Safety on Pirate Cruises?

[Angeliki19]

Hi! My kids are signed up for the Albatross cruise at the Yacht Club. We are so excited.. never done it before and I know they will LOVE it. But, we also have never left our kids out of our sight before at Disney and with the tragic alligator attack a few months ago, I am feeling a little anxious about it. Can anyone comment on how they felt the safety measures taken on these cruises were?

Thanks!!!

 

[ghtx]

My then-4-year-old and then-6-year-old went on this (the one from GF) a few years back. They have to wear life preservers the whole time. I was never worried about safety. They do not get in the water (other than in the boat) and I don't think that they walk along the beach either.

Nothing to worry about, safety-wise.

 

[Alesia]

They've been doing these for years and years and there has never been an incident.

 

[REEREEG]

I think I am going to sign my daughter up but I'm worried too.

 

[Hopefully]

Hi! My kids are signed up for the Albatross cruise at the Yacht Club. We are so excited.. never done it before and I know they will LOVE it. But, we also have never left our kids out of our sight before at Disney and with the tragic alligator attack a few months ago, I am feeling a little anxious about it. Can anyone comment on how they felt the safety measures taken on these cruises were?

Thanks!!!

I think I am going to sign my daughter up but I'm worried too.

I agree with Alesia. They have been doing them safely for years. But if you are anxious then I don't think you should do it.

 

[disnut8]

We gave our new five year old granddaughter a pirate cruise on her first trip to Disney World (13 years ago). Her mother was the only person in her life until she met my son so she was apprehensive as well. After the cruise, she said "I knew Disney would do it right". And they did. They are so concerned about safety that all kids will have their life jackets checked before they board, any single child (like my granddaughter was) will be paired up with another child of the same sex and age so it's a buddy system (OP, your kids will be paired together), all kids must sit down while the boat is moving, all kids must be with their buddy while doing any adventures, and when they get back to the dock, no child will leave the boat unless the same adult who dropped them off is waiting with the receipt and a photo ID. That's how it worked 13 years ago so safety is a huge priority for the cruises.

I do want to add that if you possibly can, be waiting at the dock before the boat comes back. And if you have a video camera, well, aim it at the boat. That's all I will say about it. Brought my now daughter-in-law to tears.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My DS has done the Albatross cruise twice and the GF cruise once. He always came back safe and sound and with a huge smile on his face. As others have said, they have life vests on the entire time and they are on a pontoon boat so there is a barrier between them and the water. There will be two adult "pirates" with them the whole time who have radios and there are safety boats circling the lagoon all the time. Obviously, with anything in life, there are no guarantees and you do have to sign a waiver, but the chances of anything happening are very slim. Millions of people have visited WDW in the past 45 years. The alligator incident was a very rare, yet, very, very unfortunate accident. As the OP pointed, make sure you get back to the dock before the children arrive back as the ending to their adventure is super cute. The person who dropped them off will also have to be there with photo ID in hand in order for the CM's to release the child back to the parent or caregiver.

 

[RachaelA]

My will be 5 year old is doing the one at the GF on Halloween for the first time. I'm sure Disney is even more on top of safety then ever before right now.

 

[Mintycake]

We are signed up for the albatross one. But I heard after the alligator incident at GF they turned them into pirate camp (ie not going on the boat). Can anyone confirm?

 

[nilla]

But, we also have never left our kids out of our sight before at Disney and with the tragic alligator attack a few months ago, I am feeling a little anxious about it.

I'd be more worried about the pirates, actually. I've seen the films. They're not good people. And that includes that "Sparrow" guy.

 

[Aravan24]

My 8 year old son went on the Albatross Treasure Cruise back in June when we were there for our wedding. This was literally a week after the incident with the young boy over at the Grand Floridian (we actually arrived at Disney World the day that occurred). Needless to say, Disney is very aware of safety issues surrounding the alligators and they were very good about taking great care of the kids during the cruise. I know there is always the worry that something unexpected could happen but honestly I would try and keep in mind that it's just good business for them to ensure the safety of their guests.

As for turning it into a camp...that may just have been for the cruises in the day or two after the incident at GF. To the best of my knowledge they are still doing the cruises.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I wouldn't worry at all about their safety. The CMs take very good care of them, and have procedures in place to keep everyone safe. It's no more dangerous than sending them to school.

As for the big "thing" at the end, they haven't been doing "that" for a few years, AFAIK. They just get off the boat, finish finding and claiming their treasure, then you can leave with them whenever you are ready. It was pretty anti-climactic after what I had been promised. But my kids still really enjoyed it.

 

[PrncessA]

My kids have went on both the Pirate Adventure Cruise from the GF and the Bayou Pirate Adventure from POR and they loved them. The CM's are very competent and we felt like the kids were very safe. DS was 4 years old when we let him go the first time (by himself as well) and he had a blast. As a PP said, they pair the kids with a buddy and count them at each stop before getting back on the boat or moving to a new destination.

We watched them come from the boat dock into POR lobby (where the Bayou cruise ends) and they were very careful to keep track of the children the entire way. And the kids were having a blast singing pirate songs. LOL

 

[xipotec]

It just parent jitters...they are in more danger in your car than at the cruise.

Just be sure you tell them to listen to the cruise leaders and they will have a blast.

Not to retread the alligator tragedy....but freak accidents will happen. Try not to sweat the statistically near impossible......

They will have a BLAST while you worry.....