Pirate Adventure Cruises - Question on Ages

[Dannielle_1]

So I know that the Pirate Cruises are for ages 4 - 12. My question is...

Is having DS go on this adventure the day he turns 4 too young? I think he would enjoy this, and our last day at Disney is his 4th Birthday so I could theroetically have him go, but just worried he would be out of place at exactly 4. (But it would be a great Birthday activity! )

I'm guess I'm looking for anyone who has sent a young 4 year old on one of these cruises and how they did and how you felt the CMs did with a little one who needs more supervision than a elementary aged child. Or even if you recall a young one being sent on the adventure with your child and had any observations during drop off and pick up that might give a feeling of how a 4 year old would do.

DS is very outgoing and gets along well with others. He loves playing with his older cousin (6) and he tends to gravitate towards kids a little bit older than him at the playground. He has done pretty well at listening to adults other than me/DH, however he has limited experience with this as he's not yet in preschool. He's had swim classes on his own and he is signed up for several programs this fall that he'll be attending without me, so I'll see how he does with those of course.

Any opinions out there???

 

[DISNEYNV]

Based on your sons ability to spend a few hours away from you independantly I would think the PC would be really fun for him! Of course only you know your child best, but I would think that being around all those kids and constant activity planned by Disney would keep his mind off of mommy and daddy for a little while! You could always ask what their procedure is with kids who might freak out after setting sail

 

[crisi]

I think that if your expectation is "more supervision" you won't get it. There are three grownups on the cruise - and they are playing a role - for part of the trip one of them is the "bad guy" and away from the pontoon. For that period of time, there is something around a six to one ratio. Also, in my experience MOST of the kids are usually young - under seven. They do buddy them up with each other, and while they are on shore there are three adults - I feel its safe (other people's opinions vary, and you have to do what you are comfortable with) - but there isn't enough staff to give any one child more attention.

I also think if your kid is used to being away from you and enjoys this sort of thing, you should go for it. In three cruises we've seen a number of kids not get on the boat - but everyone coming off the boat has been all smiles.

 

[Karenj2]

My niece and nephew just went - she's 4, he's 8. She was a bit upset before they left (partly due to the whole pirate thing, and partly because we weren't going with them). My nephew probably didn't help matters when he started asking why she was so scared...

When she got off, she was ALL smiles, and talking about "Captain Stinkyfeet", etc. However, when I asked her if she'd ever do it again, she said no.

 

[Dannielle_1]

Thanks for the responses. I'm certainly not expecting more supervision per se, just that the supervision that is provided is adequate for a younger child and they are able to handle the developmental age differences of a four year old vs. a 6-8 year old.

I guess I'm concerned about possible situations where DS might do something unsafe, because he's unaware that its unsafe and that the CM's are attentive and able to handle/rein in a young four year old.

Also, thanks for the approximate ratio information. 6 to 1 sounds pretty good to me and I will keep that in mind as well.

 

[crisi]

Thanks for the responses. I'm certainly not expecting more supervision per se, just that the supervision that is provided is adequate for a younger child and they are able to handle the developmental age differences of a four year old vs. a 6-8 year old.

I guess I'm concerned about possible situations where DS might do something unsafe, because he's unaware that its unsafe and that the CM's are attentive and able to handle/rein in a young four year old.

Also, thanks for the approximate ratio information. 6 to 1 sounds pretty good to me and I will keep that in mind as well.

The CMs are pretty good. No system is perfect and accidents happen even under the most watchful eye, but the boat is full of four - seven year olds - all wearing lifejackets the whole time - or the boat doesn't go.