Location: 112 E. Wacker Drive, along the Chicago Riverwalk. Use stairs at NE corner of Michigan Ave & Wacker Dr. Once you descend, the dock is to your immediate left. See a picture of the staircase here: https://bit.ly/3r0crzx. There will be a sign for the Chusid/Flores wedding. Our boat is The Fair Lady.
Guest boarding is from 6:45-7:00pm. We set sail at 7:00 sharp.
The boat docks at 11pm.
We ask all guests to ensure you are virus-free, fully vaccinated and boosted for the safety and consideration of the other guests, especially as there will be immune-compromised people in attendance. Masks are not required on the boat. Weather permitting, most of the wedding will take place on the open-air upper deck. The wedding will proceed on the appointed day and time.
Though legal in Chicago, marijuana is prohibited on the boat by federal maritime law. According to our contract, use of this substance on board could result in the boat returning to the dock and all of us being forcibly ejected.
There will be an array of buffet choices available. Email Sarah.Chusid@gmail.com with any specific concerns.
We strongly encourage all guests to take non-drowsy Dramamine 30-60 minutes prior to boarding. Dramamine will be available at the dock. In our experience, if you don't go on boats often you may not be able to predict your susceptibility to motion sickness; much better to prevent any possibility of this in the first place. In general the river is smooth and this larger type of vessel is less affected by wave activity.
Dress code: Dress to impress! It appears the temperature will be in the mid-70s early in the evening dropping to the mid-60s later. It can be cool on the lake at night so factor that into your sartorial choices.
The after party will take place in the BIG bar located in the second floor of the Hyatt Regency immediately following our disembarkation from the boat.
If driving, we recommend using the SpotHero app to find the lowest prices. If you park at the Illinois Center the boat company will validate your parking so you'll pay $15 for 4 hours. After 4 hours standard rates apply. The Illinois Center is located at 111 E. Wacker Dr, just east of the intersection of N. Michigan Ave. and E. Wacker Dr. and across the street from Chicago’s First Lady Cruises (the garage entrance is next door to the Chicago Architecture Center). There are three ways to validate a parking ticket – (1) prepay online, (2) at the ticket office or (3) at the bar onboard the boat. Pre-paying is the best option as then it's all done, which you can do here: cruisechicago.com/location. Email Sarah if you want details on the other validation options.
We recommend using Uber or Lyft for car service. Chicago enjoys a robust public transportation system. Email Sarah for recommendations on public transportation. It is $5 for a full-day pass providing access to Chicago's "L" train and buses. Chicago's "L" Red line offers 24-hour service but the bus options become more limited at night. Both options can be accessed within a 15-minute walk from the dock.
Most guests are staying at the Hyatt Regency which is across the street from the dock. The deadline to reserve a room under our room block has passed. Chicago has many hotel options downtown and for lower rates in other areas. Please let us know if hotel costs are prohibitive and we can assist in finding alternative accommodations.