kids Pirate cruises

[GWhitten98]

I was looking a stuff for the kids to do on our next trip and ran across the pirate cruises. If I read correctly there are 4 different ones, but all seem to be very similar. Has anyone's kids done one or more of these? Are they all the same pretty much? Are they any good/fun? Is one better the other? We are probably gonna be staying at Port Orleans or Wilderness lodge (not sure if that make a difference)

Albatross Treasure Cruise - Yacht Club
Bayou Pirate Cruise-Port Orleans
Grand Floridian offers the Captain's Shipyard Cruise.
Island of the Caribbean Pirate Adventure

 

[Dan Murphy]

We're signed up for the Albatross out of the Yacht Club later in the month for two grandsons, ages 4 1/2 and 7. They appear to all be similar but that one goes into World Showcase Lagoon in Epcot before WS opening. Supposed to have stops at Japan and Morocco. Thought that sounded pretty neat.

 

[Ravenne]

My oldest did it a few years ago and LOVED it. She did the one out of Yacht Club and still talks about it. It was absolutely adorable and so much fun. Make sure you get back to the marina at least 30 mins early because they do some sort of special activity be it storming the beach or a pirate boat chase and it's so cute, and great photo op.

We've only done one of them so far and will do a different one during our next trip. They're basically the same from what I can tell but the story and lore might be different. You can ask for details and what makes them different when you call to book it. They'll be able to tell you. Also keep in mind that they don't always have it every day so picking one that works for your schedule might make the decision for you.

 

[Bye Mouse]

Hi, is this different from the pirates and pals cruise? Can anyone point me in the direction of where to find info on it and also whether it would be suitable for a 3 year old? thanks!

 

[mom2faith]

This is a Kids only Pirate Adventure - search Pirate Adventure on MDE and it will pop up. Children must be ages 4 to 12, so no a 3 year old could not go.

We are doing it for the first time in May.

 

[frozengurl]

So wait.... I don't go with them... On a boat... In the water? I'd trust my 7 year old but not my 4 year old... Sounds like fun though

 

[Ravenne]

Hi, is this different from the pirates and pals cruise? Can anyone point me in the direction of where to find info on it and also whether it would be suitable for a 3 year old? thanks!

Yes, it is different from the Pirates and Pals Cruise and no, a 3 yr old will not be able to go on the Pirate Adventure Cruise. They are very strict about the ages.

So wait.... I don't go with them... On a boat... In the water? I'd trust my 7 year old but not my 4 year old... Sounds like fun though

Parents are not allowed on the Pirate Adventure Cruise. All kids are required to wear a life vest throughout the entire adventure, which they will provide. The cast member to kid ratio is fairly small and the boat itself is pretty small as well. It's basically one of the pontoon boats you can rent at the marinas. On the boat, it was something like a 1:8 ratio plus the captain of the boat, so there are actually 2 adults on the boat, with one of them being the captain and one of them being the CM that leads the activities. They also ask that kids wear socks and comfortable, well fitting shoes, so no Crocs.

The last time we went, a snack and juice box were provided to the kids, so if you are concerned about allergies, be sure to ask and notify them in advance.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/pirate-adventure-cruises/

 

[sandyplayer]

My two girls did it a few years ago at the Grand Floridian. They were 5 and 8. My son, age 3 at the time could not do it. They also went with our cousins boys, ages 8 and 4. It was July 2009.
They all had a great time.

I wish my son had kids his age this time to go. He would love it (he is now 8) but the older kids have no interest. if I could figure out how to post pics I would. I will try.

 

[jcemom]

My DD has been doing these cruises since she was four years old, once or twice a year. She has done all four of them, some of them multiple times.

Albatross Treasure Cruise - Yacht Club ...she loved this one. It seemed to have consistently energetic CMs who really got into character. She also liked going into the World Showcase before it was open. Having the YC's lighthouse and Stormalong Bay's shipwreck in the background make for a very nautical feel, which added to the general atmosphere. This was her favorite of all of them.


Bayou Pirate Cruise-Port Orleans ...this one went to Downtown Disney, which was nice, but allowed for less freedom for the kids as they had to be very closely supervised. (Not that I wouldn't want them to be very well supervised, but going to such a public location, they had to be in a single file line and all. She enjoyed the illusion of freedom that she got with the other cruises more, as they searched on pretty much deserted resort beaches.) It seemed less "Piratey" than the others. She only did this one once, and the treasure was in the lobby at the end of the cruise, which seemed odd. It might not always be that way.


Grand Floridian offers the Captain's Shipyard Cruise ...this is the one she has been on the most times, just because it was convenient to the Magic Kingdom and so easy to get to. The CMs have always been enthusiastic. It's her second favorite, after the Yacht Club. They go all around the lake, making stops at the CR, Poly and GF beaches.


Island of the Caribbean Pirate Adventure ...this was super-convenient when we were staying at CBR. We wouldn't choose this one if we weren't staying there. It covers the smallest area, being confined to the resort's lake, and was the least fun, according to DD (probably because I could so easily follow her around lol). I could see her pretty much the entire time, so for parents of younger children it might be a good option, as you can follow the boat around via the pathways and keep it in sight.

