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

Captain Morgan is a large, brand-new party cruiser that spends a full day hopping among the islands north of Kos. You get swimming stops, a Greek BBQ, island scenery, dolphin watching, music, and a bar, all for $35. The boat carries up to 300 people, so this is not a quiet little sailboat outing.

I especially like the four chances to get in the water and the mix of stops. Platy offers clear water and beach time, while Vathy gives you a look at local products such as sponges, honey, and orange juice. Ariel, one of the crew members, gets special praise for making the day both fun and informative.

The main thing to consider is the sound level. Music can be loud, and the cruise is firmly built around a party atmosphere. Seating can also get tight when the boat is full, so arrive early if you want a preferred spot.

Key points to know before boarding

• Captain Morgan is a 33-meter vessel built in 2024, with three decks, sunbeds, shaded areas, tables, and a full bar.
• The seven-hour route includes Pserimos, Vathy on Kalymnos, Platy, and a surprise swimming stop.
• A Greek BBQ lunch is included, while drinks cost extra.
• This is a lively party cruise, with music, cocktails, and an energetic crew.
• Ariel is a standout crew member, praised for her humor, information, and warm approach.
• The $35 price is strong value if you want swimming, lunch, island views, and an active day at sea.

Captain Morgan brings a big-boat feel to Kos

You meet at Kos Cruise Experts and look for the pirate ship named Captain Morgan. From there, the day begins with a sightseeing cruise across the Dodecanese waters, with roughly 40 minutes at sea before the first stop.

The vessel is the star of the outing. Built in Greece in 2024, Captain Morgan is 33 meters long and has three decks. It can carry up to 300 passengers, making it one of the largest day-cruise boats in the Dodecanese. You have sun decks with thick cushions, shaded sections, tables, and an updated bar serving cocktails and other drinks.

That size has clear advantages. You get more room to move than on a small excursion boat, several places to sit, and a proper bar rather than a basic drinks counter. The upper deck is useful for sunbathing and views, while the shaded areas matter during a long Greek summer day.

The tradeoff is just as clear. A boat built for 300 people can feel busy, particularly when everyone returns from a swim or gathers for lunch. Some passengers have had trouble finding a seat, so I would arrive early and keep a towel or personal item on your chosen chair when you leave for a stop.

The cruise suits swimmers, sun lovers, and social groups

This is not mainly a sightseeing cruise with a quiet guide speaking over a microphone. It is a social day on the water. Music plays, the bar stays active, and the crew works hard to keep the mood cheerful.

That atmosphere is a great fit for friends, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants swimming mixed with music and drinks. The cruise has also worked well for birthday celebrations. One six-year-old passenger was reported to have enjoyed the day alongside teenagers and adults, so the age range can be broad.

I would think twice if you want peaceful sailing, long visits in small villages, or serious cultural touring. The boat stops at attractive places, but most visits are short. You will see only a small part of Kalymnos, and the music may be too loud for anyone hoping to read, nap, or enjoy a calm sea crossing.

The crew makes a difference here. Ariel is especially good at keeping people involved without losing the sightseeing element. Her role appears to combine entertainment, useful information, and general encouragement, which helps the long day move along.

Pserimos starts the island-hopping route

After the opening cruise, Captain Morgan reaches Pserimos for about 45 minutes of free time and sightseeing. Pserimos is known for small beaches, clear water, and a compact port setting. This is a good first stop because it gives you time to stretch your legs and get a first taste of the islands away from Kos.

You can use the stop for a short walk, photos, or a swim. The time is not long enough for a full island visit, so think of Pserimos as a brief introduction rather than a detailed tour.

The water is one of the main attractions. Bring swimwear and be ready to get wet early in the day. If you prefer to remain dry, the port and beach views still make this a pleasant break from the boat.

Pserimos can also help you decide how to manage the rest of the cruise. If you want a quiet place on board, return promptly after the stop. If you are happy standing or sitting in a livelier area, you can take more time at the shore.

Vathy offers the most local flavor

The next major stop is Vathy Port, also called Rina, on Kalymnos. The boat allows about an hour here for photos, shopping, sightseeing, and swimming. This is probably the most useful stop for people who want something beyond sun and sea.

Vathy is associated with local sponges, honey, and fresh orange juice. These details give the stop a stronger connection to Kalymnos than a simple swim break. You can look for local products, enjoy the harbor setting, and take photographs before returning to the boat.

The schedule still keeps the visit short. You will not have time to explore Kalymnos in depth, and the boat arrives on the side of the island where you see Vathy rather than a broad tour of the island. That is worth knowing before you book. The stop is a pleasant sample, not a full Kalymnos experience.

You can also swim here, which gives you a choice between land-based sightseeing and water time. I like that flexibility. Not everyone in a group wants the same thing, and Vathy lets one person browse or take photos while another heads into the sea.

Dolphin watching adds a welcome surprise

After leaving Vathy, the route includes a short dolphin-watching section around Kalymnos. The planned viewing time is about 20 minutes, with another 20-minute sightseeing cruise afterward.

Dolphins are wild animals, so a sighting cannot be guaranteed. Still, the route gives you a real chance to watch for them, and several passengers have been lucky. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the search take over the whole day. The sea views are worthwhile even when the dolphins stay out of sight.

This part of the route also gives you a break between shore stops. After a busy hour in Vathy, you can sit down, order a drink, and watch the water from one of the decks.

Platy is the main swimming stop

Platy, sometimes written as Plati, brings the cruise back to the water. You get about 45 minutes for free time and swimming. The island is known for clear water and quiet beaches, making it one of the strongest parts of the route for anyone who booked mainly to swim.

