Toronto offers a wide variety of cruises and ships.
Toronto, Ontario, situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, is Canada's most populated metropolitan area, a major international trading center, and the home of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Cruises originating in Toronto may travel to any of the Great Lakes or simply around Toronto harbor. Five cruise lines provide floating entertainment beginning in Toronto.
Great Lakes Cruise Company
The Great Lakes ship, the MV Columbus, leaves Toronto and travels through all five Great Lakes before docking in Chicago, Illinois, 14 days later. The MV Columbus was built specifically to fit in the docks that provide passage between the lakes. The ship has a large restaurant capable of seating all guests at one sitting, a lounge, wine bar, library, fitness room, sauna and photo lab. There are 134 cabins with outside access, 63 with inside access, and eight suites.
Mariposa Cruises
Mariposa has six ships based in Toronto, making it the largest cruise operation in Canada. They've been in business for over three decades. They can accommodate from 20 to 575 passengers in tours that stay within Lake Ontario. Mariposa offers one-hour, two-hour and three-hour cruises with meals and narration.
Island Princess Cruises
The Island Princess cruise line consists of one boat and the family that owns and operates it. They've been giving Toronto harbor cruises since 1988, and specialize in dinner cruises with a barbecue flavor. Prices in 2011 started at $30, including a meal cooked on board. The ship can handle 120 passengers, and is 65 feet long and 22 feet wide. The Island Princess operates only in the summertime.
The Salmon Express
The Salmon Express deals in fish, with two large boats fully equipped to hunt for salmon. They fish the waters from Port Credit to Toronto. They provide all the fishing gear, free soft drinks, and an on-board washroom. The crew will clean the fish. The fisherman who hires the Salmon Express will need to bring rain gear, food (unless you request meals), a large cooler for the fish and a lucky charm. The crew can even provide information on taxidermy for fortunate fishermen.
Sailing
Sailing For You cruises has a fleet of two sailing ships that cruise the Toronto harbor and beyond. The ship named What If is a 34-foot sloop with a covered area for eating and staying out of the sun or rain. The 40-foot Carpe Diem II features two hulls, full galley with barbecues, and four double sleeping cabins. The Carpe Diem II has been the site of three marriage proposals. Each young lady accepted.
Tags: Great Lakes, Island Princess, Salmon Express, Toronto harbor, Carpe Diem, cruises with, Lake Ontario
