8 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Toronto Harbourfront This Summer

Posted on by

Toronto houses one of the longest urban lakefronts in the world!  The Harbourfront area is now a bustling hub within the downtown core. There is so much to do and see we’ve compiled a list of the top eight reasons to visit the Toronto Harbourfront this summer.

1. Toronto Skyline

Toronto boasts one of the most iconic skylines in the world and the best way to experience it is from the water aboard one of our cruise ships!  Whether you cruise during the day or night, the Toronto skyline never looks the same way on any given day and won’t fail to impress!  Mariposa Cruises offers a variety of public cruise programs, including brunch, lunch and dinner cruises as well as a Sip and Sail and special event cruises. Our Scenic Toronto Harbour Tours offer guided narrations in six different languages–English, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin and Japanese– and showcase many sites including the island park lands and waterways, Queens Quay Terminal, Toronto Island Airport, Harbourfront Centre, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, HTO Park, Rogers Centre, Air Canada Centre and the fabled Gibraltar Point Lighthouse to name a few. (more…)

Engaged? Win Your Engagement Photo Shoot Aboard the Yacht Rosemary!

Posted on by

Throughout Toronto’s history,  the view from the water has been a favourite vantage point for photographers to capture images of one the world’s most iconic and ever-changing skylines. During our 31 years of operation, Mariposa Cruises has hosted over three million guests who come to experience the city from the harbour, not to mention countless photo shoots! This season we’re giving a photo session away aboard the yacht Rosemary. So if you recently popped the question and got a “Yes!”, you’re both in luck because you have a chance to win an engagement photo shoot featuring one of the most stunning backdrops in Toronto.  (more…)

Meet The Crew: Executive Chef Andrew Capone

Posted on by
Mariposa Cruises Executive Chef Andrew Capone

Executive Chef Andrew Capone in the kitchen.

Mariposa Cruises is delighted to welcome Andrew Capone as our new Executive Chef. Having previously been part of our culinary team on the Mariposa Belle, Andrew has accumulated an impressive culinary background. We are excited to see how his talent and passion will elevate our food offerings this season. As Executive Chef, Andrew will manage our hospitality cruise operation, leading two (floating) kitchens on The Northern Spirit and The Captain Matthew Flinders to cater for a fleet of six vessels. During the peak summer period, he could prepare up to 3000 meals a day, a logistical and strategic challenge for any Chef.

(more…)

The Northern Spirit is Getting a Major Makeover: A Rundown of what’s to come!

Posted on by

Many have enjoyed the Northern Spirit since it joined our fleet in 1993, as it is a popular choice for corporate groups and weddings. It is best known for its wide-open space, bright large picture windows, and having the largest moving rooftop patio in Toronto!

While we’re grateful for all the wonderful events held on board over the years, it was time to give some love back by upgrading the vessel this winter season! As a team we brainstormed, set our sights high, and began the renovation of a lifetime! While the work is quickly progressing, we thought we would share the exciting news of what is to come!

(more…)

Now Hiring! Rewarding Opportunities in Cruise Hospitality

Posted on by

Welcome to the world of Mariposa Cruises, a truly unique establishment in the hospitality industry! Over the last 30 years our fleet of vessels has hosted over 3 million passengers—from tourists, young students, celebrities and the Stanley cup, to thousands of events ranging from weddings, birthdays, business functions and celebrations! (more…)

Corporate Entertaining: Make it a Nautical Affair!

Posted on by
corporate events toronto

Corporate mixing and mingling aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders

Corporate entertaining blurs the lines between 9-5 client relationships, and provides companies with a competitive advantage among competitors. When thinking about your providers – whether they be your accountant, friendly neighborhood delivery service or financial advisor, who stands out the most? Is it the one who sends you a card at Christmas, calls on your birthday and asks about your weekend? Many will answer yes to all of the above! Relationship building not only strengthens ties with family and friends, it allows you to create a trusting bond with your service providers as well! While small touches go a long way, they’re easily replicated, and quickly become the status quo. Are you looking to maintain your client relationships, or make new ones? Why not try a unique idea to really blow them out of the water? Why not bring them on board a Mariposa Cruise! (more…)

Top 5 Best Things About Toronto Wedding Cruises

Posted on by

A big city like Toronto has no shortage of choices for wedding venues. Couples on the hunt for a city wedding with a beautiful outdoor setting find that wide-open spaces start to become scarce in the downtown core and come at a premium. Consider a Toronto Wedding Cruise. Mariposa Cruises has hosted thousands of nautical nuptials and if the idea of having your day on the water appeals to you, we’ve got five great reasons why you should:

City or Country Wedding: The Best of Both Worlds

(more…)

Intimate or Grand: Pop the Question Away from land!

Posted on by

Marriage proposal aboard The Captain Matthew Flinders

Newly engaged couples can agree that after showcasing their shiny new engagement rings, the first question asked is, “How did s/he propose?!” While people may tire of sharing other stories, an engagement story is truly one of a kind, and never gets old. For some, this is the day they’ve always dreamed about, and the biggest surprise of their lives! Not surprisingly, this leaves most people mounting under pressure once they realize that they want to pop the question, but don’t know how. (more…)

Back from Heddle Marine: The Captain Matthew Flinders is in ship-shape!

Posted on by

Every five years, commercial vessels in Canada must undergo a series of Transport Canada inspections that require vessels to come out of the water. On October 17 at 3:00 am, the Captain Matthew Flinders set sail from Toronto for the Heddle Marine facility in Hamilton .   As an ocean going ship, the Flinders is quite sturdy but at a maximum speed of 8 to 10 knots—the fastest she can sail–the journey took 3- 4 hours.  Among the thousands of Flinders’ notable voyages, it boasts a colorful stint as a casino boat off of West Palm Beach Florida and cruises to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Named after the Australian explorer who was the first to circumnavigate and identify the Australian continent, the Captain Matthew Flinders was built in 1986 in Port Adelaide. The ship joined Mariposa Cruises’ fleet in 1989, making its way from Australia to Toronto, a journey that took four months! (more…)

Get ready for Ugly Christmas Sweater Day!

Posted on by

Christmas, Cocktails and Cruises!

In the past few years, the Ugly Christmas Sweater trend has gone from non-existent to common place. Not only are retired, tattered and worn sweaters found in thrift stores, but they’re now widely available online and in stores, with extravagant additions including light up Christmas trees, wine bottle holders and modern-day slogans.

The industry has soared with the use of social media, having friends battle it out for the most likes, shares and comments. This has led to the ultimate competition of who will find the most sharable, ugly and memorable knit. Will it be you? Mariposa Cruises has made it easy this year by sharing some of our most notable finds

1.Tipsy Elves Women’s Christmas Stocking Tacky Sweater 

Price: $49.95. Can be purchased here

2.Blizzard Bay Men’s Shirtless Santa Ride Ugly Christmas Sweater

(more…)