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Plan Your Perfect Chicago Corporate Event Outing

Step out of the office and onto the water. Whether you want to book a section of tables, a private deck, or a fully private yacht, package options are available for all party sizes and budgets. The opportunities are endless – consider the best views of iconic Chicago’s skyline and landmarks as your backdrop.

Our complimentary event planners at City Cruises have years of expert, hands-on experience in producing scalable events filled with chef-prepared dining, dancing, creative cocktails, and entertainment – offering unparalleled views of the Willis Tower and Navy Pier and exceptional hospitality.

We look forward to assisting you in planning the perfect corporate event that is both memorable and anything but ordinary.

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Vibrant views chicago

Vibrant Views

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Vibrant City Views

Experience the dynamic panorama of Chicago with views on a yacht. Picture yourself hosting your event on an exceptional floating venue, surrounded by the stunning Chicago architecture as your backdrop. Our rooftop and outer deck areas offer breathtaking on-the-water views of the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and more from Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. Whether you’re introducing visitors to Chicago’s iconic landmarks or inviting locals to revel in its beauty, there’s no better vantage point for breathtaking on-the-water views of the city.

Gastronomy

Dining & Drinks

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Chicago Dining & Drinks

The magic is in the details! Each of our yachts serves as a reception venue with a variety of customizable menu and bar choices. From start to finish, we will both dine and delight your guests. Top it off with our extraordinary service and hospitality with a remarkable event to remember.

Choose between chef-prepared passed hors d’oeuvres, carving stations, abundant buffets, or sit-down multi-course meals with table service. All options feature seasonal menus with a variety of delicious options including dessert. Full bar service is also available featuring wine, beer, and specialty cocktails.

Foodie Favorites

  • Seafood Tower
  • Cheese & Crudité Station
  • Beef Wellington
  • Chicken Yakitori
  • Spanakopita
  • Short Ribs
  • Mini Quiche
  • Prime Rib
  • Beef Crostini
  • NY Style Cheesecake
  • Fresh Baked Cookies
  • Brownies

Entertainment

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Extraordinary Entertainment

The atmosphere and entertainment on a boat are the best ways to set the tone for your event. Entertainment can create anticipation, energize your guests, and bring people together for an afternoon of team building, celebratory dinner, or sunset cruise.

Whether it’s a live band or a DJ, music allows your guests to mix and mingle, dance, and relax in an open-air setting. On-board games for team building, interactive opportunities to break the ice, and photo booths allow your guests to be their authentic selves and capture memorable moments. The opportunities are endless!

Unforgettable Outings

wedding

Client Entertainment

Impress your clients with the city’s best sights, first class service and exceptional hospitality. Equipped with private deck space and yachts available for sensitive meeting topics.

Build Stronger Bonds

“Jack in sales guided me to the perfect vessel for our event, and my event coordinators Clara coordinated the flow and details of the evening. The friendly and attentive staff warmly greeted us, and our buffet dinner was plentiful and delicious. A fun and interesting evening for our team.”
– Karen G. | Milestone Corporate Event; Pharmaceutical Industry

Employee & Intern Outings

Level up the typical office outing with onboard games for team-building fun, and other adventurous way to break the ice.

Create Lasting Memories

“Everything (as always) was wonderful! Everyone was incredible and really made our event a huge success! Our group danced the night away. Hoping we will be able to have an event with you again soon!”
– Suzanne | Team Outing; Technology Industry

Essentials For Your Event

Break out of the office and onto the water with a spectrum of tailored experiences designed to inspire your unique event vision within the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Our all-inclusive packages feature an expert staff, including a dedicated captain, bartenders, and event staff, ensuring that your event will be perfectly executed according to your needs. 

Mix & Mingle

  • Afternoon or evening sunset
  • 2-hour event
  • Cocktail-style menu of light bites
  • Fully stocked bar with wine, beer & specialty cocktails
  • DJ & dance floor

Wine & Dine

  • Brunch, lunch or dinner
  • 2-3-hour event
  • Chef-prepared, seasonal fare menu (buffet or table service)
  • Fully stocked bar with wine, beer & specialty cocktails
  • DJ & Dance Floor

Custom Yacht Experience

  • Flexible cruise length & boarding time
  • Customizable food & beverages packages
  • Interactive enhancements (karaoke, casino games, photo booth, and more)
  • Dockside events available – come and go as you please

*options may vary by vessel

Level Up Your Next Corporate Event

Our corporate planning quick guide provides event images, inspirations, and ideas to help get you started. Provide your email address below and download our free planning guide.

Exceptional Event Venues

Start your year, end your year, or celebrate throughout the year on the water!

Take a visual tour of our fleet, offering luxurious climate-controlled indoor and open-air outdoor decks and comfortable spaces, allowing for year-round sailing and exceptional event venues. Our customizable budget and party packages allow you to charter entire yachts, reserve a deck, or book a section of the boat, all boasting unparalleled panoramic views from every direction.

Get The Party Started!

Turn your corporate event into reality. Our venues offer a space for every business event. Contact us by filling out the form to provide us with general event details and we will email you to get the conversation started.

Tell Us About Your Event

After form submission, you’ll receive a customized offer from an experienced Account Manager matching your event vision.

Event Details

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Creative Cocktails Customized for Your Event

In addition to specialty cocktails, mocktails, and full bar options, our bartenders can create seasonal and custom cocktails for your corporate event. Click the drinks to meet our bartenders and beverages.

