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Summer in Toronto is an ideal time for a getaway in the middle of the city. Even though I’ve lived in Toronto for more than 20 years, taking a harbour boat cruise is still one of my favourite things to do in Toronto.
And with its fantastic views of the skyline, the beautiful Toronto islands and sparkling Lake Ontario, a harbour cruise offers the best brunch with a view in Toronto.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about booking this popular Toronto buffet brunch cruise.
Mariposa Cruises Fleet of Ships
Note that Mariposa Cruises is now owned by Entertainment Cruises, a US-based sightseeing company that also offers cruises and tours in Niagara Falls (Canada and the US), Europe and Australia.
This means your cruise experience could be different from our experience!
The ship we cruised on for our Sunday brunch was the Captain Matthew Flinders, the flagship of the Mariposa Cruises fleet.
We boarded the ship at the Toronto Harbourfront at 207 Queen’s Quay West, which was really convenient and offered fantastic views of outdoor patios, soaring seabirds, water taxis and Toronto islands from along the boardwalk’s waterfront promenade.
We were glad we arrived a bit early so we could take photos. Boarding began exactly at 11:30 am.
It’s important to note that the specific Mariposa vessel is not confirmed until the brunch cruise date. All vessels are subject to change.
While the Captain Matthew Flinders offers an expansive interior space, each ship has its own special charms. They are all air-conditioned with plenty of outdoor and indoor areas for shade.
Mariposa Cruises also offers smaller vessels such as Showboat, which features a Paddlewheel Steamer design and Oriole, a replica of a Great Lakes Steamship.
These are great options for special events, Toronto harbour cruises, sightseeing cruises and brunch cruises.
Other ships include the bright and spacious modern yachts, Klancy II and wrapping up a $500 million interior renovation, Northern Spirit, one of the two largest passenger ships in Toronto.
Background of Mariposa Cruises and Toronto City Cruises
Under the current ownership, the Hornblower City Cruises is one of the largest hospitality cruise operator in Toronto. Their public cruises include:
- Harbour Brunch Cruise,
- Toronto Harbour Lunch Cruise,
- Toronto Harbour Lunch Cruise
- Sights & Sip Cruise
These Toronto cruises are opportunities for visitors (and locals like us!) to experience Toronto’s beautiful island archipelago, harbour and skyline.
They also offer private charters for weddings, corporate events and other celebrations as well as Holiday Cruises.
Related: For another fun way to celebrate the holidays in Toronto, check out our post on taking a culinary walking tour of Toronto.
Sunday Brunch Menu
Our Brunch Cruise set sail at 12 noon as planned, departing the dock so smoothly we barely noticed we were sailing, until we noticed the buildings disappearing from view.
We had reserved a table by the window ( at an extra cost) so had panoramic views of the skyline as we sailed into Toronto’s inner harbour. The waiter took our orders for VQA Ontario wine from the fully-licensed cash bar.
I was interested in experiencing the new Weekend Brunch menu created by executive chef Andrew Capone formerly of The Drake, Thuet, Harbord Room and other top Toronto restaurants.
While the menu may be different during your cruise, our brunch menu featured:
- appetizers (fresh fruit salads, a fresh daily salad, delicious smoked trout and salmon,
- bakery items such as croissants),
- main courses (a carvery table with AAA beef, self-serve scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, ham, pancakes, French yogurt, cereals)
- dessert buffet featuring a pastry station of chocolate and vanilla cannoli.
It’s also possible to order pre-order Menu Enhancements such as shrimp cocktail and feta bruschetta. The shrimp cocktail features four jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce costs an extra 18.90.
We really enjoyed the cuisine on this weekend brunch. While the selections are fewer than you might get at a weekend buffet brunch at a Toronto hotel, the quality of each of the dishes was very high.
The quinoa salad dotted with bright red peppers featured a refreshing vinaigrette while the smoked trout salad was packed with flavour.
A highlight of the breakfast pastries were the light, crisp and buttery golden croissants, the definition of a perfect croissant.
Another highlight of the buffet was the smoked trout platter featuring a fantastic horseradish cream sauce. We loved it so much we asked Executive Chef Andrew Capone to share the recipe and have posted it on A Taste for Travel for you to make at home.
Get the recipe here: Smoked Trout Platter with Horseradish Cream.
Sightseeing During the Toronto Brunch Cruise
While dining, we cruised through the Toronto inner harbour and into the Toronto island archipelago, a collection of 15 small islands across from downtown Toronto.
With glimpses of flocks of geese and cormorants soaring over the water of Lake Ontario, it felt as though we were cruising through cottage country.
