Several of the shuttles on the USS Vancouver are named after Vancouver neighbourhoods (Kitsilano, Fairview, Marpole)
The code "Mariner 8" used by Mariner is the name of a failed Mars mission launched by NASA in 1971.
While on the U.S.S. Quito, Mariner and her comrades wear the style of Starfleet uniforms first seen in Star Trek: First Contact (1996), and seasons 5-7 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993). During this scene, Data and Lore are mentioned, as well as the events of Descent (1993) and Descent, Part II (1993).
This episode is the only one in the first season that didn't have a cold open.
The captain of the Vancouver tells Captain Freeman to "look around" the Vancouver's bridge and that she too may one day command such a vessel. The Vancouver's bridge is a reuse of the Cerritos's bridge and therefor identical to the place Freeman already works.