Sea Lion Encounter Questions

[sweetlovin']

For those who have done this encounter - I'm considering doing it for my DD15, but just being an observer myself... In that case, will I be able to take pictures from the 30 foot distance they say the observers have from the interaction area? Or are cameras simply not allowed anywhere in the area so you'll buy their photos. This will be the determining factor in whether I do the experience WITH her or as an observer. THANKS!

YES! The guy held my go pro the whole time and parents of teens that were participating took lots of pictures.

 

[Zim]

Dolphin Encounter will ask if you are coming on a ship and which one. They would not sell ME an encounter. They said "You have to book through Disney."

Oh I see what you're saying! I was always planning on going through Disney - the $40 is the observer going along with the person having the interaction $115. I'm more than glad to pay a little more through Disney, but I'm just going as an observer. It'll be nice to get the extra photos on the observation deck.

I have it saved in my calendar to book the excursion precisely at 90 days out - so hopefully we'll get one encounter and one observer!

And we'll have a Go Pro camera by then so hopefully they'll hold that for me that would be fantastic!!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

crap crap crap crap crap...

I could have gotten my Husband and BIL on the island for $40 through Disney huh? I told them $69 for the Beach Day and that's what Mom & Dad did but the two dudes thought that was too much so they bummed around town. I'm sure they would have gone for $40, at least my hun would have...

and I will never tell them now...

 

[Zim]

Yea! Today was the first day we could book excursions and I got DD15 signed up for the sea lion encounter and myself as an observer. For those who have done it, did I do it correctly to book the 9:15am experience??? I seemed to recall the afternoon one was stressful to get back to the ship, but the morning one allowed you to relax in the area for a while afterward.

Let me know if that's correct or if you think I should try to rebook the afternoon encounter.

And just to check, once it's in your itinerary, it's happening right? I didn't have to go to a pay page, so I assume you take care of this as part of your post-cruise bill?

 

[Jme W]

Does anyone know what the pictures cost from the people who take them at the encounter?

Does anyone know what the DVD of the experience costs?

I would be curious to know what the costs are.....then I could make a more informed decision on what to get and what not to get!

All prices and packages are detailed here:
http://www.dolphinencounters.com/sealion-dolphin-photovideoorder.php

I did the DVD w/ 2 free keychains and it's pretty cool. They video the entire encounter, and when we did it, we were the only group so we got some extra time with our sea lion, PJ. Another great thing about this excursion, it's much less busy than the dolphin encounter, and like others have pointed out, unique. Totally worthwhile

 

[Jme W]

Yea! Today was the first day we could book excursions and I got DD15 signed up for the sea lion encounter and myself as an observer. For those who have done it, did I do it correctly to book the 9:15am experience??? I seemed to recall the afternoon one was stressful to get back to the ship, but the morning one allowed you to relax in the area for a while afterward.

Let me know if that's correct or if you think I should try to rebook the afternoon encounter.

And just to check, once it's in your itinerary, it's happening right? I didn't have to go to a pay page, so I assume you take care of this as part of your post-cruise bill?

Yes, the 9:15 is going to be the better time to go, as it's a pretty long (30 minutes?) trip back to Nassau, plus another 15 minutes walk back to the ship - so I would talk the morning over the afternoon to remove any of that stress. And then you can relax on Blue Lagoon's beach, and walk around and observe other groups dolphin encounters (all visible from the walkways, no fee needed).
Also yes, this will be on your final bill if you booked through DCL.

 

[catshaw]

We too booked the 9:15. Does that mean we are the first group of the day with the sea lions? Approximately what time are you finished the encounter if you have the 9:15 time?Also wondered about the 1:45 return time listed. Is that the time we arrive back off boat or leave the island? Do you HAVE to leave then or can you stay later?
THANKS!

 

[Zim]

We too booked the 9:15. Does that mean we are the first group of the day with the sea lions? Approximately what time are you finished the encounter if you have the 9:15 time?Also wondered about the 1:45 return time listed. Is that the time we arrive back off boat or leave the island? Do you HAVE to leave then or can you stay later? THANKS!

