Some people think of us only for major events and large meetings. Nope, not so.

We have lots of small group charters. They love the cozy ambiance of our Gypsy Spirit (so do we!). The smaller boat holds up to 49 people but many of our group charters are far smaller.

For example, on August 12^th, we had an e-Women Network morning networking event. There were only twelve people, so the salon was a perfect place to host it. Marie Hale, Executive Managing Director of e-Women Network was the woman who put this together. Since it was a small group with a specific agenda, it was a great way to get to know what each of the women (and one male) did. There was a lot of sharing and business card passing and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Here are a couple of photos from the meeting.

Keep Free Spirit Yacht Cruises in mind for your next business meeting, networking event or client appreciation cruise. Being out on a private yacht on Lake Michigan takes meetings to a whole different level. It’s peaceful and quiet and lends itself to creative brainstorming or just easy networking. 

Free Spirit Yachts were booked all weekend with private charters. But it looks like our decision to open up the Free Spirit for individual ticket purchases (for major Chicago events) was a good one. 

We’re still getting feedback on the Venetian Night Cruise…. which was a huge success!

This past weekend, on Saturday, August16^th, guests boarded the Free Spirit for the Air & Water Show. It was an awesome cruise!  Another picture perfect day. The buffet was yummy. There was a great mix of people chatting and having fun. And when it was over, people were asking about signing up for next year. 

Captain Joe positioned the boat perfectly for the finale. The Blue Angels came right towards us in formation and dispersed directly above us. Talk about cool!

Here’s feedback from one couple that are air show aficionados:

“My wife & I are avid Air Show fans & attend at least 15 shows per year throughout the country. Thanks to you & your Team’s outstanding hospitality, the Chicago Air & Water Show is now our favorite! The food was delicious, the staff was both courteous & attentive & Captain Joe expertly piloted the Free Spirit to some memorable vantage points!

In today’s climate of declining value & vanishing customer service, we were pleasantly surprised when our Free Spirit experience exceeded our expectations in value & service. We plan to take advantage of this Chicago Gem in the very near future.”

Sincerely,  Jim & Cheryl Tepper

Joe and I are overjoyed to get this type of feedback from our customers. It makes our work a pleasure.

Google

If you could pick a better place to work than here at Free Spirit Yacht Cruises, Google might be it (btw….they have some positions open here in Chicago).

We’ve all heard about how great it is to work at Google: casual atmosphere, smart fun people, free lunches and all the other amazing perks they offer employees.

So naturally, when it was time for a summer staff outing, what better place to have it than on a Free Spirit yacht cruise.  Which is just what the Chicago Googlers did!

Here’s feedback and photos from their charter on August 12, 2008 on the Gypsy Spirit:

“We had a fabulous time! The experience was totally turnkey - we just had to show up.  The boat is really well suited for entertaining clients - intimate & comfortable, yet spacious. The food & hospitality was perfecto! We’ll definitely come back!!” 

CR, Google

And we’ll happily welcome them back! 

No denying that working on a luxury yacht on Lake Michigan is a fabulous way to spend your summer.  But it’s not just about the boats and the parties. It’s the people we get to work with and seeing how much fun clients have when they book a charter for a private party.

For example, this week we were able to help out a group of thirty people whose private charter with another company fell through at the last minute.  In fact, it was so last minute that they were on the pier with nowhere to go. Although the Free Spirit and Gypsy Spirit yachts were both booked, we were able to get them on another boat and they had their outing.

The group was so happy. And we were just as happy to be able to help them out. That’s what Joe and I love about this business.  It’s a “feel good”.  Too bad our season couldn’t last longer!

Since the Free Spirit wasn’t booked for a private charter on Venetian Night this year, we decided to open ticket sales to individuals. What a great idea!

Seventy people enjoyed three hours of Lake Michigan yacht cruising, topped off by a spectacular fireworks display. Some couples visiting Chicago for the weekend. A father and daughter sharing a special summer visit.  More than a few Chicago residents viewing Venetian night for the first time.  And a large group of recent UW-Madison graduates who had recently moved to Chicago to begin their careers or job hunt.

People mixed and mingled and networked and ate and drank and had a wonderful time.  But once the fireworks started – other than WXRT’s synchronized music and the “oohs” and “ahs” that followed the one-more-amazing-than-the-next display, the ship was perfectly quiet.  Everyone was captivated by the incredibly beautiful lightshow and the fabulous summer evening.  In fact, “What a perfect night” was heard more than once as the evening progressed.

