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NEWS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Judi McCullough: press relations, 847-491-9608 cell: 847-271-3181 judi2720@aol.com
Amy Hartnett, Sales Manager, 312-373-7254
ah@shorelinesightseeing.com
Chip Collopy, Vice President: 312-321-0428
cec@shorelinesightseeing.com
April 15, 2008
CHICAGO’S SHORELINE SIGHTSEEING
EXPANDS SCHEDULE AND ADDS NEW CRUISES
Chicago, IL: Shoreline Sightseeing, Chicago’s largest and most diverse boat touring company, begins their 69th season with an expanded schedule of daily Architecture Cruises and Skyline Boat Tours plus new Sunset and Fireworks Cruises. Their colorful Water Taxis will also offer both morning and afternoon commuter service and daily visitor service.
Shoreline’s Chicago River Architecture Cruises and Lake Michigan Skyline Boat Tours will now offer daily service April through November. Visitor Water Taxis will operate daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and weekends in the fall. Shoreline has also added a new daily Sunset Cruise beginning April 26th and a combination Architecture / Fireworks Cruise beginning May 24th. The latter will be offered on Wednesday and Saturday evenings to see both Chicago’s famous architectural landmarks and the dazzling Navy Pier Fireworks displays. Shoreline will also continue to offer their regular Fireworks Cruises on Wednesday and Saturday evenings as well as for all Chicago holiday and festival fireworks displays.
Shoreline Sightseeing’s fleet includes nine major touring vessels and nine water taxis with a tenth water taxi now under construction. All Shoreline vessels are easily recognizable for their well-known red, white and blue color scheme. Co-owners Chip and Matt Collopy represent the third generation to head the family owned company. “We’ve expanded our daily service in response to customer
demand,” said Chip Collopy. “We’re seeing an earlier start to the visitor season. Chicago has become a premier destination for visitors from throughout the Midwest as well as from the entire U. S. and abroad. The city is gaining a well-deserved reputation as an exciting destination with cultural attractions, fantastic shopping and a superb variety of outdoor activities centered on our famous lakefront and historic Chicago River.”
“Many Chicagoans have told us they look forward to the start of Shoreline’s touring season because it’s a sure sign that summer is finally on the way,” added Collopy. “I think that’s especially true after the winter we’ve just had here in Chicago!”
Schedules and Locations
Shoreline’s new 45-minute Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise will leave Navy Pier approximately one-half hour prior to sunset to capture the full panorama of the setting sun against the city’s spectacular skyline. The tour will also include Shoreline’s professional narration on the city’s history and landmarks. Sunset Cruises begin weekends from April 26th and daily from May 17th.
Shoreline’s new 75-minute combination Architecture / Fireworks Cruise will leave from Ogden Slip at Navy Pier every Saturday from May 24th to August 30th at 9:15 pm and every Wednesday from June 18th to August 27th, departing at 8:30 pm. Tours will begin feature a dramatic nighttime Architecture Cruise led by one of the company’s professional docents plus a ring-side seat for viewing the Navy Pier fireworks from Shoreline’s Ogden Slip dock.
Shoreline regular Architecture Cruises depart from Navy Pier with daily service from 11:30 am on weekdays and 10:00 am on weekends in the spring and fall months expanding up to as many as 15 cruises daily in the height of the summer season. Professional guides are both knowledgeable and entertaining as they recount the dramatic story of Chicago’s amazing rise after the Great Fire of 1871 to become the birthplace of the skyscraper and the home of modern American Architecture. The cruise highlights over 40 famous buildings as it winds its way along the Chicago River.
Shoreline’s regular Lake Michigan Skyline Boat Tours depart from Navy Pier and encompass the entire panorama of Chicago’s famous lakefront. Daily service is from 1:00 pm on weekdays and from 11:00 am on weekends in the spring and fall months, expanding to more than 20 daily cruises in the summer season. The cruises also include a narration on Chicago’s vivid history as well as many famous landmarks.
Shoreline’s Water Taxis provide fast, convenient and fun transportation on the Chicago River from Navy Pier to Michigan Avenue Bridge and on to Sears Tower or from Navy Pier across Lake Michigan to the Museum Campus. Commuter water taxis operate mornings and evenings only between Sears Tower and the Michigan Avenue Bride. Visitor service is from 10:00 to 6:00 pm daily Memorial Day to Labor Day with weekend service continuing in September and October.
Shoreline commuter water taxis run between Sears Tower and the Michigan Avenue Bridge Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 9:30 am and in the evening from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Service begins April 14th and will run through October.
Call 312-222-9328 for additional information, group rates and private charters. Or visit the Shoreline web site at www.shorelinesightseeing.com, for complete information on all services and special cruises and to purchase advance tickets online with no additional fee.