It started with a pizza (this IS a Chicago story after all).

It was spinach….all that was left when I ran in to pick one up for a lunch meeting I was having with Joe Donofrio of Free Spirit Yacht Cruises. How was I supposed to know that was the only kind of pizza he didn’t like! I hardly knew him, despite the fact that he’d been trying to get me to come to work with him for a while.

I’d been running my own Chicago-based thirty-boat yacht charter company, Angela’s Charter Service, for eleven years. And business was good!

Joe worked for his parents, Rich and Judy Borrowdale, in their family-owned business, the original Free Spirit Yacht Cruises, founded in1983. A captain for eighteen years on their two luxury yachts, Joe is an expert navigator who’s at his happiest when he’s on Lake Michigan.

So we met for lunch on the Free Spirit, and while Joe wasn’t thrilled with the pizza, he was with me. And the feeling was mutual. Short story: in November, 2007, we got married on a beach in Florida, and one month later, we bought Free Spirit Yacht Cruises from Joe’s parents who were retiring.

So now we’re a second-generation, family-owned private luxury yacht charter company. And we think our skills perfectly complement one another. I manage the business and marketing while Joe keeps our yachts in pristine condition and crews as well. My mom, Dianne and my daughter, Margaret (who worked with me at Angela’s Charter Service) now work with us at Free Spirit Yacht Cruises. And Joe’s son and daughter help out when they can. We’re a big blended Lake Michigan loving family.

And despite the fact that we launched our business the same month the recession began (December, 2007), 2008 was a super year for us. So we’re looking forward to many more happy boating seasons in our beautiful city.

About Our Yachts: The Free Spirit and the Gypsy Spirit
We’re docked at Burnham Harbor, right behind Soldier’s Field. A quick and convenient cab ride from downtown or Michigan Avenue.

Our spacious and newly renovated Free Spirit luxury yacht accommodates up to 120 people. Custom-designed for your relaxation and comfort, inside and out, you and your guests will enjoy our beautiful Chicago skyline as you cruise on Lake Michigan.

Our Gypsy Spirit is smaller and cozy but no less luxurious. The Gypsy accommodates 2 – 50 passengers, offering multi-level entertaining with a salon, galley, and aft deck lounge area. You’ll relax on soft leather sofas and comfy chairs. Almost like being in someone’s luxurious home, but on the water. The Gypsy cruises the Chicago River in addition to Lake Michigan.

Our Service: Only the Best
Ask our clients. They’re our cheerleaders and our best source of new business. We offer outstanding customer service from the moment you book your party or event. Nothing is overlooked. And on the day of your charter, our friendly, professional crew take care of every last detail. That includes superb catering and complete bar packages. All geared to making your private charter a successful and memorable event.

Types of Events
We invite you to book your private yacht charter for corporate events or personal parties and celebrations: sales meetings, company outings, client entertaining, convention groups, weddings, showers, graduations, birthdays, reunions, afternoon lunches, fireworks cruises, sunset cruises, river cruises, Venetian Night, and any other special occasion that calls for festive, fabulous and fun.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard one of our yachts very soon. And because we book charters year round, we recommend that if you have a date in mind, call us. Don’t wait! Some of the special cruises (fireworks, Venetian Night, Air & Water Show, etc.) book up fast.

Thanks for reading our story.
Angela Motolo-Donofrio and Captain Joe