What Clipper Vacations does

Clipper Vacations, operating under the brand FRS Clipper, is a Seattle-based passenger ferry and vacation package operator founded in 1986 by Washington entrepreneur Merideth Tall. The company was acquired by global ferry operator FRS (FRS Ferries Worldwide) in 2016 and rebranded to FRS Clipper in 2020. Its flagship asset is the Victoria Clipper V, a 167-foot high-speed catamaran with waterjet propulsion capable of 36 knots and 540-passenger capacity, operating the only direct high-speed passenger ferry route between downtown Seattle (Pier 69) and downtown Victoria, BC (Inner Harbour Steamship Terminal) with one daily year-round round-trip. The company also operates the Emerald Clipper, a 103-foot whale watching vessel launched in Spring 2026 carrying 150 passengers.

The core business model is direct-to-consumer sale of ferry tickets and bundled vacation packages that combine ferry transportation with hotel accommodations and attractions such as The Butchart Gardens, Fairmont Empress afternoon tea, Royal BC Museum visits, Malahat Skywalk, and whale watching tours operated by partner Eagle Wing Tours. Pricing spans six seating classes (Economy Standard/Panoramic, Vista Standard/Panoramic, Comfort Standard/VIP) on the ferry, with packages ranging from approximately $227 for day trips to $643 for the Classic Victoria 2-Night Package, plus ancillary fees for luggage, bicycles, pets, and onboard duty-free retail. Channel partners include Hotel Grand Pacific and The Fairmont Empress as flagship hotel partners, Kenmore Air for multimodal Sea & Sky packages, and a Taproot Travel Co. partnership for Indigenous-led cultural tours. Distribution is primarily via the booking.clippervacations.com website, toll-free phone reservations, a dedicated group travel sales team for parties of 10+, and a ShareASale affiliate program.

The company serves individual leisure travelers, families, groups of 10+, and adventure/nature enthusiasts, with a horizontal segmentation approach. Its operating geographies are the United States (Seattle, WA) and Canada (Victoria, BC), supported by wholly-owned subsidiaries Clipper Navigation Ltd. (Canadian operations), San Juan Express, Inc., and Mosquito Fleet, LLC. Certifications include Green Marine environmental certification and ASTA membership, and the company received a National Award for Excellence in Safety in 2024. Clipper Navigation, Inc. is the primary U.S. operating entity, and the company is privately held with 101-250 employees.

Name

Clipper Vacations

Legal name

Clipper Navigation, Inc.

Website

https://clippervacations.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Clipper Vacations (FRS Clipper) is a Seattle-based, privately held ferry and vacation package operator running the only direct high-speed catamaran service between Seattle and Victoria, BC, serving leisure travelers, families, and groups with bundled ferry, hotel, and tour packages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger Ferry & Vacation Travel Services

NAICS

Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

High-Speed Passenger Ferries (THAIAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Passenger Catamaran Operators (TLAFALAE), High-Speed Catamaran & Fast Ferry Services (THAEAGAD), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

Keywords

• Passenger ferry service
• Vacation packages
• High-speed catamaran
• Whale watching tours
• Pacific Northwest travel

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Passenger Ferry Transportation: Ticket sales for high-speed catamaran ferry service between Seattle (Pier 69) and Victoria, BC (Steamship Terminal). Revenue generated per passenger per leg of travel across multiple seating classes (Economy Standard/Panoramic, Vista Standard/Panoramic, Comfort Standard/VIP).
2. Vacation Package Bundles: Bundled packages combining ferry transportation, hotel accommodations, and activities/tours. Revenue generated per person with pricing based on double occupancy. Includes Victoria packages (overnight and multi-night), Seattle packages, and Vancouver packages.
3. Ancillary Services: Checked luggage fees ($20 USD / $25 CAD per bag per leg), bicycle handling fees ($30 each way), pet fees ($30 each way), luggage storage ($10 USD Seattle / $15 CAD Victoria), musical instrument transport.
4. Onboard Retail and Duty-Free: Locally sourced food, spirits, and beverages available for purchase. Duty-free liquor and cigarettes on international sailings. Gift shop with clothing and souvenirs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Clipper Vacations (operated as FRS Clipper) provides high-speed passenger ferry service between Seattle, WA (Pier 69) and Victoria, BC (Inner Harbour) aboard the Victoria Clipper V catamaran, plus bundled vacation packages combining ferry transportation with hotel accommodations and activities such as Butchart Gardens, Fairmont Empress tea, and whale watching tours.

