pirate adventures

This pirate adventure was really a good time for kids and adults as well. It was a nice long ride a little over an hour and it was truly an adventure messages in bottles hidden treasure maps and a "pirate" waiting to battle the kids with water cannons. Forgot to mention kids got face painting and pirate names, everyone also left with a little bag of "booty". FUN

Although this is Pirate Adventures Ocean City, it's really Fenwick Island, off 54 by Harpoon Hannah's. There are several times (usually around 9:30, 11, 3:30 and 5, I believe). You do need to make a reservation, as there's only so much room (and conversely, they'll only sail with a minimum number). Sailing also is weather dependent. To that end, if it's hot and sunny, wear sunscreen and sunglasses and prepare to get wet. If it's a bit chilly and damp, dress accordingly -- you are on the water. Kids will still get somewhat wet, but they alter the trip just slightly so not everyone gets soaked. Kids of all ages (3 and up) will really enjoy it. If you've got an older one (9+) that's kind of "figured it out", do request that they keep it to themselves, as we've had a few louder ones almost ruin it for our son (6 at the time). Our three year old LOVED it; she started going at 18 months and still had a good time coping the older kids, and now she's like a pro at 3. :-) Do be prepared to help the 3-5 year olds get a water cannon when it's time; they'll get crowded out by the 6+ crowd. Not on purpose, just by virtue of the size difference.As noted, arrive 20 minutes early to get "pirate names" and face/arm painted -- beards, mermaids, etc. Last several years they gave out vests and sashes to wear, but not this year. Budget cuts? Also have a small gift shop -- foam swords (large and small); skull bandanas (look out for the free coupons in the Sunny Day Guide and Sea Colony playbook); eye patches, arm bands, etc. No pressure or sales pitch, though.Jokes from captain and crew are on all levels, so there's laughs for the wee ones and the adults. The whole experience lasts about 1.5-2 hours (between arrival for face paint and debarking the ship). The adventure itself is about an hour. Hang a flag, look for a map, follow said map through sea monsters, finding a pirate (battling said pirate with water cannons), finding the X to the treasure (which is now pre-packaged with virtually the same goodies, so no fighting over who got what -- YAY, pirate adventures!); finding the "grog" (lemonade); and heading back to shore. Harpoon Hannah's, Lobster Shanty, and Papa Grande's all right there if you're looking for a meal before/after the Adventure. Tons of fun if it's not a great beach day and you've done all the mini golf you can handle.

It is a short drive from Ocean City to get there. You need reservations, but we were open to a time and when we called in the morning there were a few time slots available day of. You arrive early to get either your face or arm painted with a design of your choice (they did not give out sashes & vests as previous reviewers mentioned, maybe not doing that anymore?). They do have pirate gear for sale, but there was no pressure to buy and the children who didn't get things did not feel slighted. There are jokes both for the adults & kids. My 3 year old loved it, but I would say the ideal age is 4+ to catch the majority of what is going on (like the pirates saying that it's too scary so we might head back - only the older ones screamed 'NO!!!' while many the younger ones were just looking at the pirates, other kids, boats, etc.). There was a lot that happened on a boat ride just over an hour - signing and hanging the flag, finding the map, finding the pirate, water fight with the pirate, finding the treasure, opening it, and more. It was a good activity if you're looking for a break from the beach/pool.

This was such a fun adventure for our whole family of 5 adults and 4 children ages 7,5,4 and 3. Each child was given a pirate name, had their face painted and dressed in pirate gear before setting sail in search of the "pirate booty". The crew was very entertaining for both the children and the adults with their double sided jokes. The entire trip held excitement for the kids with searching for a map, fighting off Pirate Pete with water cannons and the grand finale of locating the treasure and hoisting it on board. Each child got a pouch with goodies in it and came back with a wonderful memories and an exciting story to tell. That certainly was the highlight of our trip! When we come back, will do this again.

Kids 5 and 7 had a great time. They left happy. The crew was great, but the captain could have been friendlier. Would recommend adding this to your Ocean City vacation.

