General contest questions
What is the contest?
We’re celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day by hosting a social media contest where you can show off your best pirate speak. Post a grid video to your Instagram or TikTok of you talking in your best pirate voice for a chance to win a year of free shipping from Pirate Ship*! Official rules apply.
*Year of Free Shipping awarded as $10,000 credit and to be used within 365 days of issuance. Contest is open to Pirate Ship account holders who, at the time of entry and prize award,: a) have an active Pirate Ship account and are in good standing as of the date of entry; b) are legal residents of 50 U.S./D.C.; and c) age 18+ (19+ in AL and NE, 21+ in MS). Void outside the 50 U.S./D.C. and where prohibited. Contest Entry Period starts at 12:00:01 AM MT on 9/15/25; ends at 11:59:59 PM MT on 9/19/25. Limit: 1 entry per person. For full Official Rules, click here. Sponsor: Pirate Ship LLC, PO Box 9149, Jackson, WY 83002.
What is Talk Like a Pirate Day?
Talk Like a Pirate Day (aka September 19th) be the best day o' the year, when landlubbers and buccaneers alike get to speak the best tongue to ever travel the Seven Seas: pirate!
When does the contest run?
Entries are accepted from 12:00:01 AM MT on 9/15/25 through 11:59:59 PM MT on 9/19/25. The winner will be announced the week of September 22nd.
What can I win?
The treasure at stake is a year of free shipping with Pirate Ship (up to $10,000 in value)*.
Entering the contest
Where do I enter?
Visit www.pirateship.com/speakingbee for more info on how to enter!
How do I enter?
Create a FREE Pirate Ship account (if you don’t have one already)
Follow @pirateship on Instagram or TikTok
Post a grid video to Instagram or TikTok of you talking in your best pirate voice, tag us (@pirateship on Instagram or @pirateship.com on TikTok), and use the hashtag #PirateShipContest. Stories don't count as submissions, but our crew gets a kick out of watching them!
Visit www.pirateship.com/speakingbee to officially enter! (Pro Pirate Tip: your social profile must be public for us to view your entry!)
Do I need a Pirate Ship account to enter?
Yes, y’ee be needin’ a Pirate Ship account to throw y’er hat in the ring for the contest.
Can I enter if I already have a Pirate Ship account?
Yes, just be sure to use the email associated with your Pirate Ship account when filling out your entry form.
Do I need a social media account to enter?
Yes! Your video must be posted as a grid video to y’er on Instagram or TikTok account.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Only one entry per person will be accepted. Hoist the flag and make y’er video count!
Can I enter on Instagram and TikTok?
Feel free to post your video on both Instagram and TikTok! However, multiple posts don’t count as multiple entires. You’ll only be entered into the contest one time.
Can I enter on Facebook?
No, the contest is only on Instagram and TikTok.
Account creation issues
How do I create a free PirateShip.com account?
To sign up for Pirate Ship, simply click the “Create a Free Account” button on our website.
I already have a PirateShip.com account—do I need to make another one?
No, you're already good to go!
I forgot my PirateShip.com password—what do I do?
If you forgot your password, use the Forgot Password option. As long as you provide the same email as you signed up with, you'll receive a password reset link within moments.
Can I use a business account, or does it have to be personal?
You can use either a business or personal Pirate Ship account to enter the contest.
Do I need to ship something through Pirate Ship to qualify?
While you must have a Pirate Ship account to qualify, you don't need to buy any shipping labels for your entry to be considered.
Can multiple people enter using the same PirateShip.com account?
We only allow one entry per Pirate Ship account.
I live outside the U.S.—can I still create an account and enter?
No, all contest participants must be legal residents of any of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C.
Social media questions
Do I have to follow Pirate Ship on both Instagram and TikTok, or just one?
Feel free to follow us on both Instagram and TikTok, but you’re only required to follow us on the platform where you posted your video.
I don’t have Instagram—can I still enter using TikTok?
Yes.
I don’t have TikTok—can I still enter using Instagram?
Yes.
My account is private—will you still see my video?
No, your account must be public in order for our crew to view your video.
Do I have to stay following after the contest ends?
We’d love you to keep following us after the contest ends, but it is not required.
Does it matter which account I follow you on if I have multiple accounts?
Follow us on the account where you posted your video.
If I follow you after posting my video, does that still count?
Yes, just make sure you’re following us when you submit your entry. You must also continue following us up until we announce the winner.