Product overview

Clipper Vacations (operated by FRS Clipper) is a travel package and ferry service company offering high-speed passenger ferry transportation between Seattle, WA and Victoria, BC via the Victoria Clipper V catamaran, plus comprehensive vacation packages bundling ferry travel with hotel accommodations, tours, and activities. The core product is the Victoria Clipper V fast ferry service (operating year-round, approximately 3-hour crossings), supplemented by the Emerald Clipper whale watching vessel. Package offerings include overnight stays, day trips, and extended multi-night vacations incorporating attractions such as The Butchart Gardens, Fairmont Empress afternoon tea, Royal BC Museum, Malahat Skywalk, and whale watching tours. The company also offers group travel services, gift cards, and an affiliate program. Services are primarily sold directly to consumers through the website and call center, with partnerships with Victoria and Seattle hotel properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Victoria Clipper V Fast Ferry High-speed catamaran providing year-round passenger ferry service between Seattle, WA and Victoria, BC in approximately 3 hours, carrying 540 passengers with three classes of service (Economy, Vista, Comfort).
• Emerald Clipper Whale Watching Vessel 103-foot vessel for Seattle wildlife and whale watching tours, carrying 150 passengers with speeds up to 32 knots, featuring two viewing decks and floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Seattle to Victoria Overnight Package Ferry and hotel package combining round-trip Victoria Clipper V transportation with overnight accommodation in Victoria, BC hotels, starting from $265 per person.
• Victoria Day Trips Day trip packages from Seattle to Victoria including ferry transportation and activities such as Butchart Gardens visits, Malahat Skywalk tours, and Royal BC Museum visits.
• Butchart Gardens Package Overnight or day trip packages combining ferry travel with admission to The Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre world-renowned garden attraction in Victoria, BC.
• Tea at the Fairmont Empress Package Overnight package including ferry travel and traditional afternoon tea service at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, a Victoria tradition since 1908.
• Royal BC Museum Package Overnight package combining ferry travel with admission to the Royal British Columbia Museum featuring exhibits on BC's natural history and culture.
• Malahat Skywalk Tour Package Overnight package including ferry travel and shuttle to Malahat Skywalk attraction featuring a 10-story spiral tower and elevated walkway through west coast forest.
• Victoria Whale Watching Package Overnight package combining ferry travel with whale watching tour through the Salish Sea operated by Eagle Wing Tours.
• Cowichan Wine Country Tour Package Overnight package including ferry travel and guided wine tasting tour of three Cowichan Valley boutique wineries on Vancouver Island.
• Sea & Sky Overnight Package Multi-modal package combining Kenmore Air seaplane flight and Victoria Clipper ferry between Seattle and Victoria for scenic Pacific Northwest experience.
• Classic Victoria 2-Night Package Extended package combining Butchart Gardens visit and afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress with 2-night hotel stay in Victoria.
• BC CrabFest Day Trip Day trip package to Victoria for BC CrabFest harbor celebration featuring Dungeness crab, live music, and chef demonstrations.
• Seattle Hotel Packages Overnight packages from Victoria to Seattle including ferry transportation and hotel accommodation in Seattle partner hotels.
• Vancouver Vacation Packages Multi-destination packages combining ferry travel between Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver with helicopter flights, seaplane flights, and BC Ferries connections.
• Group Travel Services Group booking services for organizations of 10 or more travelers including priority boarding and customized itinerary planning.
• FRS Clipper Gift Cards FRS Clipper gift cards available for travel to Victoria, Seattle, Vancouver, or Portland destinations.
• First Stories of the Salish Sea Indigenous Cultural Tours Indigenous-led whale watching experience aboard the Emerald Clipper featuring local Indigenous stories, traditional tea and bites from Native entrepreneurs, and wildlife viewing in the Salish Sea.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8+ million guests served since 1986
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Seattle MarinersflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner of Seattle Mariners for 2026 season. Partnership includes promotional activities and cross-marketing to baseball fans and Seattle travelers.
• Green MarinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRS Clipper is a proud participant of Green Marine, a voluntary environmental certification program addressing greenhouse gases, air emissions, spill prevention, waste management, environmental leadership, and community impacts.
• Taproot Travel Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous-led whale watching tour partnership creating First Stories of the Salish Sea experience. Tour includes local Indigenous stories, traditional tea and bites from Native entrepreneurs.
• Hotel Grand PacificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier hotel partner in Victoria offering 304 rooms on Inner Harbour. FRS Clipper guests receive $25 CAD dinner credit at Fathom restaurant. Walking distance from terminal.
• The Fairmont EmpressflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIconic Victoria hotel featured prominently in packages. Traditional afternoon tea service since 1908, offering 21 loose leaf teas. Major attraction for package tourists.
• The Butchart GardensflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld-renowned 55-acre garden attraction. Rated among world's most beautiful gardens by USA Today, CNN Travel, Condé Nast. Featured in multiple package offerings including day trips and overnight packages.
• Eagle Wing TourscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier whale watching tour operator in Victoria. Offers high-performance open speed boats and luxury semi-covered catamarans. Included in whale watching vacation packages.
• Kenmore AircoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeaplane operator featured in Sea & Sky packages. Flights between South Lake Union (Seattle) and Victoria (1000 Wharf Street). Combined with Victoria Clipper ferry for dual transportation experience.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Argosy Cruises: Seattle-based operator of harbor cruises, whale watching, and sightseeing boat tours on Puget Sound. Comparable regional peer in the Seattle water-based leisure/excursion market where Clipper's new Emerald Clipper is now competing.
• San Juan Safaris: Washington-based wildlife and whale-watching tour operator in the San Juan Islands, a long-time Clipper whale-watching destination. Comparable regional player in Pacific Northwest marine wildlife tourism.

