One thing we’ve grown to love in our house is pirates and mermaids. I mean who doesn’t love those characters? I think it all started for the girls with the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney World. And that their grandpa loves pirates for some reason too! So when we knew we were heading down for a visit to Panama City Beach, we knew we’d have to make a couple stops. Why not swim with mermaids and set sail with pirates when you can, right?! For that reason, the Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise and Sisters of the Sea made our top 5 must-dos in PCB for kids. So let’s take a quick visit (revisit) to our days visiting pirates and mermaids!
First, let’s just acknowledge that my husband and I went on this same pirate cruise about 12 years ago – pre-kids and we enjoyed it then and even more now with kids. Basically I’m just saying, don’t be afraid to do kid things without kids! Sometimes they are a good time for all ages and the Sea Dragon is for sure fun for all! So since Mike and I went on the same Pirate Ship long long ago, we were very excited to take the girls on THEIR very first pirate cruise!
While on the ship, you can sit back and relax while the pirates on board occupy your kiddos so you can enjoy the cruise. It’s a nice 1.5-2 hours where you don’t have to keep them busy and you can enjoy the wind in your hair, a drink from the bar, and a beautiful sunset!
The kids become shipmates who have to shower…
*water gun fights*
Clean up the deck
*mopping away*
And practice their sword skills!
All the items are provided by the pirates for the kids to use while on the ship but give back. They also offer a few take-home souvenirs for purchase if you kids can’t live without a new pirate sword, like mine who always need something wherever we go.
The pirates on board were super sweet with all the kids.
They played with them, learned their names, and even started to play on their personalities like with Olive who just kept staring at them! hahah.
While out to sea, you’ll enjoy good tunes, free entertainment, and maybe even see some dolphins!
The cruise is so fun-filled the time flies! We suggest the sunset cruise if you can, but any day on the sea with pirates is a good time!
And if you look closely as you head out to see towards the pier and docks across the way, you might even see the mermaids at Sisters of the Sea. I must say that this concept is adorable. Can you do this elsewhere?! You can eat out by the pool or on the covered patio and let the kids swim with the mermaids while you enjoy a meal.
Let’s be real, the kids aren’t going to eat, but it’s so fun to see them in the water with the mermaids. Make sure to check the times before you go to be sure you get to swim with them! YES! You can swim with the mermaids so make sure not only to check the times they swim on their website but to bring suits, towels, and any floaties your kids might need!
There’s even a friend in the lobby to take photos with! Her name was Bubbles.
We heard too that the pirate ship is how they get back to their home in the ocean! Ask them!
Sisters of the Sea was really nicely done inside and while we didn’t eat inside, I could see us going back and enjoying a meal inside (in the air conditioning)! They also have a gift shop which we didn’t get to check out due to COVID, but I swear the girls wanted everything mermaid after this trip!
You might remember we visited the mermaids when we went to the Newport Aquarium and this was on that level with them being in the pool and the kids being able to swim WITH them. I’m sure my girls talked their tails off!
So do you see why these two activities made our top 5 for kids in Panama City Beach? They are great options of ways to take a break from the beach but still enjoy family time and exploring new things! Plus, who can’t use a little extra magic added to their vacation!? Your kids will love it!
Have you ever sailed with pirates or swam with mermaids?
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