Sail Away the Pirate Way
Pirate Adventures MV offers you chance to be the pirate of Martha’s Vineyard
By: Liz Hilfrank
“Does this hat make me look good?” An elderly man asks as he gently places the trifold pirate hat atop his balding head.
“It was made for you!” gasps the crew. Add a few sailor songs and pirate jokes, and that’s what I witnessed standing in the Pirate Adventures MV store. When the customer happily forked over his credit card for his new purchase, general manager Coral Castaway remarked, “This is what we do on a daily basis, make pirate dreams come true.”
Pirate Adventures MV started after one lawyer went on a family vacation. After visiting a pirate ship activity center and wishing for more options for their little boys on the Island, wife and co-owner Lady Pearl had the idea to bring the pirate life to Martha’s Vineyard. In the summer of 2015, Captain Fink said, “it’s a pirate’s life for me” and made the career change.
While the Sea Gypsy X only docked in Oak Bluffs last year, any visitor would think it has been around since the days when people actually used paper maps to find things. With pirate paraphernalia lining the walls, just walking into the Pirate Adventures store and tour check-in center makes you feel as though you’ve entered a new world; and that’s before you even board the ship.
It’s all pirate, all the time here. Even the emails begin with a friendly “Ahoy!” and each summer’s crew is handpicked from around the globe to provide the most authentic experience. Captain Fink and Lady Pearl take the time to find people who love kids, are theatrical and like to do things big. Once hired, the crewmembers earn a new, pirate name, and that’s the only way they are referred to.
And while at Pirate Adventures MV, you’ll get a new name, too, because they don’t want you to feel like just another kid on the Island, but as a true pirate, equal to all the rest. Even for just an hour and a half, any child, or adult for that matter, has the opportunity to step away from reality and be anyone they want to be.
“I think the best thing is that the kids get to be pirates,” said Castaway. “Because a lot of times with things you do around here, you’re still a kid. But here you’re a whole new person. You get a new name, you get tattoos, we put you on the pirate ship and you get to create the adventure.”
The adventures began with the family pirate cruise, and it is still the most popular tour. Children board the ship dressed head-to-toe in pirate gear, temporary tattoos included. Then, off they go to discover their own treasures, firing cannons and receiving proper pirate training along the way.
“The goal of each adventure is to get kids unplugged from screens. To get them outside, on the ocean and to discover their inner pirate,” said Castaway.
But MV Pirates wants to make all its guests happy, so since its start as a little kid-friendly kiosk in Dockside Marketplace, it has grown into its own store, with a party room and more adult offers.
Sunset cruises are now offered every Monday, Thursday and Saturday night, BYOG. For those that were as confused as I was on the saying, it’s “bring your own grog.” So, if you’re jealous of your child’s experience, as many parents end up being, then book yourself a time to be a pirate under the stars.
And for those who like to be more private, charter your own boat or plan a birthday party with the crew. They’ll do anything for you, and you’re never too old to be a pirate.
Pirate Adventures MV offers the perfect chance to do your best Captain Jack Sparrow impression while you set sail to see the island in a whole new way. So when you’ve become nauseous from spins around the carousel and frustrated with your lack of winnings at the arcade, then it’s time to head over to the Oak Bluffs harbor and board the Sea Gypsy X. Your treasure chest awaits.
