What you'll do:

You'll board a fully private, two-story vessel at Navy Pier Marina and spend three hours cruising Lake Michigan with your group, circling one of the world's most dramatic skylines with open water, music, and an event setup built entirely around your occasion.

• 2-story event space: The Pearl gives your group 1,800 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, with room for dining, dancing, lounging, or a fully custom party layout across two decks.

• Dual bar stations: Two full-service bars keep drinks moving without bottlenecks, and the onboard buffet and prep area support catered meals or full food service for your guests.

• Chicago skyline views: The open-air deck puts your group front-row on the water, and evening charters on Wednesdays and Saturdays often line up with Navy Pier fireworks overhead.

• Playpen swim stop: Daytime charters can anchor at the Playpen, Chicago's well-known open-water swim area, so guests can jump in, float, and cool off while the boat is anchored out on the lake.

• Custom event configuration: Whether you're planning a bachelorette with a DJ, a corporate mixer, a birthday dinner, or a private celebration of any kind, the crew adjusts the layout before your group arrives.

The entire charter is private to your group, and the crew handles setup, logistics, and event flow from start to finish.

Why we love it for your group:

1. Entertainment-ready sound: A dedicated DJ and live music space, plus a premium sound system compatible with personal devices, makes it easy to bring performers or run your own playlist without any setup hassle.

2. Skyline at golden hour: Watching the Chicago skyline from the water as the sun drops is a genuinely different experience than any rooftop or venue, and evening charters make that the centerpiece of your event.

3. Swim platform and water toys: Daytime charters double as a full afternoon on Lake Michigan, with swim access and water toys that turn the cruise into something more than a boat ride.

4. Flexible for any occasion: The layout works equally well for a branded corporate client event, a bachelorette party boat rental, a birthday dinner, or a family gathering with guests of all ages.

5. Optional add-ons that raise the bar: Professional photography, a DJ, full catering, and an onboard outdoor movie screen are all available to customize your private party boat charter in Chicago.

About this experience partner:

Pearl Party Boat operates a fully customizable private charter vessel out of Navy Pier Marina in Chicago. The company specializes in group celebrations, corporate outings, and private parties, designing each booking around the client's specific event rather than a fixed cruise format. Every charter includes a licensed captain and professional crew, with optional upgrades ranging from catering and entertainment to photography services.

Additional information:

• Captain fees: A licensed captain is included with every charter and billed separately at approximately $100 to $150 per hour.

• Alcohol policy: Guests under 21 consuming alcohol will result in immediate trip termination and additional penalties charged to the booking party.

• Add-on services: Catering, DJs, photographers, live entertainment, and the outdoor movie screen are all available as optional upgrades.

• Sound system: The vessel includes a premium audio setup compatible with personal devices and professional event audio equipment.