Pirate Cruises -- POR or GF??

[leamarie]

Trying to decide which pirate cruise is better for my six-year old: POR (where we are staying) and GF (where my older daughter participated about 5 years ago). I remember my older daughter getting the Mickey-ears pirate hat and digging for treasure on their hunt. She also got a small plastic treasure chest (which fit in her hand) filled with goodies. Now, at POR, it seems they find the treasure chest in the hotel. Is this true with all pirate cruises? On any of them (there are a number of other locales) is there still "digging for treasure" and treasure chests to keep? Thank!

 

[jlm]

My kids have done the pirates cruise at CB and POR, we have booked the one at GF for this year. Personally-loved CB, crew was great-chased down 'pirates' for the lunch. Searched for treasure that was buried. Had a fantastic time!! POR-not so much. Crew wasn't into it, lunch was just passed out-searched for clues but treasure wasn't buried.
My dd who was 9 at the time said it wasn't worth the time
So we are hoping the GF is better....more like CB.
Jen

 

[MouseMadness]

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

 

[myhouseofmouse]

My 8 year old daughter did the GF this past December. She loved it, the boat was well themed the the Head Pirate (a Female) was very entertaining. (she said funny) She enjoyed it so much, that she said she wanted to do it again. This September we are going back and staying at POR, so we have her signed up for the pirate cruise there. The operator i talked to when i booked it, said it was her grandsons favorite. I guess I will know more come September.

 

[leamarie]

Thanks so much for this helpful information! Sorry my thanks are late. There, for a while, it seemed our December vacation would be cancelled. Now, it looks like we at least have an 80% chance of getting to go, so I'm getting serious again. I was still able to get a pirate cruise booked -- so, again, thanks!

Oh, we chose CB -- can't wait!!