90 Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour

Table Of Content

• North Riverside
• Check out Chinatown via Chicago Water Taxi
• Upcoming Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Tours
• CHICAGO BY NIGHT! Cruise
• City Cruises – Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan
• Sail in Florida and the Virgin Islands!

Please present yourself to our staff if you prefer to board before general boarding starts. Guests unable to climb stairs to the upper deck may choose to sit in the open-air bow or the enclosed, climate-controlled salon with large windows. For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.

North Riverside

Let the wind carry you to stunning views of the city from aboard the Tall Ship Windy, a four-masted, 148-foot topsail schooner. The 75-minute trip cruise brings guests on a scenic route running along the Lake Michigan shoreline, where you can take in lovely skyline vistas and glimpses of the sunset. Head to the onboard bar to find snacks and drinks for sale.

Check out Chinatown via Chicago Water Taxi

City Experiences dining cruises are the perfect way to create a memorable moment in Chicago. Choose from a river or lake dining cruise, complete with delicious cuisine, cocktails, and entertainment. One of Chicago’s classic cruise options, Shoreline Sightseeing covers all the bases. Their ultra-popular Architecture River Tour takes you on all three branches of the historic Chicago River takes you past dozens of landmark buildings.

Upcoming Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Tours

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. A round up of fun events, exclusive deals and happenings along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Wacker Drive into your GPS.Located at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, a black awning marks the boat dock entrance stairs that lead down to the river. If you have limited mobility, see these directions for an alternative way to reach the dock. Our tours do often sell out and we always recommend customers buy their tickets online and in advance.

CHICAGO BY NIGHT! Cruise

A Beautiful Stage for Your Event Set sail on Windy for weddings, parties, corporate functions, reunions, church outings, tour groups, team building and more! Planning a special outing for your group? Charter Seadog for an event everyone will enjoy! With the ability to travel both the lake and river,... Enjoy Chicago’s iconic skyline with an exciting architecture cruise on the Chicago River.

City Cruises – Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

One of the best ways to see Chicago is from the water. The city is home to two stunning waterfronts — the Chicago River and Lake Michigan — and each offers plenty of cruise options. Here’s your guide to Chicago lake and river cruises, boat tours, dinner cruises, and beyond.

City Cruises – Spirit of Chicago Dinner Cruise

This family-friendly introduction to the Windy City's rich history and architectural heritage features highlights from Wendella's full-length architecture tours. Experience the city’s most unique floating event venue! City Cruises offers all-inclusive packages, chef-prepared menus, full bar options, and entertainment customized to fit your needs—all... Host a truly unforgettable event on Lake Michigan. Book your group aboard one of Odyssey's regularly scheduled lunch or dinner cruises, or have an event...

New Year's Eve Premier Plus Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River 12/31/2023 - Choose Chicago

New Year's Eve Premier Plus Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River 12/31/2023.

Posted: Sun, 31 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Enjoy happy hour drink specials onboard this Navy Pier Boat Tour every night at 5pm and experience breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline from the water! It’s the perfect way to end your workday or kick off your weekend plans. History comes alive on this exciting Windy City boat tour. Enjoy an educational adventure for curious minds of all ages with the backdrop of the iconic Chicago skyline always in view.

Explore Chicago Sailing Special Events

Perfect for corporate outings and special occasions, group cruises and private charters offer unforgettable experiences for up to 800 guests. If you want to couple a workout with your sightseeing, consider touring Lake Michigan by kayak. The rental lasts one hour and if you've never kayaked before, don't worry – tandem kayaks are available for less experienced guests. The meeting point is at Ohio Street Beach and you'll be provided with a life jacket on arrival before paddling out onto Chicago's most incredible river view. How do you end the perfect day of sightseeing?

If you're looking for dinner with a view, you could do worse than watching the sunset against the skyline aboard this 2.5 or 3-hour Lake Michigan brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise. Grab a group of friends and book a table – ideally one with a window-facing view—for a buffet-style meal before making your way to the dancefloor for an evening of DJ-curated music. Unlimited coffee, tea, and water will be on hand. If you're weighing your options, Wendella's architecture tour (which it claims is Chicago's original) is another way to explore all of the beautiful structures that line the river.

Ponchos are available for purchase on all vessels. However, in cases of severe weather, if the Captain deems it unsafe and cancels the tour, all guests will be refunded. The Tall Ship Windy is a must thing to do at Navy Pier. Very friendly and funny staff and always a good time, with beautiful views of the city of Chicago. I've set sail on Tall Ship Windy 4-5 times over the past few years, and it is always a good time. You get a nice view of the city and the crew is entertaining and knowledgeable.

