Today we were set to board a boat and not set sail from the Burrard Dry Dock Pier in The Shipyards District, North Vancouver. We were celebrating the 40th anniversary of Maple Leaf Adventure with a look at how they conduct their small ship expedition travel.
Guests were invited to board the luxury catamaran Cascadia and historic schooner Maple Leaf for this dockside gathering. There, we were able to tour both ships and take an informal tour, imagining what it would be like if we ourselves endeavoured on one of their adventures.
This is Maple Leaf Adventures and they can be best described as small scale cruise with a lot more excursions, and the easiest and most intimate way explore the coast. Their world-class expeditions are led by a captain and crew of locals, combining engaging experiences and storytelling with solid planning and safety management, leaving you to simply enjoy the literal ride.
They have three different ships under their deployment. The largest is Cascadia, which we were on today. It has three floors with individual rooms for guests, each includes their own washrooms. The largest “princess” suites were on the main level, adjacent to the captain’s quarters with its own door leading directly onto the deck. This allows you to quickly and easily answer the caption’s call should any marine life come to view, which happens to be a main feature and goal of these tours.
The room also includes a queen size bed and porthole, and its own in-suite washroom with individual shower, toilet, sink, and even heated floors. It certainly looked comfortable and luxurious for a boat.
Most of the time guests are expected to be outside, either taking in the spectacular views on either ends of the ship with designated seating. Or sharing the space indoors, playing board games and solving puzzles in the living quarters.
The upper top deck had helicopter pad, a hot tub and shower. The hot tub was described as the place to be during a snowy coastal tour. Sitting in its warmth as it gently snows above you, and you watch the scenery bathed in white move past you.
Their second largest ship of Maple Leaf Adventures is the Swell, which was actually out on one such adventure during this event. However, we were still able to board and explore the Maple Leaf. This was the smallest of the 3 and serving as a much more cozy experience with shared sleeping, eating, and facilities for 8. Once again, the expectation is that you are not hovelled up below deck, but up on the top taking in the beauty and majesty of the water and land behind it.
During the duration of the event there were light refreshments being offered. Glasses of sparkling and wine from the galley bar. They also have their own brand of beer brewed in collaboration with Spinnakers in Victoria. This line of IPA, Pilsner, and barrel aged bitter is only available aboard their ships.
For food, small west-coast inspired bites were available in their rumpus room. If on an actual tour, all food and drink is included and meals are served seated and plated.
Company owners Kevin Smith and Maureen Gordon were on hand to welcome guests and share reflections on their 40 years on the coast, including the journeys, places, and people that have shaped their story. Our time ended with a speech where we heard how they launched in Expo ‘86 as conservation based travel, helping to end the grizzly bear hunt in BC.
In conclusion, I hope to be able to take an actual expedition with Maple Leaf Tours one day, to be able to report back on the actual experience first hand.
Maple Leaf Adventures
1110 Government St #209, Victoria, BC V8W 1Y2
(250) 386-7245
mapleleafadventures.com
