Chicago's Original Architecture Tour®

Table Of Content

• Related Building
• Apple Michigan Avenue
• Evening River Cruise
• Explore Chicago Sailing Special Events
• City Cruises – Spirit of Chicago Brunch Cruises

Bike & Roll Chicago allows guests to rent bicycles for a fun experience on the lakefront. Follow @mercurycruises on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to see latest cruise information, special promotions and fun city happenings. These private yacht charters are the way to go. The spacious yachts comfortably fit up to 49 or 120 people, making them the perfect option for a large celebration or an intimate gathering. Premium bar and catering packages round out the experience.

Related Building

We are happy to offer free foreign language audio guides in Spanish, French, Japanese and Korean. Scan the QR code onboard for instructions. Feel the spirit of centuries past and hoist the sails as part of your Chicago boat excursion on Tall Ship Windy. AMDI anticipates a public offering price between $3.50 to $4.50. Everyone should be able to enjoy our tours.

Apple Michigan Avenue

All boats have a full service bar and small snacks onboard. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Complete your architecture experience with a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center, just $5 with a General Boarding Ticket and valid for up to 7 days after your cruise. You’ll see why visitors and locals alike consistently name our tour the best way to see Chicago. We went on the Lakeside Architecture Tour.

Evening River Cruise

The city's most popular tour is now offered in the evening. Serene and bathed in softer light, the city's architecture takes on a whole new life in the setting sun. Wind-down from the work-week by enjoying a cocktail with friends and family and experience Chicago's skyline on our luxury boats. The crew is fantastic and the tour guide is hilarious.

Speedboat Tours and Thrill Rides

We’re proud to partner with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, operator of Chicago’s finest fleet of cruising vessels. Its boats hold up to 250 passengers and feature open-air upper decks, full-service bars, climate-controlled lower cabins and upscale marble and granite restrooms. Being onboard is sure to be an experience you'll never forget.

This Navy Pier boat tour sails from 7pm-9pm every Monday this summer. SeaDog also offers lakefront speedboat tours and a river/lake architecture tour, featuring views of Chicago’s iconic Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, Museum Campus, and more. Embark on a 90-minute (approximate) sightseeing adventure aboard our most popular daily tour.

Valentine's Premier Plus Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River 02/14/2024 - Choose Chicago

Valentine's Premier Plus Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River 02/14/2024.

Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends. If you’re looking for other ways to sail, we invite you to explore our other exciting locations! Tall Ship Windy is proud to be a part of the Amphitrite Digital family of companies. Throughout the summer months, enjoy the Navy Pier’s spectacular Firework’s show from the water with Shoreline. Tours depart every Wednesday and Saturday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day. View over 40 Chicago landmarks on our Architecture Tour as you listen to our expert guides tell you how Chicago’s buildings and engineering made the city famous.

Sign up for our email to enjoy Chicago without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush). The Chicago Water Taxi is a fun and cheap way to get around Chicago. The Water Taxi stops at Ogilvie Transportation Center, Chinatown, Goose Island, the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue, and River North. Get a one-way ticket for $6 or an all-day pass for $10. Check their daily routes and schedules for more details.

Tall Ship Windy offers the most spectacular Chicago fireworks cruises during the summer. For the best Chicago sunset, visitors and residents alike, join us aboard the 148′ Tall Ship Windy – the official ambassador for the City of Chicago. Departing from Navy Pier daily, you will enjoy a spectacular sailing cruise and enjoy the breathtaking moments as the sun sets gently behind the Chicago Skyline. Join us at Paradise Adventures in Panama City Beach, Florida, where sun-kissed shores await. If you’re dreaming of a week-long yacht vacation, Charter Smarter in the Virgin Islands promises an unforgettable experience. For a full or half day on the water from St. Thomas and St. John in the US Virgin Islands, our team at Seas the Day Charters USVI is ready to make your dreams a reality.

When you dine on Like Michigan, every table is the best in the house. Navy Pier’s brunch, lunch and dinner cruises pair world-class cuisine with panoramic views of the city and lakefront. Want to see Chicago from the water but don't have much time to spare? You can peep the skyline in just 30 minutes on Shoreline's Classic Lake Tour, which departs from Navy Pier and boasts some of the best views you'll find on Lake Michigan. Sure, walks along Michigan Avenue and State Street are nice and rooftop bars offer plenty of pretty sights – but the best way to see downtown Chicago is from the water.

