CruisinCadie Posted June 5, 2022 #1 Share Posted June 5, 2022 We had so much fun on our recent Countess cruise that we are seriously considering another one in August. The brochure we got in the mail Friday lists one from Chicago to St. Louis on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The first night is a stay at a Chicago hotel, then being bussed to Ottawa the next day to board the ship. The website says the hotel stay is in Ottawa, which is 80 miles from Chicago. Does anyone know which is correct? And if we stay in Chicago, what hotel does AQV use? I would think we stay in Chicago, since 80 miles is a heck of an expensive taxi or Uber ride from O'Hare. Thanks, Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alohadave Posted June 30, 2022 #2 Share Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) Airport to Hilton 1 night next day bus to boat. We are on Aug 16 - 2308/15/2022 CHI to CHICAGO CITY HOTEL HILTON CHICAGO (V1 & AC)08/16/2022 HOTEL TRANSFER to OTTAWA, IL PORT 08/16/20220 SAIL Edited June 30, 2022 by alohadave update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinCadie Posted July 4, 2022 Author #3 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Yes, our TA found out for us. We're on the same cruise. See you there. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwestguy1 Posted July 27, 2022 #4 Share Posted July 27, 2022 Hi Aloha Dave and CruisinCadie, We will also be cruising from Ottawa to Alton, along with my 2 sisters and their spouses and our mother. We are celebrating Mom's 91st birthday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinCadie Posted July 30, 2022 Author #5 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Congratulations to your mother! Hope we're still cruising at that age. We'll look forward to seeing all of you. We were on the Countess last May and had such a good time we decided to go again. She's a really great ship, very compact and easy to find your way around. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKP RVer Posted August 9, 2022 #6 Share Posted August 9, 2022 I'm on this one too! Yes, my paperwork says Hilton Bus to ottawa. Not looking forward to bus ride, but oh well. Just read where Covid tests are not required as of August 1 for USA river cruises but my paperwork tells me a time to get tested. Tests don't really do much, as someone got sick the very next day on a cruise recently. Looking forward to seeing you on board - or at the Hotel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinCadie Posted August 12, 2022 Author #7 Share Posted August 12, 2022 We'll be on the Chicago city tour on Tuesday. Anyone else? Everyone have a safe trip to Chicago. See you soon. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKP RVer Posted August 12, 2022 #8 Share Posted August 12, 2022 Last time I flew into Chicago, I arrived a day early and took a 90 minute Chicago boat tour which was quite interesting. So not doing the city tour as I also walked quite a bit. Just planning on walking down to Navy Pier before sitting on the bus! Almost time to fly out, getting excited! See you all soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveinCharlotte Posted August 16, 2022 #9 Share Posted August 16, 2022 I'd like to do this Illinois River trip, as we've been on just about every other river and waterway in the U.S., and are looking for something new. But when I checked the website for future schedules, all that was shown besides this month was one in July 2024 -- nothing next year. Surprised this was all. Is this the first year AQV has done the Illinois? How fully booked does the current cruise appear to be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob brown Posted August 18, 2022 #10 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Regarding the Chicago hotel...mentioned was the Hilton Chicago. Is that the one at 720 S. Michigan? Hilton has so many properties in Chicago. I am taking the Ocean Voyager from Chicago to Montreal in 2024. Does anyone know if AQV uses the same hotels for their River and Great Lakes cruises from Chicago? I would love it if they used the Hilton property located right on Navy Pier, instead...🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyVeteran Posted August 18, 2022 #11 Share Posted August 18, 2022 2 hours ago, bob brown said: Regarding the Chicago hotel...mentioned was the Hilton Chicago. Is that the one at 720 S. Michigan? Hilton has so many properties in Chicago. I am taking the Ocean Voyager from Chicago to Montreal in 2024. Does anyone know if AQV uses the same hotels for their River and Great Lakes cruises from Chicago? I would love it if they used the Hilton property located right on Navy Pier, instead...🙂 I am booked on the Ocean Navigator from Chicago to Toronto on 19 July 2023. AQV booked me in the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile on 511 North Columbus Drive in Chicago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinCadie Posted August 28, 2022 Author #12 Share Posted August 28, 2022 On 8/17/2022 at 10:01 PM, bob brown said: Regarding the Chicago hotel...mentioned was the Hilton Chicago. Is that the one at 720 S. Michigan? Hilton has so many properties in Chicago. I am taking the Ocean Voyager from Chicago to Montreal in 2024. Does anyone know if AQV uses the same hotels for their River and Great Lakes cruises from Chicago? I would love it if they used the Hilton property located right on Navy Pier, instead...🙂 Yes, it was the Hilton at 720 S. Michigan, but I don't know if they use the same hotel all the time. It was a beautiful place and very convenient to parks and museums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.O.C.I.O.C.A.T.s Posted October 29, 2022 #13 Share Posted October 29, 2022 On 8/18/2022 at 1:03 AM, NavyVeteran said: I am booked on the Ocean Navigator from Chicago to Toronto on 19 July 2023. AQV booked me in the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile on 511 North Columbus Drive in Chicago. Same here. Have Toronto to Chicago and then 3 days in Chicago before the Chicago CHicago Lake Superior cruise. Wish to stay at same hotel obviously so would want to book two additioanl days. By the way, does boat arrive in Chicago proper or is there a long bus trip to where the boat docks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob brown Posted October 30, 2022 #14 Share Posted October 30, 2022 9 hours ago, S.O.C.I.O.C.A.T.s said: By the way, does boat arrive in Chicago proper or is there a long bus trip to where the boat docks. I believe it docks right at the Navy Pier, downtown. AQV seems to have exclusive rights to do that amongst the other lines offering Great Lakes cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKP RVer Posted October 30, 2022 #15 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Been on two cruises on AQV out of Chicago. Both times bused to other ports. This was recently. Milwaukee, WI - for the Great Lakes and Ottawa, IL for river cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubberwon Posted November 7, 2022 #16 Share Posted November 7, 2022 On 6/5/2022 at 2:22 PM, CruisinCadie said: We had so much fun on our recent Countess cruise that we are seriously considering another one in August. The brochure we got in the mail Friday lists one from Chicago to St. Louis on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The first night is a stay at a Chicago hotel, then being bussed to Ottawa the next day to board the ship. The website says the hotel stay is in Ottawa, which is 80 miles from Chicago. Does anyone know which is correct? And if we stay in Chicago, what hotel does AQV use? I would think we stay in Chicago, since 80 miles is a heck of an expensive taxi or Uber ride from O'Hare. Thanks, Kathy Hotel stay is in Chicago, and yes, it's about a 80 bus ride to Ottawa to meet the ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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