 

[Dis703]

My ODS did the Albatross Cruise from the Yacht club last year when he was 4. He LOVED it and going through pics of last years trip recently he was crazy excited to find the pictures I took of him in his pirate gear at this cruise. He was so excited I'm now trying to figure out how to squeeze another one in for our trip next month. Each one is a little different and when I asked about them before our trip last year the Albatross seemed to have been a favorite.

 

[Nole95]

Last year my kids (9 and 6 at the time) did the one out of Yacht Club. They loved it. It took them into the World Showcase Lagoon with a stop at Canada I believe. They then went all around the lake by the Boardwalk and then all the way down the canal towards HS.

Even though it poured on them for about 5 minutes the boat went on because there was no thunder/lightning in the area. The CMs were all great, and it was a great two hour break for DW and I.

 

[jcemom]

Albatross Treasure Cruise - Yacht Club

Grand Floridian - Captain's Shipyard Cruise

Island of the Caribbean Pirate Adventure - CBR

I can't find the CD with my photos from the Bayou Pirate Cruise. If I come across them I will post a few.

 

[disnut8]

Our granddaughter did this from the Grand Floridian many years ago (the only cruise at the time). Her mother, my very lovely daughter-in-law, was a bit, well, anal about having her only child (at that time) out on the water without any parental supervision.

We got to the dock at 9:00 (that rhymes if you say it out loud!) and from then on, my daughter-in-law's fears vanished. My granddaughter was fitted with her mother's and my help, with a life vest and then checked again by a Cast Member to ensure proper settings. A few things were readjusted but the Cast Member worked worked with my daughter-in-law to make sure everyone was happy.

Then, the granddaughter was paired with a child of similar age and sex to be "buddies" for the trip.

And off they went and pictures are shown of the Jolly Roger. Daughter-in-law and I did a monorail tour and came back before the boat.

And that's the point of this response. Make sure you are back to see that boat come in. That's all I will say.

After the docking, each child is then "claimed" with a receipt that was given to the adult in charge before boarding so, unless you don't want your kid back, keep that receipt.

And, I'll add. Just after my granddaughter's boat left, five would be pirates showed up. They were late so the boat left without them. So, make sure you are on time. BUT - when we picked up the granddaughter, those five pirates disembarked with their new buddies so Disney did something to get them on that boat.

Personally, I've seen and experienced lots of things Disney does but that experience ranks in the top five easily.

 

[coopersmom]

My son did this out of the Grand Floridian in 2011 and had an absolute blast. One of the cast members on the cruise was the same as the person who had been at the Neverland Club the night prior, so there is likely staff overlap. He still talks about it three years later.

 

[Goosey515]

My son did the cruise from The Grand Floridian when he was five. He had a great time! Lat summer when he was six he went again, this time from The Yacht Club. Partway through the cruise I received a call from a CM that due to lightening in the area they were in the Kids Club at the Beach Club. They missed about half of the cruise due to weather, but still received their "loot" in the club. He thought it was great that they got to have snacks in the club and was able to play there. I was disappointed that he didn't get the full experience, but it didn't bother him at all. Of course, I was very pleased that they had a plan for the weather, as well as the professionalism shown by the staff in charge. He will be going on the cruise from CBR this summer. It was his choice. Whatever makes him happy is fine with me!

 

[frozengurl]

It sounds so awesome... My girls would love it!!! Especially my youngest (she will be 4) but I still can't imagine her on that boat... I really have to think about this though...

 

[GWhitten98]

thank you for the great replys and pics....definately adding this to our to do list. The one from Yatch club defiantely sound awsome. I think I may try to schedule it on our down day(which will actually be the day we do MVMCP in the afternoon/evening). If we do the one from Yatch club, DH and I could take our youngest to the boardwalk and check our the resort why the oldest 2 do it. Maybe do icecream and beaches and cream when they are done before returning to our resort

 

[DrHfuhruhurr]

Wow. I'm surprised to read so many positive reviews. Our kids did a pirate cruise out of the GF about... 6-7 years ago? They were bored out of their skulls and not very happy with us when we picked them up. The whole thing struck me as daycare on a boat.

But, given the positive comments here, maybe the experience has changed over time?

 

[jen2207]

My kids did the one from the YC about 6yrs ago and really enjoyed it. They were 5 and 8, now at 11 and 14 - they still remember it.

 

[jcemom]

Wow. I'm surprised to read so many positive reviews. Our kids did a pirate cruise out of the GF about... 6-7 years ago? They were bored out of their skulls and not very happy with us when we picked them up. The whole thing struck me as daycare on a boat.

But, given the positive comments here, maybe the experience has changed over time?

My DD did her first one out of the GF at age 4. She is 11 now, so that would have been 7 years ago. She has never been bored on any of them, but like anything, experiences can vary and much of it is probably based on the CMs you get. Your kids might have gotten either inexperienced CMs, or ones that were having a bad day.

The last cruise DD did was at age 10 and while she still had fun, she felt she was getting too old for them and hasn't asked to do another.