Once we finished enjoying our brunch, there was still time remaining in the 2-hour cruise to go up on deck to enjoy the spectacular 360 degree views of the Toronto skyline and famous islands as we returned to the Toronto harbour.
It was a truly memorable day.
Toronto Harbour Brunch Cruise Prices
Adults: $93.03 CAD
Children (age 4- 12 years): $72.48 CAD
Children 3 and under: FREE!
Toronto Sightseeing Cruise vs a Brunch Cruise: How does a Brunch Cruise compare to a sightseeing cruise? The cost of a sightseeing cruise is $25 CAD and includes a 45 minute cruise.
The brunch cruise is a 2-hour cruise so you get an extra 1.25 hours of sightseeing plus a full brunch for $68 CAD extra per person.
It’s also worth noting that while it’s possible to find cheaper harbour cruises among other operators, some of those ships have no shade and are so crowded, you must remain seated for the entire duration of the cruise.
In my opinion, the Toronto Harbour Brunch Cruise is a much more upscale experience.
Visit the City Cruises Website to book.
Here are some handy travel tips on visiting Toronto and taking a scenic harbour cruise in Toronto:
1. Wear comfortable shoes, take a sweater or jacket and be sure to pack sunscreen and a hat for sun protection.
2. Take the TTC (subway, bus and streetcar network) or Uber to get to the Toronto Harbour. During special events, the harbour area can get very busy.
3. If you do decide to drive, there is a Green P Parking lot across the street from Harbourfront on Queen’s Quay. Boarding takes place at 207 Queen’s Quay West at the intersection of York Street and Queen’s Quay West.
4. Pick up free maps, tourist booklets packed with information and get advice at the Tourism Toronto and Ontario Travel visitor information centres or online.
5. If you’re travelling with seniors, children in strollers or persons with disabilities, note that if lake levels are high, the boarding ramps have a very steep incline. There may also be steep stairs on your ship.
6. Look into whether it makes sense to get a CityPASS during your visit to Toronto. One of the biggest advantages of a CityPass is that it allows you to bypass the lineups.
7. The closest hotels to Toronto Harbour are the Westin Harbour Castle and the Radisson Admiral Harbourfront – Radisson Blu Toronto.
Check prices and availability at the Westin Harbour Castle Toronto on Booking.com.
Check prices and availability at the Radisson Admiral Harbourfront – Radisson Blu Toronto on Booking.com
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Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.
View more posts by Michele Peterson Read more
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Lori Sweet
Great article! I have been to Toronto many times but have never taken a cruise. This sounds perfect.
Marlene J
I would take my friend on the Mariposa Cruises Toronto brunch cruise, she is always fun to be around.
M. L.
I’m coming up to Toronto in a few weeks for a vacation, and I can’t think of anything that sounds more lovely or relaxing than to take a Maraposa brunch cruise with my beloved. 🙂
Erin McSweeney
i would love to take my bestie with me …we’re always up for trying new things and we would have so much fun together
Clare O'Brien
I would take my mom to celebrate her finishing chemo!
Orna Soref
I am going to give it to my parents for 60 years wedding aneversery
Vicki Hill
I would love ro take my bf. He is amazing. Is always there for me.
gayle bellemare
I love Toronto & being raised there, not far from the lake, has left me with a love for boating of any type in Toronto Harbour. I’d love to take my long time best friend, who I used to frequently take the Island Ferry with and ride the paddle boats through the Ontario Place channels with, on a brunch cruise through the harbour. This sounds like a wonderful time to spend catching up, something we never seem to do, while seeing the beautiful city we both love,from the water.
Nancy M
I’d love to take my girlfriend to thank her for being such a great pal. She recently moved to Kingston and this, no doubt, would convince her to come back for a visit. And I’ve always wanted to go.
Athena
I’d love to take my Mom!
Jen
I’m not sure who i would bring to be honest. but it would be someone who loves brunch and taking pics of the skyline! I have a few people in mind! Thanks for the chance 🙂
Rianna
This would be so much fun to do with my husband and son
kathleen cripps
I’d take 3 good friends, and have a ball!
KellyPC
I’d take my husband cause hes’ a sweetie!
Freddy
I’d like to take my wife, we just celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary last week!
Christina
I would take my mom
Tierra Gordon
Would love to go for brunch. I’m new to the city and this would be a great way to explore.
Kira K
I would love to brunch with my fiance !
