My son did better at the CB cruise versus the GF. He did them back-to-back (a week apart) a few years back. This is when he had recently turned 4 yo, and right before we started having the major problems which led to finding out he had ADHD/anxiety issues, etc.
So, with that said, he went on the one at the GF with his cousin and it didn't go too well. The head "pirate" was an older gentleman and the two other girls on the boat weren't too, should I say, excited to start with. Well, when we went to pick him up, he was the first one they took OFF the boat

When we asked his cousin what had happened, he told us that DS wouldn't be still/seated on the boat, ran off to look at some bushes or something when they were looking for the treasure, etc. etc. Then, one of the girls began to tell me how AWFUL he was and that the other girl on the boat had to stay with him constantly. We were so embarrassed!!
Well, fast forward a week later, we decided (after going back and forth quite a bit) to still let him go on the cruise with his best little friend at the CBR. The boats here were much nicer (pontoon/newer boats) and the two girls leading the excursion were younger (college age) and definitely seemed more "excited" about what was going on. I also noticed this tour had fewer children, and I don't know if it is just coincidence, but more of the younger children as well. So, we waited for their return, and when I asked about DS they told me he was great! They had no problems, he had a blast, etc. They gushed about how excited he was to look around the "island" for the treasure, how he "couldn't be still and stood up the whole time singing "yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me" on the boat, etc. It was a win-win situation...yeah!!!
So, if and when we ever schedule this again for DS and DD, it will definitely be at CB. The whole experience for the kids (and parents) just seemed a little more "loose and mellow". My friend and I even started up a conversation with another lady waiting for her son to return, and she talked about how her son didn't care for the GF tour either and she found the pirates over there to be "stuffy".
Really, I obviously can't speak for everyone, and you will have lots of opinions, but we enjoyed CB over GF. Either way, though, I'm sure your son will have a great time
