For more information about Chicago Group Events at Navy Pier aboard Odyssey please visit our Group Website>>
Are
there any age restrictions on your cruises?
Midnight cruises have an age restriction of 21 years
or older except for our Post-Prom events. There are no other
age restrictions for any other type of cruise.
Is an architectural narration
available for our event?
A docent is available for a privately chartered deck or ship.
An additional charge may apply.
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Does Odyssey have audiovisual equipment
available to use for a meeting or presentation?
Each deck is equipped with a sound system and microphone
that may be used for a private deck or ship charter. Ask your
Odyssey Event Planner about coordinating additional audiovisual
equipment for your event.
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If we do not have a private deck
how will our servers know what our specific bar package is?
Prior to boarding, all servers are given a list of the
bar packages of their specific guests' tables. If a passenger
steps to the bar, they simply need to present their boarding
pass, which indicates their package.
What beverages are included in the standard ticket price?
Coffee, tea and iced tea are complimentary. All other
beverages may be purchased in advance through a Beverage
Package or on board at the cash bar.
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If we are arriving by bus, where is
parking available for our buses?
Free off-street day bus parking is available at 631 Kinzie
St. via Grand Avenue. This lot is open 24 hours, 7 days a
week. Overnight parking costs $15. Please call (312) 578-1660
for general information.
If we are arriving by bus, where will we be dropped off
and picked up?
Buses may drop off at the front of Navy Pier, unless
otherwise directed by Navy Pier Security. Please notify your
Odyssey Event Planner of the exact number of buses your group
will have. Arrangements must be made in advance for charter/school
bus transportation to and from Navy Pier.
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Do you have a discount for chaperones
of elementary and high school groups?
We exercise a chaperone policy for large groups of elementary
and high school students, one complimentary chaperone for
every 25 students.
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Are children allowed?
Children are allowed on all cruises, except Moonlight
cruises where all guests must be 21 years of age.
Do you offer any children discounts?
Yes, on our lunch and brunch cruises, children 2 and
under are complimentary and children 3-11 are half price.
There are no children discounts for dinner cruises.
Is there a children's menu?
Yes, the children's menu is available on all cruises
except Moonlight Cruises and includes items such as chicken
tenders, pizza, and macaroni & cheese. Please notify your
Odyssey Event Planner of any children attending your event.
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When does the season end?
We cruise all year round! In fact, December is one of
our most popular months due to the many Holiday Parties we
have aboard. We also cruise for both New Year's Eve and Valentine's
Day!
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What is our cruise route?
Weather permitting, Odyssey cruises south along the lake
shore, past the Adler Planetarium, north to Montrose harbor, then
returns south to Navy Pier. All the while, Odyssey offers
unmatched views of our world-famous skyline, from the Sears
Tower, the John Hancock, to the Museum campus, Aon Center
and more.
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Can I customize the cruise
to meet my needs?
Your Odyssey Event Planner will work with you on every
detail of your event, from menus to decorations to make sure
that all of your event objectives are met.
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What are the capacities of each deck?
Please refer to our
Deck
Capacities Page for capacities of each deck.
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What décor does Odyssey provide?
Our greatest décor is unquestionably our unmatched
views, however Odyssey also provides elegant white linen
and seasonal florals. Dinner cruises also include a candle
votive on every table.
Can we bring our own decorations?
Small groups without private space can bring table
decorations. Groups with a private charter may decorate
their space with their own decorations and themes. Odyssey
works closely with several outside vendors that we would
be happy to refer to you.
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Can I bring my own cake aboard
for my event?
Cakes that do not require refrigeration may be brought
on board. Please provide your Odyssey Event Planner with
the details of delivery for your cake prior to the event.
What type of dessert will be provided for my Wedding
Reception?
The full menu of Odyssey desserts is included in your
ticket price. However, if you choose you can bring your
own cake aboard for the event. Odyssey will cut your cake
and serve it with our chocolate dipped strawberries for
no additional charge in place of our Odyssey desserts.
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Are there Vegetarian Options available?
Yes, our chef will be happy to prepare a vegetarian option,
simply notify your server. If you have a group with many vegetarians
or if you have any vegans please notify your Odyssey Event
Planner two weeks prior to your event.
Are there Kosher Options available?
Yes, Kosher meals are available for an additional charge.
Please notify your Odyssey Event Planner two weeks prior to
your event to arrange Kosher Meals.
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If we have a DJ, what type of music will
be played at our event?
Our DJs play a variety of music based on the type of
group. If your group has a privately chartered deck or ship,
you may request a specific type of music for your event. Odyssey
prohibits the playing of inappropriate or offensive music.
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What is the dress attire?
The atmosphere is special and we hope our guests experience it to its fullest. An Odyssey cruise is an opportunity to dress up! Please see our recommended dress by cruise type below.
Dinner Cruises:
Jackets are recommended for men and cocktail attire for women. We request no jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, gym shoes or flip-flops are worn on any cruise.
Lunch, Brunch or Moonlight Cruises:
We recommend dressy-casual attire, such as nice slacks and collared shirts. We request no jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, gym shoes or flip-flops are worn on any cruise.
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Is there a dressing room on the
ship for the Bride and Bridal Party?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of our venue we do not have
dressing rooms available for the Bride and Bridal Party. If
necessary, the bride may change into her gown in one of our
restrooms; however, we require all other members of the bridal
party to be dressed with completed hair and make-up upon boarding.