A Day on the Hudson

M/V True Colors

All Hands on Deck

Corporate Event Blogs

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Anchoring Employee Engagement with City Cruises Daytime Social Events 

June 26, 2024
Continued shifts in the workplace environment have caused conversations to become a little, well, intense to say the least. Organizations need to create people-centered strategies to help employees thrive and boost productivity. An alarming 46 percent of the workforce would...
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Gather in Style with These Chicago Meeting Spaces and Venues

September 21, 2023
Chicago is an amazing place to live—and work. Because there is so much to see and do, it’s difficult for companies located in the city to determine which meeting spaces
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Elevate Your Networking Game with This Unique Chicago Event Venue

September 14, 2023
Chicago, the city of innovation, is famous for its towering skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza, cultural arts, and sports fandom (Da Bears!). When you’re in the Windy City, there’s a checklist of
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A Stunning Venue for Your Next Chicago Corporate Holiday Party

August 18, 2023
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Team Building Chicago Style

July 28, 2023
Workers living in Chicago get all the perks of a big city with a small-town feeling. You get the New York hustle with Midwestern hospitality. The Windy City has world-class
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A Chicago Corporate Event to Remember

July 18, 2023
So, you want to plan a corporate event in Chicago and don’t know where to begin. The most important decision you will make is where to host the event. Luckily
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Chicago Corporate Event FAQs

What are ideas for a company outing in Chicago?

  1. A boat ride in Chicago offers a unique perspective of the city, showcasing its stunning skyline and iconic architecture from a different angle. Taking your company on the water provides opportunities not only for sightseeing, education, relaxation, and adventure but also for building activities, collaboration, and recognition.
  2. A company picnic is a great way to get everyone together for some fun in the sun. There are many parks in Chicago that would be perfect for a picnic, such as Lincoln Park or Millennium Park. Picnics can also be held out on the water with City Cruises Chicago!
  3. A day at the beach is another great option for a company outing. Chicago has many beaches to choose from, such as Oak Street Beach or North Avenue Beach.
  4. If your company is looking for something a bit more active, consider renting out a space at a local trampoline park. This is sure to be a hit with employees of all ages!
  5. For something truly unique, consider taking your employees on a tour of the city via Segway. This is a great way to see the beautiful architecture of the city.

How to plan a corporate event in Chicago?

When it comes to corporate events, picking the right location is key. You want to pick a spot that is convenient for everyone to get to and that has enough space to accommodate your group. The activity you choose should be something that everyone will enjoy. Make sure to plan ahead with the City Cruises Chicago team! Remember, the whole point of a corporate event is to have fun and build team morale. So make sure to relax and enjoy yourself! 

What is included on a corporate cruise in Chicago?

It is entirely up to you and the team. City Cruises Chicago has many years of experience when it comes to planning company events on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.  We will work with you to create a custom package that includes everything you need to make your event a success. From start to finish, we will be there to assist you every step of the way. Food, drinks, music and all kinds of other entertainment are available! 

How much will it cost to host a corporate event in Chicago?

This will depend on several factors, such as the size of your group, the activities you choose to do, and the duration of the event. City Cruises Chicago offers competitive rates and can work with you to create a package that fits within your budget. Contact us today for a free quote! 

What corporate team building activities are available in the Chicago area?

All sorts of fun indoor and outdoor activities are available in The Windy City. City Cruises Chicago is proud to offer both of those options! Corporate events can be held both inside the boats and on the deck to soak in the views. As for the activities, there are so many fun games to create. Reach out today to learn more.  

Can company meetings be hosted on a cruise in Chicago?

Yes! City Cruises Chicago offers a variety of boats that are perfect for hosting corporate meetings. We have boats of all sizes to accommodate groups of any size. Our experienced staff will work with you to ensure that your meeting goes off without a hitch. Contact us today to learn more! 

Where to find a unique corporate event venue in Chicago?

City Cruises Chicago offers a variety of boats that are perfect for hosting corporate events. We have boats of all sizes to accommodate groups of any size. Our experienced staff will work with you to ensure that your event goes off without a hitch. Contact us today to learn more! 

How to find sponsorship for a corporate event in Chicago, IL?

Contacting local businesses to see if they would be interested in sponsoring your event is a great place to start. Another way is to reach out to friends and family members who might be able to help you secure a sponsor. Finally, you can also investigate online resources and see if there are any companies that offer sponsorship for events in Chicago. 

How to manage a corporate event?

Leave that stress to the City Cruises Chicago team! We have years of experience when it comes to planning and executing corporate events. We will work with you from start to finish to make sure that your event is a success. Contact us today to learn more! 

Can a company rent out the entire boat with City Cruises Chicago?

Absolutely! Private boat charters along the Chicago River or Lake Michigan are some of the most popular cruises.  City Cruises Chicago would be more than happy to help you plan your private event! Contact us today for more information. 

How long do private boat cruises in Chicago last for a corporate event?

Private boat charters can be customized to fit your needs, but most typically last 2-3 hours. That is unless you are looking for a half or full day charter. Work with the City Cruises Chicago team to make your dream event a reality.  

How many people can participate in a private boat ride with City Cruises Chicago?

We have boats of all different sizes, so we can accommodate groups of any size! Contact us today to learn more. 

  • Odyssey Lake Michigan: 749 guests 
  • Odyssey Chicago River: 200 guests 
  • Spirit of Chicago: 600 guests 
  • Spirit of Navy Pier: 500 guests 
  • Chicago Elite: 150 guests 
  • Seadog: 125 guests