I thought the price was great for the experience. Highly recommend the 7pm sail to watch the sunset between the buildings. Fun and knowledgeable crew made the Windy the highlight of our Chicago visit. Shoreline’s 40-minute Skyline Lake Tour offers a relaxing way to experience the panoramic of the city’s famed skyline as seen from majestic Lake Michigan.

Catch the Chicago skyline at sunset during the most beautiful time of the year, and join us for a fun, laid-back, 2-hour cruise. A two-hour Lake Michigan lunch cruise is the perfect way to enjoy time with family or the company of great friends. Experience our renowned daytime CAC River Cruise in the glow of the setting sun.

Mercury Cruises also offer Urban Adventure, Canine Cruises, and Chicago by Night tours. The Magnificent Mile is in the heart of Chicago's famous culinary scene and offers visitors a delectable spread of places to dine. Interested in a tour for a group of 20 or more?

Launching from Navy Pier, the captain will efficiently guide you (with a running commentary) around Lake Michigan, past Museum Campus, Magnificent Mile, Grant Park, and more. The following discounts apply; 50% off on Tuesdays for College Students with a valid Student ID from an accredited College or University. 50% off Monday-Thursday for active-duty U.S. Military personnel and their spouses with a valid ID. $10 off Monday-Thursday for U.S.

Before the show, you’ll cruise around the lake and see some of Chicago’s famous landmarks. Our boat tours are both fun and educational, which makes them the perfect way to see Lake Michigan. Now in its 83rd season, Shoreline Sightseeing operates Chicago's largest and most diverse fleet of cruise boats and water taxis with 11 major tour vessels and 7 water taxis.

Best and Worst Cabins on Cruise Ships

Table Of Content

• Benefits of Balcony Rooms and Views on a Cruise Ship
• The Budget Accommodation Choice
• Cruises vs. all inclusive resorts: why one is the clear victor…
• Cabin Locations
• STATEROOMS & SUITES
• Claim your slice of paradise with balcony views just outside your door.
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

For more hump cabins search in the fleets of Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises. There are several contenders for the best room on a cruise ship – it all depends on what you’re looking for in a cabin and for your overall vacation. Although rooms with balconies are more expensive, they are definitely worth it if you’re looking for more space and fresh air in your cabin with a seating area. However, as a general rule of thumb, the higher the deck, the better the view. These are usually inside cabins, which are also a good choice for single cruisers, and those who will spend most of their time around the vessel. Connecting cabins are a great option if you’re traveling with a group and want to stay close, but all want your own space.

Benefits of Balcony Rooms and Views on a Cruise Ship

Some cruise lines offer 20 or more room types per ship, which can complicate your decision even more. Get the VIP treatment when you stay in The Haven onboard Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, where the top-end suites are located in an exclusive enclave accessible by private elevators. The largest is the Premier Owner's Suite which spans over 2,900 square feet including a vast wraparound balcony with lounging areas, a full-sized outdoor dining table, and a private hot tub.

The Budget Accommodation Choice

I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Norwegian's newest cruise ship. Here's what a windowless cabin on Viva looks like - Cruise Blog

I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Norwegian's newest cruise ship. Here's what a windowless cabin on Viva looks like.

Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

While you can't count on the upgrade fairy to pay you a visit after you've booked that low-tier cabin, you can look out for upgrade deals before you book. One common cruise-line promotion is to offer outside cabins for the price of insides, or balconies for the price of outsides. As mentioned above, special consideration should be paid on itineraries where more than the ocean or sea is on display.

Cruises vs. all inclusive resorts: why one is the clear victor…

The top-tiered Star Class Suites are for VIP cruisers who want an all-access luxury pass and space. A Royal Genie, or concierge, is included to take care of every reservation, booking or any other need you may have without you having to lift a finger. You'll also have access to the Suite Sun Deck, plus specialty dining at delicious places like the Coastal Kitchen, premium spirits, unlimited VOOM Wi-Fi and invitations to curated, exclusive events. When it comes to choosing suites, it's best to figure out how much space you really need, what amenities are important to you and what you can afford to spend. Suites on most ships are often the first category to sell out, partly because there are fewer of them, and partly because they often offer extremely good value. For this reason, it's important to decide early what kind of suite you'd like.

Cabin Locations

If your particular ship has a promenade, I recommend trying to snag an inside cabin with a promenade view for a little extra. If you're planning to just use your stateroom to sleep, shower and change, this affordable option is a good way to get your cruising feet wet! This stateroom puts you right in the center of it all, with a great view overlooking any onboard events, such as parades. Keep in mind that these rooms usually offer two twin beds that can turn into a queen-sized bed, a sofa or pullman bed (that tucks away when not in use) for one or two extra passengers, plus a TV and desk set up. The vast majority of balcony rooms are standard balcony cabins or slightly larger rooms along either side of a cruise ship -- the port and starboard sides. It's hard to beat a direct sea view (or port view in some cases), and equally wonderful to leave a ship's public areas and soak up the sun, views, or breezes from the comfort of your own cabin.

