Whether taken on a full-scale yacht or on a sailboat, chartered boat excursions for private parties can be a creative and invigorating option for business events, celebrations, summer holiday outings, elaborate dinners, sightseeing, or family outings. Most boat charters in Chicago are available for sailing on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, with some charters even including a sports or swimming component.
Chicago's First Lady cruises has a fleet of four boats to choose from. Their flagship, Chicago's First Lady, shares its name with the company and is suited for groups from 30 to 225. It boasts the most luxury amenities, including a baby grand piano. The smaller Chicago's Fair Lady is for groups of 20 to 125, while Chicago's Little Lady suits groups of 10 to 100, and the intimate Lady Grebe serves for 2 to 6 passengers. Private cruises always sail in the evenings, whether on the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. The company also has caterers on-hand with the ability to help you design a customized menu for your affair.
Sun Sea Yacht Charters offers cruises for up to 49 passengers, and follows a route from Burnham Harbor on Lake Michigan to Navy Pier, passing the Museum Campus area and Buckingham Fountain. It cruises into the Chicago River Locks (with optional tour of the city available for an additional fee), then to North Avenue Beach and back. Food menus are available and customizable, various bar packages are available, and you can play your own CDs or iPod on board.
Chicago Sailboat Charters are, as the name suggests, strictly for sailboat excursions, and so tend to be more suited for groups of 6 and under, but there are options for charters with 7 to 8 passengers, 9 to 10 passengers, 9 to 20 passengers, and 21 to 42 passengers. The company offers a variety of itineraries and packages, some of which include swimming sailing trips for swimming, fireworks sailing, and Makinac race sailing. Special Bed-and-Breakfast excursion for two passengers offer overnight accommodations with a queen-sized bed and consist of a three-hour night sail and two-hour morning sail.