I was so grateful to have a GOOD pirate adventure experience this year in OC (see my review of the duccaneer from last year). The pirate and captain were awesome, they made the experience SO enjoyable for the kids. Everyone on board seemed to have had an excellent time. You do not get soaked like the reviews for the OTHER OC pirate adventure cruise state, but the kids still get to squirt at the bad guy and have a great time! Yes, the drive up to 112th St. is farther than the competition, but I would highly recommend it over the competition, if you prefer to have good customer service and to be treated well. Very nice!

This was our first time out on the pirate ship and we had a great time. Our 4 and 8-year olds loved being out on the water in their outfits fighting off Pirate Pete and doing all of the things mentioned in the previous reviews. The two mates were excellent with their kids and had plenty of jokes on hand for the adults as well. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

Pirate Adventures is a great activity for younger kids. The ship is decked out like a pirate ship and crew are in costume. Before the cruise, staff do face painting and put vests and sashes on the kids. (Skull bandanas, eye patches, and other pirate gear are sold when you buy boarding passes.) Parents can sit down while kids have use water cannons to fight the enemy pirate, and find treasure. Kids get some of the treasure and drink pirate "grog" to celebrate. I would say this would appeal to kids about 12 and under. (Although my 16 year old daughter enjoyed it too.) It's a lot of fun and something different to do during your stay in Ocean City MD. If you go Friday thru Sunday there are coupons to discoubt the price.

We went last year (and I reviewed it here) and then returned again this year -- with a 3yr old; 5 year old and Grandma all in tow. Weather was fine, a tad choppier than the year before, but very managable. And while the adventure was very similar, it still was quite a charge for the kids. And as an adult, it hard not to be charmed by it. The kids are kept busy by the "pirates" on board almost the whole trip. Parents could relax a bit, sit and watch their kids engaging in the adventure. The whole trip is approximately 60 minutes - -and it goes pretty quickly. There's lots of cute details -- face painting on land, hosing down the bad guys with water guns on board, and celebratory lemonade grog after the treasure is found. Look around the ship, and you will likely everyone with a smile on their face... Even the crew, whose probably done it more than a few times!

Pirate Adventures was just a quick drive from where we were staying in Ocean City, MD. Our group (2 grandparents, 3 parents, kids ages 5, 6, 8, 8, and 11) had a great time. The crew clearly loved their jobs and enjoyed working with the kids. I'd say the ideal age for kids is 3-7 years old. The 8 and 11 year olds enjoyed it too, but weren't as into it. The crew also cracked jokes for the adults which kept us entertained. Tip - bring your own pirate stuff such as eye patch, hook, bandana, etc. You can purchase a package at the boat but it costs $10. Pirate Adventures provides a pirate vest and sash for each child. They also do face/arm painting before getting on the boat. The boat leaves from behind Harpoon Hannah's restaurant so we stayed for a nice lunch after the trip.

I recently visited Bethany Beach with my grandson, age 7. My sister and her 3 young children went with us to Pirate Adventures. What a fun time all the children had. The pirate cruise is really cute and the children loved the experience of a pirate battle using water cannons and the search for a lost treasure chest. Costumes are provided and weapons can be purchased. I would suggest this activity for children ages 7-9.

Let me start by saying the fifth star is for the things they can't control. The weather for one -- a beautiful afternoon, calm waters and sunny skies. Also, a full boat of young'uns -- which ensured a joyous (and racous) atmosphere. The demograhic has got to be 3-7 years old (though we had our two yr old and she loved it; probably too corny for much older than 7) You get there and find a shack next to a seafood restaurant and instantly feel depleted. But the sea vibes catch on quick -- a young staff does face psi tins for the kids and sell the obligatory pirate souvenirs. The whole event is well thought out and well measured for the demographic. The boat is probably out to sea for 55 minutes. But there is a lot of engagement and conversation for the kids. On the boat, kids sign and hoist a flag; they find a map and search for treasure; they take the pirate oath; they jet spray an evil pirate; they drink pirate grog (lemonade). The staff is warm, funny and self effacing. Both my kids had that "glazed