A Victorian Getaway

The LifeBalance Program’s Marketing & Communications Director, Nicole Birch, recently took advantage of savings with Clipper Vacations and Hotel Storm to take a trip to Victoria, BC! We asked her about her experience.

LBP: Why did you choose these vendors?

NB: I was introduced to Clipper Vacations when I started working with LifeBalance over 10 years ago, and I have been wanting to try one of their cruises ever since! My boyfriend, Andy, and I love exploring new places, and a cruise out of Seattle to beautiful Victoria sounded like a blast.

We decided to stay for a long weekend in Victoria. I’d been hearing great things from my colleagues and our members about booking through Hotel Storm. Sure enough, using Hotel Storm, I was able to afford a room at the Hotel Grand Pacific. We saved over $100 on our stay there!

LBP: What were the highlights of your trip?

NB: The whole trip was a blast and it’s tough to pick a few things, so I’ll break it up a bit:

First, the cruise: The Clipper Cruise was so much fun! We started in downtown Seattle at Pier 69, where passengers board the Clipper. Check in was smooth; great signage at the pier and the helpful Clipper staff made it clear where to go and what to do.  

As we boarded, I was immediately impressed with the vessel! It felt new, clean, and spacious. Whether sitting on the lower deck in economy class, or on the upper deck in Vista or Comfort Class, it felt like passengers had plenty of space. Seats provided good legroom, everyone had access to tables, and all passengers could take advantage of luggage storage bins to free up space around their seats. And with the vessel’s large windows, it seemed everyone could get a view of the Sound as we cruised.

We had the luxury of sitting in Comfort Class, which is on the upper deck, towards the bow of the boat. The views were incredible, and the complimentary snacks, coffee, water, and soda were a great touch! The Clipper also offers a variety of snacks and meals for purchase, as well as a full range of beverage options.

There were some bumps on the way to Victoria, but Clipper was well prepared! The Captain did a great job of communicating weather/water conditions and expectations for the journey. For those who may get a little queasy on the water, Clipper is fully stocked with tablets, drinks, and even edible bars that can combat seasickness.

The return trip was especially lovely. We enjoyed smooth water, sunny skies, amazing views of the Olympic Mountains, and even a few whale and seal sightings. We spent much of it on the boat’s stern, soaking up the sun and sights.

Hotel Storm and Hotel Grand Pacific: I was so happy we booked with Hotel Storm! With our Hotel Storm savings, I snagged a room at the Hotel Grand Pacific, which is situated right on the harbor, next to the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.

The Grand Pacific is an amazing hotel. It’s lovely inside and out, centrally located, and offers great rooms and amenities — the pool, steam room, and sauna were particularly nice, and a welcome treat after hours of walking and hiking!

Victoria: Victoria is just as beautiful as we were told it would be! The city is characterized by its historic architecture, charming harbor, and as they’ll tell you on the Clipper, thousands and thousands of flowers! The entire city, from sidewalks to government buildings to restaurant patios, is decked out in blooms.

Victoria is very walkable, and we explored it all on foot. We took in the historic government buildings and inner harbor, shopped downtown, strolled through Fisherman’s Wharf, and walked to Ogden Point Breakwater, where we enjoyed views of the Olympics and watched the evening Clipper Cruise come in.

We’d planned to visit The Butchart Gardens, but at the last minute decided instead to rent a car for a day and head out for a hike at East Sooke Regional Park. The hike was unforgettable! We trekked along the rugged but incredibly scenic Coast Trail, which weaves in and out of serene forests as it follows the coastline. In addition to stunning views of the Sound and Olympic Mountains, we saw whales, eagles, hawks, seals, and a few ancient petroglyphs.

Lastly, Victoria has a great dining scene, with, of course, plenty of seafood options. I think my favorite meal was the afternoon happy hour at Ferris’s Oyster Bar. It’s tough to beat a “buck-a-shuck oysters” special!

LBP: What recommendations or tips do you have for readers who might want to take this same trip to Victoria?

NB: Regarding the Clipper:

• Arrive for boarding at least an hour early. The check in line moves quickly, but can be long. You select your seating section when purchasing, but individual seats are first-come, first-serve. Getting there early means you’ll have a better chance of choosing the seats you want.
• You don’t have to pay for or check bags if they’re carry-on size, so if you can pack light, you’ll save a few bucks!
• If you’re in a hurry to board and haven’t had breakfast, don’t stress about food or coffee! The Clipper has a nice selection of food and beverages on the boat.
• We also didn’t realize we could go out on the stern (weather/water conditions permitting) until about halfway through the return cruise! If the weather is good, step outside!
• Keep an eye out for whales!

For Victoria, in general:

• If, like many visitors, your trip to Victoria will consist of exploring the city itself and visiting the Buchart Gardens, you can skip the car rental. The city is so walkable, and if you can, it’s great to explore it on foot. Clipper and other companies can take you to the Gardens and back, and we heard the BC Transit system is great for getting around town if you need it.
• If you’re renting a car, definitely book in advance through one of LifeBalance rental car partners! The rental shops were slammed, and we only ended up getting a car at the last minute because someone cancelled a reservation.
• There were lots of high end restaurants around the harbor, but if you’re looking for something more affordable or family-friendly, Fisherman’s Wharf seemed like a great place to grab a bite! Market Square also has some tasty casual dining options with a fun ambiance.