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Aside from having fun in the sun at the Del Sol stores along Florida’s Emerald Coast, sailing by pirate ship be one of ye best-loved attractions. Our friends over at “4 The Love of Family,” who are sporting their color-changing Del Sol gear (above), tell us why:
I’m guessing you’ve traveled by foot, bike, car, and plane, but have you ever traveled by pirate ship? Even better, a pirate ship with ‘real’ pirates? We have and it was an adventure my mateys won’t soon forget.
Driving through Destin on our way home from a family reunion vacation in Florida, the massive Buccaneer Pirate Ship was actually hard to see behind the Harborwalk Village activity. However, once we rounded the corner, my 10 year old’s eyes widened as he looked back and forth from me to the ship. Surprise! We’re going to be pirates today on Destin’s Buccaneer Pirate Cruise!
Your family can be pirates for the day, too! Below, we answer questions you’re sure to have before you go:
Is it a “real” pirate ship?
Is it a “real” pirate ship in the sense that it was used hundreds of years ago buy real pirates? Well, no. Is it a “real” pirate ship in the sense that it looks and feels like everything your child imagines a pirate ship would be? Yes! This 100-foot motor ship can hold up to 149 pirates on three levels.
What happens on board?
Well, a whole lot of pirate fun of course. As we stepped on board, we were greeted with a pirate welcome by Captain Cannonball and his crew. After old salt, Captain Cannonball takes the wheel, there’s sword fighting, story telling, deck swabbing, water-gun shooting, hula hooping, face painting, good ole’ plain noise making and treasure hunting. Because, what pirate cruise is complete without it?
Will the kids enjoy it? What’s the best age?
Yes! The kids will love it! Kids and parents of all ages are sure to have a swashbuckling good time. That being said, kids 4 and up seemed to have the best experience. Remember, it’s two hours long. The younger are often engaged but quickly lose interest in the organized activity (especially in the storytelling). My 3-year-old did exactly that. However, she found plenty to explore when her interest strayed. Most of the kids were younger, but I think the older got the most out of it. My 10-year-old loved the experience and decided right then and there he would be Jack Sparrow for Halloween this year.
Will the parents enjoy it?
Parents, grandparents, adults in general will have a great time. The cruise is geared toward the kids, but adults are encouraged (and sometimes chosen) to get in on the fun.
What should you wear?
Wear what’s casual, cool and comfortable. Unless of course you have a pirate fairy costume or other pirate garb on hand. In that case, put on your best pirate gear before you head out.
Are there bathrooms, snacks, etc. on board?
HEAD! (That’s pirate talk for a toilet on board the ship). There are bathrooms on board. The women’s has an infant changing table. The men’s does not. Snacks, drinks (including adult drinks) and souvenirs are also on board. You can even get a real coconut to drink from! The day we cruised, it was HOT! Ice water was provided upon request at no cost. I assume this is the norm.
How far in advance should you purchase tickets?
The website suggests: “We highly suggest making reservations about 48 hours in advance and secure seats with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover to ensure availability for the cruise time of your choice.” This seems like a good suggestion. We visited mid-July (their busy season) and on a Wednesday; there were only a few tickets left for a Saturday cruise.