Chicago River Boat Tours & Rides

Table Of Content

• Chicago Skyline Sail
• Shoreline Sightseeing Water Taxis
• Splurge on a Free Spirit Yacht Cruises
• Go back in time with Chicago Fireboat Tours

Please contact our group sales team at Private rentals are available. A full-service bar is available on board. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as an assortment of snacks, are available for purchase.

Chicago Skyline Sail

All of our tours are given by experienced, volunteer docents who receive hundreds of hours of training from the Chicago Architecture Center before guiding the river cruise tour. Experience the city’s legendary architecture from the best seat in the house—the river. Our experienced tour guides detail the 130 year long history behind the skyline, while our bartenders and staff keep you comfortable and entertained. This comprehensive tour navigates through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River. It’s the one thing everyone tells you to do in Chicago, done right.

Shoreline Sightseeing Water Taxis

Their glass-enclosed river vessel is particularly stunning. It offers passengers panoramic views of the city’s most iconic buildings as you glide along the Chicago River. They also offer lakefront brunch and dinner cruise options that depart from Navy Pier. Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s #1 rated boat tour of the city. There is something special about sailing in Chicago combined by kicking off your week and joining us for a 2-hour concert sail.

Splurge on a Free Spirit Yacht Cruises

Book your group aboard one of Spirit’s regularly scheduled lunch, brunch, cocktail or dinner cruises, or... Odyssey Lake Michigan presents special prix fixe dinner cruises, offering guests the opportunity to try one of Chicago’s most unique dining experiences at an incredible... There's a reason the Chicago Architecture Foundation's beloved tour has been named the Best Boat Tour in the U.S. The center’s official tour goes into detail on more than 50 buildings both on the riverfront and beyond. In doing so, they give a fascinating history of the city and those that built it—plus you can easily upgrade your ticket to include entry to just Chicago Architecture Center itself. This one leaves from the Chicago First Lady Cruises dock and lasts around 90 minutes.

Go back in time with Chicago Fireboat Tours

His sense of humor really sets this tour apart from the rest, while still offering interesting insights on the city’s unique skyline. Order a cold drink from our bar and enjoy a thrilling fireworks performance as you sail along the stunning and iconic Chicago skyline during this special event sail. See the city of Chicago as you’ve never seen it before on our classic Lake Michigan boat tour that leaves from Navy Pier and offers majestic skyline views. Host an event unlike any other in the city!

City Cruises – Seadog Extreme Thrill Rides

Led by our crew-educators, experience a hands-on sailing excursion in Chicago aboard Windy. Hosted on the bright red Fred A. Busse Fireboat – which served the Chicago Fire Department until 1981 – this architectural tour of the Chicago River lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. A docent will fill you in on the history of buildings lining the river as well as the story of the boat you've boarded, which formerly traveled the city's waterways to fight fires.

Your Chicago adventure awaits

Wendella guests may park for up to 6 hours at a discounted rate of $18.00 with a parking chaser coupon from our ticket office. This coupon is for self-park only and is not valid for valet parking. Sail into the night and embark on a two-hour party sail from Navy Pier; join us for Chicago’s only Pirates Pub. Sail onboard a 148-foot Tall Ship in the Windy City! This popular Chicago event is one you will not want to miss; it is unlike all other boat excursions in Chicago. Enjoy an onboard DJ and the wind in your hair as you dance the night away with the mesmerizing Chicago skyline as your backdrop.

It was a very educational and relaxing seventy-five minutes. We’re already counting down the days until we can set sail with you again aboard Tall Ship Windy in 2024. Feel the wind in your hair (and fur!) on a memory-filled river and lake cruise adventure with your best friend. Cruise down the Chicago River for 90 minutes as you listen to our expert guides discuss the history, impact and legacy of Chicago's renowned architecture.

Step onto a real, historic fireboat and get ready for a unique experience with Chicago Fireboat Tours. The river tours are given aboard a real piece of Chicago history — a retired fireboat that patrolled the Chicago from 1937 to 1981. Tours are led by expert docents and include historic and sunset options. Around the world, Chicago is known for its outstanding architecture, and it’s easiest to admire the city’s legacy from the water. By partnering with the Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago’s First Lady offers the most comprehensive tour of the skyline — docents must train 100 hours before they can lead tours.

See Chicago's skyline sparkle and glow as you glide along the Chicago River and Lakefront under the dazzling glow of the city by night. Enjoy a lively day in Chicago starting with a one of a kind experience at Ed Debevic's. Then off to your Open House Chicago 2023 adventure. Savor a Halloween-themed afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago.

