Celebrate Canada Day Cruising Toronto Harbour with Mariposa Cruises or Join Gananoque Boat Line to Explore the Spectacular 1000 Islands
Toronto, June 25, 2020 – Hornblower Cruises and Events is resuming its Canadian operations from Wednesday, July 1, in time for those looking to take to the water to celebrate Canada Day! While guests can still expect the same high standards and welcoming service, the company is adapting experiences aboard Mariposa Cruises by Hornblower and Gananoque Boat Line by Hornblower to reflect the need for social distance, alongside elevated health and hygiene practices. And with spaces spread on outer decks only, Hornblower’s fleet of luxurious vessels offer expansive decks, providing plentiful space and fresh air. There is more than enough room on board for everyone to stay safely apart.
Keeping Everyone Safe Onboard
To provide reassurance in the current pandemic environment, the company has expanded its industry defining SafeCruise by Hornblower program, building on already stringent sanitation processes, to incorporate further health-driven measures to guard against the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. These include, but are not limited to:
- Mandatory daily crew member health screening, and wearing of appropriate PPE
- Revising boarding and ticketing procedures to allow for social distancing and touchless entry
- Requiring guests to wear face masks while cruising, except while eating and drinking
- Reducing the number of guests on board, and adapting all seating and table spacing to allow for a minimum 6-foot distance between guests while they cruise
- Implementing enhanced sanitation and disinfection procedures, with hand sanitizing stations available throughout
Cruising Toronto Harbour
Mariposa Cruises by Hornblower, a Toronto Attraction since 1987, is reintroducing harbour and cocktail cruises gliding along the city’s historic waterways to coincide with those looking for ideas to celebrate Canada Day on the water. Whether you’re a native Torontonian, newcomer, or just visiting, a Mariposa cruise is the perfect outing. Expect stunning views of Toronto’s iconic skyline from the spacious open-air decks while sipping your preferred tipple!
Available July 1 & 2, and every Friday through Sunday, the 90-minute Sip & Sail Cocktail Cruise is a fun alternative for small social gatherings while listening to atmospheric background music and soaking up the bright lights of the city. It is perfectly timed for those looking to wind down after a busy day with cocktail in hand! A range of refreshments and delicious appetizers are available for purchase on board. To reflect current requirements, guests will remain seated and be served at their table. Prices start at $34.95.
The popular Harbour Cruise is an ideal afternoon activity for all ages and run twice-daily over the weekend, and during the Canada Day holiday too. Prices start from $26.95 (children’s rates from $20.95) for the 45-minute excursion.
When Stage 3 reopening is announced in Toronto, Mariposa plans to reintroduce its signature Brunch, Lunch and Dinner Cruises on selected dates Friday through Sunday. Featuring delicious cuisine complemented by a sophisticated selection of award-winning wines, craft beers and specialty cocktails, prices start from *$64.90 (brunch), *$62.90 (lunch), *$94.90 (dinner) and include a multi-course menu of freshly prepared entrees, salads and desserts.
Cruises depart from Pier 6, 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto. For more information visit
www.hornblower.com [https://www.hornblower.com/toronto] or call 866-627-7672.
Exploring the 1000 Islands
The beautiful 1000 Islands are just a few hour’s drive and a world away from the cosmopolitan environs of Ottawa and Toronto. From July 1, Gananoque Boat Line by Hornblower –the largest and oldest cruise company in the 1000 Islands – is operating cruise experiences from its quaint harbor for those looking to take in the endless shorelines of Canada’s most spectacular region.
On the hour-long Original Heart of the 1000 Islands Cruise guests can expect up-close views of the lush shoreline lined with historic cottages and summer homes as you sail through the narrow channels of the Admiralty and Navy group of islands in the most intimate tour the 1000 Islands has to offer. Prices from $26.35 (Child ages 6-12 from $17.13, ages 5 under free)
Alternatively, the Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands Attraction Cruise follows a leisurely route along the St Lawrence River taking in views of Boldt Castle, the St. Lawrence Seaway along with side-scan sonar images for a fascinating sail past the area’s notable landmarks above and below the surface. The 2.5-hour cruise operates twice daily and costs from $37.16.
The perfect anecdote for those looking to wind down after a busy week, the Sunset Dinner Cruise promises the ever-changing backdrop of the Islands while you dine. Planned to start July 17 (pending Ontario moving to Phase 3 of its reopening plan), the two-hour cruise will operate every Friday through to September 4, includes a delicious three course plated menu. Prices from $54.95.
Cruises depart from Gananoque Port, 280 Main Street, Gananoque. For more information visit www.ganboatline.com [https://ganboatline.com/] or call 888-717-4837.
Hornblower plans to gradually increase its Canadian offerings throughout the summer, subject to demand. Toronto and Gananoque are the company’s most recent North American locations to open, joining Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Marina del Rey, Newport Beach, Norfolk, Sacramento, San Diego and Washington DC Metro.
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About SafeCruise by Hornblower
Established over 25 years ago, SafeCruise by Hornblower delivers industry-defining standards for health, safety and security across the Hornblower Group of companies. Continuously improving, the program follows the most up to date government and industry guidelines and applies decades-long operational expertise to ensure a safe environment for guests and crew members, while maintaining Hornblower’s excellent record of safety. www.hornblower.com/safecruise
About Hornblower Cruises and Events
Hornblower Cruises and Events, North America’s largest and leading provider of water-based dining, sightseeing, private charter and transportation experiences. 22 coveted destinations are offered in the US, Canada and the UK, where the company employs over 4,300 shipmates who operate a fleet of 157 vessels serving upwards of 9.8 million guests each year. Hornblower Cruises and Events is a division of Hornblower Group which operates the official ferry boat service to Alcatraz Island, the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Memorial Museum on behalf of the National Park Service as well as the New York NYC Ferry, American Queen Steamboat Company, Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Victory Cruises Lines and HMS Global Maritime. The expansive portfolio reflects almost a century of sector expertise and innovation – from pioneering the earliest river sightseeing tours and dining cruises to developing the revolutionary Hornblower Hybrid, a vessel powered by wind, solar and battery electricity. For more information visit www.hornblower.com