Pirate cruise questions....

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I am interested in doing the pirate cruise for DS(9) and DD(5), but I have concerns. Please don't laugh at the first one, just a mom who's worried....

#1 How safe is it??? I know that they have life vests on when on the pontoon boat, but still worried that DD could end up overboard. Also what about when they hit the beaches, are they all coralled? I have a fear of a stranger abducting my kids. I know.... Paranoid mom, but I rarely take my eyes off of my kids, and this is a worry of mine.

#2 DS would love this I am sure, but not sure about DD, now fun is it for 5 year olds?

#3 Are all the kids grouped together, or do they separate them out by ages a little? Just like all siblings, they don't always get along, and I would hate for DS and DD to be "fighting" during the cruise. I do think that DD would find the girls on board, she has no fear of joining up with other girls, but just another concern.

#4 Is it worth the money?

#5 what did you do during the time your kids were away? We will be going in Dec, so maybe we could see the Christmas decos in the resorts on the monorail. But, I was thinking we would do that as a family.

Any other comments and thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nativetxn]

Hi PrincessV. My 6 year old nephew loved this experience. We had only 1 hour and 15 minutes while he was on the cruise and we had breakfast at the GF.

It's a great and fun experience for kids. I'm going to move this to our resorts board for you. I imagine you will get lots of replies there.

Katholyn

 

[Kimberle]

Hi,
My 4.5 yo dd is going in Sept. Go over to the family brd & search by "pirate cruise", you'll find a ton of posts.

From what I'm told, your 5 yo will probably enjoy it more than your 9yo. It seems most kids are in the 5-6 age bracket.

I, too, was worried abt sending my dd off on her own. I read the "ton" of posts and am very reassured. The little ones will be very well taken care of.

I think I'm going to just bring a book. I know I can't "use" the GF pool, but I hope noone will mind if I sit outside & read for an hour! I'll probably brouse the shops a bit too.

 

[Elaine Guidi]

My DS (9) and DD (6) did the cruise in Feb this year. They also fight a lot but given the choice of buddying up with a stranger they went together and really enjoyed it. They set off looking a bit timid and came back full of the joys and very excited. I think the helpers have it down to a fine art and the ages of your 2 kids should be just fine. They have a snack en route and have lots of fun getting on and off at each stop. The best part though was the big bag of treasure the get at the end, they spent ages looking through it. Whilst they were gone we spent the time in the GF cafe and had a good look around. We weren't staying on-site so this was a real treat for us, what a resort. Hope they have fun.

 

[tnkrbell]

My DD did this when she was 6 and LOVED it!!! She wants to do it again!!!!! She said they did keep everyone together when they went to the beaches!!

 

[GRAYWIFE]

I am not sure about the other questions...but regarding what to do during the down time...my DD is scheduled for her first Pirate Cruise in September and my DH, my mom and myself are going to the Kona Cafe for Breakfast. When my DD is scheduled for the Grand Adventures in Cooking I scheduled myself a Pedicure at the GF Spa (so I could be relatively close) while my husband and my mom go parasailing at the Contemporary.

Hope your little one has fun...remember, those cruises fill up fast!!

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

Originally posted by PRINCESS VIJA
#1 How safe is it??? I know that they have life vests on when on the pontoon boat, but still worried that DD could end up overboard. Also what about when they hit the beaches, are they all coralled? I have a fear of a stranger abducting my kids. I know.... Paranoid mom, but I rarely take my eyes off of my kids, and this is a worry of mine.

You're not paranoid, I had the SAME thoughts. There are a few CM's on board and the kids are never left alone. When you get there, they suite up (lifevest and pirate bandana) and when it comes time to board ship, the kids need to find a partner that they will hold hands with pretty much any time they are off the boat.

#2 DS would love this I am sure, but not sure about DD, now fun is it for 5 year olds?

My DS is 4 1/2 and absolutely loved it!!

#3 Are all the kids grouped together, or do they separate them out by ages a little? Just like all siblings, they don't always get along, and I would hate for DS and DD to be "fighting" during the cruise. I do think that DD would find the girls on board, she has no fear of joining up with other girls, but just another concern.

They aren't grouped by age, but they have to pick a partner (buddy)

#4 Is it worth the money?

EVERY PENNY!!!!! IMO

#5 what did you do during the time your kids were away? We will be going in Dec, so maybe we could see the Christmas decos in the resorts on the monorail. But, I was thinking we would do that as a family.

We originally went to the Contemporary to check out thier rooms, but their "runner" wasn't coming in until noon, so we went back to GF to have a late breakfast.

Any other comments and thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I was afraid DS wouldn't go due to the fact that Mommy and Daddy couldn't go on with him - but I'll tell ya, as soon as we got their, he was raring to go. Once they called everybody to pick a partner - he was off running, and I swear to you - he didn't say bye to us until he was ON the boat.

You can check out some of our Pirate Cruise picks here

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

Well I dropped mine off at 945 am and they left at 10. I had to be back by noon and got back by 11:45 and they had just gotten back.
We were switching resorts, so I took care of this while the cruise was going on. Next time I plan on doing something else! lol

Mine absolutely loved it and I have my calendar marked to get the ps's for this for the dec trip! I think it's very safe!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks everyone! I have decided that I will try and book this for the kids. I really appreciate everyone's comments! Wish me luck!