This Ben-Voyage was a treat because it was spur of the moment! We vacationed down in Wildwood Crest and looked for things to do that Ben may enjoy after becoming "beached" out. We happened upon an advertisement for Dark Star Pirate Cruises and thought we'd give it a try. It turned out to be the BEST part of the vacation, and I absolutely have to share our experience with you guys!
From their website: Welcome aboard the Dark Star, our 50 ft modern day pirate ship, and join the roughest swaggerin' scallywags that ever sailed the seven seas. The Dark Star, an authentic Pirate themed cruise, is looking fer Buccaneers young and ol' to sign on with the crew, and ye'll find a fortune of tales, tunes, and treasures that would turn ol' Blackbeard green with envy. Sail With The Dark Star At Your Own Risk Let our cutthroat but always friendly Pirate Crew entertain ye with Pirate stories, face painting, treasure hunt, water cannon battle, booty, music and loads of guaranteed family fun fer all ages! Weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen! To ye stations, sprogs! Lively now, and keep an eye open fer the latest plots and plans of The Dark Star Crew.
The Deets:
Dark Star Pirate Cruises
6200 Park Blvd. Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Phone: (609) 729-DARK (3275) - Office & Gift Shop
Email: info@darkstarpiratecruises.com
Ticket Information:
(Prices are subject to change at any time, please confirm in
advance)
Tip: Advance reservations are STRONGLY recommended.
Upon arrival, we were presented with our tickets, as well as an eyepatch. Cute touch! I appreciated the fact that they had bandanas, swords, and other pirate regalia for sale so you could really get into the pirate spirit!
Tip: Complimentary face painting/tattoo begins 25 minutes prior to departure, so arrive at least a half hour early! Ben NEVER allowed anyone to paint on him before today. Something about Nell put him at ease, and he ended up with an awesome Shark tattoo that he proudly showed off for as long as it would stay on.
The crew of the Dark Star were very engaging, humoring Ben's inquisitive 4 year old mind. They interacted with everyone, not even the adults were safe! Wet Dog was an absolute riot, Ben would not leave Nell alone, Mutanous Mike was our trusty navigator, and of course, the Captain graced us with his presence.
We were regaled by stories, songs, slapstick comedy, sword fights, treasure hunts and even a battle with another boat! The kids got to man the cannons and chase the other pirate off. They even got to drink "Pirate Grog" (Root Beer), and each kid got a trinket. Love it! Also great they had a bathroom on board!
There was just enough adult humor to really make it enjoyable for the older folks as well. I never checked my watch or wished I was elsewhere. There was a great mix of ages and EVERYONE enjoyed it. Ben will not stop talking about his Pirate Adventure!
When we arrived back to the dock, each child was presented with a Letter of Marque, which was a great surprise for us, and a really nice touch! Look at that handwriting!
Tip: It is customary to tip the crew for their hard work, so bring some extra cash for tips and souvenirs. :)
Tip: It is customary to tip the crew for their hard work, so bring some extra cash for tips and souvenirs. :)
The crew of Dark Star Pirate Cruises went ABOVE and BEYOND, and the experience we had, by far, is unrivaled. The trip ran for about an hour, and it is totally worth it. If you find yourself near the Jersey Shore, do yourself a favor and check out Dark Star Pirate Cruises. You won't forget it (and your little one won't let you!). We can't WAIT to go back! Arr! We be seein' ye landlubbers!
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