'I went on the huge pirate-looking ship docked in Cardiff Bay and it's like going back in time'

As I headed up the steep ramp on a bright May afternoon to board onto the 17th century ship replica, I felt a strange sense of disorientation looking up to see the mainmast towering above us. There was a light breeze which made it look even more majestic, and although we see all sorts of impressive boats coming into Britannia Quay in Cardiff Bay, this one is a standout moment.

The sailors onboard have the most incredible stories to tell - they were the best part of getting a look around. The Galeón Andalucía is pretty much a perfect pirate ship-style replica and you can see how it captures the imagination of children and adults alike.

People in Cardiff can visit from May 10 to May 12, and it is open to the public between 10am and 8pm each day, with prices starting at £6 for children and £12 for adults. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here

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One of the sailors on board, Alfonzo, loves what he does and told me all about the ship's work, the places they have visited and this rare way of life. He said the Galeón Andalucía has even travelled all the way to the USA on one occasion.

The ship unsurprisingly commands the attention of people all over the world. Here in Cardiff it hadn't been there for long when we had a first look around the nooks and crannies of different spaces, but a crowd of people had already started to form on Britannia Quay, with people keen to have a nosey.

Once you step on, you first become aware of the height of the top deck, and scale of the ship which is 162 feet overall. There are two ladders you can climb to get to the highest level of the deck, and you can even climb up the mast although we didn't venture quite that far.

There is one room designed to look just like traditional living and cosy quarters in one side of the ship, with old décor that makes you feel as though you have just gone back in time.

Below deck, there is another room which has more of an immersive, educational feel and holds the gun port with signs detailing all about the history of the ship. To get to this part, you have to walk down some stairs and enter the room which is quite a bit louder as it's closer to where all of the mechanics are.

It definitely feels like it would be an incredible family day out, allowing people to explore the ship like the ones we are familiar with seeing on screens and in books but rarely, if ever, up close and personal.

Alfonzo explained: "You tend to get different reactions from people from different cultures when we take it somewhere new. We have just come from Jersey where it was fairly quiet but Cardiff should be a busy weekend, as 5,000 tickets have already been sold.

The ship was built in 2009 and 2010, and took three years of research to ensure that the overall finish was as close to an original galleon as possible, with the help of 126 workers. Get the best user experience with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android.

Since it was first launched in November 2009, it has sailed across the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Southern China Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Bosporus Strait and the Caribbean Sea.

And although designed to represent exploration of ships like this in the past and mark an important piece of history, Galeón Andalucía has had many adventures of its own.

"We've had some scares sometimes, where we didn't see something", Alfonzo explained: "For example the other day, there was a sail ship that we didn't see because it had its lights turned off and when we saw it it was pretty close so we had to manoeuvre around it. People came here at the fore to see what was in front of us, but normally we see well."

It certainly seems like there is a strong sense of community for the sailors onboard and a big part of life on the ship is coming together. As I walked around, I felt like I got such an insight into this very different way of life, of how not just the sailors onboard Galeón Andalucía live, but also how people on similar ships of the 17th century must have existed.

Alfonzo added: "There is a lot to do but there is always someone playing cards or doing something in the galley which is the social part of the ship, basically. I really love the experience that we have here, and almost everyone that comes here loves it."

The sailors have their own sleeping quarters onboard, although this is one element they keep private from the public, as it is a space that feels truly like their own compared to the rest which is designed for many people to enjoy.

Cameron Johnson who also got a first look on the Galeón Andalucía in a WalesOnline preview, noted: "When visiting the ship in Britannia Quay Cardiff the word that comes to mind is authentic. Initially I thought this might just be a fun novelty that would quickly wear off, but I was wrong. It felt like something ripped straight from the pages of Treasure Island. Laying eyes on the ship made me feel like a kid all over again.

"Visually the ship is so striking you wouldn’t be able to miss it. Something that hit me straight away was the siz - to put it bluntly it is massive. The staff were friendly and happy to show us around.

"All the rooms in the ship felt like they have given care to make it as immersive an experience as possible - examples of this include the use of vintage looking furniture and retro artwork. The ship had lots of different rooms we were able to visit, including being able go below deck.

"Although it’s not the main attraction, parts of the ship offer a great view of the bay. This would be a great weekend trip for the family especially if the weather is nice. Overall, it’s definitely worth the trip just for the sheer spectacle of seeing a pirate ship in Cardiff."