Clipper, Argosy Cruises in Seattle put together to start out crusing once more

The Clipper announced that it would resume service with crossings to the San Juan Islands and whale watching cruises on May 28. Argosy will resume daily port cruises.

SEATTLE – The Clipper and Argosy cruises are back into service, which is an optimistic sign for the Seattle waterfront, and large cruise lines may not be far away.

The Clipper announced that it will resume service after a 14-month hiatus, with sailing to the San Juan Islands and whale-watching cruises on May 28. Argosy said it will also resume five daily port cruises the same day, with a lock cruise on June 18.

It has been a long and painful ride for the clipper to get to this point.

“It was one of the most difficult times in our history. I’ve been here for 34 years,” said David Gudgel, CEO of Clipper, who had to cut the workforce from 200 to just eight. “We’re pretty excited when we say we’re making smoke and bubbles again.”

The problems with the clipper were related to the health and safety crisis and the ongoing closure of borders. The Victoria Clipper is the be-all and end-all of the business, but it was a victim of the pandemic dynamics. It is viewed as a small vehicle that does not fall into the same category as larger cruise lines.

These ships, which brought 1.2 million people to Seattle in 2019, were also absent during the pandemic. Transport Canada has already signaled that the lucrative Alaska trips will not be allowed in 2021. However, a bill approved by the U.S. Senate and sponsored by Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski would remove a year-long penalty for foreign ships passing through two U.S. ports.

Legislation has sparked optimism in the Seattle Port offices that at least some cruise lines could dock here in July or August this year.

Individual lines also suggest allowing only vaccinated passengers on board or requiring rapid tests from children. According to the port, there were 217 ship stops in Seattle in 2019.

Gudgel said his company even put the idea of ​​a seafarers’ clinic into action, much like the Clipper did in 2004 when flu vaccines were in short supply.

But in the meantime it will be good to sail again.

“We’re pretty excited,” he said.