Jolly Pirates to the rescue ....

I wanted to share this note that I sent earlier today to the Jolly Pirates owners about something I witnessed last week on the tour....

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Carla and Harald, my 2 daughters and I were on the March 28, morning sailing of your snorkling and swing tour. The ship, snorkling and swing were awesome and my family had a great time, you probably hear that a lot. One thing that may get overlooked on these types of tours is the safety and competence of the crew. The Jolly Pirates ship shone in that area also. While at the Antillas stop the wind was pretty brisk and the water was rough, as soon as we pulled up to the site the crew noticed a scuba diver struggling in the water, they yelled to him if he was ok and as soon as it was apparent that he was not they threw the lifering to him, 2 crew were in the water and swam to him within seconds and put the ring around him, they then swam/escorted him aways off to his excursion boat. I'm not sure his boat even realized he was in trouble. It was impressive to witness and made me feel very good about the choice I made when going out on your ship. Highest praises for you and your crew for a fun and safe snorkle.

Ken Large

Bloomington, Illinois

I am sure the owners appreciate hearing some good news. People usually only write to complain. :)

i was up-in-the-air over which excursion to pick, i think your comments have made up my mind to go with jolly pirates! thanks for the feedback.

I had decided to Jolly Pierates for our upcoming cruise a few months back but haven't booked. Can anyone tell me how to get in touch with them??? Thanks!

I had decided to Jolly Pierates for our upcoming cruise a few months back but haven't booked. Can anyone tell me how to get in touch with them??? Thanks!

Vikki, here's their website:

http://www.jollypirates.com/main.htm

THANK YOU!!! I will be booking today!

THANK YOU!!! I will be booking today!

Vikki, you're welcome! Have a great time:) We'll be in Aruba in December!

We are a family of four with two sons ages 12 and 14. They snorkel and so would love the Jolly Pirates I am sure, but we will also be traveling with my mother and aunt who are 82 amd 83. Although they are in very good health, my mother is nervous about getting on and off boats since we took her snorkeling one time and it was a small boat and she fell getting on it. Is it easy to get onto the jolly pirates ship and what kind of seats do they have? Would she be sitting in a seat or on the floor? I am trying to talk her into coming on this excursion with us but I need some more information! Thanks!

Stroessner,

I wouldn't recommend JP for your mother. A small raft ferries you from the shore to the boat and then you have to climb from the raft into the boat. We did the JP excursion in March and were packed in the boat like sardines. Only about half the seating is in the shade (mostly on a U-shaped bench around the stern area). The rest of the seating is whatever you can find, like on the roof of the cabin. I was able to get a seat in the shade with my kids only because someone took pity on us and made room, but my husband had to sit elsewhere. I am not a teetotaler by any means, but there was way too much inebriation on our trip -- even my teenagers were appalled. JP could have been a fun trip with fewer people on the boat (especially the more sober ones). On our trip JP was still selling tickets on the shore, so apparently they pack as many people in as they can, without much regard for the comfort of their customers.

We saw several other snorkel boats, none as packed as ours. I don't know if any of them board from a dock, which would be easier than a raft entry.

In more than 20+ plus trips aboard the JP, I have only had positive experiences. In fact, each November we take a cruise with with more than 20 family members of all ages & have been choosing the Jolly Pirates over all the others due to the comfortable seating, shade & ease of getting on and off the boat with our older family members. We have never been ferried to the JP on a small raft.

We love this trip.

We have never been ferried to the JP on a small raft.

We love this trip.

Did you depart from Moomba Beach? If so, how did you get from the shore to the boat? On our trip the JP boat was anchored, so that's why the raft was necessary.

I'm glad you have had positive experiences. We chose JP because of its good reviews, but obviously we hit a bad day.

Stroessner,

I wouldn't recommend JP for your mother. A small raft ferries you from the shore to the boat and then you have to climb from the raft into the boat. We did the JP excursion in March and were packed in the boat like sardines. Only about half the seating is in the shade (mostly on a U-shaped bench around the stern area). The rest of the seating is whatever you can find, like on the roof of the cabin. I was able to get a seat in the shade with my kids only because someone took pity on us and made room, but my husband had to sit elsewhere. I am not a teetotaler by any means, but there was way too much inebriation on our trip -- even my teenagers were appalled. JP could have been a fun trip with fewer people on the boat (especially the more sober ones). On our trip JP was still selling tickets on the shore, so apparently they pack as many people in as they can, without much regard for the comfort of their customers.

 

We saw several other snorkel boats, none as packed as ours. I don't know if any of them board from a dock, which would be easier than a raft entry.

Thanks for the information. It doesn't sound like it is the excursion for my mother. I appreciate you answering my questions!

In more than 20+ plus trips aboard the JP, I have only had positive experiences. In fact, each November we take a cruise with with more than 20 family members of all ages & have been choosing the Jolly Pirates over all the others due to the comfortable seating, shade & ease of getting on and off the boat with our older family members. We have never been ferried to the JP on a small raft.

We love this trip.

What kind of boat takes you over to the Jolly Pirates ship? How old was the oldest member of your family traveling and on the Jolly Pirates cruise and if they went along did the enjoy it even though they don't snorkel? Are there stairs you have to climb into the boat or what is the logistics like? I would appreciate any information you can give me. Thanks.

Go to the web site and do the "contact us". Ask them your questions, they are wonderful folks and would not give you incorrect info.

If you can do the trip, by all means do so. Wonderful time:)