When the boat docked at 11:00pm, a number of happy guests were overheard talking about “doing this again soon”. 

To see more photos of Chicago’s 51^st Annual Venetian Night aboard the Free Spirit, click here. 

July 26th is Chicago’s 51st Annual Venetian Night, so we were surprised to discover that some Chicagoans don’t know about it (OK, they live in the suburbs).

If you’ve never seen it, here’s what you’re missing:

• a glorious parade of boats: somewhere between 30-35 ships, decked out with lights and other decorations, will sail between the Shedd Aquarium (Roosevelt Road) and the Chicago Yacht Club (Monroe St)
• a spectacular fireworks extravaganza at Monroe Harbor with customized music from WXRT- 93.1
• lots and lots of spectators (about 1/2 a million)

Start time is 8:00pm

Want a great place to view the festivities? We have one yacht open for a private charter.

If you’re interested in booking a private cruise, call Angela at 708.361.2220.

“Free Spirit Yacht Cruises has become an event that our whole team looks forward to every summer. It’s a fantastic outing for a medium-sized group (to) get together and enjoy the best views in Chicago. It’s a great team-building event that everyone enjoys and is far more memorable than just another dinner at a restaurant.

Captain Joe and his crew have always been flexible in helping to plan just the kind of outing we need. If you are looking for a fun and relaxing event, it doesn’t get any better than this!”

Peggy Bueschel
Draft FCB

We can’t think of anything better to post….except the picture that accompanied this quote. And to mention that, unlike the past weekend, this cruise was on a cloudy day.

Yes, the weather was “Chicago crazy” this past weekend! Warm and beautiful one minute, pouring the next… depending on where you were. But the weather didn’t seem to bother guests on the Free Spirit or the Gypsy Spirit.

Saturday cruising was almost perfect (minimal rain). Sunday was great or not-so-great…depending on the time of your charter. Early on Sunday, one group held a wonderful wedding reception party with guests from all over the world. Later in the afternoon, a small group aboard the Free Spirit caught the downpour. But they took it all in the stride, heading inside into the comfy salon where they proceeded to have a great time.

Even in the rain, there’s something soothing about being out on Lake Michigan.

What do you do when you’ve got a private charter scheduled, and Chicago weather is not cooperating (to say the least)!

If you’re fortunate enough to have booked with Free Spirit Yacht Cruises, you’ll be fine.

Just ask the couple whose wedding reception was held on the Gypsy Spirit on Saturday, June 7, 2008.

How’s this for a wedding day forecast?
The National Weather Service confirmed the occurrence of six tornadoes in southwestern metropolitan Chicago between 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
blog posting –By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist

Here’s what the bride and groom had to say:

“I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful evening we’ve spent on [the] Gypsy Spirit. Everything was really great and the service was outstanding. All of my guests really enjoyed the cruise and congratulated us on the choice of the boat! I’ll definitely recommend you to my friends!”

Thank you again!
Patrycja & Hristo

And that’s one of the nicest compliments we could receive.

All Guests On Deck

Chicago weather was on our side for our first Dockside Open House on May 21, 2008.

It was a perfect day….blue skies, light breezes, 70s….couldn’t ask for more. Well, except for wonderful food and drink, which was in abundance, courtesy of Taste America.

About 130 meeting and event planners and their guests enjoyed a beautiful buffet of scrumptious hors d’œuvres shrimp skewers, poached salmon, gourmet cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetable platters. And, of course, yummy desserts.

Guests toured both of our yachts – lingering on the top deck of the multi-level Free Spirit and chatting in small groups in the comfy salon of the Gypsy Spirit. Several were obviously planning which ship would be a fit for what event, because we got a number of calls for private charters the next day.

Cruising on Lake Michigan is a wonderful way to get away from it all. So keep us in mind for your next meeting, company outing, networking event or family party.

For a real treat — we still have a few Wednesday night dates open for Chicago Fireworks Cruises.

Sea you soon -

Captain Joe and Angela

Angela’s Charter Service Features Free Spirit Yacht Cruises - Audio Site Tour 05/22/2008 - By Here’s Chicago .COM Mobile 1