Toronto Cruises - Toronto Boat cruises - Corporate events and Wedding cruises : Plan your event aboard the Obsession III

1. What kind of cruises do you do?
Our four ships provide a variety of cruises: private charters (weddings, corporate functions, proms, bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, etc), day tours, and educational sail training.

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2. What are the capacities of your boats?
The Challenge accommodates up to 72 passengers. There is no formal dining, but has three comfortable lounges for casual seating.

The Kajama can take up to 225 passengers and up to 150 in her formal dining room.

The Obsession III can handle 190 passengers over two decks, with 120 seated in her formal dining room.

The Trillium has a capacity of 500 people which can fit on one deck. Seating is cocktail bench style.

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3. What time do your cruises go? And how long are they?
We cruise from April to October depending on the boat. Private Charters are priced at 5 hours in duration, with a half hour boarding, four hours on the water, and a half hour for disembarking. Cruises may be longer or shorter if requested. Evening charters generally commence after 6pm and day charters finish by 5pm. We have no restrictions on the time that we may cruise.

Day Tours: Kajama runs scheduled two hour day tours during the summer months. Click here for her schedule.

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4. Where are the boats located?
Kajama, Obsession III and The Challenge are located at Harbourfront, and The Trillium is at the foot of Yonge Street, on the central waterfront of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Click here for a specific location of each vessel.

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5. How much does it cost per person?
We can certainly break it down to a per person cost for you, but as each and every cruise is customized to suit the needs of the client, the costs are broken down by: charter fee, menu, bar options and extras. We'd be glad to work out a per person charge for you; please let us know what you would like.

For day tour pricing please click here.

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6. What taxes and gratuities are added?
On the charter fee, and port tax there is only 5% GST. On food there is 5% GST, 8% PST and a 15% gratuity. On a cash bar, 5% GST, 10% PST (8% PST on non-alcoholic beverages). If you have a consumption/host bar or prepaid drink tickets, there is also a 15% gratuity added. Additional rentals of special items have 5% GST, 8% PST. Services such as the water taxi, and extra entertainment such as casinos, magicians etc have 5% GST. Please note that the government requires us to charge 5% GST on gratuity. There is also a Port and Navigational fee which covers the cost of the taxes we pay for clean up of the harbour, and the operation of navigational buoys.

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7. May I use my own caterer?
The food from our galleys (kitchens) is wonderful. But if you have a caterer you really want, we can still work with you. The Health Board must have inspected and passed your caterer, and at least one of the caterer's servers/staff that is sent on the boat must have Food Safety Training as required by the laws of Ontario. We will ask for copies of documentation. The caterer is expected to bring all items he needs to use, e.g. bowls, tongs, serving utensils, chafers, sterno, dishes, cutlery etc There will be a service charge per person, plus GST for bringing an outside caterer. This fee covers lost revenue clean up and garbage disposal.

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8. Are your menus "All You Can Eat Buffets?"
While many people believe the word buffet is synonymous with "all-you-can-eat," our buffet menus are based on one healthy portion per person. Once everyone has been through the buffet line and food remains, your guests are more than welcome to return until the food is finished.

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9. What happens if it rains?
We sail rain or shine. Obsession III has a retractable hard roof that covers the top deck, which may be closed or opened during the cruise to maintain the comfort of your guests. Kajama and The Challenge have canopies to allow guests to stay on the top deck in any weather. All the boats have rooms indoors that are fully enclosed.

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10. I want to book the cruise how do I make payment?
Once you decide you want to have your function with us, we will require a $500-1000 deposit and a signed contract. We accept cash, corporate cheques, certified personal cheques, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. The contract may only be for the charter portion of the cruise, so details on food and beverages may be decided at a later date. The remainder of the payments must be made seven (7) dates prior to your cruise. We prefer full balances to be paid by cash or cheque. If full balances are paid by credit card there will be an administration fee of 1.75% to 3.5% added to the final balance.

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11. What happens after the cruise is booked?
One of our cruise coordinators will contact you, at least three weeks before your cruise, to discuss all the details of your cruise….set up, timing, menu and bar selections and extra items such as entertainment. If you wish to organize your details earlier, please let us know. We are here to help you plan a great cruise.

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12. May we bring our own beverages?
No. We are a licensed establishment, and all beverages must come through our liquor license. However, all our ships have a BYOW license. Please check with your sales rep for details. A corkage fee per bottle plus applicable taxes and gratuity will apply.

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13. I'm on a budget. Can you help?
Let us know what your restraints are and we will certainly try to work with you. We have four ships to choose from, so we have a variety of prices available to you. If you look at our charter rate card, you will see that some days of the week, and afternoons are less expensive…this is an option for you. Why not cruise before June 6 or after September 15 and qualify for our spring/fall special of $39.95 +GST per person inclusive of ship and food!

