EC Un-Plugged:

Seadog’s thrill-drenched season may be over, but oh, what a fantastic ride it was. If you live in Chicago and have yet to try a 30-minute Speedboat Lake Tour, 75-minute River and Lake Architecture Tour or jet-propelled Extreme ride, you missed out this season. But don’t worry, come April, you can try them all! You can even bring your dog aboard a Speedboat Lake Tour any time, for free (as long as space is available)!

Our Pooch Parade, one of the highlights of Seadog’s entire season, took place about a month ago on the bustling sidewalks of Navy Pier. The Pooch Parade is dedicated to finding a Seadog Mascot for the upcoming year. As you can plainly see, this year was a triumphant success:

Photo courtesy of Sophia Torres

On to more pressing and delicious (less adorable) matters, Thanksgiving is just one week away!

Here is some info on what Entertainment Cruises has to offer in your city:

Spirit of Boston: Day After Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise There’s something to give Thanks for on Friday, too! Join Spirit the Day After Thanksgiving for our unique combination of dining, dancing, entertainment and breathtaking views. Enjoy a complimentary boarding cocktail on this special cruise.

Spirit of New York: Thanksgiving Day Lunch and Dinner Cruises Let the vibrant Spirit Cruises handle the food and the dishes this year! Celebrate the holiday with friends, family and out of town guests aboard these festive Thanksgiving Day cruises.

Bateaux New York: Thanksgiving Dinner and Lunch Cruises Choose the European-inspired Bateaux New York for your Thanksgiving Day celebrations. Bateaux’s elegant glass ceiling and walls reveal a magnificent skyline view at every turn on New York Harbor. You’ll savor a wonderful menu while live piano entertainment fills the air. Make this Thanksgiving holiday extra special with a Bateaux New York cruise!

Spirit of Washington: Thanksgiving Day Lunch Cruise Let the Spirit of Washington cook, clean and entertain you this year. Our bountiful Thanksgiving Day buffet, live solo performances and DJ music for dancing are sure to give you a lot to be thankful for! Plus, get up-close views of Washington’s monumental sites, all for one affordable price.

Spirit of Chicago: Thanksgiving Day Dinner Cruise Spirit of Chicago’s festive Thanksgiving dinner cruise is a unique way to spend the holiday! Enjoy a special holiday menu with an ever-changing view –all for one affordable price.

Day After Thanksgiving Cruises Entertain friends, family and out of town guests on these Day After Thanksgiving cruises. Join us, and let Spirit handle the food and the dishes this year!

Chicago Odyssey: Day After Thanksgiving Champagne Dinner Cruise Come aboard Odyssey’s elegant Day After Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise and extend the wonderful holiday with another delicious meal, outstanding service, dancing to live music and breathtaking views of the stunning skyline from the water.

Begin your evening with a glass of champagne, compliments of Chicago’s Odyssey.

Have a great weekend and happy almost Thanksgiving!

Hi Dan,

Thank you for taking the time to share a little bit about you and what you do with us today.

1. How long have you been with Entertainment Cruises?
“13 years” (wow)

2. What is your favorite part about your job?
“Two things:
-Happy guests
-Watching our young professionals grow in their careers (and playing a role in that, of course)”

3. Which vessel/specialty cruise is your favorite Chicago product?
“Our Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge aboard Mystic Blue. It is very laid back atmosphere (which I really need right now), casual, good food. It’s like a lounge on the water.”

4. Describe your favorite memory about a guest.
“We have dozens, no hundreds of engagements aboard Odyssey every year. It never ceases to amaze me that people choose to go onboard the Odyssey to celebrate one of the biggest moments of their lives (and we get to be a part of it). I am honored and flattered to have that aboard our vessels. It is really special.”

On to more pressing matters…
5. The USC Marching Band made a showing at Navy Pier last week in front of our Chicago cruising vessels; did you happen to catch a glimpse of the action?
“I’ve seen it in years past. They come every other year, always in mid-October. And there are always tons of USC fans. Since they have no NFL team, they follow their USC football all over the country (plus, it’s an excuse to come to Chicago and go to Navy Pier).”

6. What were your thoughts on the USC, Notre Dame game?
“No, but I’ve been to many of them both here and in Los Angeles. I must say those LA supporters are a classy group of fans. I’ve always loved that game. It’s a good, fan friendly game.

Now about the game, I’m happy that Notre Dame made a game of it in the end. If only they had scored the last touchdown. They lost by one touchdown and they were on four yard line – heartbreaking. Although, 5 minutes earlier they were down by 20 points…”

7. You know, I am from Los Angeles, and well, I was going to rub it in, but I guess I’ll just stop right there.

8. In one sentence, describe why EC rocks.
“We rock because we have people uniquely and perfectly suited to do what we do down on Navy Pier.”

Thanks again Dan! And readers, talk to you soon.