LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Ships comparison

Just how well does 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship hold up compared to 31109 Pirate Ship, with a six-year gap between the two LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets? We've compared them to find out...

The LEGO Creator 3-in-1 theme added a new seaworthy set to its line-up this summer in the shape of 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship, a 1,074-piece release that offers up a trio of swashbuckling builds, along with a four-strong crew of scurvy minifigures.

In many ways, 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship represents an update on the recently-retired 31109 Pirate Ship, a 1,264-piece LEGO Creator 3-in-1 vessel that sailed into view back in 2020. Both models deliver a primary craft that features two tall masts, brick-built sails, cannons and a few interior sections, along with plenty of play potential and a suitable selection of minifigures.

The 2020 set (left) is shot against a blue background; the 2026 set (right) against grey, for the entirety of this feature.

There are a number of key differences between the two LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets though, not least of which are the models' piece counts and price points. For starters, 31109 Pirate Ship included just four minifigures and was priced at £114.99 / $119.99 / €129.99 when it launched six years ago.

Fast forward to 2026 and 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship may boast slightly fewer elements, but at £89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 and with four minifigures (plus a skeleton figure), the odds definitely seem to be stacked more in favour of the latest Creator 3-in-1 craft, at least in terms of what you’re getting in the box for that price.

Yet another notable difference between the two piratical models is their alternate builds, with the option to assemble two additional models from the pieces that come with each LEGO Creator 3-in-1 offering, although it's not possible to construct multiple builds simultaneously with either set.

31109 Pirate Ship could be taken apart and rebuilt as either a Pirates’ Inn or Skull Island, while 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship goes with a castle or twin boats. Here’s where the former LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set just manages to nudge ahead when compared to its predecessor, with those alternate builds benefiting from the additional pieces included in the box and resulting in alternate models that have much more character than 2026’s offerings.

Where 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship takes the lead once more is when it comes to the set’s impressive minifigure selection. This time around we’re presented with a pair of male pirates and two female crew members, with the latter representing much-needed diversification, and some great design work across the board on the characters' faces, torsos and even legs.

There are even differences between the brick-built creatures that are present in each LEGO Creator 3-in-1 release, although classic Pirates collectors will no doubt want to get their hands on both. While 31109 Pirate Ship went with a shark and a parrot, 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship instead opts for a multi-tentacled sea monster, complete with menacing green eyes.

However, 31109 Pirate Ship’s main draw still remains its primary build, an ornate, detailed and very satisfying vessel that measures over 37cm high, 46cm long and 19cm wide. Sure, the model will never win in a competition against such dedicated pirate-themed sets as 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship, but there’s definitely more of a sense of scale and grandeur to the craft when compared to 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship.

While 31109 Pirate Ship may have been completely overshadowed back in 2020 by the then well-received 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay, it still proved to be a nostalgic and worthy addition to many a buccaneer’s collection.

That appeal also applies to 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship and there’s no reason why the two Creator 3-in-1 offerings couldn’t just sit comfortably side-by-side, with plenty of scope for potential skirmishes and rivalry between the pair of piratical factions.

What 31387 Iconic Pirate Ship really does well over its 2020 counterpart is to take that trio of swashbuckling builds, characters and creatures, then refine, reduce and reshape those basic concepts into something that’s just as desirable and fun, yet manages to present it all in a different and much more affordable package.

31387 Iconic Pirate Ship can be picked up right now, priced at £89.99 in the UK, $109.99 in the US and €99.99 in Europe. For a deeper dive into the LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set, be sure to check out our full review here, and you can find what we thought about 31109 Pirate Ship in our original review right here.

These sets were provided by the LEGO Group for review purposes.