How do I change my TikTok account from private to public?
See TikTok's resource on changing account settings here: https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings/making-your-account-public-or-private
How do I change my Instagram account from private to public?
See Instagram's resource on toggling an account's settings between public and private: https://help.instagram.com/448523408565555/?helpref=related_articles
How do I get the URL for my video?
Do you have a visual walkthrough on how to enter on both TikTok and Instagram?
How to enter on TikTok:
How to enter on Instagram:
What if I forgot to enter on the www.pirateship.com/speakingbee website?
You must submit via the form or else your entry won’t count.
Do I need to use the hashtag #PirateShipContest?
Yes, you must include the hashtag #PirateShipContest in your caption.
What are your handles?
Our Instagram handle is @pirateship, and our TikTok handle is @pirateship.com.
Posting video requirements
Do reels count as grid videos?
Yes, Reels on Instagram are posted to your grid and therefore count as grid videos.
Can I post the same video on Instagram and TikTok?
You can post the same video on both platforms, but you’ll only be entered into the contest once.
How long does the video need to be?
Your video must be 10-30 seconds in length.
My account is private. Can you still see my entry?
Unfortunately, we can’t view posts from private accounts, matey. To enter, you'll need to post from a public account (or temporarily set y’er account to public until the winner is announced).
Can I email you my video instead of posting on social media?
Entries must be posted on Instagram or TikTok, tagging our correct handle so we can track them properly (@pirateship on Instagram and @pirateship.com on TikTok). Email submissions won’t count toward the contest.
Can I use filters, music, or props in my video?
Feel free to get creative with filters, non-copyrighted music, or props — just keep it family-friendly and follow platform rules. Y’er entry should be appropriate for deckhands of all ages!
Can I post a story?
Much like diggin’ up an empty treasure chest, stories don’t count! Y’er video entry must be posted to your Instagram or TikTok grid.
Contest rules & eligibility
When is the deadline to post my entry?
The Contest Entry Period starts at 12:00:01 AM MT on 9/15/25 and ends at 11:59:59 PM MT on 9/19/25.
What time zone is the deadline in?
Mountain Time.
Can kids enter, or is it 18+ only?
You must be 18+ to enter (19+ in AL and NE, 21+ in MS).
Can multiple people be in the same video?
The entrant should be the main focus of the video. Please don’t include other people unless you have their permission.
If my child makes the video, can I submit it for them?
Per the contest’s Official Rules, you must be 18+ to enter (19+ in AL and NE, 21+ in MS). If the video includes a minor, make sure you have written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
Will you notify me if my entry is invalid?
No, our crew won’t notify you if there is anything in your video that renders it invalid.
Technical issues
I tagged Pirate Ship but it’s not showing up—what should I do?
Double-check that you tagged the proper handle and spelled everything correctly (@pirateship on Instagram or @pirateship.com on TikTok).
My video isn’t uploading—can I email it instead?
No, we do not accept entries via email.
Can I DM my video instead of posting it?
No, you must post your video to your Instagram or TikTok grid in order for your entry to be valid.
Can I post from a desktop instead of the Instagram or TikTok app?
You can use either mobile or desktop, as long as your video follows the instructions, you tag us in your caption, and use the hashtag #PirateShipContest.
I don’t want my video public—can I make it unlisted?
No, your profile and video must be public for our crew to see it.
Prize & logistics questions
How will winners be selected?
Our crew will choose a winner based on the following criteria: Pirate Vocab, Creativity & Originality, Entertainment Value, Clarity & Delivery, and Effort & Presentation.
What exactly do I win?
The winner will receive "free shipping for a year" — awarded as a $10,000 credit to their Pirate Ship account, valid for 365 days from when it’s issued.
How and when will the winner be announced?
The contest administrator will notify the winner via email and we will announce the winner on our social channels during the week of September 29th.
How do I claim my prize if I win?
Once the winner is notified, they will have three (3) days to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Waiver, and an IRS W-9 Form. For more information, see the Official Rules.
Do I have to pay taxes if I win?
The winner is responsible for all federal, state, local and income taxes associated with the prize.
Can the prize be transferred to someone else?
No, the prize is not transferrable.
Is there a limit to how many people can win?
There will only be one winner.
Can international users win the prize?
No. You must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and D.C. to enter the contest and be eligible to win.
Will you repost my video on your page?
We sure will!