Sailing Solo: FRS Clipper from Seattle to Victoria, Canada

I’ve wanted to visit Victoria, British Columbia for more than 5 years now and now I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. This in itself is testament to the great trip that it was.

I booked my trip at the Clipper Vacations website - both ferry and hotel - and in hindsight it was a good decision. It made my planning really simple. Hotel options were available at various price points, and the site also local activities that could be added to the package. This can be really helpful specially if it is your first time visiting. I traveled at the end of November which is effectively low season so a lot of activities that I wanted to do were not available to book on the site.

The FRS Victoria Clipper V is a direct fast ferry from Seattle to Victoria and the 2 1/2-hour ride is both smooth and beautiful. The ferry time slots are great too and you can basically leave early morning visit for lunch & high tea and be back at dinner time.

My solo trip was meant to be a relaxing reading/ writing retreat for 2 days so I wanted the all the comfort and views I could get. I booked Comfort Class which is the upper deck and was able to choose a good seat. Since it was low season most of the upper deck was actually empty so you could sit wherever you wanted.

Seattle’s Pier 69 has clear directions for where to go to check in. The queue wasn’t long (maybe because of it being low season) and the check in process was smooth. We got to board early with the most amazing views of the sunrise over Puget Sound. The seats are comfortable, and the upper deck cabin has a drink counter with free coffee, water bottles, chips and Biscoff. You can also buy sandwiches, baked goods and other drinks.

The ferry set sail on time at 8am and we sailed past Bainbridge, Whidbey, Kitsap peninsula and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Special mention for the crew who were very helpful and accommodating. They came around with maps and with activities that you could book directly from the ferry - they had more options than on the website, I think. I booked a high tea at Pendray Tea House, which turned out to be just what I needed in the afternoon.

We arrived at Victoria before 11am and the immigration at Victoria’s Belleville Terminal moved quickly and was well managed.

The voyage back was equally comfortable. Since it gets dark early, there were no views so I spent the time reading. Seattle skyline views get me every time though - morning or night.

For me sailing the waters of the Sound has always been calming and almost meditative experience and this was no different. The shimmering water dotted with a multitude of islands with spectacular views of the mountains shrouded with clouds.

I love alternate means of travel outside of flights. Ferries and trains being top favorites. You get to see the world go by and it puts you in a contemplative mood (probably just me). If you are planning a trip from Seattle to Victoria, Canada this has to be the most fun, fast and convenient option.

Top Tips:
Book the whole experience - ferry, hotel and activities on the Clipper Vacations website
Arrive early for check-in and immigration.
Look at the seating plan on the website and choose well. Seat ‘A’ is next to the window on the left.