Never been to a tweetup? Here’s your chance! We’re having one this Tuesday night, and it might be the most fun you’ll have on Lake Michigan all summer.
The Local Tourist (TLT) is hosting a “tweetup with a twist” Tues June 29th, 6 – 9p, aboard our Free Spirit luxury yacht.
3 hours of meeting interesting new people who share a love of being out and about in our fair city, eating scrumptious food (Middle Eastern buffet, decadently delicious cupcakes), beer/wine/soda bar and basking in the breezes of Lake Michigan on a beautiful, weather-perfect Chicago night (yep, it’s supposed to be in the 70s!)
You can tweet if you want to (sending updates and photos from your cell phone) or turn off your tech gear and just hang out, chill and have a good time.
They’ll be jam-packed goody bags for everyone…filled with all kinds of super swag (coupons to the hottest local restaurants and summer attractions). So not only will you see Chicago’s world famous skyline from the deck of a luxury yacht, but you’ll get all kinds of special offers for lots of other fun things to do in our super city – like Chocolate Tours and Ravinia and festivals and more.
And the whole party…goody bags included….is only $50/person.
So don’t wait till it’s all filled. Here’s where you can get more info or book a reservation online right now!
Don’t forget to share this with your friends. They’ll thank you.
Last post, we talked about how much better the weather has been this summer than last year.
This week, we’re happy to report that the number of charters is far better as well (although a little less rain would be fine!).
The economy is still far from strong, but we’re seeing a definite increase in the number of corporate charters. New companies as well as many returning clients are cruising with us, and Joe and I are happy to see old friends and meet new ones.
Our Free Spirit and Gypsy Spirit are also busy with far more private events than last year. Lots of parties are booked on weekends with graduation, birthdays, and wedding-related celebrations.
But we still have room for you and your friends! Including some Wednesday and Saturday nights that are open for Chicago fireworks cruises.
So if you’ve been thinking about how much fun it would be to be out on Lake Michigan watching our spectacular fireworks shows (it is!), now’s your chance. Call us to see what dates are open. And then you can send us a note like this:
“Hi Angela! Thanks again for last night. Everyone had a wonderful time!”
Best Regards,
We are saying “Au Revoir,” “Ciao,” “Adios,” and “Good bye” to 2009! Amen to 2010! Our Zen is, “2010 will be better than it has been.”
Seems so, considering I just got off the phone with a church group that booked a Saturday night fireworks cruise in July aboard the Free Spirit. A great way to start out the New Year.
All of us at Free Spirit Yacht Cruises are wishing you a Happy New Year! And can’t wait to sea you next year.
Share your photos and stories with us on Facebook. Then you receive a FREE box of your favorite kind of Fannie May Candies. We know you like candy, because after most charters our candy dish is empty.
Here is our story from our First Annual Labor Day Fireworks Cruise on September 5th.
We had a blast! The weather cooperated…something we haven’t been able to say much this summer…and the fireworks were the usual fabulous!
Amazing that Joe and I have as much fun as you do on our yacht charters isn’t it. We can’t think of a better place to work!
And we feel very blessed to have such wonderful clients. Like Joe and Marie, who were visiting Chicago for the first time. Here’s the feedback we got from them after the Labor Day Fireworks Cruise:
“Maria and I had a wonderful evening the other night and wanted to thank you and your husband Joe for your hospitality. It truly was a highlight of our trip in Chicago. Thanks so much!” Joe Gagnon
We’ve been in the yacht charter business a long time.Joe’s been a yacht captain for over 19 years. And I ran my own private yacht charter company for 12 years. We’ve seen just about everything that can go right and wrong.
But this season showed us how important experience is when you’re running private charters on Lake Michigan. This has been a summer where fast thinking, smart crewing and proximity to city services have been extremely important. We’ve had a few medical emergencies on charters this summer.
For example, on Wednesday night (8/27), a group who’s chartered our yachts for the past seven years was out on their annual fireworks cruise. During the (fireworks) finale, one of the women on board fainted.
We were out on Lake Michigan, right near Navy Pier. Fireworks booming. Lots of activity in the area. But Joe and the rest of the crew knew exactly what to do.
They quickly called the Marine unit who followed us over to the sea wall. As soon as we got there, the police, coast guard, and paramedics were waiting. The paramedics boarded the yacht and rushed the woman over to Northwestern Hospital.
When we followed-up Thursday morning to see how she was, the news was good. Turns out she had a history of heart disease, so she was still in the hospital. But thankfully, she was fine.