The "best cabins for seasickness" are located at the ship's edges (top decks, bow, and stern). The worst area in the front section, as the bow is first hit by waves. Higher deck front cabins fell more the up and down motion, while for the aft cabins the motion is less noticeable. The most stable cabins are located midship and on lower decks (closer to the waterline).

But you don't need to lift a finger, as your butler will attend to your every need, from unpacking your suitcase and uncorking your Champagne to delivering room service and making that espresso. A grand spiral staircase leads up to the two bedrooms outfitted with 1,000-thread-count Frette lines and luxury robes. Each bedroom has a walk-in closet and a double-vanity marble bath with a soaking tub and rain shower.

The rule of thumb for finding the most peace and quiet is to insulate yourself with other passenger cabins -- on either side of you, across from you and both above and below you. You'll also want to avoid cabins low and forward in the ship (where the anchor being lowered or raised can generate a lot of sound). The same goes for aft rooms (where the ship's generators create a hum that rarely, if ever, stops).

The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

While you aren’t likely to find a balcony on a forward-facing cabin, you may find more interior space than similarly priced mid-ship cabins. There are some odd angles in forward-facing cabins that the designers had to work around, thanks to the slanted style of the front of a ship. Those odd angles may work in your favor when it comes to square footage. And some of the absolute best rooms on a cruise ship are located at the rear, where you’ll also be treated to the photo-worthy wake left behind, which is a fun way to mark your ship’s progress. Cruise accommodations—also known as staterooms or cabins—are a vacationers’ home away from home while at sea. Far from a one-size-fits-all decision, there are numerous factors to consider when determining the best rooms on a cruise ship to fit your and your companions’ needs.

Here's your guide to picking the best rooms on a cruise ship based on your travel preferences and lifestyle. Finally, you might prefer a cruise cabin that's close to the parts of the ship you use most. Fitness enthusiasts might choose a room near the spa; poker players might like to be not far from the casino. Carnival Cruise Line's Family Harbor cabins even come with access to an exclusive family lounge with snacks, games, TVs and computers, and a concierge. Within each basic cabin category, you will find specialty cabins aimed at certain types of cruisers.

For example, Carnival offers larger-than-average rooms with the standard interior cabin starting at approximately 185 square feet; other lines tend to average at about 140 square feet. Interior, ocean view and balcony cabins are typically the same in size. The only difference is the ocean-view room has a window to the outside, and the balcony room has a little patio space for passengers to hang out without having to venture out to the decks.

But to answer the question of whether or not side matters, it doesn't. When a vessel is out in the middle of the ocean, both sides of the ship will offer much the same ocean view. The same can be said for when a ship is docked or during a scenic cruise.

Duplex guests dine in the intimate Queens Grill restaurant and also have the option to order from its menu for in-suite dining. Other privileges include a complimentary bar, a personal butler, and exclusive access to the Grills Lounge and Grills Terrace sun deck with a whirlpool tub. Outside, the 570-square-foot wraparound veranda offers the same views as the captain's navigation bridge. This stylish apartment at sea measure 1,472 (on Deck 9) or 1,572 (on Deck 8) square feet, and can be converted into a two-bedroom suite of up to 1,970 square feet by adding the adjacent Veranda Suite. The Grand Suite onboard Silversea's three luxury sister ships Silver Muse, Silver Moon, and Silver Dawn will make you feel right at home. Your living room features a comfortable sofa and chairs, a writing desk, a dining table for six, and an Illy espresso machine.

This option is especially perfect for couples who want to enjoy slow mornings on the private balcony or a glass of wine at dusk to bookend another perfect day. Should you like, you can even take in all the sights at sea and in port from the comfort of your cabin outfitted with a queen-sized bed, plus a sofa and pullman. These rooms start around 180 square feet, with another 50 feet dedicated to the balcony itself, which is furnished with a small table and two chairs, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoor views. Or, you can opt for an inward facing balcony, with views of the ship's Central Park or Boardwalk. Norwegian's studio cabins although they are small cruise ship cabins -- also include a special lounge reserved just for solo travelers. If you're seeking a cruise experience with an adult-only atmosphere or a touch of luxury, the most coveted cruise ship accommodations fall into two categories.