The object of the game is to steal the treasure with one of your ships and get it to your home port or to capture all your opponents 3 ships using movement restricted by dice rolls (two six-sided dice), obstacles, trade winds, and currents.
The theme of the game is for each player to assume the role of a different band of three ships, with their own port and flag.
Nine extra scenarios are included - from "Shipwreck" to "Nuke-A-Teer"(!) - including one for up to 8 players (requires two games).