The CBR is close to Pop Century. At some spots of the CBR, you can see the bowling pin buildings of Pop Century.
There is actually quite a bit you could do at the CBR while your child is taking the cruise. You could also rent a pontoon boat, a small watermice boat, bicycle or surrey bike from the CBR marina.
The promenade around the resort is 1.4 miles and affords a beautiful view of the CBR villages. At one point, you will walk through a wooded area and at other points, you will see the beaches (and the view of the Pop Century I referred to earlier). Speaking of beaches, you could just laze around on the beach in either the hammocks or beach chairs.
In the middle of the lake, there is an island. There are several nice spots to just sit and relax. You'll also find several picnic tables.
The Banana Cabana Bar is located just outside of Old Port Royale. You could grab a cool beverage and sip it at one of the nearby umbrella tables.
The food court at the CBR has some really good desserts and fresh baked breads if you find yourself in the mood for a snack. If you want a full blown meal, the CBR has a full service restaurant, Shutters, that serves delicious food. If you want something light, just check out the offerings at the food court.
If you want to spend a little time and money, you can shop in the store at Old Port Royale. The store is divided in two with one side selling tropical/beach items as well as pirate themed items. The other side sells the more traditional Disney items such as t-shirts, hats, souveniers, toys, etc.
If you are a little timid about leaving your child on the cruise, you can actually keep your eye on your child during the CBR cruise. The lake is not huge so the cruise boat will never leave your sight.
Hope this helps in your decision making process, Lisa