FAQ

Three open deck areas are available for seating. A covered aft salon houses the bathroom, ship’s stores and full bar. In the case of rain, a tarp may be placed over the main deck for the comfort of our guests. Again, please prepare for an outdoor adventure.

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that there be life jackets for every passenger. However, they are only passed out in an emergency.

Windy is not handicap accessible. We welcome some guests with disabilities provided that the guests are able to ambulate up and down 6 steps on each side of then boarding ladder, and be escorted to a seat on the Main deck with minimal assistance.

Assistive devices such as scooters, wheelchairs and rolling walkers, must be left on the dockside storage area, and may not be used on the ship while underway.

Children using wheelchairs may be carried aboard by an adult in parental role with the Captain’s permission and must be seated with family or caregivers on the main deck.

Adults using wheelchairs may not be carried aboard.

Windy is U.S.C.G. inspected to carry our capacity of 150 people.

Windy docks on the south side of Navy Pier just east of Chicago Shakespeare Theater and across from the Billy Goat Tavern. Please arrive at least 30-45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure for a safety orientation and boarding. (add link to the map here)

For online purchases, you will be emailed a single qr code, which will work for your  group. Groups must board together. We do appreciate any update, as to your status, to our ticket booth, if you’re having issues.

We depart promptly on schedule, please ensure, in advance, that no one in your group, finds out the literal meaning, of “missing the boat”.

Seating is first come, first served. Sections or seats are never reserved for groups. We cannot guarantee that your entire group will be seated together.

We do offer first boarding to “Admiral’s tickets”, so would have a better chance!

There is a full bar in the aft salon of Windy with select packaged light snacks and drinks as well as a gift store.

There is a Cancellation/Rebooking fee per ticket to move a time/date if trip insurance is not purchased with the tickets. This cost is based on each tours “Optional Insurance” pricing.

If you don’t have trip insurance, and request to be moved, you will be charged at a 2x rate.

Trip insurance can only be used once, if you change your date, that “would use it”. For another change, or refund, you would need to purchase it again, at the time of use.

Tall Ship Windy reserves the right to inspect all luggage and carry-on items frequently with explosive detection dogs. Ticket offices, parking lots, staging areas and Tall Ship Windy are monitored 24 hours a day by surveillance cameras or security personnel. We strongly recommend storing your bags, in one of the Navy Pier bag storage lockers.

Tall Ship Windy’s large size and weight minimizes motion discomfort; however, if motion sickness is a concern, please consider a non-prescription remedy, to be taken prior to boarding.

No pets of any kind are allowed in any passenger areas. Service dogs that are trained to perform a task or provide assistance to a person with a disability are welcome on the main deck, and aft cabin only.

Absolutely! Your crew will be working very hard to deliver the highest levels of service and entertainment in hopes of earning your 18-20% gratuity, similar to any service industry staff.

Payment due dates are reflected in the “charges” section of your contract. Payment is due in full at time of reservation, unless other terms are agreed to.

Reservations are completed with a payment.

Refunds or credits are not given for unused tickets. No-shows will be charged full price.

Additional tickets may be purchased at the contracted rate on site. However, those seats are based on availability.