POR Pirate adventure cruises

[nicki.momof3]

Our kids are very interested in doing a pirate cruise.

We are staying at POR. Has anyone ever done the Sassagoula River Adventure?

I noticed that there are 3 different locations the cruises go from. Can anyone tell me the differences between the POR one, the GF Pirate adventure, and yacht and beach clubs alabatross cruise.

Thanks

 

[mommy2twingles]

We just got back last week and my boys went on the POR cruise. They loved it. The cruise has stops as PO French Quarter, Old Key West, Downtown Disney, and the final stop is back at POR. The treasure turns out to be in the lobby so you can be there for the pictures. Both boys loved it and would do it again. This was their first trip so I can't comment on any others.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Thanks so much for the feedback. We are stasying at POR so I was hoping it was a good activity. I would much rather take the one at our resoirt than travel to a different resort. Thank

 

[stm61]

my 3 dd's and a cousin did the POR cruise on Labor Day Sun. They weren't that impressed with it. I need to say that my dd's were 9, 9, and 5, and my niece was 5. My youngest liked it alot, my niece thought it was ok but wanted mommy to go with her, my oldest dd's were kind of bored. I think they would have enjoyed it much more if they were younger. The cruise started out with 2 boys, at least 8 or 9, pitching fits on the dock because they didn't want to go without their mothers. One of them even had an older brother with him, who kept trying to disown him lol. I know one was at least 8 because of what his brother was saying, the other might have been a 5/6 yr old who was big for his age. Anyway, the whole trip one of them would start crying and then the other would join in, the cm's spent most of the trip trying to calm them down. The kids had been promised pirate booty and treasure, they mentioned jewels, beads, and candy. They got a paper eye patch, a plastic gumball type ring, and a few plastic coins. They were disappointed because the cm's had built the suspense on the dock. I've heard from other's that what my kid's got was minimal in comparison to what is normally given out. Maybe the stock was low or something and they didn't realize it until it was to late. They told all the parents that they would be back at 11:30 I think, and if we wanted to see the end of the cruise to be there by 11:15, but not to plan to take the kids until at least 11:35-11:40, so they could divide up the treasure. We got there at 11:20 and our kids were the only ones there. They had peanut butter and grape jelly uncrustables for lunch, except for my niece who has an allergy, she had a ham sandwich. The dd's all said they would do it again, the only complaint, other then the treasure thing, was they only got 1 juice box and got thirsty. They liked the ride and going to different "ports", I think the highlight was the cm's on the cruise throwing lunch at the life guards on the boat that accompanied them. Sorry this is so long, I wanted to give my dd's experience as a comparison. I think the cruise is really designed more for a top age of maybe 8, rather then 10. Next trip my youngest dd will be about 7 and youngest ds will be 4, I think they'll enjoy it much more then the older dd's did.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like it is geared for my kids ages (4,5,6 years old). So hopefully it will be fun. I hope the treasure is more than your kids got. My kids love pirates so for the CM to build it up and get so little would disappoint them. I really hope we don't get a cryer. My kids are very good about going places without us (school and so on) and having a cryer would jsut ruin the fun. It might also get my youngest uopset. She would not start on her own but if someone was going on and on she might give it a second thought.

Thanks

 

[crisi]

The booty bags have never been much - junk you don't want to take home. Traditionally, its been a ring or two, some mardi gras beads, a pirate eye patch - maybe a superball or something, maybe a pirate tattoo.... I don't ever remember the kids getting candy in the bag (we've done three of them since 2004). This year they were less than in the past - don't build up the treasure (and the CMs probably shouldn't either).

It is more exciting - generally - for the younger set - mine are nine and ten and the only reason they went this year was to escort their four year old cousin. They loved it when they were very little, though.

We've never done the one out at POR - the one at the GF swings by the MK area resorts (and lets you wander into the MK with your hour or two), the one out of the Y&BC actually goes (briefly) into Epcot (and lets you get to Epcot or DHS).

There has always been one crier - generally they don't even get on the boat - but in any group of twelve kids (or whatever it is) there is always one not ready to leave Mom and play pirates.

 

[stm61]

at 4,5, and 6 your kids should be the perfect age for this. I was surprised the 2 boys were carrying on like that. Like I said, the one could of possibly been a larger then avg 5 or 6 yr old, but the other was definately over 8. I can understand the little ones being scared, but by that age they should be able to handle it, especially with a brother along. I've read here that the treasure my kids got was less then what is usually given. Oh, and those pirate ears they advertise with? Not happening lol. They got the bandana. I only booked POR because they were scheduled to leave at 11:30, instead of the 9:30 at the other resorts. The schedule changed after we booked, then I couldn't switch to another resort. Also, most of the parents thought we could grab the boat to DTD while we waited. Also not happening lol. That doesn't start until about 11:00. I think my older kids would of really enjoyed the haunted cruise, but they didn't invent it until after we left. I'd like to send them on something else during our next trip, but there isn't very much offered for the 10-15 age group.