Joanne Careri
This sounds so much fun. I’d love to take my kids
Yeon
I would love to take my mother on a Mariposa Cruises
Pam
I have actually looked at Mariposa cruises before for an outing but wasn’t quite sure. I didn’t know anyone who had been on one.
I would love to go with hubby and have some romance!
Bethann Dekoker
Looks like a wonderful way to see Toronto from a different view- and a relaxing meal on the water!
Sylvia
I would love to take my daughter along on the cruise. I went on a Mariposa cruise about 8 years ago when my mother came from Australia to visit us and it was so much fun that I feel it would be good to go on the cruise with my daughter this time around & enjoy.
nicoleroannef
I would love to take my partner. It’s lovely to see the city from a new perspective, never done a brunch cruise before.
Jolie
Would love to take my hubby 🙂
Orna Soref
I did not decide because I love every one of my family proably we have a game & the game who will join with me. Is it possible that some of the guest will buy tickets?
M
I would love to take my mom to enjoy the Toronto harbour/view
Vanessa Logan
I would love to go with my husband as a nice date!
YIHsuan Lu
The brunch sounds delicious, plus I love cruise, who doesn’t
Colette
This looks fantastic! I would love a date brunch with my boyfriend!
Grace Chen
I have been visit Toronto few times, never heard about the offshore cruise, the information is very helpful, it’s worth to pay a visit.
Laurence Price
I would love to take my mother. She has supported all of my choices and has been there for me from the beginning. It’s great to have someone encourage and support me through the good times and the bad. She’s a great person and a fantastic mother and does so much for everyone. I am proud to acknowledge that.
Nancy W.
This looks amazing! I would love to take my best friend for her birthday 🙂
Pamela Fontaine
I’d love to go on this cruise with my husband! Looks like a lot of fun!
409cope
I would love to take my hubby as we do everything together.
Eliz T
I would bring my fiance (we’re recently engaged!) with me, we work opposite schedules during the week, but Sundays are our golden days where we both don’t work!
Tiffany Rotulo
I would love to take my husband. We never do anything together anymore and it sounds like a lot of fun.
Ruth Dunlop
I would love to win this and take my husband and kids. They deserve this beautiful event !!!
Surinder gurm
My spouse he loves being out on the water
John Mc
I would love this cruise for two reasons; one is I love food and the menu sounds tasty and two, I’ve never been on a cruise of the Lake and I’ve lived here my entire life.
Linda Svarovsky
I would take my spouse as he would love a break
Cassandra Kazlovskis
I would take my husband – Date night!
Nina Pagniello
This would be perfect. I have family coming from Europe and I would love to show them the Toronto skyline and enjoy a lovely brunch!!
Manuel Vizcaya
I would like to take my dad on a brunch cruise because he is so good to me.
Melonie Borhi
My son because hes never been to Toronto before.
sara kirkham
my Daughter, because I hardly see her
cassandra
My fiance of course – to spend some quality time together with a view of the city we have never experienced before!
SHARON TRAVIS
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE MY HUSBAND ON A ROMANTIC CRUISE
Leanne
I would love to take my fiancé on a mariposa brunch cruise . Been a while since we’ve gone on a date .
Margaret Palmer
My husband would enjoy this.
Robert Pape
I would let my daughter take a french exchange student that is here over the summer.
jason kinnin
Would take my mom
Tracey
I have never been on Mariposa Cruises Brunch cruise. It sounds wonderful! I would love to take my sister.
Nicole Jubleew
I would love to take my best friend for a much needed girls days out.
Pasquale Capo
Please enter me in the contest, I would love to find out which boat out of six I would end up on. The Capt Matthew Flinders looks impressive. Thanks for the tips re shade and being able to sit down. As a senior–or bringing seniors as guests–that’s need to know info!
Mario Capo
Amazing photos! I would love to bring a friend on a Mariposa brunch and try to get some great photos of Toronto from the water.
Eita
would love to bring my brunch crew!
SOJUNG YOO
I would love to take Mariposa Cruises Brunch cruise because I’ve never been on and me and my boyfriend recently had a anniversary and this would be just perfect way to celebrate. I think it’s a wonderful way to check out toronto.
SOJUNG YOO
Would loveee to bring my boyfriend <3 We just had our anniversary recently and this would be cherry on top 🙂
Donna Janke
Mariposa Cruises look a good idea for my next visit to Toronto. Great views of the city and Toronto Island as well as delicious-looking food.
Doreen Pendgracs
Thx for this post, Michele. We enjoyed one of these Sunset Cruises during a Toronto conference once and our group really enjoyed it. Thx for reminding me about the experience.