TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By purchasing a ticket or booking a charter, you and all members of your party agree to the following terms:


SAFETY AND CONDUCT

• Strictly Non-Smoking: All vessels are 100% non-smoking and non-vaping. Use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, any tobacco products, and marijuana products is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in the immediate termination of the charter and the assessment of the applicable Minimum Cleaning & Damage fee.  No refunds will be issued in these cases.
• Illegal Substances & Weapons: Illegal drugs and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on board.  Violations will result in the immediate termination of the charter.  No refunds will be issued in these cases.
• Passenger Behavior: The captain reserves the right to terminate any charter if a guest’s behavior is deemed unsafe, illegal, or excessively disruptive. No refunds will be issued in these cases.
• Swimming: Swimming is only permitted on private charters of 3 hours or longer aboard our sailboat BERNARD.  The vessel must be at anchor with the engine(s) off.  Swimming is strictly prohibited on all evening and sunset charters.  Swimming is not guaranteed and is at the captain's discretion.  Every passenger on board will be required to sign a waiver & release prior to swimming.  Swimming is always at your own risk.

ALCOHOL AND PROVISIONS

• Vessel-Specific Alcohol Policy:
  • ​CITY CAT: No outside food or beverages are permitted on CITY CAT.  During public and private sailing events, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on board.  
  • BERNARD: For private charters on BERNARD, guests may bring and consume reasonable amounts of beer and wine. Hard liquor is discouraged for safety reasons.
• Glass Policy: For the safety of our guests and the protection of the vessel, glass containers are prohibited on deck. Please use plastic or metal drinkware.
• Vessel-Specific Food Rules:
  • CITY CAT: No outside food or beverages are permitted. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board. Catering options are available for private charters.
  • BERNARD: You may bring your own food and beverages (small coolers preferred).

BOARDING AND LATE ARRIVALS

• Check-In: Please arrive 15–20 minutes prior to your scheduled departure.
• Late Arrivals:
  • Private Charters: Your charter will begin and end at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, your time on the water will be reduced accordingly. No refunds or extensions are provided for late arrivals.
  • Public Ticketed Tours: CITY CAT departs on a specific schedule.  Late arrivals may be left ashore.  No refunds will be issued in these cases. 
• Footwear: To protect our decks, please wear soft-soled, non-marking shoes (sneakers or boat shoes). High heels, work boots, and dark-soled dress shoes are not permitted.  Guests wearing inappropriate footwear may be asked to remove them or be denied boarding without a refund.

CANCELLATIONS AND WEATHER


Weather Policy

We sail in rain or shine. Only the Captain has the authority to cancel a charter due to unsafe weather or lake conditions. Our operational procedures are as follows:

• Public Ticket Tours (CITY CAT): All Ticket Sales are Final. If the Captain cancels a public tour due to unsafe conditions, guests will receive a digital voucher to reschedule for a future date. No refunds are issued for public tickets.
• Private Charters (BERNARD): If the Captain cancels a charter on BERNARD due to weather, guests may choose to reschedule or receive a full refund.
• Private Charters (CITY CAT): CITY CAT is a spacious and stable 49-passenger catamaran designed to serve as an excellent venue both on the water and at the pier.
  • The "Dockside" Clause: If the Captain determines it is unsafe to leave the dock, but safe to remain at the pier, the charter will proceed as a Dock Party. Guests have full access to the vessel's bar service, sound system, and lounge areas.
  • Service Rendered: Once the vessel is made available for boarding at the scheduled time (whether dockside or underway), the service is considered rendered.
  • No-Show Policy: If the Captain deems the vessel safe for a Dock Party and guests choose not to board, the booking is considered a No-Show. No refunds or rescheduling vouchers will be issued.
  • Extreme Weather: In the rare event the Captain determines it is unsafe for even a dockside party to occur, a rescheduling voucher will be provided.

Standard Cancellation Policies

For all cancellations initiated by the guest (not related to a Captain's weather call), the following cancellation fees apply:

• CITY CAT Private Charters:
  • 30+ days notice: Full refund, minus a 10% administrative fee.
  • 15–29 days notice: A 50% cancellation fee applies.
  • 14 days or less notice: A 100% cancellation fee applies; no refunds or reschedules will be granted.
• BERNARD Private Charters:
  • 48+ hours notice: Full refund.
  • 24–48 hours notice: A 50% cancellation fee applies.
  • 24 hours or less notice/No-show: A 100% cancellation fee applies.

LIABILITY AND CLEANING

• Safety & Seasickness: For your safety and the comfort of all guests, if you are feeling unwell, please remain on the open-air deck where the fresh air and horizon views provide the best relief. Please do not go below into the cabin if you are feeling nauseous. Our crew is trained to assist you on deck.
• Cleaning and Damage Minimums:
  • CITY CAT: A minimum $500 cleaning fee or $15 per person (whichever is greater) will be assessed for any damage to the vessel's interior/exterior, any excessive mess, or any "sickness" incidents occurring within the vessel’s interior cabin, the vessel bathrooms, the trampoline areas, or for vomiting on the crew or other guests.
  • BERNARD: A minimum $250 cleaning fee will be assessed for any damage to the vessel's interior/exterior, any excessive mess, or any "sickness" incidents occurring within the vessel's interior cabin, bathrooms, or for vomiting on the crew or other guests.
• Media Consent: By boarding any of our vessels, you grant Come Sailing, Inc. permission to use any photos or videos taken during the trip for promotional purposes.
• Animals: No animals or pets are allowed on board any of our vessels at any time.
• ​Booking Errors: We reserve the right to cancel reservations that are the result of incorrect pricing/availability due to malicious acts or software/website errors.

CHICAGO'S PREMIER ​SAILING EXPERIENCE ​AND PRIVATE SAILING CHARTER

Your Chicago sailing and offshore adventures start here!

YOUR SAILING ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!

​​Come Sailing is Chicago’s home for authentic sailing adventures. From social public cruises on our stable catamaran, CITY CAT, to intimate private voyages on the classic sailboat BERNARD, we offer a personalized alternative to the large-scale commercial tours. Join us at our new home in Navy Pier Marina to experience the skyline as it was meant to be seen—from the deck of a sailboat. Take a break, Come Sailing, and let the lake breeze gently whisk away the stress of everyday life.