The crew was energetic, stayed in character, and clearly worked hard to make the experience fun for the kids. That said, I think it's important for parents to know that this may not be the best fit for every child. There were several moments that seemed overwhelming for some of the younger or more sensitive kids. The crew repeatedly joked about "walking the plank," and I noticed more than a few children become upset or cry during those segments. While it was intended as playful pirate humor, not every child interpreted it that way. The biggest thing to be aware of is just how wet you can get. The cruise includes frequent water games, water fights, and bucket dumping. The crew does mention that guests may get wet, so this wasn't completely unexpected. However, I was walking back from the restroom (coming through the dry covered area) when an entire bucket of water was dumped on me. We were planning to go straight to dinner afterward, and I happened to be wearing a nicer dress and carrying a handbag. Thankfully my bag was water-resistant, but if I had been carrying paperwork, electronics, or a less durable purse, it could have been a problem. I understand that getting wet is part of the experience, but I do wish there had been a little more awareness of guests who were clearly dressed for plans after the cruise or a quick warning before a full bucket of water was poured. Especially just walking through the splash area from the restroom. One additional note: we've previously done the pirate cruise in Panama City Beach and personally preferred that experience. If you're expecting something similar, be aware that this cruise has a much heavier emphasis on water play and soaking guests. I'd also say this is much lower budget. The Panama City Beach cruise felt more focused on pirate adventure, storytelling, and character interaction, while this one centered much more on quick water games and pirate jokes. My recommendation would be to wear clothes you don't mind getting soaked and leave anything valuable or water-sensitive behind. If your child loves high-energy activities, water play, and pirate silliness, they'll probably have a great time. If they're more sensitive to surprises, getting splashed, or the idea of "walking the plank," this may not be the best fit. read more

The Pirate Ship Adventure is definitely geared toward kids, and the crew does a fantastic job keeping them engaged. They play games, tell stories, and stay in character the whole time, which makes for a fun and interactive experience. The little ones especially enjoyed the pirate hats and treasure at the end. For adults, though, it's a bit on the cheesy side. The boat ride itself isn't much--just a short trip out in front of some beachfront hotels before turning around. If you're expecting an actual sightseeing cruise or something more adventurous, this might not be it. That said, if you're looking for a break from the beach and something different to entertain the kids, it does the job. A few things to know: Kids 8 and under must wear a life jacket, which they provide or you can bring your own as long as it's Coast Guard approved. Also, expect to get wet! We dressed the kids in swimsuits, and even my spouse and I ended up getting splashed. Overall, it's a fun way to mix things up during a week at the beach, but it's definitely more for the kids than the adults. read more

It is geared for younger kids, so our 10, 12, and 14 year-old kids were not so sure...at first. BUT, Captain Barnacle and Capable Kyle really roped our too-cool-for-school kids in! They learned their names, and would involve them to help with games and tasks. Midway through, our kids were having a blast and laughing. There were some shy kids who did not/would not like the spotlight, but Captain Barnacle and Capable Kyle were savvy, and would low-key include them with a quick fist bump or would bring the treasure or whatever directly to them instead. The boat is really cool. You'll get wet. And remember...never trust a pirate! read more

We just finished our pirate adventure! So worth the money! My kids LOVED it. It was fun, interactive , and very entertaining. I would highly recommend it! Great for kids and adults! read more

Pirate Ship Adventures - Boat Charters Near Me - Orange Beach, Alabama

INCREDIBLE!!!! This was probably our favorite thing about our whole vacation. The look of the boat was amazing. Captain Barnacle and Firts Mate Capable Kyle were the BEST! They were working hard, entertaining everyone. You WILL get wet, but we didn't mind as it was fairly hot already at 10:00AM. They had serval activities for everyone to participate in. You do NOT have to be a kid to partake in the fun. They have a "cannon" that is loud and very realistic. At the end, they gave the kids hats and "face painting." It was by far the most fun we had all vacation. read more

Pirate Ship Adventures - Boat Charters Near Me - Orange Beach, Alabama

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My kids are on the older side (12,10,9) and still had so much fun. My youngest thought the pirates were pretty cool. Definitely recommend, especially for the younger ones. Don't want to pass this opportunity up! read more

Pirate Ship Adventures - Water race - Boat Charters Near Me - Orange Beach, Alabama

This was so much fun. Both of my kids (7 & 12) really enjoyed this adventure. Be prepared to get wet from water games. Check the weather for wind and anything under 80°. Coolers with food and drinks are allowed. read more