There is simply no better way to experience Chicago’s world-famous skyline than on a Windy City Boat Tour with Tall Ship Windy. Chicago CityPass saves 48% on premier admission tickets to Chicago’s top 5 attractions, including the Architecture River Tour. Take Shoreline’s award-winning 75-minute Architecture River Tour to discover Chicago’s renowned landmarks as presented by our expert and entertaining guides. Your wedding is the start of your lifelong journey together, so begin that journey in a truly memorable way - a wedding cruise down the Chicago River. Conveniently located along the Chicago Riverwalk.

Departing from Navy Pier, this 75-minute narrated cruise is the best way... Lake Michigan dinner cruises are the perfect setting for celebrating with friends, connecting with colleagues, or a romantic evening. Odyssey Lake Michigan dinner cruises are...

See well-known Chicago attractions from... On these 30-minute speed boat rides, you’ll tear across Lake Michigan at up to 45 miles per hour while getting entertaining and informative commentary on Chicago. Recalling the handsome elegance of 20th century luxury yachts, our vessels are sure to make an impression. Choose from seven perfectly sized ships for your private event. Departing from Navy Pier's Polk Bros Park or the northeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, this 60-minute trip packs in all of the architectural sights that visitors want to see. Tour guides highlight more than 40 towering Chicago landmarks, including the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, and Marina City (a.k.a. "The Corncobs" or "The Wilco Building").

How to Choose the Best Cabin on a Cruise Ship

Table Of Content

• Enjoy expansive accommodations that take luxury to the next level.
• Choose: A deck filled with other guest cabins and away from elevators
• Special types of staterooms (crew, single, family, Spa, accessible)
• Royal Loft Suite
• Best Cruise Ship Suites
• Is it better to be on a higher deck?
• Included Dining

Another excellent choice is the Family Harbor cabins available on Carnival's Vista-class ships (Vista, Horizon, Panorama) and Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Celebration). Similar to Disney cabins, these accommodations offer two bathrooms – one complete with a shower, sink, and toilet, and the other featuring a sink and shower/tub combination. These options are designed to enhance your family's cruise experience by providing convenience and space for all. The Sky Suite is a 330-square-foot suite that includes a private, spacious, 84-square-foot veranda. With a king-sized bed you can sink right into and even a menu for pillow options, you won’t have to count sheep to fall into a restful sleep. Plus, the double faucet vanity means no one has to wait to freshen up their makeup or get ready in a hurry.

Enjoy expansive accommodations that take luxury to the next level.

The range of ultra-spacious cruise rooms across categories spans all the way up to our new Ultimate Family Townhouse — three stories that elevate the way you stay and play. Price is certainly a consideration, but if your vacation time is limited, you might be willing to pay more to get a cabin better suited to your lifestyle. The best advice is to be informed about cruise ship cabins and make the right decision for you. The aft is away from the hustle and bustle of midship, where all the action tends to happen. You’ll also get a beautiful ocean view and often more space than in other ship cabins.

Choose: A deck filled with other guest cabins and away from elevators

Different cruises have different guest services and types of shore excursions. Most hotels have restaurants, but they’re usually pretty pricey, and the food often sacrifices quality for convenience. Within just a few minutes’ walk of your cruise cabin, you’ll find over 20 free onboard dining options.

Special types of staterooms (crew, single, family, Spa, accessible)

Those can include everything from priority boarding to in-cabin bars. Spa cabins will offer spa-related perks, such as yoga mats and pampering bath amenities. Concierge-level cabins will give you access to a concierge and niceties like afternoon canapes.

If you're cruising with kids, I cannot understate enough the benefits of connecting cabins instead of one large cabin. As a general rule of thumb, a cabin in the middle of the ship is a winner for most people. But go a couple more decks down, and you're often right on top of interior entertainment decks that are home to music lounges, theaters and other noisy venues. There's something mesmerizing about being at the back of a ship overlooking its wake. When you are in the open ocean, you can see the long trail of churned-up water behind you, stretching seemingly forever like a road in the sea.

These types of cabins are available on most cruise lines these days, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding this option. As mentioned, many people embark on a cruise less to spend time relaxing in their rooms and more to take advantage of the amenities on the cruise ship. If this is your goal, one main factor that you’ll want to consider is how close your room is to the amenities on the ship. Better yet, you can get both an ocean view and a large deck to enjoy it from in the cabin at the back of the ship, called the aft. An ocean view room is one of the best rooms on a cruise ship, no matter where on the ship it is located.

