On June 12, for one-day-only, the admission price of Mercury, Chicago Skyline Cruiseline’s signature Urban Adventure Cruise will cost less than the price of one gallon of gas in Chicago. Monday’s cruises will roll back the price to $2.50 per person, representing the price of tickets 50 years ago on June 12, 1973, to commemorate Captain Bob Agra Jr.’s 50th anniversary with the fourth-generation family-owned and operated boat company. The limited discounted tickets are available for the cruises departing at 10am, 12:15pm and 2:30pm; up to 111 tickets are available for each cruise (four ticket limit per person). They are only available for purchase online at mercurycruises.com/buy-tickets. Each cruise departs from 112 E. Wacker on Chicago’s Riverwalk, near the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive.
Mercury Cruises, a fourth-generation family-owned and operated cruise line, has been a fixture in the city’s cultural landscape for the past 88 years. Founded by Portuguese immigrant Arthur Agra and his wife Myrtle in the 1930s, the company found quick success as Chicago’s first sightseeing boat company providing an enjoyable, cool lakefront respite prior to the widespread usage of air-conditioning and amid a period of national economic depression.
Captain Bob Agra Jr. began his employment in the family business on June 12, 1973, at the age of 15. He later took the helm of Mercury Cruises at the age of 18 following the death of his father, Captain Bob Agra Sr. Under his leadership, he founded Mercury’s sister company, Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, home to the official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise which celebrates 30 years this season. Now, both companies are under the leadership of the fourth generation of Agra’s—Bob Agra III and Captain Tim Agra, Esq. have evolved both companies with a slate of innovative offerings to expand the tour experience, including free foreign language translations for tour narration via smart app.
“Throughout his remarkable 50-year career on Chicago's waterfront, Captain Bob Agra Jr. has left an indelible mark on the safety and professional standards for Chicago's tour boat industry,” said Holly Agra, Board Chair of Mercury Cruises. “We’re thrilled to celebrate his many accomplishments with the city we love most by offering the chance to experience our signature cruise at the same price as it was when Bob began working on Chicago’s waterfront.”
Known for lively local tour guides, Mercury Cruises’ signature 90-minute narrated Urban Adventure tour dazzles guests of all ages with stunning views of Chicago’s legendary skyscrapers and bridges while gliding along the main branch of the Chicago River, through the Chicago Harbor Lock and into the downtown harbor of Lake Michigan. The tours feature unparalleled views of iconic landmarks and skyscrapers—from the Willis Tower and Marina City to 875 N. Michigan Ave. (formerly the John Hancock Building), the St. Regis Chicago and famed lakefront Museum Campus. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guides offer a local’s take on Chicago, informing guests about the city’s best dining options, sports and entertainment destinations, in addition to its storied history and architecture. For more information and tickets, please visit mercurycruises.com/buy-tickets.
About Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline
Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline, brings Chicago’s stunning views and vibrant culture to life through a variety of fun, narrated family-friendly cruises and special tours for both visitors and Chicagoland residents. A cornerstone of the city’s Riverwalk for more than 80 years, Mercury Cruises is a fourth generation owned and operated cruise line. It is also the sister company of Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, an authentic tourism experience that explores the city’s rich architectural history through the official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise. Both cruise lines are committed to fueling their vessels with only clean energy sources while being carbon neutral. All vessels are operated by a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and crew. For more information on Mercury Cruises, visit MercuryCruises.com or call 312-332-1368.