Tall Ship Cruises and other Toronto Harbour Getaways

• Author: AnneC
• Accommodation: Toronto

Sailing on the Great Lakes has been a tradition for well over a century. Whether you long to enjoy a tall ship cruise, complete with the sound of crisp sails snapping in the wind, or if you prefer to ride aboard a historic paddle steamer or a modern motor yacht, you can do just that. Let’s spend a few minutes enjoying a closer look at some of Toronto‘s best Great Lakes cruises.

Tall Ship Cruises

Straight off the pages of history, the tall ship Kajama is one of Toronto Harbour’s most prized vessels. 165 feet long, and equipped with triple masts bearing taut white sails, this splendid schooner was launched as the Wilfried, in Rendsburg, Germany. From 1930 to 1999, she sailed around the world, visiting exotic ports of call from Spain to Russia. Restored to her original profile by the Great Lakes Schooner Company, the Kajama was one of the boats seen on “The Amazing Race” and is now equipped with a fully stocked bar and is capable of making sail with 225 passengers aboard. Available for private parties, and decked out for dinner cruises and more, this magnificent ship is not to be missed.

The tall ship Empire Sandy is 200 feet long, and is capable of carrying 275 passengers. Also displaying triple masts and pristine white sails, this incredible ship was built at Willington Quay on Tyne in the U.K. in 1943. Operated by Nautical Adventures, the ship makes dinner cruises and takes other regularly scheduled sailing trips, plus she is available for weddings and other special occasions. Nautical Adventures offers other adventures as well – visit their site for more details.

Take a Paddle Steamer Cruise on Board the Trillium

The Trillium is the last of the Great Lakes’ steam operated paddle wheelers, and is another of the vessels operated by the Great Lakes Schooner Company. Capable of accommodating parties of up to 500, she is available for private functions; however, she does make regularly scheduled tours of the harbour. Whether you want to take in a fiery sunset over Humber bay or enjoy the sight of Toronto’s skyline slowly fading into the distance as you relax on deck, this magnificent vessel is a great place from which to bask in scenic surroundings.

Mariposa Cruises

Mariposa Cruises operates a full fleet of vessels, from the Mariposa Belle and the Showboat, a pair of old-fashioned steamers, to the Oriole, which is primarily used for harbour tours. Sleek modern yachts, like the Klancy II and the Rosemary are ideal for adventuring or hosting a corporate event, and larger ships, like the Northern Spirit and the Captain Matthew Flinders offer regular harbour and lake tours.

See lighthouses and admire other vessels passing by as you take the opportunity to get away from it all. Whether you relax inside one of the lounges, or sip a cool beverage from an on-deck vantage point, you’ll find the experience is fantastic. No matter which of these beautiful and well-maintained ships or yachts you choose to embark on, you are certain to enjoy a memorable journey.