American Serenade Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

American Serenade Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Fri, 11 Aug 2023 07:21:02 GMT [source]

Note that the windows on cabins on the front are sometimes smaller and slanted or recessed, meaning you can't see as much as you might on the side or rear of the ship. Cruise ships often put suites on the front of the ships to take advantage of the unusual shape and use the opportunity to provide the passengers with larger balconies. Most balconied cabins do not have verandas large enough for a lounge chair where you can lie down and sunbathe in private. The balconies are often narrow, just wide enough for two chairs and a small table. If you want a larger balcony, look for a cabin on the rear of the ship.

Included Dining

Family rooms are often suites that feature a separate kids' room (or sectioned-off area) plus an area for a parent of parents. The spaces for kids can range from a small alcove with bunk beds to an entire adjoining cabin. Pullman beds or pullout sofas can also help families with sleeping arrangements. If you're going to squeeze your whole troupe into one cabin, make sure the space is big enough to accommodate everyone (and their luggage). However, Disney Cruises is known for offering larger standard rooms meant to accomodate families. If you tend to get seasick, selecting your cabin can be critical decision.

Upon entry, you’ll find a lovely dining room with a sparkling chandelier and wet bar before moving to the light-filled living room with an L-shaped sofa and large-screen television. On either side of the living room are two spacious bedrooms with plenty of storage, lighted vanities, and ensuite baths, making the Sky Suite perfect for families or couples traveling together. Cruises take all the best parts of a traditional vacation while injecting some seriously exciting non traditional elements too. Cruise cabins also offer far more value than luxury hotels, since you’re not just getting a room.

Their services are included in the price of many suites, and on some ships you'll find a concierge lounge where suite guests and loyal premium-level passengers can snack, drink and relax in private. Concierge cabins may also come with in-cabin amenities like welcome drinks, fruit baskets or afternoon canapes. Perched high on Deck 18 aboard Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess, enjoy sweeping views from the aptly named Sky Suite. As Princess Cruises' newest luxury accommodation, the suite boasts 1,873 square feet and sleeps up to 5.

In particular, aft cabins located on the corners of the ship often have wraparound balconies, creating enough space for chairs, loungers and sometimes a small dining table. While you can always go to the upper decks of any ship for 360-degree views of your surroundings, there’s no greater cruise ship luxury than enjoying the scenery from your own private balcony. Balconies are the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or glass of champagne during a spectacular sunset and pretend you’re all alone at sea. Family-favored suites are so sweet, your kids might never want to leave! There are many suite options to help you feel right at home, so you can travel in comfort.

Not only do Virgin Voyages cruise cabins come with complimentary water, there are water stations across the ship where you can refill your personal water bottle. Everyone’s favorite part of staying in a hotel, room service means enjoying your favorite meals from the comfort of your own bed. On our ships, not only can you get food delivered to your room, but also towels and other amenities you might need. And the best part is – gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Often the best choice for cruisers with mobility impairments is to choose a cabin nearest the ship’s attractions that matter most to you, whether that’s the casino, the pool or the spa. It’s not that you’ll feel more motion in them per se, but you won’t have the opportunity to get fresh air or a view of the horizon.

When it comes to noise, the best bet is to select a cabin that is both above and below other cabins instead of public spaces. Check out the deck plans of your cruise to see where service areas are located; bar, theater, and nightclub locations; and self-service launderettes (all can be noisy at various times throughout the day). Sure, hotel rooms have windows, but they usually overlook freeways and parking lots. While not all cruise cabins have windows, those that do overlook a spectacular ocean horizon, and many of our rooms even have balconies with hammocks, perfect for spending a lazy morning. When traveling with a group of friends, there are many options to choose from.

Cabins on higher decks will provide better views from balconies and suites, and good access to many of the ship’s amenities, but passengers may feel the ship's movement more. You may also hear more noise from outdoor activities on the pool deck. Pioneered by Norwegian Cruise Line, solo traveler cabins are becoming more common across the industry. Whereas for many years solo cabins were usually interior grade, there are now oceanview and even balcony cabins available for solo travelers on some lines. The best cruise ship cabin location for you might be the one with the shortest commute to your happy place. If you are going to play poker every night until 2 a.m., choose a cabin that is a quick walk from the casino.

Your lodging can make or break a trip, which is why we like our cruise cabins to be part of the vacation experience itself. When you book a cruise ship room, you’re getting a destination and accommodation all in one. All it takes to feel transported to another world is opening your blinds, or stepping onto your balcony, and taking in the scenery of a new port or enjoying the vast ocean views. A "suite" can mean you have (1) a small sitting area, (2) a curtain to separate the bed from the sitting area, or (3) a separate bedroom. It's important to ask and look at the cabin layouts before booking since the name can be somewhat misleading. A suite will have all the amenities found in the other cabin categories, and you might even have butler service.