Could it have turned out differently if a less seasoned captain and crew had been on board? Maybe. But we only have experienced people crewing our yachts so that’s never an issue on Free Spirit cruises.
While this was a little more excitement than any of us had planned on, the guests on the Free Spirit were grateful for our quick response and impressed with the way everything was handled.
Joe and I are just happy that everything turned out okay!
Did you hear the crowds at last weekend’s Air & Water Show?
No wonder this is the largest spectator event in the country. It’s awesome!
Saturday was perfect. Sunday…not so much.But even Sunday’s uncooperative weather couldn’t keep fans away from Chicago’s 51st Annual Air & Water Show.
As usual, attendance was huge. Depending on who you talked to or what you read, estimates ranged from 1 – 2 million people. Fans began gathering early, lining up and down the lakefront, to watch this year’s exciting performances.
Headliners included the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who thrilled the crowd with their amazing precision flying, the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. Another two dozen or so military and civilian performances rounded out the afternoons’ entertainment.
For guests enjoying Saturday’s show on board the Gypsy Spirit, the viewing was exceptional. It’s always exceptional cause our Captains have it down to a science. And we love hearing from happy clients.
Like soon to be Newlyweds that have joined us for 2 years now:
“Gabrielle & I had a great time this year. Here are some pictures of the T-Birds for you.”
Take care!
Chris & Gabrielle
Thank you, Chris Norberte, for sharing these awesome photos and CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming marriage!
If you’re a Chicagoan, you know how many fabulous things there are to do here in the summer. Especially after a long cold winter! If you’ve never been here, take a look at what you’re missing — Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.
CCTB is a dynamic organization, and we’re proud to be members. In fact, this year, despite how busy we are during charter season, I’m on the Ambassador task force (that’s me in the middle).
Actually, it’s a perfect fit. A huge part of what the task force does is to showcase our beautiful city and the stunning architecture along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
As Ambassadors, we offer hospitality services to convention and trade show attendees, exhibitors and management, making them feel welcome during their visit. Whether we’re hosting exhibitor snack stations or greeting convention attendees, we’re offering a personal touch to each visitor’s Chicago experience.
This is totally aligned with our mission at Free Spirit Yacht Cruises – to provide a fabulous, memorable experience for each of our clients and their guests.
It’s that personal touch that our clients love. They know that when they plan a cruise aboard one of our luxury yachts, we’re there to help each step of the way, taking care of every last detail.
Our goal is to do whatever is necessary so you can relax with your guests and enjoy your Lake Michigan cruise.
With the media focused on the economic doldrums, we need to remind ourselves that it’s not all doom and gloom and that there are good things going on in our lives. We still need to relax occasionally. And we still need to have fun.
Easy for us to say cause we’re in Marco Island. But we’re not just playing. Honest! We’re busy planning for the upcoming season on Lake Michigan.
Of course, we’re enjoying being with family and friends…and taking lots of photos so we can savor these memories for years to come.
Speaking of memories, we’re fortunate to have lots of wonderful photos from last season.And we love that our clients share their pictures with us after their parties and events.If you haven’t seen our photo gallery, check it out. It might help get you through these last remaining weeks of winter to see what’s coming up…. sunny days, warm weather and cruising along our spectacular Chicago skyline.
We can’t wait to be back in Burnham Harbor making new memories with clients and friends!
Sea you soon –
Angela and Captain Joe
p.s.
If you need a professional photographer to capture your Free Spirit Yacht Cruises party, we have some resources on our website.
It may be cold and snowy, but before you know it, we’ll be cruising on Lake Michigan.
Granted, you’re probably thinking Christmas and New Year’s right now. But we’ve already got clients booking charters for next year. So, in the holiday spirit, we’re offering a special discount for new clients who book 2009 charters early.
Take advantage of this special pricing and lock in your charter dates now. Book your cruise by February 15, 2009 and receive your Discount for an outing on either the Free Spirit or the Gypsy Spirit.
See why our clients come back year after year to host meetings, events and parties on our Free Spirit Yachts.
Free Spirit Yacht Cruises, Inc.
Chicago’s most inviting yachts.
PS. Here’s feedback from one of our clients:
“Free Spirit Yacht Cruises has become an event that our whole team looks forward to every summer…If you are looking for a fun and relaxing event, it doesn’t get any better than this!”
The Local Tourist (TLT) is hosting a “tweetup with a twist” Tues June 29th, 6 – 9p, aboard our Free Spirit luxury yacht.
