Mariposa remains one of Toronto’s ‘hidden secrets’

GREG COATES

With a fleet of six vessels, Mariposa Cruises – recently acquired by US-based Entertainment Cruises (see story below) – is keeping Toronto Harbour busy, taking visitors and locals alike out on the waters of Lake Ontario for the past 30 years.
The vessels, which include the Captain Matthew Flinders, the newly refurbished Northern Spirit, Oriole, Showboat, Klancy, and Rosemary, range in size and accommodate groups of 20 to 575 passengers.
Cruise experiences range from sightseeing to dining to private events and weddings (Mariposa has hosted more than 35 already this year).
Typically, sailings – departing from Toronto’s Harbour-front Centre – run five times a day from May through September, followed by select cruises in October and December and a special New Year’s Eve event.
Mariposa also offers special 45-minute GPS-guided audio harbour tours featuring narrations in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, and German. The narrations “offer a lively, interactive tour experience with interesting stories about the landmarks, Toronto’s history, culture, island life and development from an industrial port to the metropolis it is today.”
Speaking with Canadian Travel Press, Sue Vivanco, director of sales for Mariposa, said that, while just being out on the water, along with good food and refreshments, are key to any successful cruise, Toronto itself is the real attraction.
“The real draw is the city itself, it’s breathtaking,” she said. “For first-timers, it’s incredible to see.”
Vivanco added that in a city with so much to offer, Mariposa is almost a hidden secret.
“There is so much to do, but we provide options. A lot of people don’t realize this experience is right here in their backyard,” she said.
Mariposa special event cruises (pricing varies) include a Mother’s Day Brunch, Hawaiian Luau Cruise, Thanksgiving Brunch Cruise, 80’s themes, Santa Brunch Cruise, New Year’s Eve Cocktail Cruise and the annual New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Cruise, all featuring specialty menus, live music and entertainment.
(https://mariposacruises.com)