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What kind of entertainment
is on board?
Odyssey offers inviting dance floors and a variety of
live music - from classic jazz to contemporary favorites;
from a five-piece band to soft piano music. Please refer to
the
Entertainment
Page for more details.
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How far in advance should I
begin planning the details of my event with my Odyssey Event
Planner?
Event planning should begin as far in advance as possible
in order for us to have ample time to meet all of your event
needs. Final details should be provided to your Odyssey Event
Planner one month prior to your event date.
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Is gratuity included?
An 18% service charge is included in your final cruise contract.
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Is the Ship handicapped accessible?
Yes, the Sapphire Deck (our main boarding deck), is handicapped
accessible and our crew is available for assistance. Please
notify your Odyssey Event Planner when booking regarding any
special needs.
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How many life preservers are on board?
The Odyssey has 850 coast guard approved life jackets.
They are located on all decks.
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Where is the boat docked?
The Odyssey is located on the South Side of Navy Pier
across from the Skyline Stage.
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Do we need to pre-select the menu before
the day of cruising?
No, you do not need to pre-select your menu. Each guest
will be presented a menu to order from and each order will
be prepared fresh in our full service galley.
Is a special menu available for grade school and high school
events?
We offer several
School
Packages that include a special food station menu aimed
to please students. Please consult your Odyssey Event Planner
for details and pricing.
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Where is the best place to park?
Navy Pier's West Parking is located on the North side
of the pier. Closest access to ship is on Level 1 near Door
4. Odyssey does not validate
parking. Please refer to the
Parking
Page for more details.
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How can I get the passcode for Tour
Operator Policies and Pricing?
How can I get the passcode for Tour Operator Policies and
Pricing?
Licensed Tour Operators may register for the Odyssey Passcode
by calling the Odyssey Tour Operator Event Planner at 800/700.0735.
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When is our final passenger count
and payment due?
Final Payment and passenger count are due 30 days prior
to the event.
What payment options do I have?
Payment options include company checks or credit card.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and
Diners Card. Cash and Money Orders are accepted at our 401
E. Illinois Street office Monday through Friday between the
hours of 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
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Is there a phone on the boat that receives
calls?
The Odyssey does not have a phone for use by guests.
Most cellular services are available on the water as we do
not cruise beyond one mile off shore.
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Are boarding photos available for
my event?
Boarding
Photos will be taken of your guests as they arrive and
are available for purchase at the end of the event. You may
pre-purchase the photos as mementos for your guests at a discounted
price. Ask your Odyssey Event Planner for more details.
Is a photographer available to photograph my event?
A photographer is available to photograph your event
for an additional charge. Ask your Odyssey Event Planner for
more details.
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If my party is not able to make it
or we miss the ship, will we receive a refund?
We are sorry, but all unused tickets are non-refundable.
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Can I hold a reservation and
pay cash at the ticket booth?
Groups must have a paid-in-full reservation in advance.
Final passenger count and final payment are due 30 days prior
to the event.
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How will my group be seated? Will
we all be together?
All seating is assigned in advance of your cruise. Your
group will be seated together in the same section of the deck
or ship. Unless you have privately chartered the deck, there
may be other parties at tables surrounding your group.
Is there pre-assigned seating?
As you board Odyssey our captain and marine crew will
direct you to your deck and from there the host/hostess will
show you to your assigned table. Decks are never guaranteed
to non-private groups. We assign seats based on needs and
capacity for each cruise.
If I charter a deck, can others walk onto our deck? How
do guests get to the public areas of the ship?
Public stairs are located on the inside bow and outside
stern of the ship; therefore, other guests do not need to
walk through your private space to get to the other public
decks. We also provide "Private Party" signs that
are placed on all entrances into private decks.
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Can we meet the Captain and visit the
bridge?
The captain will open the bridge once the ship has left
the confines of Navy Pier. Guests are welcome to come and
meet the captain and his first mate.
Can we privately charter or reserve the
perimeter deck?
All outside areas are open to all passengers and cannot
be privately chartered.
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Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is allowed on the outside decks only.
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Where or how do we pick up our tickets?
Tickets are available the day of your event at our ticket
booth, which is located next to the boarding ramp of our ship.
Or if you choose, you may have your tickets mailed to you
in advance once final payment is received.
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Can my event last longer than the
scheduled cruise time?
If you privately charter a deck or ship, you may be able
to extend the length of your event based on our availability.
Additional dockside may be purchased for either before or
after the scheduled cruise time and must be included in your
reservation prior to cruising. Ask your Odyssey Event Planner
for more details.
What happens during the hour of boarding, and when do we
get served?
Upon boarding one of our hostesses will show you to your
table and he/she will explain to your party how our service
works and begin with your first course. If you have a private
charter, you have your choice of using the one hour of boarding
for cocktail and hors d'oeuvres.
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What happens during rain or snow?
The Odyssey cruises rain or shine. In the case of severe
weather conditions or upon the direction of the U.S. Coast
Guard, the ship will remain dockside for the length of the
event.
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What are the Odyssey Cruises Passenger
Terms & Conditions?
To view the Odyssey Cruises Passenger Terms & Conditions
please click on the following link.
Passenger
Terms & Conditions
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