle
waterfront. The vessel heads north on a scenic route through Deception Pass and on to Friday
Harbor. On board, passengers can sit back, enjoy breakfast and view the scenery from comfortable
inside seating, or from the open top deck while enjoying the sun and salt air. The transit through
Deception Pass is awe inspiring and a unique experience, as many vessels are too small for the
currents of that passage.
Getting you ready for the upcoming 2.5 hour Whale and Sealife Search excursions, a trained on
board Naturalist will teach passengers about some of the wildlife seen along the way, and all about
the Orca whales; their habits, lives and also rules for whale watching. After a brief stop in
Friday Harbor, you will be out viewing the creatures in their natural habitat. Food, beverages and
rental binoculars are available on board, and there are plenty of outdoor viewing areas for
everyone to enjoy the whales.
Before heading back to Seattle, there will be about 2.5 hours to see the Town of Friday
Harbor and possibly the whale museum. Or, consider staying overnight with a Clipper overnight
package which will allow you time to see more of the Island – American Camp, the Lavender Farm,
Whale Museum and perhaps take a Kayaking trip.
Day trips start at only $65 per adult when booked online, and kids under 12 are free (one per
paying adult). Overnight packages from $199 pp/dbl.
For more details about various “staycations”, or to book a reservation, visit
www.clippervacations.com or call 800-888-2535.
Media
Contact:
Janis
Smith
Darrell E. Bryan
Vice President of Sales and
Marketing
President and CEO
Clipper Navigation,
Inc.
Clipper Navigation, Inc.
206-443-2560
206-443-2560
jsmith@victoriaclipper.com
dbryan@victoriaclipper.com
AFFORDABLE GETAWAYS TO SEATTLE & VICTORIA, B.C.
May 22, 2008
Clipper Vacations is offering a variety getaway packages that will not break the budget. Take
advantage of the California – Washington competition for passenger fares air fare wars to book a
flight to Seattle on United or Alaska Airlines for as little as $200 round trip.
Spend the afternoon and evening seeing the sights of Seattle before departing the following
morning for Victoria, B.C. via the Victoria Clipper. This 2.5 hour cruise will have you in another
country by mid-morning giving you plenty of time to see the famous Butchart Gardens and more,
before enjoying afternoon tea and checking into your hotel for the night. Daily afternoon
departures from Seattle are also available.
If you have time constraints, you can depart for Seattle after a leisurely breakfast, and
return to Seattle in time for your flight home that afternoon. If not, stay longer in Victoria
and/or Seattle – all packages may be customized by adding extra nights, tours and your choice of
hotels.
Three night June packages sell from $216 pp/dbl and include: one night in Seattle, round trip
on Victoria Clipper, continental breakfast, two nights in Victoria, transfers, luggage handling and
all taxes. Compare this value to over $500pp just for the roundtrip UAL flight from San Francisco
to Victoria, and the 40 minute taxi ride costs to downtown Victoria.
Call Clipper Vacations at 800-888-2535 or book online at www.ClipperVacations.com.
Media Contacts: Darrell E. Bryan Janis Smith
President and
CEO Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Clipper
Navigation, Inc. Clipper Navigation, Inc.
206-443-2560
206-443-2560
dbryan@victoriaclipper.com jsmith@victoriaclipper.com
CLIPPER’S TULIP TOURS EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 3RD
April 24, 2008
Due to the cold weather and subsequent late Tulip blooms, Victoria Clipper will be running
one more Tulip Tour. The last tour of the season is scheduled for Saturday, 3 May, 2008. Officials
with the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival expect blooms to last until Mother’s Day this year and have
extended many of the festival activities.
Normally, during April, the fields are alive with acres and acres of red, yellow, purple and
pink tulips; spectacular from a distance, and up close. This year, it is lasting a little longer. “
We have 25 acres of fields planted with 50 varieties of tulips in a rainbow, and we will have about
60 varieties in our indoor flower and garden show. It just can’t get better!” said Jeannette
DeGoede, owner of Tulip Town.
Flower enthusiasts who book this event for a Saturday, 3 May, will travel from Seattle’s Pier
69 via an escorted, deluxe motor coach. Everyone will enjoy a 2.5 hour narrated tour of the Tulip
Fields with stops and admissions at two bulb farms, and plenty of time in the quaint Town of La
Conner for shopping and/or lunch - and still be back to Seattle around dinner time.
