Grand Cayman: Pirate Encounter

[rkandmjsmommy]

Anyone do this? Any reviews?
We want to see the water in GC but we dont want to do Stingrays, how is this?


Pirate Encounter
Shiver me timbers! Set sail on a tender boat to one of the world's last wooden brigs, the magnificent Valhalla, where you will be greeted by pirates! Upon your arrival, embark on a 45-minute coastal cruise along Seven Mile Beach and drop anchor for a refreshing swim stop. Walk the plank and splash down into the breathtaking blue of the Caribbean. Then, savor the flavor of a cup of fruit or rum punch before taking off on a scenic 30-minute journey back to the tender boat on your way to Georgetown Pier.

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

I'd like to know, too! It looks like fun!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

My husband and son did this and had a blast. Once they were out to sea, the pirates demanded that the children "swab the deck". I have all of these cute pics of my son scrubbing on his hands and knees. When they got to 7 Mile Beach, everyone donned flotation devices and "walked the plank" jumping out into the Carribbean blue. They boys did the early Pirate Cruise and then DD and I met them in GC afterwards to do the Atlantis submarine on our own. Highly recommended. Have a good time.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

My husband and son did this and had a blast. Once they were out to sea, the pirates demanded that the children "swab the deck". I have all of these cute pics of my son scrubbing on his hands and knees. When they got to 7 Mile Beach, everyone donned flotation devices and "walked the plank" jumping out into the Carribbean blue. They boys did the early Pirate Cruise and then DD and I met them in GC afterwards to do the Atlantis submarine on our own. Highly recommended. Have a good time.

Wow, thanks! We really want to do something that involveds the GC beautiful water but not do the stingrays

 

[anewmac]

My husband and son did this and had a blast. Once they were out to sea, the pirates demanded that the children "swab the deck". I have all of these cute pics of my son scrubbing on his hands and knees. When they got to 7 Mile Beach, everyone donned flotation devices and "walked the plank" jumping out into the Carribbean blue. They boys did the early Pirate Cruise and then DD and I met them in GC afterwards to do the Atlantis submarine on our own. Highly recommended. Have a good time.

Funny I just posted this on our thread meet Denise lol good minds think alike!

We are planning this one also... question do they have "flotation" devices provided or do you need to bring your own.. my 6yr old since that secure in his swimming skills... or lack there of LOL and know he wont jump in without one. If they dont provide one can we take the life jackets off the ship... really dont want to have to buy and pack one just for this advanture!

I had read this TR from Madisonznana and here is a post about there time on this excurtion... pics included http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19615478&postcount=60

 

[adrianna_sarah]

They give you the flotation devices. They are the inflatable neon yellow kind. If I remember correctly, everyone had to wear one to be seen in the water, but it was up to the individual to blow them up or not.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I would love to see some piccys, I have asked about this in previous threads, everthing I heard back was good, we are def doing it in october.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

Our whole family is very into pirates.
We were myself and DH 40+
and the 4 DDs 16, 14, 10, and 8.
We all loved it - only negative comments - water was a little rough when we swam. It did not spoil it - just made it a little more taxing.
AND it was over too soon!!!

Here you go!

He is bringing up a bucket of sea water to pour on the "workers".

Look close - there is a "mom" bound in ropes on the very far left. They are talking about pouring a bucket of water on her.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

THNAKYOU vvvvvvvvvvvvvv much for sharing, they are brilliant!!!!
One q do you get the tender to shore, then another tender to pirate ship?
thanks again for taking the time to post, they are brilliant!

 

[millerpjm]

THNAKYOU vvvvvvvvvvvvvv much for sharing, they are brilliant!!!!
One q do you get the tender to shore, then another tender to pirate ship?
thanks again for taking the time to post, they are brilliant!

I have done the Pirate encounter also, and it was fun. When we did it, we did not go to 7 mile beach, we anchored offshore and swam around the boat.

The pirate ship is docked, so you tender to the island and are walked over to a pier to get on the pirate ship.

 

[doug46]

Sorry to ask one more swimming question, but this sounds great except for the swimming part for my son. He is 6 and can not swim at all. We have him in private lessons, but due to tubes and a hole in his eardrum, this is the first summer he can really put his head in the water, so he is way behind.

Is the swimming aspect of the excursion safe for a kid who can not swim? If they had actual life jackets on, I wouldn't be too concerned, but just the floatation vest, I am not sure. We have had those in the past where they didn't hold air very well... I wonder if this is an excursion for at least novice swimmers? Were their kids on your trip that did not know how to swim? If so, what did they do about these kids?

Thanks.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

THNAKYOU vvvvvvvvvvvvvv much for sharing, they are brilliant!!!!
One q do you get the tender to shore, then another tender to pirate ship?
thanks again for taking the time to post, they are brilliant!

Everyone tenders in Grand Cayman. It was no trouble. We'd booked the 2nd Pirate Ex of the day so we were not in a hurry and waited for the first rush to leave the ship. We went shopping for a while then met for the exc. We walked down to a pier and were put on another tender to reach the Pirate ship. None of what I describe was difficult. In fact - when we returned and needed to tender back to the Magic, DCL had a shaded waiting area and water for us - the other cruise lines did not and we had zero wait!

Sorry to ask one more swimming question, but this sounds great except for the swimming part for my son. He is 6 and can not swim at all. We have him in private lessons, but due to tubes and a hole in his eardrum, this is the first summer he can really put his head in the water, so he is way behind.

Is the swimming aspect of the excursion safe for a kid who can not swim? If they had actual life jackets on, I wouldn't be too concerned, but just the floatation vest, I am not sure. We have had those in the past where they didn't hold air very well... I wonder if this is an excursion for at least novice swimmers? Were their kids on your trip that did not know how to swim? If so, what did they do about these kids?

Thanks.

Everyone did not swim. In fact I'd say it was 50/50. They provide life vests that everyone must wear. Somewhere I have some pictures I made in the water. (They are on a different disk I've miss placed.)

 

[crissichef]

Everyone tenders in Grand Cayman. It was no trouble. We'd booked the 2nd Pirate Ex of the day so we were not in a hurry and waited for the first rush to leave the ship. We went shopping for a while then met for the exc. We walked down to a pier and were put on another tender to reach the Pirate ship. None of what I describe was difficult. In fact - when we returned and needed to tender back to the Magic, DCL had a shaded waiting area and water for us - the other cruise lines did not and we had zero wait!




Everyone did not swim. In fact I'd say it was 50/50. They provide life vests that everyone must wear. Somewhere I have some pictures I made in the water. (They are on a different disk I've miss placed.)

Thanks, that answers my question......my Mom is joining us and she cannot swim. She does not like the ocean at all because of it. I want her to join us but I know she will not go if she has to swim!

Crissi

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Be careful! The rum punch sneaks up on ya!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Be careful! The rum punch sneaks up on ya!

Cant wait!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

Be careful! The rum punch sneaks up on ya!

Looking forward to that

 

[karibritt01]

I did notice in the link for the trip report, some of the kids were wearing life jackets instead of the floatation vests. (1 in orange full vest, and 1 in orange boating vest) I am bringing life jackets from home for Cozumel, so we would use them on this as well if we decide to do it.