Reviews for Party on the Lake! Playpen, fireworks, concerts & more for up to 13 guests

I have chartered many boats out on Lake Michigan and this by far has been my best experience. Captain Brian and Captain Russel are the best, calm and professional sailors that made me and all my guests comfortable. They sailed us to “The Playpen” which is not only fun people watching, but the water in August was warm and inviting!

Captain Brian and Russell of 1st Class Charters of Chicago are legit! The fleet they have are second to none. My Family/Friends had fun filled day in the sun aboard “Just Be”. The boat was easily assessable @ 31st Harbor. No complaints all compliments for both the boat and crew. We definitely can’t wait to book our next cruise along the gorgeous Lake Michigan coastline with this wonderful crew. Thanks again Captain Brian.

We had a wonderful ride on Lake Michigan with 1st Class Charters Chicago! There was plenty of wonderful seating up above for sunbathing and also plenty under the shade on the main level with a beautiful living space. A huge Yeti cooler for tons of beverages and a super accessible sink and counter (front and center) for our trays of food. Our handsome-witty captain Russell is a well known Chicago celebrity! Great guy, super experienced, knowledgeable in boating and water navigation. What a beautiful and safe experience!

Had an absolutely blast with Captain Russell out on Lake Michigan!!! Super hospitable and so entertaining. Amazing yacht, cool music and huge Yeti for adult beverages. Small dog friendly. Captain made us fresh ceviche #iamonaboat

Had a great Sunday with Captain Brian & Captain Russell. We took out thier boat "just Be" onto Lake Michigan and had a terrific time. The boat has lots of space for a big group so it never feels over crowded and anything you need, just ask Brian or Russell and they will help you out. This will definitly be a trip I plan again in the future.

I had an incredible time at 1st class charters. Captain Russell and captain Bryan were professional and friendly. The boat was spacious and clean. Very enjoyable time and look forward to getting out there again soon!

What can I say? Awesome. No better way to enjoy a summer day on the lake. 1st class has an awesomely equipped boat and handled my company outing with ease. Would recommend highly! Captain Russell did an excellent job receiving our group and our hired captain was a delight.

What an amazing charter! The view of the city is so breathtaking from the water. Captain Russell and Captain Brian were phenomenal hosts. Both professional and personable, the captains provided a wonderful experience. Their boat is sparkling clean and inviting. Plenty of room for all of us to lounge and socialize. I definitely recommend taking an adventure with them. Very memorable.

Spent Saturday afternoon on just be with five of my friends... we had an amazing time! The boat was beautiful with really nice furniture to relax on. It was also fully equipped with cool box, cups, plates etc. Russell and Brian were super professional but also fun and wanted to make sure we were always having a good time. If you want to experience a unique experience in I couldn’t recommend 1st Class Charters more :)

Just recently, we had the pleasure of taking an evening catamaran tour with First Class Charters on Lake Michigan. That the experience was nothing short of perfection! Captain Russell is a consummate professional, a first class captain in every sense of the word. His knowledge of the city, the lake, boating etiquette and safety had us at ease throughout the voyage. Safety is clearly his top priority, but his ability to make the trip both educational and entertaining is truly commendable. The boat itself was larger than we originally thought - new (I think two years old), well-maintained and equipped, and has a generous amount of open space. We were able to move around, and hang out on different areas on the boat, and every hang out area was spacious and comfortable. The boat also has a bathroom which comes in handy. Pricing is very reasonable, especially for a completely hassle-free boating experience - show up, get on the boat, pull into the dock, leave. From the moment of booking till the end of our tour, everything was first rate. Communication was clear and timely, making the process smooth and worry-free. We’ll definitely be booking with First Class Charters again - already looking an excuse…Bears game, Northerly Island concert, evening cruise with out of town friends… Thank you, Captain Russell for a fun evening. Until the next adventure, Cap!

If only I could -Just Be - on this boat every day I would be so happy! The boat is comfortable and spacious with seating to accommodate large groups. Captain Brian and Captain Russel inspire confidence and know how to make people feel comfortable and relaxed. I enjoyed seeing the Chicago skyline from this beautiful boat and swam in the playpen to cool off on a very hot day. I strongly recommend this charter boat if you want to experience Chicago boating at its best!

Excellent experience with 1st Class Charters! The 'Just Be' boat is gorgeous! Had a great afternoon last week with Captain Russell & Captain Mike. The boat is just perfect with so many meticulous details for a truly wonderful outing on the water. Both Captains are super friendly and incredibly attentive to ensure everyone has a fantastic time! Thank you for a great time! Highly recommend this company and both Captains!

“Just Be” is just great! We’ve all had a rough few months so now is the time to forget it all and head to Lake Michigan and 1st Class Charters. I chartered “Just Be” as a girl’s outing and I wish I could be treated in style like this everyday! Captain Russell is awesome and the boat outing was the highlight of my summer. You will feel totally safe and secure on this beautiful vessel. It is spotless and cleaned to perfection and Captain Russell is extremely skillful and personable. There is so much space on this boat with seating in the bow, the stern, and even on top! If you prefer the shade you can hang in the center in comfort on luxurious furniture with thick cushions. There is a Yeti cooler to keep everything chilled to perfection and plenty of space to set up a food area for your party. If I could give more than five stars I would! As we were setting sail a fellow boater walked by and said, “This is the best boat in the marina.” And trust me, it is!

Had a great time! Went out on the perfect night. Captain Russell was wonderful. We would book again.

My friends and I went on a 3-hour cruise that was so delightful! Captain Russell was skilled and relaxed and would make even the most apprehensive passenger feel at ease. His crew member, Jessica, was very responsive to all of our needs, offering an assortment of beverages and delicious snacks. This charter service paid attention to details...including even insulated drink covers displaying the wonderful name of their boat, “Just Be”. We sailed along the beautiful skyline of Chicago and even got to travel briefly into the infamous “Playpen” where many Chicagoan boaters hang out. The boat, itself, was very comfortable with a massive overhead protection from the sun with darken glass to view the sails, while lounging on cushioned couches. There were also options to spend time relaxing in the sun on either the foredeck or on the back canvas hammock-type bench. The whole experience was better than I had imagined and I will definitely be back!