Jolly Roger Pirate Cruise

[mog]

I asked about this several months ago and only one or 2 people had done it, so I figured I'd try again to see if anyone else has tried the Jolly Roger Pirate Cruise on Grand Cayman.
We did the Stingray City through Capt. Marvins last time and want to try something different. The kids would love this, but I'm nervous about doing a "non-Disney" excursion unless I have heard of others doing it successfully - wouldn't want to risk missing the boat!
So has anyone else tried the Jolly Roger in Grand Cayman?

 

[ksumom]

Bump~

 

[tvguy]

I'm confused. By "non-Disney" excursion, do you mean not run by Disney, or do you mean Disney won't book it for you?
Except on Castaway Cay, none of the excursions are Disney excursions, all are run by outside companeis.
We did the Jolly Roger when we were on a RCCL cruise, and booked it through RCCL. It was great.
It was one of the most popular excursions, so I wonder if Disney and the operator got into some sort of disagreement over how much commission Disney would get for handling the booking.
Of course, the operator may no longer be offering top notch service, so may have been cut by Disney.
Anyone gone recently with any insight?

 

[mog]

I'm confused. By "non-Disney" excursion, do you mean not run by Disney, or do you mean Disney won't book it for you?
Except on Castaway Cay, none of the excursions are Disney excursions, all are run by outside companeis.
We did the Jolly Roger when we were on a RCCL cruise, and booked it through RCCL. It was great.
It was one of the most popular excursions, so I wonder if Disney and the operator got into some sort of disagreement over how much commission Disney would get for handling the booking.
Of course, the operator may no longer be offering top notch service, so may have been cut by Disney.
Anyone gone recently with any insight?

By "non-Disney", I meant not booked throught DCL as a shore excursion. They don't offer this as one - never have that I know of, so I don't think it is a matter of them being cut by Disney. The only reason I would be nervous about going on an excursion not booked through Disney is because of being worried about missing the ship (or the last tender back to the ship). Of course, I also like to have some input from people who have used a company before I decide to use them.

So, you went on the Jolly Roger in Grand Cayman and it was booked through RCCL? I wondered if other cruise lines used them! We did something similar in Grand Cayman on a NCL cruise years ago - it wasn't Jolly Roger - it was something else. I don't think that one is around anymore.
I'm kind of surprised with the new pirate theme on DCL that more people haven't tried out this pirate cruise!

 

[tvguy]

I have never booked an excursion through anyone other than the cruise line simply because of the guarrantee that they will hold the ship for you if you book through the cruise line. That is worth the extra cost to me.

If Disney never has had a relationship with the company, I might be more inclined to book with them as opposed to if Disney had terminated a relationship. Maybe they couldn't come to terms on a commission percentage or on the guarrantee.

As popular as that tour was when I went, I am amazed Disney doesn't book it, unless the Jolly Roger just doesn't have the capacity to handle the extra customers, that could be a factor too.

I know the Atlantis submarine in ST. Thomas is almost impossible to book these days. It was completely sold out within an hour of when we could book online on our Disney cruise. That was when you could book 60 days in advance, now I believe it is 90 days. There were no open slots when we got on the ship, so they weren't holding back any reservations. We really wanted to take the kids on that. DW and I did it back in the mid-80's, it wasn't very popular just because back then it was twice the cost of any other excursion.

 

[mog]

I agree - that is why I am a little nervous about booking this Pirate Cruise since it isn't through Disney. I used Capt. Marvins in Grand Cayman on our last Disney cruise but that was after reading about so many people on DCL who use them successfully and without any issues of getting back in time!

I don't think I would even consider using them if DCL had been doing it and then terminated the relationship - that would mean that there had to be some reason for them not doing it anymore. I also wondered if maybe they don't do the pirate cruise because there would be WAY too much demand for it through DCL with the amount of kids they have on board and their pirate theme night, etc. They probably figure they would have too many people mad because they sold out too quickly!

I guess I will have to reconsider - I don't know that I want to take a chance on it, even though my kids are REALLY into pirates and would probably love the Jolly Roger cruise!!
Thanks for the opinions!

 

[Psychodisney]

I did the Jolly Roger on RCCL about six years ago. I think Disney doen't offer it because it really isn't for kids. They serve very nice rum punch. Fun party for adults-don't think I'd want my kids part of it.

 

[mog]

I did the Jolly Roger on RCCL about six years ago. I think Disney doen't offer it because it really isn't for kids. They serve very nice rum punch. Fun party for adults-don't think I'd want my kids part of it.

Well that is a bummer to hear that. On their website they even say it is great for kids -
"This cruise is great for kids who can fire the cannon, help hoist the mainsail, and make their brother or sister walk the plank at the end of a very blunt sword. "

I didn't realize it was an adult party type thing! (aside from the rum punch, that is )
thanks for the info.

 

[ltviolets]

We did the Jolly Roger cruise in April. Booked on line. Cruised in the middle of the day so you don't have to worry about missing the last tender. It was definately a lot of adult humor (not profanity) Children scrubbed the deck with toothbrushes, females were tied to the mast & punished verbally & water poured over their head. Remember, we are not in the USA. My 7 yr old DGD doesn't like pirates. She wouldn't even stay on deck for Pirate night on the Magic. Maybe boys would enjoy this more. If you have any more ??? just let me know. Have fun

 

[mog]

We did the Jolly Roger cruise in April. Booked on line. Cruised in the middle of the day so you don't have to worry about missing the last tender. It was definately a lot of adult humor (not profanity) Children scrubbed the deck with toothbrushes, females were tied to the mast & punished verbally & water poured over their head. Remember, we are not in the USA. My 7 yr old DGD doesn't like pirates. She wouldn't even stay on deck for Pirate night on the Magic. Maybe boys would enjoy this more. If you have any more ??? just let me know. Have fun

Thanks for the information. So you did it when you were on a Disney cruise, right? Was there anyone else from the Magic on the pirate cruise with you, or was it other people?
Do they stop to swim/snorkel? Is there a rope swing into the water, or anything fun like that? What refreshments did they serve?
I'm a little concerned about the "females were tied to the mast & punished verbally and water poured over their head" Were they "scary" about it or were the "victims" participating willingly?? (all in fun)
I know my boys (and probably my daughter) would love this, but my parents will be along, too - not sure about them! It is good to hear that you didn't have any trouble making the tender back, though.
thanks again!

 

[ltviolets]

There was one other couple that we knew from the Magic. There were a lot of cruise ships in port. Children & older people took the cruise. We hoped to really sail. We only motored around port shooting the cannon at the cruise ships. We brought our own snorkle gear & did stop for a swim. They served punch (With or without rum) & pop in a cooler. When we first boarded the ship, the question was asked "Who wants to get wet?" these were two females that said "Yes" & raised their hands. Participation was voluntary but we didn't know where it was going. The crew really seemed to enjoy being pirates. Just think of it as an adventure.