Pirate Cruise-1 month short of 4yrs old

[lkaanda]

We are planning a trip in Feb. and I was thinking about the pirate cruise. My son is 7 and my daughter will be about 1 month short of her 4th birthday. I would love to send them on this cruise. Does anyone know if Disney stands firm on the 4 year old as a minimum age? I see it used to be 3 as a minimum age. What do you think?

 

[nasmith]

I'm pretty sure they have the 4 yo cut-off for liability issues, and cannot bend the rules........A couple years ago, when we were dropping our son off for this, they actually had a little girl get off the boat (she didn't want to go anyway - she was scared to death!) - because they had asked the little girl her age - and she said "3" (Because she was) - the parents, when confronted, said that they didn't realize that the age limit was 4 (We were all standing on the dock, waiting to wave goodybye to our "pirates")
(Note that they ask you that age question when you sign the children in)............

Another thought-

- My Son, who had just turned 4 about a week prior (we were at WDW celebrating his Birthday) - had a miserable time on the Pirate cruise - because most of the other children were older - He sort of got crowded out (pushed to the back) of most of the treasure hunt activities ---- The CMs try to make sure everyone has a good time - but there are only a few of them, and maybe 20 children? My Son isn't shy, didn't mind going off without us, and had always been involved with older Children......I just think it might have been a little overwhelming......We are going to try it again this year after he turns 6.

 

[lookingforward]

I know that they are very careful about checking the ages of the little ones. My son and daughter went on the pirate cruise a few years ago when she was four. My daughter is small and the CM's asked her several times how old she was before she boarded. The last time they asked her I got a little angry..it was like the grand inquisition. She kept saying "I am four". She WAS four, but I was afraid she would forget and say 3. My son, who was 9, said they asked her a few more times that day. I spoke with the supervisor and she said that they have to be careful for insurance purposes. I was not too happy about the repeated inquiries. I figure that once should be enough, twice definately IS enough, and any more than that is rude.

They did have a wonderful time on the cruise, though.

 

[lkaanda]

Thanks for all the information. My daughter is small for her age as well, and even though she has more than enough "attitude" to make up for it she probably would be pushed around a little. I guess I will wait until she is a little older so they can go on together. I wouldn't want to make her pretend she is an age she is not. Besides there are plenty more fun things she can do. Thanks again.