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14. Where does the boat go?
Our ships are classified as Minor Waters II/Sheltered Waters vessels with Transport Canada. This means we stay within a two mile limit from shore. We generally cruise through the Toronto Island Lagoons (very pretty!), around the inner Harbour, and weather permitting, past Ontario Place and around the back of the Toronto Islands. The idea is to give you a comfortable cruise, at a safe speed. The final decision on route lies with the Captain. Trillium and Kajama do not go in the lagoons due to their deep draughts and size.

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15. What if someone needs to come late or leave early?
If you have guests who can't come to your function until after the sailing time, or have guests that need to be somewhere before we dock that's okay. In the Toronto Harbour there is a water taxi service. This can be prearranged, or we can certainly call them for you while we're out. Cost is approximately $40.00….but if there is a group of people, they will charge your guests around $10.00 per person. People are expected to pay the taxis themselves. We can however, charge it and put it on your cruise invoice, if they are preplanned, e.g. ministers getting off after a wedding. We also own a small vessel that may be rented by the hour if we need to do special shuttles to and from the ship. Please inquire.

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16. May I get married on board?
Yes, absolutely. We host many weddings every year. We generally take the boat over to /towards the Island Lagoons and start the service there…beautiful view of the Toronto Skyline. We can set up the upper deck chapel style if you like. Need an official? We have a list we can provide of professionals who have performed services on board before. Can the Captain marry you? No….it wouldn't be legal! There is no extra charge for getting married on board…you pay the minister directly. Many couples choose to book extra time on the ship to comfortably complete the entire itinerary for the wedding and reception.

And yes we welcome same-sex marriages!

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17. If we're having a great time, may we stay out longer?
Yes, if there isn't another cruise scheduled directly after yours. There is a charge for extra time. Please advise the cruise director before the ship comes back to the dock.

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18. May I bring my own DJ?
A DJ is included in every charter, and some of our DJ's have been working with us for over 12 years. For every cruise, we do a music profile to customize the music to your group. If you feel you want your own DJ, this may be arranged under certain circumstances. Please note there are strict noise bylaws that your DJ will have to follow. There is no discount for not using our services. Your DJ will have to sign a waiver concerning excessive noise, and will be responsible for any noise violations or fines. Please note that the Captain has the authority to shut the music off if your DJ does not comply with noise and harbour by-laws and does not turn down the music when requested.

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19. What other entertainment may we have?
Our cruise coordinators are experienced in suggesting and organizing entertainment for you. Just some of the types of entertainment we have hosted: casinos, karaoke, caricaturist, teambuilding, theme parties, magicians etc. Just about any ideas you have can be fulfilled on board….you are only limited by your imagination.

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20. May we decorate ourselves?
If you feel you want to decorate, you may. Please let us know what you plan to do. We can decorate for you at a cost. The boat is generally availble one hour prior to your cruise for such a purpose. If you need to have more time to decorate and the ship is available, there will be an additional charge of $100.00 to cover staff coming in early to open up the ship. You may not use tape to put up your decorations. Confetti, sparkles, feathers and/or sand are NOT permitted under any circumstances.

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21. Is it safe?
The Ministry of Transportation Marine Safety Division certifies us, each spring, We carry the following safety equipment: life rings, life jackets (children's included), fire extinguishers, life rafts, flares, VHF radios, radar. All of our crew are properly schooled and certified as per regulations. If you have any questions at any time, please don't hesitate to ask the crew. When the ship leaves the dock, the DJ will read a safety announcement. Please remember that at all times, the Captain has final say.

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22. Are Children Allowed?
Many people ask whether children or minors are allowed on the boat. There are no restrictions concerning children on the ship. However, please note that while babies are allowed, and we'll let you bring your strollers etc on the ship, there is no safety equipment, i.e., life jackets that are specifically required with babies in mind. While small children cannot fall overboard due to the height of our railings, it is a responsible adult who keeps an eye on their children.

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23. Are you Insured?
Our ships and passengers are fully insured. We have $500,000,000 liability on all our vessels. Proof of insurance is available upon request.

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24. Are you wheelchair accessible?
Each ship has different wheelchair accessibility. Ships have gangways, and doorways that have sills to step over due to Safety Regulations. Therefore there are limitations. Our friendly crew are willing to assist where needed. Trillium is the only ship with wheelchair accessible washrooms.

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25. Is Smoking Permitted?
We operate according to the smoking by-laws of Toronto. Smoking is allowed on the upper decks of Kajama and Challenge, on the bow of the Obsession III and on the upper bow and stern of the Trillium.

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26. Is there a dress code?
There is no specific dress code. Check with the person who booked your cruise for their expectations. Practical footwear should be a consideration.

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27. How do we get a quote?
Please give us a call or email us. Our office is open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5pm ET. Call us at 416-260-6355 or toll free 800-267-3866 or email us at info@cruisetoronto.com or info@greatlakesschooner.com.

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28. Have a question we didn't answer?
If the answer is not included in this package, please feel free to call, write, fax or email us…. We'd be glad to help!

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Cruise - Toronto and Obsession III Yacht Charters is a full service facility, providing customized Toronto Boat Cruises