Each player is a pirate captain and the object is to sail around the board to gain fame and fortune. Each player has a ship mat on which you can record:
Hull strength - how much treadure you can carry
Crew - with the cannons, how many dice you roll in combat
Cannons - when manned by crew - how many dice are used in cobat
Sails - the speed of your ship

The game is played over 12 turns with each turn having 6 phases:
Treasure - each island has a card stack. Each turn a card on each island is revealed and that is the reward for capturing that island this turn.
Navigation - Each player secretly dials up on the Captain wheel which island they will go to this turn. These are then revealed and ships ,oved to their islands.
Combat - this occurs when 2 or more ships are at the same location. Combat consists of playing a volley card and then rolling dice with a 5 or 6 being a hit. Hits are taken on the selected area and if an area is reduced then the loser has to go to pirate island to repair.
Plunder - Any ship still at an island can then plunder it and get the reward on the treasure card for that island.
Upgrade - Each player can take advantage of the upgrade offered by the island they are on. 4 islands upgrade the 4 ship mat sections, the tavern lets you buy tavern cards and treasure island lets you bury treasure, earning 1 fame for every 3 gold. You can also upgrade a ship section at double cost. Pirates Cove lets you draw 2 tavern cards or 1 card and 2 gold and repair your ship.
Move Black ship - The black ship moves an island clockwise. This ship belongs to a legendary pirate and occupies each island in turn making it more difficult to capture.

After 12 turns, the player with the most winner wins.

This is a fun and entertaining game. It does have quite a bit of luck to it, although there are still some decisions to be made, such as where to upgrade your ship, but a strategy game it isn't. However, it's a good family game and a very enjoyable way way to pass a couple of hours.

Review by Brian