Broad incumbents

• Stena Line: One of the world's largest privately held ferry operators, running passenger and freight services across Northern Europe. Comparable global ferry operator benchmark for FRS Clipper on scale, route mix, and digital/package distribution.
• Baleària: Spain-headquartered global passenger and vehicle ferry operator with routes across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and West Africa. Closest global analog to Clipper's parent FRS and a peer for international high-speed passenger ferry operations and brand extension.
• BC Ferries: British Columbia's dominant coastal passenger and vehicle ferry operator, serving routes between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. Overlaps with Clipper on Vancouver–Victoria leisure travel and competes for the broader Pacific Northwest passenger ferry market.
• Hornblower Group (City Experiences): Large North American operator of water-based tours, cruises, ferry service, and dining cruises. Broad incumbent in the sightseeing/marine leisure category in which Clipper competes, with a much larger portfolio across multiple cities.

Direct peers

• Kenmore Air: Operates scheduled seaplane service between Seattle's Lake Union and Victoria's Inner Harbour, including bundled 'Sea & Sky' packages with Clipper. Competes for the same time-sensitive Seattle–Victoria traveler with a different (air) mode and is both a direct competitor and a current Clipper package partner.
• Washington State Ferries: Largest ferry operator in the United States, running passenger and vehicle service across Puget Sound including the San Juan Islands. Directly comparable passenger ferry operator in the same Pacific Northwest geography and one of Clipper's reference points for state-scale ferry operations.
• Eagle Wing Tours: Victoria-based whale watching operator (high-performance open boats and luxury semi-covered catamarans) that is both a Clipper package partner and a direct competitor for Salish Sea whale-watching customers coming off the Seattle–Victoria ferry.
• Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho): Operates the MV Coho car and passenger ferry on the same Seattle (Pier 66) to Victoria (Inner Harbour) route. Direct competitor for the only cross-border passenger ferry market Clipper serves, with a different speed/value proposition (vehicle-carrying vs. high-speed passenger-only).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clippervacation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/FRSClipper
• Facebookfacebook.com/clippervacation
• Instagraminstagram.com/frsclipper
• TikToktiktok.com/@frsclipper
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clipper-vacations

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clipper Vacations