Pirate Ships Baltimore by Living Classrooms
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
This venue offers a unique half-hour paddle boat experience in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, featuring 'cute boat designs' that appeal to children. It's recommended by locals as a 'shouldn't miss' activity and can be a fun alternative if other nearby attractions are disappointing. Kids can actively participate by 'driving' the boats.
Key Highlights
- ✓Locals and other visitors recommend it as something 'you shouldn't miss'.
- ✓Offers a fun way to 'go out on the water and get a bit of exercise or relax' for half an hour.
- ✓Features 'cute boat designs' that children enjoy.
- ✓Kids can actively 'drive' the boats, which is a big draw.
- ✓Specific staff members, like Shawn, are described as 'really welcoming and knowledgeable', providing 'very good customer service'.
- ✓Can be a 'blast' for families, especially if customer service is positive.
Standout Features
- ⭐Distinctive 'cute boat designs'.
- ⭐Opportunity for children to 'drive' the paddle boats.
- ⭐Friendly and knowledgeable staff (e.g., Shawn) can significantly enhance the experience.
- ⭐The activity provides a short, enjoyable experience on the water with a 'cool breeze'.
- ⭐Operates for an extended season, from 'end of March till November' (weather permitting).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider bringing a 'towel or blanket on hot days' to cover the potentially 'scorching hot' seats.
- →Visit on a 'weekday' or during 'rainy weather' to experience 'no crowd' and 'not too much traffic on the water'.
- →Always check the weather beforehand, as operation 'depends on weather permitting'.
- →Manage expectations regarding the boating area size, as it is 'very small'.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The boating area is described as 'very small'.
- ⚠Staff behavior can be an issue, with one review noting 'rough' staff having 'profanity laced chats' in front of young children.
- ⚠Boat reliability is a concern; one boat 'ran out of power about 18 minutes into it' (a 30-minute session).
- ⚠Seats can become 'scorching hot' on warm days.
- ⚠Participants 'must remain seated' during the activity, which might be challenging for very active children.
- ⚠The activity is perceived to 'fall short' of its full potential by some reviewers due to these issues.
Price & Value
The cost is '$30-$35 for half an hour' (30 minutes). One reviewer found it 'worth paying' for the experience and 'cool breeze'. However, the value can be diminished by boat power failures (e.g., running out of power 18 minutes in) or staff conduct.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No information regarding food and drink policies was mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific parking information was mentioned in the reviews, but as it's at the Inner Harbor, paid parking garages or street parking would likely be the options.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Reported to have 'no crowd' on a 'weekday'.
- •Was 'not very busy' with 'not too much traffic on the water' when visited 'due to the rain'. This suggests it can get busier on sunny weekends.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit safety features like life vest requirements, dedicated safety staff, or first aid stations were mentioned. However, the concern about staff using profanity in front of kids at a location perceived as a 'safe area' indirectly touches on safety perception.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Expecting a large area for extensive boating, as the space is described as 'very small'.
- • Visiting on hot, sunny days without adequate protection for the seats (e.g., towels).
- • If you are sensitive to profanity, as some staff conduct has involved 'profanity laced chats' in front of children.
- • Relying solely on boat power, as a boat ran out of power 18 minutes into a session.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Vishal Manglani
a month agoThey operates from end of March till November depends on weather permitting. We couldn’t experience it but overall as per local people & other visitors this is something your shouldn’t miss. $30-$35 for half an hour with your loved on paddling boat with this cool breeze is worth paying.
S W
2 years ago$35 for a half hour, small area to boat around in. Was pretty good, but the staff was rough. Had two little kids with me and the staff were having some profanity laced chats about someone passing by-which I get, but you are talking in front of little kids at one of the last bastions of safe areas in BMore. Our boat ran out of power about 18 minutes into it and we floated/coaxed it back to the dock. The boats were okay on the water and the kids drove. We did it on a weekday and there was no crowd.
Asna S
3 years agoFun little spot to go out on the water and get a bit of exercise or relax for half an hour. Loved the cute boat designs and it wasn't very busy when I went due to the rain, so there wasn't too much traffic on the water.
G DeCoteau
4 years agoSince we were not happy with the Harry's beach park, we came here and Shawn was really welcoming and knowledgeable. We got into the paddle boats and had a blast. Very good customer service.
Alex Hall
2 years agoSomething to do at the Inner Harbor. Fun for kids. Very small area to ride boat around. This activity has so much potential but falls short. Tip: bring a towel or blanket on hot days...you must remain seated and the seats are scorching hot!