If booked 7 days in advance, the price for the entire excursion, including tax, is only $37.
Booking within 7 days, rate is $41 per adult. The price for children ages 11 and under is $25.
Clipper has been an official sponsor of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival since 1991. During
that time, thousands of people have enjoyed taking Clipper Vacations’ one day guided “Tiptoe
through the Tulips” tours to La Conner.
For more information or to make a reservation, please call 206-448-5000 or 800-888-2535 or
visit
www.clippervacations.com.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Clipper Navigation, Inc.
CLIPPER WELCOMES JEFF BOYER
March 24, 2008
Clipper Navigation, Inc., operators and owners of the Victoria Clipper vessels, Clipper Vacations and Destination Services NW is pleased to announce the addition of Jeff C. Boyer as Vice President of Marine Operations. Clipper is based in Seattle, Washington with its administrative offices at Pier 69.
A graduate of the University of Washington, Mr. Boyer has over 25 years experience in the small passenger vessel industry, with the past 18 years being at Lindblad Expeditions. He brings extensive experience in all phases of port and vessel operations to his position at Clipper, and enjoys a positive reputation within the local and international maritime community.
As Vice President of Marine Operations, Jeff will be responsible for recruiting, hiring, training and supervising over 100 vessel crew members. He will work closely with vessel officers and regulatory officials to maintain the Clipper’s high operating standards. Jeff will also oversee onboard guest services as well as vessel and terminal security requirements. Clipper is fortunate to have Jeff Boyer as a new member of their management team.
MICHELLE STEWART JOINS VICTORIA CLIPPER
March 24, 2008
Clipper Navigation, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Stewart to the position of Art Director. Michelle will oversee and manage all creative projects and production for the Victoria Clipper service, Clipper Vacations and Destination Services Northwest.
Michelle brings with her ten years of experience in design and brand management, eight of those years in Seattle with full service advertising agencies. As a Graphic Designer and Art Director, Michelle has previously done concept and design work for clients that include the American Heart Association and the Space Needle.
Michelle is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Advertising and Design. She has received the Northwest Printers Association Award for Best Brochure while working on the NiteHawk Sweepers account. Clipper is fortunate to have Michelle Stewart join the company.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Clipper Navigation, Inc.
CLIPPER'S TULIP TOURS BEGIN APRIL 11
Victoria Clipper is gearing up to run their annual Tulip Tours on April 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20. Clipper has been an official sponsor of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival since 1991. During that time, thousands of people have enjoyed taking Clipper Vacations’ one day guided “Tiptoe through the Tulips” tours to La Conner.
During April, the fields are alive with acres and acres of red, yellow, purple and pink tulips; spectacular from a distance, and up close. Flower enthusiasts who book this event for a Saturday or Sunday will cruise on the Victoria Clipper III one way between Seattle’s Pier 69 and La Conner, and travel the opposite direction via deluxe motorcoach. Either way, everyone will enjoy a 2.5 hour narrated tour of the Tulip Fields with stops at two bulb farms, plenty of time in the quaint Town of La Conner for shopping and/or lunch and still be back to Seattle around dinner time.
For more information or to make a reservation, please call 206-448-5000 or 800-888-2535 or visit www.clippervacations.com.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Clipper Navigation, Inc.
CLIPPER GETAWAY TO THE YAKIMA VALLEY SPRING BARREL TASTING
Join Clipper Excursions for a one day tour to the Yakima Valley for the annual Spring Barrel Tasting. This annual event allows you to be among the first to taste the most recently released wines. A souvenir wine glass will be provided for your use at the wineries, and to keep as a reminder of the trip.
Deluxe motorcoaches will depart in the morning from Pier 69 in Seattle and a Park and Ride in Bellevue on April 26 th. A complimentary breakfast basket will be provided for you to enjoy as the coaches head east over Snoqualmie Pass to the Yakima Valley.