You can use the stop for a proper swim, sunbathing, or a little cliff jumping if conditions and the crew’s instructions allow it. The activity description specifically highlights cliff jumping, but you should follow the crew’s safety directions and choose only an option that suits your ability.

Bring a towel, swimwear, and anything you need to protect yourself from the sun. The boat has cushioned sun decks, but the Greek sun can be intense when you are moving between the deck and the water.

Platy also shows why this cruise works better as a full-day outing than as a quick boat ride. You get repeated chances to swim in different places rather than one rushed stop. The downside is that 45 minutes passes quickly, especially if you need time to get ready and return to the boat.

The surprise stop keeps the day flexible

The experience includes a fourth stop described as a surprise location. You are taken to another place in the Dodecanese for relaxation or swimming, but the exact location is not given in advance.

That uncertainty is part of the fun. It also means you cannot plan around a specific beach or harbor. Think of it as an extra water break rather than a major cultural stop.

The route includes several sightseeing cruises between stops, lasting roughly 20 to 40 minutes. These stretches let you see the islands from offshore and give the crew time to move the boat between swimming areas. They also make the trip feel like an island cruise instead of a bus tour with short boat transfers.

Greek BBQ lunch is included, drinks are extra

The $35 price includes a Greek BBQ lunch, which improves the value considerably. A seven-hour boat trip can become expensive if lunch is added separately, so having food included makes budgeting easier.

The food is described as straightforward rather than elaborate. I would approach it as a filling meal during an active day, not as a special dining event. You are paying for the whole package of boat, stops, lunch, crew, and entertainment.

Drinks are not included. The on-board bar serves cocktails and other refreshments, and the prices have been described as reasonable. Cocktail quality can vary, so I would order based on what you actually want rather than treating the bar as a major reason to book.

Because this is a long day in the sun, remember that water and other drinks will add to the final cost. The base price remains low, but your personal spending depends on how much you order at the bar.

Music and seating shape the experience

The strongest praise centers on the crew, the atmosphere, the stops, and the boat itself. People particularly enjoy the energy, the friendly staff, the clear water, and the feeling that the day is easy and festive.

The same features can work against you. Music may be loud for much of the cruise, and the party mood does not disappear simply because some passengers prefer a quieter day. The boat can also fill up, with hotel groups and other organized bookings adding to the crowd.

You can improve your experience with a few simple choices:

• Arrive early and select a seat before the boat becomes busy.
• Keep a towel or small item on your chair when you leave for a stop.
• Use shaded areas if you do not want constant sun.
• Bring swimwear from the start, since swimming begins well before the end of the day.
• Keep some cash or payment method available for drinks and optional photographs.

Professional photographs may be offered during the day. They are not required, and a printed photograph has been offered for €5. If you like a keepsake, this can be a simple way to remember the cruise without buying a larger package.

How the $35 price compares with the day you receive

At $35 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive way to spend seven hours visiting several islands from Kos. The cost covers the main transport, four water or sightseeing stops, a BBQ lunch, entertainment, and use of a new large vessel.

The value is strongest for active visitors who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and drinks. You also get a chance to see places that are not practical to reach on a quick independent outing from Kos.

The value is less clear if you mainly want quiet scenery or a detailed visit to Kalymnos. A smaller, quieter boat may suit you better, even if it costs more. Captain Morgan gives you quantity and energy: several stops, lots of people, a large boat, and a full schedule.

The overall rating of 4.6 from 271 ratings fits that balance. Most of the enthusiasm focuses on the fun, crew, boat, swim stops, and price. The lower scores tend to point to loud music, crowded seating, average food, and the party format. Those are not minor details. They should guide your decision.

Who should book Captain Morgan?

I would recommend this cruise if you want an easy, social day at sea and care more about fun than formal sightseeing. It is a good match for:

• Friends looking for music, swimming, and cocktails
• Families who want several water stops in one day
• Couples who enjoy an active boat outing
• Visitors who want to see Pserimos and Vathy without arranging separate transport
• Anyone looking for strong value at a low price
• Birthday groups and other casual celebrations

I would be cautious if you dislike loud music, crowded boats, or short shore visits. The cruise gives you a taste of several places, but it does not allow much time for independent exploration.

The languages offered are English, French, German, Italian, and Polish. That makes the basic tour easier to follow for a wide mix of passengers, while Ariel and the rest of the crew help keep the day moving.

Final advice before you reserve

Book Captain Morgan if the phrase party boat sounds appealing rather than alarming. You will get a new, comfortable vessel, clear water, four opportunities to swim or relax, a BBQ lunch, island views, and a crew that puts real energy into the day.

If you prefer quiet sailing, choose a smaller excursion instead. For everyone else, the $35 cost makes this one of the easiest full-day additions to a Kos holiday. Arrive early for seating, bring swimwear, budget for drinks, and expect music from departure to return.

FAQ

How long is the Captain Morgan cruise?

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

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at Kos Cruise Experts and should look for the pirate ship named Captain Morgan.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Pserimos, Vathy Port, also called Rina, on Kalymnos, and Platy. It also includes a surprise stop for swimming or relaxation.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek BBQ lunch is included in the activity price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, but you can purchase refreshments and cocktails at the on-board bar.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming is included at several stops, including Platy and Vathy. Bring swimwear.

Will I see dolphins?

Dolphin watching is included near Kalymnos, but sightings depend on the animals and cannot be guaranteed.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.