VANCOUVER — The only boat service that connects downtown Vancouver and Victoria’s Inner Harbour is no more.

V2V Vacations, which sailed daily between Vancouver and Victoria from March and October, has announced that it is ceasing operations after three years, effective immediately.

The premium cruise experience completed its 2019 season last October after achieving double-digit growth in 2019. Last year, it extended its offering to include a variety of Victoria day tours and experiences, and even received a GlobalTrends Marketing Award.

But Julian Wright, General Manager of V2V Vacations, said the decision to close was due to finances.

“Regretfully, the financial prospects remain unsatisfactory to sustain the business, and our continued operation in 2020 is simply not economically viable,” she said. “We are disappointed but also acutely aware of the pressures and challenges that we faced in running such an ambitious venture. Our 242-seat catamaran, the V2V Empress, will be docked in its home port of Victoria.”

Wright went on to thank the company’s team “for their skills, service and commitment,” as well as its partners, suppliers, tourism organizations, harbour authorities and associations for their support over the past three years.

“Lastly, we thank our customers for their patronage, it has been a pleasure hosting you onboard,” she added.

The 242-seat V2V Empress took less than three hours and 30 minutes to sail between the centre of Vancouver and Victoria’s Inner Harbour, providing a more time-efficient alternative to the car ferry that operates from outside both cities. Focused on guest comfort, its onboard experience included Wi-Fi, ergonomic leather seating with USB ports and power outlets at every seat, luggage storage, commentary on local nature and culture, and a 360-degree sundeck. Passengers also enjoyed an onboard menu featuring fresh local foods, B.C. wines and local craft beers.