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.
Celebrate the start of Summer on our first Fireworks Cruise of the 2010 season.
Join us on the luxurious Gypsy Spirit for three hours of relaxing fun on Lake Michigan.
Enjoy a mouthwatering American Style Buffet and icy cold drinks as you take in Chicago’s spectacular fireworks!
The forecast is looking fabulous for the weekend. So round up some friends, and don’t wait too long to sign up. The Gypsy is an intimate yacht and spots go fast.
For tickets, information and to buy now, click here.
Over the past two years, we’ve started doing a considerable amount of networking.
Off-season, of course. During season, we’re way too busy with Free Spirit Yacht Cruises charters to do much else (no, we’re not complaining about being busy!)
Lately, it’s become clear to us that networking goes far beyond simply meeting new people. It’s about making connections and building relationships….hopefully with people you’d like to work with in one way or another.
For example, we’re really excited about our upcoming Merlot and Massages cruise on May 18th.So are most of the people we’ve talked to who have signed up already.
But back to where I was heading about the networking…..the interesting part is that this cruise is the result of our getting out and meeting new people. It’s about connecting.
The massages are being offered by Lincoln Park Massage Spa, a fellow Lincoln Park Chamber member. The wines are courtesy of PRP Wines International, a company we met at a Navy Pier event. And our marketing person is also in LPCC. So if we hadn’t become active enough to actually get out and meet people, we might not be putting together this awesome event.
In case you missed the blog post or newsletter or Facebook post or tweet about the cruise, here’s info: Merlot & Massage Cruise.
This was pretty much the opening dialogue of conversation at my first tweet-up the other day, which was held at Rockit Bar & Grill.
ExploreChicago.org was a co-host, and that’s how I found out about it on Facebook. Since this is the City of Chicago’s official tourism site, I thought it would be a good fit for Free Spirit Yacht Cruises. And it was.
So much fun! It was very exciting meeting so many interesting people. Plus I learned a lot about blogging.For example, did you know there’s a local site that offers over 250 (local) blogs on almost every topic imaginable? It’s on the Chicago Now website, a great resource for things to do in our town.
Here’re a few of the fun bloggers I met and their Twitter handles as well:
And boy are we ever ready to get back on Lake Michigan.
Crazy. There’s snow in Chicago. But, spring is only a few weeks away.
Regardless, Joe and I are busy planning all sorts of fun new cruises for the upcoming season. By next week, we will be in the boat yard getting our yachts ready for launch. Spiffin’ up the Free Spirit and Gypsy Spirit so they’re perfect for your special event and locking in our slips at Burnham Harbor.
We can’t wait to “Get Your Party Started!”
Our private charter calendar is already filling up with wedding celebrations, birthday bashes, graduation gatherings, post prom cruises, corporate luncheons, company outings and more. It looks like it’s going to be a fabulous boating season!
We’re planning a number of open cruises this year, starting with our 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Cruise on Sunday, May 9th. So don’t forget to bookmark our events calendar to make sure you don’t miss anything.
And if you friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, you’ll be among the first to learn about upcoming cruise parties and any specials we might offer.
Stay tuned!The Free Spirit and Gypsy Spirit will be in Burnham Harbor around the beginning of April. Less than two months away.
All of us at Free Spirit Yacht Cruises are excited to share another fabulous yachting season with you.
Now that Summer has truly arrived in our fair city, we’re moving into Fall….or at least what should be Fall.This is the weather we were supposed to have in June. Sunny, warm and beautiful.
It’s been good news for our clients who’ve had fabulous weather for their Lake Michigan private charters. The Free Spirit and Gypsy Spirit have been busy and booked with a bunch of company outings, a tour group from Italy, a group of friends in town to see U2 and some birthday parties.
We did manage to sneak a little time in on Sunday for our own private family and friends cruise. Thanks, Captain Joe. You’re the best!
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
Even when the weather is less than perfect, summer in Chicago goes by way too fast. It’s mid-July and our season is half over.
If you’ve been waiting to book your company charter or family party cruise, time’s a movin’!And if this was the year you were planning to see fireworks from your own private luxury yacht, better hurry.
We only have a few slots open for the Wednesday Night Fireworks Cruises.And only one opening for the Saturday Air & Water Show (on the Gypsy Spirit). If you’ve never seen it, you’re in for a treat!Captain Joe has the positioning perfected.You’re guaranteed a great seat to enjoy the show.
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.
