Catalina Island, a popular Southern California destination, has been marketed as a "birthday island" due to a promotion driven by Catalina Express. This promotion offers a free ferry ride to the island on a person's birthday, provided they register in advance through the company's website. In addition to the free transportation, participants receive a ribbon to wear, which is intended to generate birthday wishes from local businesses and individuals throughout the day. The Catalina Express ferry provides round-trip services to Avalon and the Islands, featuring upgraded ride options.
The birthday promotion is not a permanent offer; it has a defined conclusion date. According to the documentation, the promotion is scheduled to end on December 31, 2014. Registration for the free ferry ride opens on March 1st for birthdays that occur after April 30th. This timeline suggests that individuals planning a birthday trip must register within a specific window relative to their birth date.
Beyond the free ferry ride, other businesses on Catalina Island offer birthday-related promotions. Catalina Island Vacation Rentals provides a special offer that includes a 10 percent discount on reservations of two nights or more, along with a bottle of bubbly. This offer is also time-limited, concluding on December 31, 2014. The promotion is positioned as an ideal way to explore the island during a birthday celebration.
Hotel Vista Del Mar presents a "Birthday Special" package for guests celebrating a birthday month. The package includes round-trip boat transportation on the Catalina Express, a complimentary bottle of wine or champagne upon arrival, complimentary birthday balloons set up in the room, and a free gift upon arrival. To qualify, the birthday must fall within the same month as the travel dates, and a valid ID is required. Additional fees apply, and the package must be mentioned at the time of booking. All room reservations must be combined with transportation booked by the hotel. The package is based on double occupancy and cannot be combined with any other offer, package, or applied to existing reservations. Availability is subject to change, and rates and dates may vary with restrictions.
The Catalina Express ferry service is noted for its extensive offerings and options for upgraded rides. The company is described as professionally operated and was selected by the City of Long Beach transportation services to operate the Aqualink summer catamaran rides. This suggests a level of reliability and official endorsement for the ferry service.
For consumers seeking a unique birthday experience, the documentation suggests asking family and friends to treat them to a trip to Catalina Island for their birthday celebration. The ride itself is described as being worth the price of admission, highlighting the overall value of the trip.
Conclusion
Catalina Island offers structured birthday promotions, primarily centered around a free ferry ride from Catalina Express for those who register in advance. The promotion has a specific end date and registration window. Additional birthday month packages are available from local businesses like Hotel Vista Del Mar and Catalina Island Vacation Rentals, offering discounts, gifts, and transportation bundles. These offers require advance planning, registration, and adherence to specific terms and conditions, such as ID verification and booking requirements. Consumers should note the expiration dates of current promotions and the need to book through specific channels to qualify for the benefits.