Chicago Dinner Cruise

[Greg_Golec]

So my wife’s birthday is fast approaching and she wants to take a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. I’ve heard horror stories about the food, crappiness of the boats, etc. and I’ve shared them with her. She says she doesn’t care, isn’t in it for the food, just wants to get out on the water and see the skyline. So I figure what the hell, we’ll do it…then I find out it’d be $350 for the two of us, which I’m having trouble stomaching.

Has anyone taken one of these “cruises”? Are they as bad as the online reviews? Any alternatives that will get her out on the lake at night to see the skyline and won’t cost me $350 plus the cost of some good food once we get off

TIA!

[George_Hejna]

April or early May on the lake can be very cold. I have been on a few cruises for business purposes, weddings etc and they are all mediocre. I am sure you could rent a private boat and have some bubbly and look at the skyline but I wouldn’t do it until summer. It is a beautiful skyline but not worth it in cold weather IMO.

Geirge

[Greg_Golec]

Thanks for the input, George. We wouldn’t be “sailing” until June but, if I can help it, we won’t be sailing at all unless anyone else has a positive experience to share.

[Chris_Blum]

Again wait til warmer weather, but the architectural tour up the river is fun

[Victor_Hong]

@Greg Golec

So my wife’s birthday is fast approaching and she wants to take a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. I’ve heard horror stories about the food, crappiness of the boats, etc. and I’ve shared them with her. She says she doesn’t care, isn’t in it for the food, just wants to get out on the water and see the skyline. So I figure what the hell, we’ll do it…then I find out it’d be $350 for the two of us, which I’m having trouble stomaching.

Has anyone taken one of these “cruises”? Are they as bad as the online reviews? Any alternatives that will get her out on the lake at night to see the skyline and won’t cost me $350 plus the cost of some good food once we get off

TIA!

If lucky, you might get to ride during a big nor’easter on Lake Michigan. There is over three hundred miles of fetch from Mackinac to Chicago,
over which winds can build big waves. I recall sailing through waves which were thirty feet from crest to trough. That will make
you overlook the cruise food…on the way both down and up.
If your wife insists on a tourista ride, be sure that she first picks up a nice navy-styled outfit and high-heel boat shoes at Escada, on Michigan Avenue,

Seriously, consider hiring a private charter boat and bringing your own dinner and wine, to enjoy at sunset. The members’ magazine at
Chicago Yacht Club seems to advertise some, if I recall correctly.