Brought the parents on a 1 hour tour thanks to Groupon. $10 for a trip around the harbourfront-how could you go wrong?
I have to say that one of the most striking things about the experience was how very pleasant everybody was. They were so friendly and full of beaming smiles! I don't know how they stay so perky. Our tour was narrated by Captain Sarah while Captain Kevin drove. I don't know how she copes with giving the same tour every day, but I enjoyed her jokes and learned a few new things about Toronto.
I was a bit disappointed that it was a shallow, covered boat...but I suppose that's more practical. They stop at Centre Island half way through and you can choose to hop off and get a later boat back if you like. We were visiting on a weekday in June though, so they were only sailing hourly, with island pickups on the half hour.
The big test was what the parents thought of it and they were happy. Even my dad who can usually find something wrong and can never hear anything thought it was good!
Downside for me was the infrequency of sailing in June. I wish it counted as their summer because half hourly departures would have been great.