Should an EXTREMELY OVER-PROTECTIVE (helicopter) mom let her kids PIRATE CRUISE?

[TruBlu]

Yes - that is me! I know I am crazy, so you don't have to tell me that! The thought of them being on a boat without me makes me all sweaty.... But they are BEGGING to do it....

UPDATE:
They did it and LOVED it! Thanks to everyone on the DIS who talked me into it!

 

[krismom]

Hmmm- I'm the same way. Your kids are 5 and 7? that seems a good age to try. Mine were 4 and 6 and they didn't really like it that much. They were paired together and pretty much were quiet and just watched everything- they should have been encouraged to participate I think. For lunch they got Uncrustables and a juice box and came off the boat telling me how thirsty they were (it was July!) They also got pirate ears and some "pirate treasure" of the Oriental Trading CO variety. I was very anxious as my son has asthma and they did their best to put me at ease- although I never really was.... If you do try it- they give you a pager in case they need you. Good Luck!

 

[julsmom]

OMG for a minute I thought, "did I post this?". That's me!! I think I will let DD do this next time but I picture horrible tragedies. I mean, they are taking her on a boat without me!!! But I think I will do it. And pray.

Last year I let her do the Wonderland Tea Party at GF. We had to leave her there. That makes me nervous. I don't know these people! They gave us a pager and we just walked around GF and everything turned out fine.

But I feel ya.

 

[TruBlu]

Hmmm- I'm the same way. Your kids are 5 and 7? that seems a good age to try. Mine were 4 and 6 and they didn't really like it that much. They were paired together and pretty much were quiet and just watched everything- they should have been encouraged to participate I think. For lunch they got Uncrustables and a juice box and came off the boat telling me how thirsty they were (it was July!) They also got pirate ears and some "pirate treasure" of the Oriental Trading CO variety. I was very anxious as my son has asthma and they did their best to put me at ease- although I never really was.... If you do try it- they give you a pager in case they need you. Good Luck!

Both of mine have asthma! Will they let them bring their inhaler?

I know they would really love it. I can't imagine either of them being quiet...
The 7 year old just sang a solo at church with over 300 people there, so he has no problem joining in. It really is me that has the problem...

 

[TruBlu]

OMG for a minute I thought, "did I post this?". That's me!! I think I will let DD do this next time but I picture horrible tragedies. I mean, they are taking her on a boat without me!!! But I think I will do it. And pray.

Last year I let her do the Wonderland Tea Party at GF. We had to leave her there. That makes me nervous. I don't know these people! They gave us a pager and we just walked around GF and everything turned out fine.

But I feel ya.

You know, I thought about starting off with the cooking class - just to keep them on solid ground. I'm afraid they wouldn't like it... I should have never told them about the cruise!

 

[Hannathy]

You can't hover the wind from the blades would stir up the water too much!

Yes, yes, YES you should send them. My goodness they will be on a Disney boat (can you say lawyers and safety regulations) with life jackets, and CM's going a very short distance on water- they don't go out in the Ocean! My DD did this alone at 5 and thought it was a lot of fun. The eat on solid ground.

 

[bonzarella]

Add me to that special"Mom" list
I called about this the other day, as our boys (6&7) would love this. I was told there were 2 CM's on the boat & 24 open kid slots. I am not comfortable with that ratio. I don't believe one person can handle 12 very excited small children on a boat , well at least I couldn't. Looks like we will take a pass

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My kids have done this several times. Even though I'm somewhat over protective myself I always felt that since there were three of them they would look out for each other. They had a ball. The people who ran the pirate cruise were very good and made sure each child had a "buddy". They also have to wear life jackets. My mistake was telling the kids about all the children activities - now they have to do all of them each summer.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I'd say, "Let them go.".
2) It is good practice for the real world.
3) It also gives you head start for 15-years form now.
4) Can't begin too early to prepare for being an Empty-Nester.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I would not personally put my children on a boat without me and mine will be 14,10,4 at the time of our vacation.