Sing along to traditional pirate tunes and your favorite party anthems while soaking in the breathtaking sights on Lake Michigan. Enjoy a three-course gourmet dinner on the water in the Odyssey Chicago, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the skyline surrounding you. Departing from Navy Pier, this cruise includes a dinner with freshly prepared entrées, mains, and desserts. The 2.5 or 3-hour ride takes you around Lake Michigan, with a cash bar to keep the drinks flowing throughout your meal. While Chicago’s summer fireworks are already fun to watch, it’s an entirely new experience when you’re on a 3D tour.

Take in the world-renowned architecture as our expert guides tell the story of 130 years of architectural innovation. Let our professional event planners create a custom event just for your group aboard the Chicago Elite. Celebrate a special occasion, host a group event or share a romantic evening aboard Spirit of Chicago. Great for parties of all sizes, a Spirit...

Hot tub boats offer a toasty spot to chill on the Chicago River - Chicago Sun-Times

Hot tub boats offer a toasty spot to chill on the Chicago River.

Posted: Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Mercury Cruises also offer Urban Adventure, Canine Cruises, and Chicago by Night tours. The Magnificent Mile is in the heart of Chicago's famous culinary scene and offers visitors a delectable spread of places to dine. Interested in a tour for a group of 20 or more?

If you’re ready to ditch the captain and explore the water on your own, then it’s time to grab a paddle at Urban Kayaks. You’ll go through a brief training session before you hit the water, but you’re free to paddle the river or lake at your own pace. Or join in a guided tour to catch the sunset, fireworks, or historic highlights. Rentals are available at the Chicago Riverwalk or Monroe Harbor. For three generations, Wendella Tours and Cruises has been cruising the Chicago waterways. With its variety of tour options, cruise times and lengths, and a heated, enclosed cabin, Wendella is a great choice for families looking for flexibility.

The best cruise ship suites picked by someone who has seen them all

Table Of Content

• Outside Rooms and Balcony Cabins: Solid Mid-Tier Cruise Options
• Popular Farm Foods from Spain
• My large family can't fit in 1 room. Which cruise ship cabin should we book?
• Best Cabins for Large Cruise Ship Balcony Lovers
• Card Type
• Best Stateroom Placement for Light Sleepers
• Best Cruise Ship Cabin Placement for the Mobility Impaired
• How to Get Travel Tuesday Cruise Deals Royal Caribbean Cruises

From Spacious Interior rooms to Ultra Spacious Ocean View rooms, to our top of the line Villa Suite with four bedrooms. The largest (by category) and absolutely affordable to most cheap cruise cabins are always "the deal" on Carnival ships. The Carnival's standard cabins are the industry's largest and very well-equipped (even the lowest Small Inside category). As for Holland America cabins, they are 25% larger than those of other premium brands. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.

Outside Rooms and Balcony Cabins: Solid Mid-Tier Cruise Options

These tend to be a little more expensive than the basic cabin in the same class but come with perks that can enhance your vacation. The most affordable outside cabins have an obstructed view, meaning the windows look out on the lifeboats or other ship structures that block your view of the ocean beyond. The Truth About Solo CabinsCruise lines are upping the ante for solo travelers. 9 Things You Don't Know About Your Cruise Ship CabinEven the savviest cruisers find surprises in their cabins.

Popular Farm Foods from Spain

Consider how much space and light you need in this case as a balcony might not be worth the added cost. You can brag to your friends that you stayed inside a cruise ship funnel! Disney ships always sport two funnels, but only one is functional while the other is purely decorative. So when designing Disney Wish, Disney "Imagineers" decided to place the top suite inside the forward funnel. Located at the top of the vessel, it has a bedroom with a large bathroom complex (including that sauna), a separate living room and a dining area that seats six people. Upstairs, the main bedroom is open-walled, so you can see across the living area to the sea.

My large family can't fit in 1 room. Which cruise ship cabin should we book?

There are good arguments to be made for every type of room, from inside rooms to balconies to suites. For a lot of people, the best cabin is located wherever the price is right. You'll find hump balcony rooms with massive balconies on Radiance Class, Voyager, Freedom, Oasis or Quantum, but look closely at the deck plan to see which balconies are larger. On many Royal Caribbean ships, the size of an aft balcony can be gargantuan compared to a balcony on the side of the ship.

Best Cabins for Large Cruise Ship Balcony Lovers

Other suites may come with dining areas, wet bars, deluxe bathrooms, walk-in closets, multiple levels and even pianos. You'll find minisuites on many ships, which are a bit bigger than balcony cabins and more clearly defined sleeping areas and living spaces. Some lines only offer suites, like Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn.

Cruise guest explains reason why the ‘cheapest room’ onboard might actually be the best - Express

Cruise guest explains reason why the ‘cheapest room’ onboard might actually be the best.

