Review · MEDITERRANEAN BOAT TRIPS
From Kos:A full day cruise in the newest luxury vessel!
Captain Morgan turns a day on the Aegean into a floating beach club, with four stops for swimming, island views, and sightseeing. The 33-meter vessel has three decks, padded sun areas, shade, tables, and a bar. At $35 per person, the combination of lunch, a full day at sea, and several island stops is hard to ignore.
I like the clear water around Platy and Pserimos, and I like the chance to see a less familiar side of Kalymnos at Vathy. Guide Ariel is another strong point: she brings humor and energy to the day. The main thing to consider is the sound level. This is a party cruise, not a quiet sailing trip, and the boat can feel crowded when it is full.
Five things to know before you book

- Captain Morgan is a huge new cruiser: Built in Greece in 2024, it carries up to 300 people across three decks.
- The swimming stops are the heart of the day: Platy and Pserimos offer clear water, beach time, and a chance to get off the boat.
- Vathy gives you a taste of Kalymnos: You can see the small port, shop, take photos, and learn about sponges, honey, and local orange juice.
- A Greek BBQ lunch is included: Drinks, including cocktails, cost extra, but onboard prices are described as reasonable.
- Arrive ready for music and activity: The crew keeps the mood lively, and Ariel is a memorable guide, but the volume may not suit anyone seeking peace.
What kind of cruise is Captain Morgan?

Captain Morgan is best understood as a large-scale island party cruise with swimming stops. It is not an intimate sailboat and not a slow, silent voyage through the Dodecanese. Music, a bar, sunbathing, group energy, and short bursts of sightseeing shape the day.
That distinction matters. If you want to stretch out on a new boat, meet people, swim several times, and enjoy a social holiday atmosphere, this setup works well. If you want long walks through island villages or a quiet look at local life, the stops are too short and the cruise is too lively.
The boat itself is the main attraction. It is 33 meters long, has three decks, and can carry up to 300 passengers. You get open sundecks with cushions, shaded areas, tables, and a modern bar. The mix gives you some choice: sit in the sun, find shade, or settle near a table with a drink.
Space may still be an issue. A full boat means the best seats can go quickly, and one account of the cruise noted that there were not enough places for everyone to sit comfortably. If you want a particular spot, arrive early and keep your towel or belongings there during the stops.
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Setting sail from Kos with three decks above you

You meet at Kos Cruise Experts and look for the pirate ship Captain Morgan. The first part of the trip is a sightseeing cruise of about 40 minutes, giving you time to settle in and get a feel for the vessel.
The boat’s size helps it feel stable and well equipped, but it also explains the group atmosphere. With capacity for 300 people, this is a shared experience on a serious scale. The bar, music, tables, and open decks make the journey feel more like a day club than a private charter.
Ariel is one of the people who can shape the mood of the day. She is specifically noted for making the trip fun while also explaining what you are seeing. The tour is offered in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish, so check the available language when you book.
The crew keeps things moving. You will not spend hours in one place, but you also will not be left without something to do. Between the island stops, the boat continues along the coast and between the Dodecanese islands.
Pserimos: a short first taste of island life

Pserimos is the first listed stop, with about 45 minutes of free time and sightseeing. This is a small island stop rather than a full island visit. You have enough time to walk around, look at the port, take photos, or enjoy the shore before returning to the boat.
The appeal is simple: Pserimos gives you a quick change from the open sea to a quiet island setting. Its beaches and small port provide an easy first stop, especially if you want to take photographs before the swimming portions of the day.
Do not expect a long independent exploration. Forty-five minutes passes quickly, and the larger cruise group means you need to keep an eye on the return time. I would use this stop to get your bearings, take a few pictures, and enjoy the shoreline without trying to see the whole island.
The boat then spends about 30 minutes cruising onward. That travel time is part of the experience, not wasted time. From the deck, you can watch the Dodecanese scenery change and choose your next place to sit.
Vathy Port and Rina on Kalymnos

The Kalymnos stop takes you to Vathy Port, also identified as Rina, for about an hour. Here you get the most cultural flavor of the trip. The schedule allows time for photographs, shopping, sightseeing, and swimming.
Vathy is especially useful for anyone who wants more than a standard beach stop. The area is connected with the traditional sponge trade, and the tour also introduces local honey and orange juice. These details give the island some character beyond its coastline.
The hour is still brief, so set priorities. You might walk around the port, look at local products, take photos, and leave time for a swim. You will not have enough time for a broad tour of Kalymnos, and the boat stops on one side of the island rather than taking you across it.
That limitation is worth knowing before you book. Kalymnos is famous for more than the small area visited here, but this cruise offers a compact sample rather than a full island tour. For a day built around swimming and sailing, that is a fair trade. For a serious cultural visit, you would want a separate Kalymnos excursion.
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Dolphin watching between the island stops

After Vathy, the route includes a short dolphin-watching section of about 20 minutes. Dolphins are wild animals, so no sighting can be guaranteed, but the cruise gives you a chance to watch the water during the crossing.
This is a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to choose the trip. Keep your eyes on the sea and listen for crew announcements, but do not treat it as a scheduled wildlife show. The same goes for the route itself: the boat may pass attractive stretches of coast, but the listed schedule does not promise long stops at every viewpoint.
The brief dolphin segment adds variety to the day. Instead of moving straight from one swim to the next, you get a little wildlife watching and a reason to stay out on deck.
Platy Island and the clearest swimming time
Platy Island is one of the strongest parts of the cruise. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and centers on swimming, free time, and clear water. The island’s quiet beaches and bright sea make it a natural place to get in the water.
Bring swimwear, as the instructions specifically recommend it. You may also want a towel, sunscreen, and something to protect your phone, although only swimwear is formally listed as essential. The cruise description also mentions cliff jumping, but only do that if the crew confirms the safe area and conditions on the day.
Platy is not a long beach afternoon. The stop is designed to give you a refreshing swim and a chance to enjoy the setting before the boat moves on. I would use the time efficiently: get changed before arrival if possible, listen for the return signal, and do not leave your belongings scattered around the boat.
The final cruise back to Kos takes about 40 minutes. That gives you time to dry off, order a drink, watch the sea, and let the day wind down.
The surprise stop keeps the route flexible