 

[Desnik]

I am also an extreemly over-protective parent! But, I am working on letting go more. My kids are 4 and 9. My DD(9) wanted so badly to do all the kids activities at the GF when she was about 6. I was all sweaty thinking about it but I eventually gave in and let her do them. First was the tea party with Alice. They had to kick me out, LOL! They gave us a pager and closed the doors! Well we hung out in the lobby and occasionally walked by the doors to peek in and see if all was OK. It was and she had the best time! Then I let her do the pirate cruise. Now this one I was worried about more because of the boat. Well once I saw how the boat was, smallish and safe, and they had life jackets, and great CM's, I felt alittle better. Well since DH and I were at the marina we decided to rent a boat. Well we saw DD on the pirate cruise and she was having a ball! The following year she tried the cooking class and also really loved it. She made a little friend and those cookies they made were delicious!! Then we tried the pirate cruise from the YC. By this time I was a lot more comfortable with things. Lucky me one of the stops of that treasure hunt was at the BW where we happened to be staying. I got to watch from a distance how the CM's interacted with the kids. They were so great and the kids were so intrigued. DD spotted me and just LOL!! She really had a great time at all these activities and I am so glad I let go a little and let her enjoy some things without us. When she was almost 7 we let her stay at the Neverland Club while we went to dinner.(DS was too young) We were only gone an hour and she wanted to stay longer! I again was worried leaving her but she loved it! We were at Ohana's right at the POLY and had the beeper they give for emergencies. Now that DS is 4 and potty trained I am thinking of letting them stay at the Neverland Club while DH and I have a nice dinner. I feel more comfortable especially because they have eachother. Also DD has a cell phone and can call me whenever she wants. That makes me feel so much better. I say let the kids go! Good luck!

 

[famfab5]

I am a very over protective Mother. I still get nervous leaving my children anywhere for any amount of time...sigh... BUT on our 2004 trip I allowed my 7 year old son to do the pirate cruise and he had a fabulous time, talks about it fondly still. I was nervous while he was gone but we had a pager that was given to us and I stayed to hear the "safety speech" before the boat left which was very strict. He really wanted to do it and it took alot for me to get to the point where I would let him but I'm glad I did!

 

[TinkerbellTris]

We let our DS7 at the time do it last June. I was so nervous. They give you a pager in case of emergency, but my husband and I sat like little abandoned puppies at the dock waiting for 3 hours for him to return. It went fine, he had so much fun, in the end we sat there and talked for 3 hours, but we would let him do it again in a minute. It's worth it. The CM's in charge were wonderful.

 

[ILVPOOH]

My boys (age 7) did the pirate cruise from Grand Floridian. I was little nervous about sending them on a boat until I saw the boat. It was a big boat with benches for the children to sit on. I was thinking of a row boat, but this had a roof and built up sides. There was also a safety net around the whole boat. There was no way a child could fall off of this boat. The CMs were just not teenagers. One was an older woman and the other in her late 20's. They gave a strict safety speech and all the children seemed well behaved. When the boat returned, all the children were singing pirate songs. The boys said they had a great time.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

OMG I could have posted this thread I'm sooo stressed about my 5 year old going on a boat without me.

 

[peanmunch]

Helicopter here too!!! My Ds almost seven has a fit cause i walk him into school every day and won't leave tiil the teacher brings them to their class....anyhoo..last spring ds was six and did the pirate cruise from bc..he had a great time and I felt totally safe after seeing the boat..a pontoon boat.. and hearing the saftey drill. I'd say go for it.

Lori

 

[TruBlu]

OK, you talked me into it! The boys are going to be thrilled!!! And me, well I guess I'll get some Valium!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Add me to that special"Mom" list
I called about this the other day, as our boys (6&7) would love this. I was told there were 2 CM's on the boat & 24 open kid slots. I am not comfortable with that ratio. I don't believe one person can handle 12 very excited small children on a boat , well at least I couldn't. Looks like we will take a pass

I am with you. I checked into this as well and I was not at all comfortable w/that ratio. I agree that 12 kids to one adult on a boat is not ok w/me. Its too bad because it sounds like fun.

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

My sons, ages 4 and 6, did the pirate cruise, and it was a big hit for all of us. The kids loved it, and the counselors are very experienced. Don't worry. The child/adult ratio is very good. I'd say there were 4 to 6 adults on the boat with about 15 kids. This was during Christmas Week, so I assume it was sold out. To relax, go for a massage at the GF spa while they are on the cruise.

 

[delilah]

My son did it last summer, and he totally loved it. The staff was really very good with the kids. He was 8 at the time. Now, he wants to do the pirate cruise every time we go to WDW.