Disney's Pirate Adventure Cruise Review

Calling all Mateys and Scallywags! Have I got an adventure for you! 

Yesterday I posted about an awesome activity offered at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels- Pirate Adventure Cruises. You can check out the article and all of the pertinent info here. The following is our review of the cruise my daughter took in 2011.

We were staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort which offered the "Island of the Caribbean Pirate Cruise". While some resorts offer daily cruises, CBR offers the cruise only 3 days a week: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday (though this is subject to change). We went on a Sunday. The cruise starts at 9:30am, but they ask that you be at the dock 20 minutes prior in order to sign release forms and go over some info. You can choose to pay however you'd like here- either use the card you held the reservation with, pay cash, or charge it back to your room.

Two cast members will be there to go over what the kids can expect (and parents, too) and let them all know what they're doing there- hunting treasure!! The story was really cute, especially since the CM (cast member) telling it was so enthusiastic. He had all the kids getting excited and laughing (again parents, too).

The CM got everyone fitted in their pirate gear (bandanas, name tags, and life vests)

They get them all loaded on their vessel, and they set off on their adventure.

Because I wanted photos for her to remember the experience by, and to be able to share with others, I maybe stalked their adventure just a little bit...

 They traveled to different ports (throughout the surrounding waters of the resort) chasing pirates and being chased. They got on and off the boat in search of their treasure until they finally found it and pulled it aboard. The kids could be heard throughout the grounds laughing and carrying on. Clearly they were having a blast!

Once the treasure was secured they made way to land to eat. Treasure hunting works up quite an appetite.

At the end of the two hour cruise they came back to sort through their treasure.

 

Tessa had an awesome time!!

As a mom, I was a little nervous at first, but clearly there was no need to be. The cast members were great at engaging the kids and getting them involved and excited. I could even see the boat for most of the time (we had lunch and ate outside). My only issue was the lack of photos, lol. I had thought about sending her with a disposable camera, but she was too busy to have taken any photos anyway!

We planned one for our trip last year since Colten was finally old enough to participate and really enjoy it. Unfortunately it was cancelled due to rain. I'll let you know though, they don't always cancel just because of rain. If it's only sprinkling, it will go on as planned. If it is not cancelled and you do not show, you will be charged.

All in all, we highly recommend checking this activity out!! You do not need to be staying at one of the resorts listed in order to do this. Simply call and book your reservation or ask your travel agent to do so. While the kids are cruising, the rest of the party can check out the resort, have brunch or an early lunch, or if you're at the Grand Floridian have a spa treatment!!

For right under $40, you can't beat this! The cruise, the pirate goodies to take home, and the smile on her face were all worth it!! For more info check out my previous post here.

Let me know if you have any questions! Have you done this? What was your experience? Will you be planning a cruise for a future WDW trip?


This post carries a disclosure Level of 0. Please see my disclosure page for more details.

Memories by Betsy ~ WDW Gift Services

Want to get your Disney vacation off to a magical start? How about a special delivery from your pals at the Happiest Place on Earth?!

On one of our trips we were fortunate enough to have such a thing, courtesy of Memories by Betsy!

Memories by Betsy provides custom gift baskets straight to your resort at a fraction of the cost of what Disney florists would charge! She does special theme baskets, resort baskets, special occasion baskets... whatever you can dream, she can do! She can even include Disney costumes in your delivery. All of her items are authentic Disney Parks merchandise, unless additional items are otherwise requested. The only thing she cannot include in the baskets is food, per Florida health regulations. The basket(s) will be ready and waiting at your resort when you arrive!

Betsy was so great to work with! Her website was easy to use, but I am one who likes to talk with someone one on one sometimes for peace of mind, and she completely understood that. She was great on the phone, and when we started emailing she was very quick to respond. As a matter of fact, I had an email within 2 days that she was already finishing my basket!

Depending on the resort/Cast Members, they could alert you of a delivery upon check in or deliver it directly to your room. Ours was given to us at check-in, but others have had it delivered to their room.

When the CM brought a large package with streamers hanging from it both of the kids took notice, as well as those checking in around me. It was a little too large to fit through the window so he walked it around the counter. That's when I saw the kids' eyes go wide! They practically ran to him. The fact that it wasn't delivered was clearly not a problem for them. They just had to see where it came from, so we read the cute little note attached :-)

The contents settled a little bit in the shuffle from the Customs House to our room, but I assure you it presented very well!

When ordering your basket, you give Betsy the details of whom the basket is for, their names and ages, some favorite characters, Disney interests, etc. She purchases your items, creates the basket, and sends you a photo of the finished product. Being that I love surprises so much, I simply gave her the kids' info and a few of their favorite characters and told her to surprise us! Seeing them open it was as much fun for me as it was for them!!

One of Colten's faves: Sully!

Minnie dressed as Aurora, Tessa's then favorite princess!

 
Some Cars for Colten

A Disney Princess activity set for Tessa

Once the wrapping came off I couldn't keep the kids out of it long enough to get a photo so I reassembled the goodie basket once they made it through everything. This is more how it looked when it first came around the counter in the first place.

There in the front you can see two autograph photo albums that came with a pen big enough for the characters to hold, one for each child. I highly recommend adding these to your package as they were immediately put to use!

Here's a little video to show you just how much my little guy enjoyed his gift from "Minnie"

And that "Thank you, Minnie" should really go to Betsy of Memories by Betsy! She truly got our trip off to a magical start. The kids had a blast getting such a wonderful surprise, and I enjoyed seeing them so happy.

You can see a multitude of sample baskets on her website, but here are a couple until you make it over there. Remember, you can make them as large or as simple as you'd like. And again, they can be themed, or just have various goodies. You can tell her exactly what you'd like, or she can give you suggestions... She can even have Ears personalized! Whatever you can dream!

Love a specific character?

Traveling in a group and want to surprise the others in your party? Send each of the rooms a little welcome gift :-) (I especially love this idea!)

Will you be in Disney around the holidays? Have a tree delivered to give your room some Disney Holiday Magic!! Then take it home to have a wonderful decoration that will remind you of your magical Disney vacation year after year!

Please be sure to visit Memories by Betsy, and remember her for that special delivery on your next trip!

Memories by Betsy

Betsy Grike

By email:
betsy@memoriesbybetsy.com

By phone:

1-888-475-9046
(9am-7pm EST)

Website:
http://www.memoriesbybetsy.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Memories-by-Betsy/334245344808

This post carries a disclosure Level of 1. Please see my disclosure page for more details. I am in no way affiliated with Memories by Betsy. I received this service at no cost, but that did not influence my opinion in any way! The opinions expressed of her products and services are solely my own. I was quite pleased and happily recommend her for all of your upcoming trips!