I can always tell that my 3-year-old son has had a great time with me when my wife, Lori, comes home from work and Jake is able to tell her what he did earlier in the day.
Lori: “Did you have fun with Daddy today, Jake?”
Jake: “Went on a boat.”
Lori: “You did? What else did you do?”
Jake: “Saw piwates.”
That brief exchange was enough to tell me Jake had a blast with the seven other dads and their children aboard the Clipper City Tall Ship for a pirate-themed cruise around New York Harbor recently.
The NYC Dads Group partnered with the Mommy Poppins guide and Manhattan by Sail for a fun morning on the water and a 75-minute course at Pirate School. All involved enjoyed their adventure on the “high seas” with the “fun pirate,” Billy Bones as instructor.
The bumbling Bones was a laugh riot teaching his young pirate pupils how to stand, talk, raise a sail and steer a ship like jolly buccaneers. The cruise also featured face painters and a Kids Club THIRTEEN activity booklet and gift bag for every child aboard the replica Civil War-era cargo schooner Clipper City.
The ship left Pier 17 at the South Street Sea Port promptly at 10 am and sailed around New York Harbor with dads and their kids many of whom were dressed in full pirate regalia. The tour was fun for the children but also for the dads. They got to see their amazingly cute sons and daughters having fun and really getting into the whole Pirate School theme of the trip.
I was so proud when Jake got up out of my lap and went to the floor with all the other kids who were paying attention to the blustery Billy Bones. I also enjoyed seeing lower Manhattan from the water with an up close shot of the Statue of Liberty and the awe inspiring sight of the nearly completely Liberty Tower.
Jake and I had the best time together and we would definitely do it again. If you haven’t gone on a Mommy Poppins Manhattan by Sail children’s themed cruise, you should. Two more are scheduled aboard the Clipper City:
- Sunday, Sept. 22: Ecology & Science – What lies beneath the water? Find out when you set sail in New York Harbor with naturalist-led hands-on activities. (rain date: Friday, Oct. 6)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: Spooooky Sail – Come in costume for a hauntingly fun time on the creaky and creepy Clipper City! (rain date: Sunday, Oct. 20)
Departures: each listed date at 10 am and noon
Price: Adults – $39 / Seniors (65+) – $35 / Children (12 and under) – $25
Duration: 75 minutes
Includes: Face painting, tattoos, a fun on-board activity book and a goodie bag for each child. Everyone, including infants, must have a ticket. Limited stroller parking at the dock – please try to leave your stroller home.
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