I am determined to make a decision on the sailing excursion by Monday! I’m leaning toward the ‘pirate style’ ship because I think it might be more fun for the kids (I hear they like laying on the nets and people of all ages seem to love the rope swings). So, from what I can tell, here are the pros, cons and questions I have identified.

Jolly Pirates:

• Cost: we can join their pre-scheduled “Something Fishy’s Going On” excursion for around $30pp if we register online which saves us 12%. They have a sunset excursion which costs even less but its only 2 hours doesn’t include snorkeling. To charter JP privately costs 60% more than Mi Dushi. Joining an existing excursion won’t allow us privacy but it might be fun to meet other people – might be more of a party!
• Excursion: 3 hours (3:00-6:00pm) and 3 snorkeling sites including the Antilla Shipwreck. All gear is provided as well as an open “premium” bar. I did just learn that snacks are not provided though.
• Communication: Wow – Carla is on top of things! She has already responded to my questions even though I emailed her less than an hour ago. When I asked her why I should choose their boat over Mi Dushi, she says she has worked with many boats and crews around Aruba and that we can’t make a bad choice. That’s really classy.
• Open Bar: Includes Open Bar (could not find contents of bar / kinds of liquor and drinks served)
• Launch: Jolly Pirates departs from the Mooba Beach right by the Marriott
• Children: Jolly pirates has no age restriction

Mi Dushi:

• Cost: we can privately charter Mi Dushi for around $36pp (based on 30 people). They do not have a regularly scheduled excursion Friday afternoon (there is a 3:30-6:30 available Tuesday-Thursday).
• Excursion: 3 hours with 2 snorkeling stops in a ’shallow coral reef area’, snacks and snorkeling gear with disposable mouthpiece. Does not include the Antilla Shipwreck.
• Open Bar: Includes “premium” open bar. Bar Description from their site: “Sky Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Dewars Scotch, Bombay Gin, Jack Daniels Bourbon, Sodas and Juices and of course our famous Sailor Coladas and Mi Dushi Potent Passion Rum Punch.” That’s more than enough to get my gang into trouble, but maybe then they’ll run out of steam early and be functional for the wedding the next day.

• Launch: departs from DePalm pier down by the RIU on Palm Beach. It is walking distance but definitely further. Maybe a 10-15 minute walk?
• Communication: Cindy has been great to exchange emails with an seems glad to go out of her way to make the excursion as enjoyable as possible for our group. I’m waiting now to see if the date is still available.
• Children: for their regularly scheduled excursions, children have to be at least 6 years old. With a private charter, children of all ages are welcome

So there are pros and cons of both and it looks like either could be great. I guess the biggest questions are, 1) Do we want a private charter?,  2) How big of a deal is the Antilla shipwreck – is it super cool or over-rated?, 3) Do we care if snacks are provided since its only a 3 hour trip. (Note: photos borrowed from the Mi Dushi and Jolly Pirates websites.) Oh – and “thumbs up” to both for having awesome websites – thank you!