FAQs

Looking for more information? Browse our most commonly asked questions. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The Yacht

The Yacht

For bareboat charters, the maximum capacity is 12 passengers, excluding the charterer, Captain and Crew.

The hired Captain and Crew are not counted as passengers. So, to clarify, the Charterer can bring a maximum of 12 guests.

Please keep in mind that infants and children are included in the total capacity count. Your Captain will count as an additional person, and the Crew can range from 1 to 2 people, depending on your specific requirements.

Once your booking is confirmed, Chi City Charters will provide you with a selection of qualified and approved Captains who have extensive knowledge of the yacht.

Our Captains can offer valuable recommendations regarding the number of Crew members you may require, depending on your specific charter plan. They have a network of experienced Crew members who are familiar with the yacht, and they can enhance your charter experience by providing additional safety, assistance, and service throughout your journey.

Alternatively, Charterers are welcome to provide their own certified Captain. It’s important to note that Captains are independent contractors hired directly by the Charterer and are not affiliated with or employed by Chi City Charters.

The rate for Captains typically ranges from $80 to $250 per hour, depending on their skills, experience, and qualifications, and this does not include gratuity.

It is customary to show appreciation to your hired Captain and Crew by leaving a gratuity of 18-25% of the total charter price (excluding the Captain’s hourly rate). Payment and gratuity should be made directly to your hired Captain.

Captains usually accept cash or payment through peer-to-peer platforms such as ApplePay, Venmo, Zelle, and others.

You’re welcome to bring everything you desire for an amazing trip on the water! From bottled water and ice to delicious food and refreshing drinks.

Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, and towel for a complete experience. Rest assured, the yacht offers ample space for your bags and is equipped with refrigerators and coolers to keep your provisions cool throughout the journey.

Of course! We gladly welcome guests to bring their own food and beverages, including alcohol. The yacht is thoughtfully furnished with a microwave, refrigerators, and coolers to conveniently store your provisions, and there’s ample table space available for you to lay out a delightful feast.

For those who enjoy grilling, we have two electric grills on board that you are free to use, although please be aware that there is an additional cleaning fee of $25 associated with their use.

We kindly advise against bringing glassware or liquids that may stain, such as red wine or cranberry juice, as they could potentially damage the upholstery and boat interiors, which may result in a damage fee.

If you opt to hire a Crew, they will be delighted to serve your guests throughout the trip.

Absolutely! Chi City Charters collaborates with trusted food and beverage suppliers to provide you with a range of catering options.

Visit our Concierge page for inspiration and ideas, and feel free to contact us directly to discuss and make arrangements that suit your preferences.

Absolutely! Kindly inform us about the items you plan to bring and the time required for setup. We will make every effort to accommodate your request and provide access to the yacht prior to the scheduled charter start time. However, please note that availability for early setup cannot be guaranteed in all cases.

At Chi City Charters, we prioritize environmental stewardship and hold Lake Michigan and its inhabitants in high regard, just as we value our passengers. We kindly ask you to be mindful of Mother Nature during your charter and prevent any debris, such as confetti or balloons, from polluting the lake. Let’s work together to preserve the beauty of our natural surroundings.

Absolutely! We welcome and encourage swimming during the hours between sunrise and sunset. However, it’s important to note that the Captain reserves the right to restrict swimming if conditions are deemed unfavorable for safety reasons.

Your safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in such situations.

Of course! One of the unique aspects of chartering a yacht in Chicago is the opportunity to explore the stunning river. To navigate the Chicago River, the yacht will need to enter and exit through the Chicago Locks, which may require up to 1 hour each way on busy traffic days. It’s important to note that this additional time should be considered when planning your charter, particularly on high traffic days like Friday and Saturday afternoons. To ensure a seamless and enjoyable boating experience, please inform us and your hired Captain in advance if you intend to navigate the Chicago River. This will allow us to allocate sufficient time for navigating the Locks and guarantee the best possible experience during your charter.

Certainly! We happily welcome infants and children aboard, provided they are under the supervision of a parent or responsible guardian throughout the charter. Please keep in mind that infants and children are included in the total capacity count for safety reasons.

For the safety of all passengers, children aged 13 years and younger are required to wear a life jacket at all times while on the yacht. We kindly request parents to bring their own infant-size life jackets for babies and infants to ensure a proper fit and optimal safety.

The yacht is equipped with a bluetooth sound system, kitchen, restroom, and cooler on board.

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General

A bareboat charter, as defined by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), is an arrangement granting the Charterer (the individual renting the yacht) temporary ownership and use of a vessel for a specified duration. Under this agreement, the Charterer assumes responsibility for the vessel, their guests, hiring their own Crew, and providing their own food and beverages.

It is important to note that the Charterer may either operate the vessel themselves if they possess the required credentials or choose to hire their own Captain and Crew.

However, it is crucial to adhere to the maximum passenger limit of 12 individuals for a bareboat chartered vessel.

Discover the availability and secure your charter today by visiting our online booking platform.

In the event that your desired date or time is not available, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 319-899-7170 or email us at info@chicitycharters.com.

We will make every effort to accommodate your request and provide you with an exceptional charter experience.

Diversey Harbor
2601 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, Il 60614
https://goo.gl/maps/4a2DSxc3tQWpMBoXA

Terms, Payment & Policy

At Chi City Charters, we accept all major credit cards, including ApplePay, Venmo, Zelle, direct deposit, and cash, providing you with flexible payment options.

However, please be aware that we are unable to accept payment on behalf of your hired Captain or Crew, as they are separate contractors hired directly by the Charterer.

We recommend discussing the preferred method of payment with your hired Captain to ensure a smooth transaction process that aligns with their payment preferences.

To prioritize the safety of our guests, Chi City Charters reserves the right to assess weather conditions and determine whether they are suitable for chartering. Weather conditions that are considered “uncharterable” generally include heavy storms, small craft advisory warnings, gale storms, strong winds, and large waves. On the other hand, conditions such as light rain, passing storms, and cooler temperatures are typically deemed as “charterable.”

In the event that conditions are deemed uncharterable, Chi City Charters will collaborate with the Charterer to find a suitable solution. This may involve temporarily postponing the charter to a later time or rescheduling it for a future date. If a reschedule is necessary, Chi City Charters will issue a rescheduling credit to the Charterer, which can be used within one year towards a charter of equal or lesser value.

By implementing these measures, we strive to ensure the safety and satisfaction of our guests while offering flexibility in case of unforeseen weather conditions.

All cancellation requests are subject to a non-refundable 5% cancellation fee. If a cancellation request is made 14 days or more prior to the scheduled charter date, the Charterer is eligible for a full refund, excluding the non-refundable 5% cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 13 days of the charter date will receive a 50% refund, after deducting the non-refundable 5% cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 3 days of the charter date are not eligible for a refund.

To request a cancellation or make changes, please submit a written request via email to info@chicitycharters.com. The email should include the Charterer’s full name, scheduled date and time of the charter, as well as the reason for cancellation.

It is important to note that charters rescheduled due to uncharterable weather conditions are exempt from the aforementioned cancellation schedule. This means that Charterers cannot reschedule a charter for a future date and then cancel it 14 days or more in advance to receive a full refund.

For a comprehensive understanding of our weather and cancellation policy, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

Should you have any further inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

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