Cozumel Pirate Ship: Full Review and Tips
I lived in Cozumel for nearly two years, and I kept hearing people talk about the pirate dinner cruise.
Everyone said pretty much the same thing: Go on the Cozumel pirate ship! Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s so much fun.
My family was visiting me, so this was the perfect time for me to check it out. We all absolutely loved it.
But it’s not really for everyone, so let’s take a closer look to make sure you’ll love it too.
What is the Cozumel Pirate Ship?
The pirate ship, Barco Pirata, is a 17th-century Spanish galleon replica that takes people out for a dinner cruise. You get a delicious dinner, an open bar, and non-stop entertainment.
The tour starts at the Pirata Grill on 5th Avenue, right downtown in Cozumel. You’re greeted with a welcome drink. Choices are rum punch, margarita, beer, or soda.
From there, everyone walks down to the pier to board the ship.
Pirate Cruise Dinner Options
You’ll choose your meal in advance. The choices are steak, chicken, vegetarian, steak and lobster, or double lobster.
Two in our group had the steak and they said it was very good. Maybe not the best steak in the world, but still delicious.
The rest of us had double lobster. It was fantastic. We also got baked potatoes, Caesar salad, and steamed vegetables. It’s a lot of food.
Pirate Dinner Cruise Drinks
Let me tell you, they don’t skimp on drinks! As soon as you board and find your seat, the bartender comes around with a tray of beverages.
They have beer, margaritas, rum punch, soda (Coke and Sprite, I believe), and bottled water.
As soon as he gets around to everyone, he starts a second trip. The drinks aren’t large, but we still never had an empty glass.
The rum punch wasn’t terribly strong. I only had one because it was pretty sweet. My sister had a margarita, which she said was good, but also not very strong. Mostly, I had the beer. You can’t go wrong with beer.
Pirate Ship Entertainment
Okay, now this is the important part – the entertainment! As soon as you board, the pirates are in character and it’s non-stop. There is a lot of audience participation, so be prepared.
The show is not particularly family-friendly. We had several children on our tour, so they may have toned it down a bit. Still, it was a PG-13 show at least.
Our group was very popular. My son was called on stage a couple of times, as was my brother-in-law. My niece got quite a lot of attention, too.
I’m not going to go into specifics because I think it’s more fun not to know exactly what to expect. Just go with a sense of humor and an open mind, and you’ll love it.
What You Need to Know About the Pirate Ship Dinner Cruise
Reservations
The pirate ship dinner cruises fill up, so be sure to book in advance. They operate daily except Sundays.
Accessibility
If you have mobility issues, you may still be able to take the pirate dinner cruise. To board the boat, you’ll need to walk up a short ramp and then down a couple of steps. If needed, they’ll help you get onboard and seated.
It’s not really wheelchair accessible. You’ll need to be able to at least walk a couple of steps.
Also, the restrooms are down a short but steep flight of stairs.
The main part of the ship is open with benches around the edges. For dinner, they set up tables and then take them away again afterward.
There’s really nothing to hold onto as you’re walking to the restrooms until you get to the stairs.
Weather Limitations
Occasionally, when the weather is bad, the port in Cozumel closes to small boats. This happened on the day we had our pirate cruise booked.
Here’s what happens when the weather is bad:
The dinner and everything are still on. The only thing is that the pirate ship stays in port instead of actually sailing around. Instead of walking to the pier downtown, they loaded us up in taxis to take us to the marina.
Sure, it’s probably more fun to actually sail in the ship, but it was still a great time. Plus, it was much better than having it canceled altogether.
They say they’ll also still operate in the rain. We just had a lot of wind. The entire seating area is covered. I believe there are side flaps that roll down.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cozumel Pirate Ship Dinner Cruise
How much is the Pirate Ship Dinner?
Prices start at $80 depending on which entree you choose.
Is there more than one pirate ship in Cozumel?
No, there’s only one. It goes by the names Jean Lafitte and Barco Pirata.
Are there restrooms on board?
Yes, there are very small restrooms down a short but steep flight of stairs.
Is the Cozumel pirate ship worth it?
Yes! The pirate ship dinner cruise is absolutely worth it. Not only is there an open bar and delicious food, but the entertainment is fantastic.
Is the pirate dinner cruise suitable for children?
The pirate show is not very family-friendly. The jokes are rather crude at times. It’s not horrible, but don’t expect a Disney-type experience.
Wrap-Up: Cozumel Pirate Ship
Yes, it’s a bit cheesy and touristy, but don’t let that stop you. Since I’ve been in Cozumel, taking the pirate cruise is one of the best things I’ve done. It was my go-to whenever friends and family visited me.
Take some cash with you. They’ll take a group photo with the pirates that you can buy at the end. You’ll also want cash for a tip at the end.
Just be sure to have an open mind. There is adult humor, but it’s all in good fun.
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