Google “parade of tall ships” (yes, it’s a verb now) and you can’t help but get excited.

From San Francisco to Baltimore to Duluth to Cleveland…. and on and on. Wherever the Tall Ships sail, a flurry of celebrations, anticipation and eager spectators can be found. Cause it’s not an annual occurrence. Miss it one year and you have to wait at least three more for it to come back. In this case, four…. the Parade hasn’t been in Chicago since 2006.

That’s why Chicago is absolutely buzzing with excitement. The Parade of Tall Ships comes here on August 24th. And everyone is talking about it!

And why not? How often do you get to see twenty magnificent historic ships from around the world sailing over Lake Michigan? If ever there was an awe-inspiring spectacle, this is it.

Take a look at this video of the fleet sailing into Cleveland. It says far more than we can.

We’ve still got one yacht open for a private charter to view the Parade on Tuesday, August 24th. It starts at 3pm with the Opening Ceremony at 5pm.

If you act fast, you can book a 3 – 6pm charter on one of our luxury yachts, and treat your guests (friends, family, staff) to an afternoon they’ll never forget.

Custom food and beverage menu available.

To book your private charter, call 708.361.2220 or email us.

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.

Thanks to the Bui Brothers and Zacuto for creating and sharing this time-lapse video. This video was shot in May on an evening Lake Michigan and Chicago River cruise aboard the Gypsy Spirit.

Very cool shots of going through the Chicago locks, cruising the Chicago river, amazing sunset and our world famous Chicago skyline. Check it out.

What an awesome idea!

Our last post was about building your network. This one is to help you do that. Well, it’s a suggestion actually….

A colleague of ours and fellow Lincoln Park Chamber member, Bob Wasserman, is an uber networker. He probably attends 4-6 events a week. He decided he wanted to do a networking cruise for one of his groups. And we thought, “what a super idea! “

So we’ve decided to host Lake Michigan networking cruises on Monday nights….which are generally pretty slow for networking events (and probably the only night Bob is free).

Our first Free Spirit Yacht Cruises after work Networking Voyage is on Monday, May 24th.

We’ll cruise on the Free Spirit, enjoy a yummy Sailor’s Delight Deli Buffet and network in a relaxing, comfortable setting – on a luxury yacht cruising Lake Michigan and taking in our spectacular Chicago skyline.

Three hours. $45. Includes food and wine/beer/soda bar.

Sound interesting? Sign up or get more info here. And feel free to tell your friends!

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.