I mean really. This was such an awesome cruise. My 5 yo loved it. Even my not so silly husband cracked up on this cruise. From the minute the pirates call you down to get on the boat until the minute the cruise ends, it's fantastic. Our pirates were Captain Barnacle and Capable Kyle. They were both engaging and fun. There were lots of activities and Pirate Pop on board. They always had a few tricks up their sleeves too. I cannot give this cruise enough praise. By far our most favorite thing we did on Gulf Shores vacay. read more

What a fun and unique experience. The boat ride lasts 2 hours. The crew keeps the kids busy with different "pirate" activities. There is a shop for any pirate items that you want to purchase at the harbor before you board or afterward. We brought our own. The kids get a little wet from water balloon (canon balls) but not too much. There is an "indoor" shaded area to escape the sun. They also have bottled water on board. read more

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Great entertainment for the kids and I also enjoyed it. The pirates had fun games for the kiddos to pretend to be a pirate.

This was such a great experience for kids of all ages! This came highly recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. Water gun fights, cannons, dolphin sightings, treasure hunt, limbo, other games, face painting and tattoos...it was great! It was pretty hot on the dock in the marina before taking off, so bring water and sunscreen, but it is also provided on the ship as well. read more

Pirate Ship Adventures - Boat Charters Near Me - Orange Beach, Alabama

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So awesome. My kids are 7 and 4 and had the best time. The pirates were friendly and funny. The activities were entertaining and appropriate. They offered cold water and soda on board. The kids were never bored. If I did it again, I'd Go on amazon ahead of time to buy some pirate swords/eye patches, etc. Predictably, the stuff at the gift shop is super cheaply made and overpriced. Wear sunscreen and make sure your phone is charged up. You will want to take lots of pictures!! Afterward, we went to the restaurant that's right there and the food was awesome. Bring your swimsuits and you can splash around in the water at the little strip of beach in front of the parking lot. read more

My kids absolutely loved this and we all had such a great time! They especially loved the pirate games and interactions. But be prepared to get wet...all in good fun of course. read more

Fantastic fun for the entire family! The captain's mates led the kids in games, water fights, limbo, face painting and a treasure hunt. Our grandkids were ages 2-10 and all of them had a blast. We even got to see several pods of dolphin! Highly recommended for a great family outing. read more

Pirate Ship Adventures - Boat Charters Near Me - Orange Beach, Alabama

Good family fun! My 7 year old loved it. The pirates were funny and played cute games with the kids. It was also a nice boat ride for the adults. We had an infant with us that was not impressed with the cannons constantly going off. Keep that in mind if you have sound sensitive little ones. read more

It was a great family experience. The kids had a blast participating: reading the map, swabbing the deck, playing with water shooters. The crew was very attentive. We highly recommend this adventure. read more

We took our 7 year old daughter there and she had a blast!! The Captain and his mate were friendly and kept her busy! It was a scorcher out there today, but with the bottled water and water guns it was doable. Plus, there is a shaded area if need be! I would recommend it highly. Side note: we also attended the dolphin cruise out of the same marina/captain later that night...check out that review, too!!! read more

We took our 4 year old on the ship today. The captain and first mate do a great job keeping the kids engaged throughout the cruise. Heat authentic ship but it could use some TLC esp in the bathroom. read more

Not a good option for young children!!! The sides of the boat are too high for our 4 year old to see over. We were expecting to need to hold our almost 2 year old but we were told we had to stand at least a foot away from the edge if we were holding the kids. So no one could see the dolphins or jellyfish close to the boat. Also easy to get sea sick since you can't see out the front of the boat. Very hot so take lots of water and snacks. Don't waste your money if your kids are under about 7 years old. read more

My 5 year old loved the experience! I would highly recommend this for young children. Expect to get wet.

The whole experience is great! They keep the kid entertained the entire 2 hrs. Provide water and sunscreen. They obviously love what they do and it shows. It is a must see for people with kids! read more

Fun for kids! Limbo, treasure hunting, water guns and canons! Saw lots of dolphins too! Better than dolphin tours! Sunscreen and water provided! read more

This was such a great little adventure for my children (11,8,4,2). The entire 2 hour pirate ship ride was filled with activities such as pirate limbo, treasure hunting, a water gun fight with a passing by boat, learning to catch cannon balls(water balloons), swabbing the deck ( dancing while holding a mop). The Captain and his First Mate did not break character even once. Both outstanding with the kids and parents. This was our second time taking the pirate ship adventure and wont be our last. A huge thank you to those pirates for the fun and entertainment! read more