The experience promises a fourth stop at an additional location chosen as a surprise. The exact place is not identified in advance, which is part of the appeal and part of the uncertainty.
You may use this stop to swim or relax, depending on the day’s route and conditions. Since the location is not named, you should not plan around a particular beach, port, or landmark. Think of it as an extra pause in a day already filled with Pserimos, Vathy, dolphin watching, and Platy.
This flexible stop may also help the crew adjust the outing to sea conditions or timing. It gives the day a little variety, but you should book this cruise for the overall pattern rather than for a specific secret destination.
Lunch, drinks, and the real value of $35

At $35 per person, the price is low for a seven-hour boat outing that includes several stops and a Greek BBQ lunch. You are paying for the vessel, crew, sailing time, swimming opportunities, and food in one package.
The lunch is described as passable rather than a highlight. That is normal for a large boat serving many people at once. I would think of it as useful fuel included in the fare, not as a special dining event.
Drinks are not included. The boat has a modern bar with cocktails and other refreshments, and onboard prices are described as reasonable in several accounts. Cocktail quality may be uneven, so manage expectations and bring enough money for the drinks you want.
The low price also helps explain the group format. This is not a private luxury charter with personal service. It is a new, well-equipped public cruise where the value comes from the number of experiences packed into one day.
Music, crew energy, and finding your place onboard

The crew is one of the most praised parts of the outing. Staff are described as welcoming, entertaining, and helpful, with Ariel receiving special attention for her energy and local information. That matters on a seven-hour group trip. A good host can keep transitions smooth and stop the day from feeling like a series of rushed departures.
The music is a bigger question. Some people will love the party setting, especially with the bar open and the sun decks in use. Others may find the sound too loud, particularly during the long cruising sections.
You can improve your day by choosing your position carefully. The boat offers shaded areas and open sun decks, so look around when you board rather than settling immediately in the first available seat. If you leave your place, follow the practical tip of leaving a towel or belongings on your chair, while keeping valuables with you.
The atmosphere also changes with the passenger mix. Hotel groups and large holiday parties may make the boat feel more organized and social, but they can also make it less personal. The cruise is designed to entertain a crowd, not to create a quiet setting for conversation.
Who will enjoy this Kos boat trip?
I would recommend Captain Morgan to you if you want:
- A full day on the water for a modest price
- Several chances to swim in clear Dodecanese water
- A lively boat with music, a bar, and an active crew
- A simple way to see Pserimos, Vathy, and Platy in one day
- An outing that works for mixed-age groups
- A Greek BBQ included in the ticket price
Families can enjoy it, and the experience has been described as appealing to adults, teenagers, and young children. Still, parents should be comfortable with loud music, crowded decks, and short stop times.
I would choose another kind of excursion if you want a silent sailing day, a small group, serious sightseeing on Kalymnos, or long stretches of uninterrupted beach time. The tour gives you samples of several places, not a deep visit to one island.
The current rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 271 ratings, which fits the overall picture: strong value, friendly staff, attractive swimming locations, and a lively mood, with noise and crowding as the main cautions.
Practical details that make the day easier
Look for the pirate ship Captain Morgan at the Kos Cruise Experts meeting point. The full outing lasts about seven hours, but check the available departure time when booking.
Pack swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a small amount of money for drinks. Keep valuables secure, and wear something comfortable for walking briefly around the ports.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour offers English, French, German, Italian, and Polish guidance.
Should you book Captain Morgan?
Book it if you want an affordable, social day at sea with a new boat, several swims, a Greek lunch, and a good chance to see more than one island. Ariel and the wider crew add real personality, and the $35 price gives you a lot for one day.
Skip it if loud music would spoil the trip or if you want quiet beaches and extended time ashore. Captain Morgan is comfortable and modern, but it is still a large party cruise. Choose a spot early, bring swimwear, keep your expectations realistic about the food and Kalymnos sightseeing, and you should get strong value from the day.
FAQ
How long is the Captain Morgan cruise from Kos?
The cruise lasts seven hours, including sailing time, island stops, swimming, sightseeing, lunch, and the return trip to Kos.
Where does the cruise meet in Kos?
The meeting point is Kos Cruise Experts. Look for the pirate ship named Captain Morgan.
How much does the cruise cost?
The listed price is $35 per person.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A Greek BBQ lunch is included in the ticket price.
Are drinks included?
No. Drinks are not included, but the vessel has a bar serving cocktails and other refreshments.
Which islands does the cruise visit?
The route includes Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Platy Island, plus an additional surprise stop.
Can you swim during the cruise?
Yes. Swimming is scheduled at Vathy Port and Platy, and the cruise includes other stops for swimming and relaxation.
Can you see dolphins?
The route includes about 20 minutes of dolphin watching near Kalymnos. Dolphins are wild, so sightings are not guaranteed.
Which languages are available?
Live guidance is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish.
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