From Kos:A full day cruise in the newest luxury vessel!

The best part of this Kos cruise is the boat itself. Captain Morgan is a new 33-meter vessel built in Greece in 2024, with three decks, padded sunbeds, shaded tables, and a full bar. You get a full day on the water without paying yacht-charter prices.

I like the four chances to stop for swimming, since the trip is not just a long ride with one quick photo break. I also like the included Greek BBQ and the chance to see several nearby islands in one day. If Ariel is leading your sailing, expect plenty of energy, jokes, and useful information.

The main thing to consider is the sound level. This is a party cruise, not a quiet sailing trip. Music, cocktails, dancing, and a lively crowd are part of the plan, and the boat can feel crowded when everyone returns from a swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Morgan is a very large new day cruiser: The 33-meter boat carries up to 300 people across three decks, with sunbeds, shade, tables, and a modern bar.
• You visit Pserimos, Vathy, Kalymnos, and Platy: Each stop has a different purpose, from swimming and beach time to local products and dolphin watching.
• The Greek BBQ is included: Drinks cost extra, but lunch is part of the $35 price.
• The atmosphere leans strongly toward a party boat: Music and an active crew suit social groups, families, and birthday celebrations more than peace-and-quiet seekers.
• Ariel can make the day especially fun: Her warm, playful hosting has been singled out as a major strength.
• Bring swimwear and arrive ready to claim your preferred place: Seating can become tight, especially after each stop.

What kind of cruise is Captain Morgan?

Captain Morgan is best understood as a floating beach club with island stops. You spend part of the day cruising through the Dodecanese, then step ashore or jump into the water at selected points. The ship is large enough to feel more like a day boat than a small sailing excursion.

The vessel has three decks. You can stretch out on cushioned sun decks, find shade near tables, or buy a drink at the bar. That variety matters because seven hours in direct sun can wear you down. I would treat the shaded areas as valuable, not as an afterthought.

The capacity is listed at 300 passengers. That gives you a stable, roomy boat with plenty of facilities, but it also means this is not an intimate outing. At full capacity, finding a seat after swimming may take some effort. A practical move is to board early, choose your area, and leave a towel or another personal item on your chair when you go into the water.

The listed price is $35 per person. For seven hours, several island stops, lunch, entertainment, and access to a new large vessel, that is strong value. You should add money for drinks, since they are not included. The bar serves cocktails and other refreshments, and prices have been described as reasonable, though one account found the cocktail quality disappointing.

Leaving Kos for the Dodecanese

The meeting point is Kos Cruise Experts. Look for the pirate ship named Captain Morgan at the stated location. The first part of the trip is a sightseeing cruise of about 40 minutes, giving you time to settle in, choose a deck, and take in the open water.

This early stretch is also when you can decide how you want to spend the day. If you want sun, claim a cushioned spot. If you prefer shade, head for the covered seating. If you want to be near the music and bar, stay closer to the central social areas.

The crew speaks English, French, German, Italian, and Polish. That is useful on a large international boat, particularly when instructions about swimming stops, lunch, and departure times need to be clear. The crew’s energetic style is part of the entertainment rather than a small extra.

Pserimos: a gentle first island stop

Pserimos is the first named island stop, with about 45 minutes for free time and sightseeing. Its appeal is simple: clear water, a pleasant shoreline, and a small port atmosphere. This is a short visit, so you will not have time for a long walk or a full island tour.

Use the stop for a quick look around, photographs, or a relaxed start to the day. Pserimos works well as an introduction because it gives you a taste of island life before the more structured swimming and lunch portions later.

Keep your expectations in check. This is a brief stop within a packed sailing day, not a detailed visit to Pserimos. The cruise schedule aims to give you several snapshots rather than one slow, thorough island experience.

After Pserimos, the boat continues with another sightseeing cruise of roughly 30 minutes. The distance between stops is part of the experience. You can sit with a drink, listen to the music, watch the coast, and let the crew set the pace.

Vathy Port and Rina on Kalymnos

The stop at Vathy Port, also called Rina, lasts about an hour. This is one of the more varied sections of the trip, with time for photographs, shopping, sightseeing, and swimming. The setting gives you a look at a smaller side of Kalymnos rather than a long visit in one of its main urban centers.

The cruise introduction focuses on local sponges, honey, and orange juice. These details give the stop some local flavor and help distinguish it from a standard beach call. You can browse, take pictures, or use the water if you want another swim.

The hour goes quickly. You will not have time to explore every corner of Kalymnos, and the schedule is built around a short port visit. One practical point is that the boat stops on the other side of the island from Kalymnos town, so you should not book this expecting a full town tour.

Still, Vathy is valuable because it breaks up the swim-and-sun pattern. The local products, small port, and brief chance to walk give you a bit of place-based context. I would prioritize the port views and a quick look at the local offerings rather than trying to pack in too much.

Dolphin watching near Kalymnos

A 20-minute dolphin-watching section follows the Vathy stop. Dolphins are wild animals, so a sighting can never be guaranteed, but the route gives you a chance to watch the water as the boat moves around Kalymnos.

This part of the trip is short and should be treated as an extra, not the main reason to book. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise staring at the sea. If dolphins appear, it can become one of the day’s memorable moments. If they do not, you still have the islands and swimming stops.

Another 20-minute sightseeing cruise follows. By this point, you will have had a port visit, a possible wildlife sighting, and time to settle into the ship’s rhythm.