Posted: Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:11:00 GMT [source]

Card Type

Sometimes you can also see the ocean waves splash against the porthole while sailing—it's almost like looking into a front-loading washing machine. As I mentioned earlier, larger families can look into family cabins and suites that accommodate five or six people. Some of the best cruise lines for families will have suites that can sleep eight, such as Norwegian's three-bedroom garden villas. But what if you're traveling in a large family group with cousins, grandparents, friends, even a nanny in tow?

Best Stateroom Placement for Light Sleepers

Here are some cabin-related extras you may want to pay for on your cruise. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The Norwegian-born Hagen also had the suite built with its own private sauna with a glass wall facing the sea, something he wanted for personal use.

The best part of a suite stateroom is that you can opt for two full bedrooms, giving parents a chance to unwind in the comfort of their own lounge as they watch the sun set from a panoramic window and cozy sofa. Ocean View and Grand Suites are available for families, the latter offering you reserved dinner seating, onboard shows for the whole family, roomy staterooms plus a private balcony. Aft cabins on a cruise ship (the ones at the very back of the ship) can be the most prized standard balcony cabins afloat. Because they can make you feel as though you are at the end of the world, offering 180-degree views over the ship's wake.

The first floor of the Royal Loft Suite is also home to a media room with a sofa that converts into a queen bed. It's a perfect hideaway for the kids, should you be traveling with a family. Other perks of staying in the Regent Suite include first-class domestic flights to reach the ship; a personal car, driver and guide in every port; and a dedicated butler to help make arrangements on board.

If you are thinking of a midship cabin, be sure to check out the location of the tenders or lifeboats. Most cruise lines will tell you if a cabin has a blocked or limited view, but it is wise to check for yourself. For travelers who like adult-only cruises or who are yearning for a little extra pampering, the best rooms on a cruise ship fall into one of two categories.

Additionally, the absence of natural light can provide an ideal environment for midday naps or extended sleep. If all of this information is confusing, it just demonstrates how much diversity there is among cruise ship cabins. When planning your next cruise, study the layout and architecture of the ship's deck plans before selecting your cabin. Think about what is important to you and consider the cost differential. If your vacation time is limited, you might want to spend a few more dollars for a better cabin. Passengers with mobility impairment must choose near-lift cabins which are easily accessible from the onboard passenger elevators.

Many ships are moving away from balconies to floor-to-ceiling windows. Wondering which cruise ships accommodate five passengers in one room, all with a stunning view? Check out Royal Caribbean's Radiance class ships that feature Ultra Spacious Ocean View cabins — some of the best rooms on a cruise ship. Natural light, sea views and roomier staterooms make this upgrade from an interior cabin a good deal. These staterooms, located at the front and back of the cruise ship, usually offer around 300 square feet of space, making this one of the best family accommodation options onboard.

Outside, or ocean view, cabins feature round porthole windows or one large picture window that cannot be opened. The rooms are often slightly larger than inside cabins; on some ships, they might have a sitting area in addition to the bed and bathroom. On very large ships, where activity areas are spread far apart, midship cabins also offer the advantage of being at the center of everything. The main pool deck, for instance, is likely right above you when you are in a midship cabin — not a long walk away. Cruise cabins also come in all shapes and sizes and with a variety of amenities and benefits. Some lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, offer a huge range of room options, from tiny, windowless "inside" cabins to palatial suites, in all sorts of locations on their vessels.

They are a wonderful treat, especially if you have a lot of sea days or want to spend a lot of time together in your cabin. Most cruise ships have designated "spa staterooms" (inside, oceanview, balcony, and suite) located on the Spa Deck or 1 deck above or below the Spa. Some ships (especially top-luxury) have rooms with direct Spa access (via a staircase in the spa) or via an exclusive elevator. For more Spa cabins search in the fleets of MSC, NCL, Costa, and the luxury lines (Seabourn, Silversea, Crystal, Azamara). If it's the fresh ocean air billowing past that you're after, then look no further than a balcony stateroom.

Norwegian's Studio cabins have access to an exclusive lounge where single travelers can meet and mingle and grab snacks. On Oceania's new ship Vista, solo cabin occupants will have concierge-level perks and privileges, including concierge lounge access. Royal Caribbean has an unusual type of balcony cabin on its Oasis-class ships. Instead of facing out to sea, these balconies look out on an interior yet open-air section of the ship, as if you had a balcony that overlooked a city street.

If you want some sunlight as well as a glimpse of the ocean, this is a great option that costs less than rooms with a balcony but still provides you with a wonderful cruising experience. Examine the ship’s layout to see where your cabin is in relation to key areas like the lido deck, dining rooms, and entertainment venues. Consider potential noise from above or below your cabin, especially if it’s immediately above or below a dance floor, crew area, or near the pool.