Stops will be made at four different wineries – some large, some small. You can enjoy the arts and entertainment at each, while learning more about wine making, and perhaps sipping new vintages right from the barrel. Enjoy our boxed lunch as you learn more about the process of wine making from your expert wine guide. Following the winery visits, the motorcoach will head back toward Seattle, dropping you at your preferred stop. You will be back to your start point just around sunset.
The cost for this excursion is $79 per person, including tax. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 206-448-5000 or 800-888-2535 from outside the Seattle area or www.clippervacations.com.
VICTORIA CLIPPER OFFERS A WINTER SPECIAL
January 2, 2008
Clipper Vacations is offering a “Winter Special” available only to Washington residents and their guests. It is the perfect opportunity to get away for a couple of days, relax and enjoy the calmness of Victoria this time of year.
Overnight packages including roundtrip on the Victoria Clipper between Seattle and Victoria, transfers between Pier and hotel, breakfast and one night accommodations start at only $72 per person/double occupancy. Make it a romantic getaway, a spa getaway with girlfriends or bring the whole family. Kids under 12 are free with a paying adult.
This “Winter Special” is valid for travel through February and packages are offered at a variety of hotels and inns. Consider Martin Luther King Holiday, Valentine’s Day or President’s long weekend to take advantage of this special offer.
Clipper also offers some add-ons if you would like to enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress, visit the Royal BC Museum or take a Vancouver Island Wine tour with lunch. There is plenty to do in this quaint city.
When you travel on the Victoria Clipper, there are no long waits at the border, and Passports are not required for US Born Citizens (see website for important ID requirement information). For reservations, call 800-888-2535 and ask for the Winter Special.
Janis
Smith
Darrell E. Bryan
Vice President of Sales and
Marketing
President and CEO
Clipper Navigation,
Inc.
Clipper Navigation, Inc.
206-443-2560
206-443-2560
jsmith@victoriaclipper.com
dbryan@victoriaclipper.com
CLIPPER NAVIGATION NAMES A NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
January 2, 2008
Clipper Navigation, Inc., operators and owners of the Victoria Clipper vessels, Clipper Vacations and Destination Services NW has named Darrell E. Bryan, President and CEO.
Mr. Bryan has been with the privately and locally owned company since it began operation in 1986. His contribution and leadership as General Manager and Executive Vice President has allowed the company to grow into not only a major marine transportation provider, but the largest wholesaler of packages in the Pacific Northwest.
Clipper Navigation began as a small company with one vessel providing passenger ferry service between Seattle and Victoria, BC. Currently, the company owns and operates three high speed catamarans, providing transportation to Seattle, Victoria and the San Juan Islands for over 350,000 passengers per year. Additionally, the company sells accommodation packages and sightseeing tours to about 100,000 people per year.
Prior to joining Clipper Navigation, Mr. Bryan spent 13 years with Amtrak, leaving his director position in Washington DC to move back to this area to raise his family.
VICTORIA CLIPPER OFFERS A SEATTLE “WINTER SPECIAL”
January 2, 2008
Clipper Vacations is offering a “Winter Special” available only to Vancouver Island residents and their guests. It is the perfect opportunity to get away for a couple of days, relax and enjoy downtown Seattle’s restaurants, shopping, theatre and of course, the Pike Place Market.
Overnight packages including roundtrip on the Victoria Clipper between Victoria and Seattle, transfers between Pier and hotel and two nights accommodations in a downtown hotel. Packages start at only $132 per person/double occupancy. Make it a romantic getaway, a spa getaway with girlfriends or bring the whole family. Kids under 12 are free with a paying adult.
This “Winter Special” is valid for travel through February and packages are offered at a variety of hotels, and extra nights are available. Take advantage of this limited time offer, and you will have extra money for shopping at the best exchange rate in years, and Clipper will provide discount coupons for Macy’s and for Pacific Place.
Traveling on the Victoria Clipper is easy – no long lines at the border, and Canadian Born Citizens do not need a passport. (Please see website for ID requirements).
For reservations, call 800-888-2535 and ask for the “Winter Special.”
Janis
Smith
Darrell E. Bryan
Vice President of Sales and
Marketing
President and CEO
Clipper Navigation,
Inc.
Clipper Navigation, Inc.
206-443-2560
206-443-2560
jsmith@victoriaclipper.com
dbryan@victoriaclipper.com