Platy: the main swimming stop

Platy, also spelled Plati, is the clearest swimming-focused stop in the schedule. You get about 45 minutes of free time and swimming in clear blue water. This is where you should bring your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and anything you need for a comfortable water stop.

The setting is quieter than the party atmosphere on the boat. You can swim, float, or simply sit by the shore and enjoy the scenery. The water is also suited to casual snorkeling, though snorkeling equipment is not listed among the inclusions, so bring your own if you want it.

The time limit matters. Forty-five minutes sounds generous until passengers are moving between boat and beach. Listen for the crew’s return instructions and keep an eye on the departure time. The attraction here is the water, not a long land visit.

The route includes another sightseeing cruise of about 40 minutes before returning to Kos. That final ride gives you time to dry off, eat or finish a drink, and enjoy the last views of the Dodecanese.

The surprise stop and the flexible parts of the route

The experience includes one additional surprise stop where you can relax or swim. Its exact location is not given in advance, which is part of the appeal. It also means you should not plan your day around a particular beach, port, or landmark.

The published timing lists Pserimos, Vathy, dolphin watching, and Platy, while the cruise description adds the surprise stop as a fourth place for relaxation or swimming. Treat the day as a flexible island-hopping route rather than a tightly defined sightseeing tour. The crew may shape the order and details around conditions at sea.

This variety is a strong point for anyone who gets bored on a standard boat ride. You might spend one stop in a port, another in the water, another watching for dolphins, and another enjoying a quiet beach. The trade-off is limited time at each location.

Lunch, drinks, and the social atmosphere

A Greek BBQ lunch is included in the price. That helps the value considerably, since you do not need to arrange a midday meal while moving between islands. The food is described as acceptable rather than a reason to book the cruise on its own.

Drinks are not included. The vessel has a bar with cocktails and other refreshments, and the onboard prices have been described as reasonable. One practical warning: drink quality may not impress everyone, so you may want to keep your order simple rather than treating the bar as a cocktail destination.

Music plays a major role. The crew keeps the energy high, and the boat can feel like a floating party venue that happens to stop for swimming. This suits birthday groups, couples who want a lively day, families with active children, and anyone who likes music with their sea views.

It may not suit you if your ideal cruise means quiet conversation, soft engine noise, and long stretches without announcements. One sailing had older passengers and people who were not looking for a party, and the volume remained high. The staff can be friendly and helpful while still keeping the party format firmly in place.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew receives especially strong praise for its friendliness and energy. Ariel is the name to know. Her hosting combines information with humor, and she helps turn the cruise into an event rather than a simple transfer between beaches.

That human element matters on a large boat. With up to 300 people onboard, the crew’s ability to keep the group informed and entertained affects the whole day. Ariel has also been described as a major asset during birthday trips and family outings.

Professional photographs may be offered during the cruise. A print has been priced at €5, and there is no pressure to buy. If you want a keepsake, this can be a low-cost option, but you can also enjoy the stops without purchasing anything.

Who will get the most from this $35 cruise?

I would recommend Captain Morgan to you if you want to see several islands around Kos without arranging separate boats, ferries, meals, and beach visits. It is an efficient way to sample Pserimos, Vathy, Kalymnos, Platy, and an additional stop in one day.

It is also a good choice for families and mixed-age groups. One account describes adults, teenagers, and a six-year-old all enjoying the day, which fits the range of activities: swimming, music, lunch, short sightseeing, and simple island stops.

The cruise works particularly well for celebrations. A birthday on board can feel special without the cost of a private charter, and the bar, music, and staff interaction provide a ready-made party setting.

I would choose another kind of boat trip if you want silence, a small group, or detailed time in Kalymnos town. You also need to be comfortable with a full vessel and the possibility that your preferred chair may not be available after a swim.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a way to protect your phone from water. The supplied information specifically calls for swimwear, but the swimming portions make the rest of this kit sensible.

Arrive early if seating matters to you. The boat has comfortable cushions and shaded areas, but a full sailing can leave limited space. Leave a towel or similar item on your chosen chair when you go swimming, while keeping valuables with you.

Plan for seven hours in the sun and wind. Take breaks in the shade and drink water, even if you are also ordering cocktails. The schedule is active, but you will still have stretches of open-water cruising when rest is easy.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. Live guiding is offered in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish.

Should you book Captain Morgan?

Book this cruise if you want good-value island hopping with swimming, lunch, music, and a sociable crew. The new boat, four activity stops, dolphin-watching chance, and included BBQ give you a lot for $35.

Skip it if a peaceful sailing or a small, personal experience matters more than variety. Captain Morgan is loud, busy, and designed for fun. For the right mood, that is exactly why it works.

FAQ

How long is the Captain Morgan cruise?

The cruise lasts seven hours, including sightseeing cruises, island stops, swimming time, lunch, and the return to Kos.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Kos Cruise Experts. Look for the pirate ship named Captain Morgan at the provided meeting-point location.

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 price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available at the onboard bar but cost extra.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Pserimos, Vathy on Kalymnos, Kalymnos for dolphin watching, Platy, and an additional surprise stop for relaxing or swimming.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming is offered at several stops, including Platy, Vathy, and the surprise stop.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed?

No guarantee is stated. The cruise includes a 20-minute dolphin-watching section near Kalymnos.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. A towel and sun protection are also sensible for the swimming and sunbathing portions of the day.