Yes you are the first group with the sea lions. There was only one other couple with my daughter in our group. I observed from the observation area. They start with a lecture there at the observation area about the sea lions, their environment and what the place is doing to help them. After that they walk you down to the platform. On the way they have one photo opportunity with the sea lion perched on his back fins for a shot from their pro photographer (it won't be at a good angle from the observation area). Then you get in the water on a platform that is covered from the sun. They offer wetsuits but unlike the dolphin encounter, they are optional here. My daughter opted to just wear her bikinis and I think it made for cuter photos even though the water is chilly.

The encounter itself lasts for about thirty minutes to so with lots of interaction and they take lots of pictures. I will say while they're smart to keep the observation area far enough for photos to be grainy and dull at best, their professional photos and video were really well done and considerably less expensive than other excursions we've done. I think it was around thirty for three 5x7s and the video DVD would have been $60 as I recall.

We had plenty of time to wander the place afterward and still wanted to make the 1pm ferry back to the boat. The beach area with the floaty play equipment would've cost more money but you can walk around some beach area without extra cost. Lunch is not provided with the sea lion experience so expect to pay for that if you don't head back to the ship for lunch.

 

[catshaw]

Thank you! I feel much better now that I know the details. I think my teenagers will do the encounter while my husband and I watch.

 

[catshaw]

Yes you are the first group with the sea lions. There was only one other couple with my daughter in our group. I observed from the observation area. They start with a lecture there at the observation area about the sea lions, their environment and what the place is doing to help them. After that they walk you down to the platform. On the way they have one photo opportunity with the sea lion perched on his back fins for a shot from their pro photographer (it won't be at a good angle from the observation area). Then you get in the water on a platform that is covered from the sun. They offer wetsuits but unlike the dolphin encounter, they are optional here. My daughter opted to just wear her bikinis and I think it made for cuter photos even though the water is chilly.

The encounter itself lasts for about thirty minutes to so with lots of interaction and they take lots of pictures. I will say while they're smart to keep the observation area far enough for photos to be grainy and dull at best, their professional photos and video were really well done and considerably less expensive than other excursions we've done. I think it was around thirty for three 5x7s and the video DVD would have been $60 as I recall.

We had plenty of time to wander the place afterward and still wanted to make the 1pm ferry back to the boat. The beach area with the floaty play equipment would've cost more money but you can walk around some beach area without extra cost. Lunch is not provided with the sea lion experience so expect to pay for that if you don't head back to the ship for lunch.

I was wondering how far from the ship is the catamaran that takes you to Blue Lagoon? Does it pick up and drop off at same place? Do you have to walk past pushy venders?

 

[mom4fun]

Yes you are the first group with the sea lions. There was only one other couple with my daughter in our group. I observed from the observation area. They start with a lecture there at the observation area about the sea lions, their environment and what the place is doing to help them. After that they walk you down to the platform. On the way they have one photo opportunity with the sea lion perched on his back fins for a shot from their pro photographer (it won't be at a good angle from the observation area). Then you get in the water on a platform that is covered from the sun. They offer wetsuits but unlike the dolphin encounter, they are optional here. My daughter opted to just wear her bikinis and I think it made for cuter photos even though the water is chilly.

The encounter itself lasts for about thirty minutes to so with lots of interaction and they take lots of pictures. I will say while they're smart to keep the observation area far enough for photos to be grainy and dull at best, their professional photos and video were really well done and considerably less expensive than other excursions we've done. I think it was around thirty for three 5x7s and the video DVD would have been $60 as I recall.

We had plenty of time to wander the place afterward and still wanted to make the 1pm ferry back to the boat. The beach area with the floaty play equipment would've cost more money but you can walk around some beach area without extra cost. Lunch is not provided with the sea lion experience so expect to pay for that if you don't head back to the ship for lunch.

We are booked also. Ours says 7:45 - 12:15. So I'm guessing ours must be first.

 

[Zim]

I was wondering how far from the ship is the catamaran that takes you to Blue Lagoon? Does it pick up and drop off at same place? Do you have to walk past pushy venders?

Actually the ferry boat to take us there was right on the pier with the big cruise ships so you didn't even enter the main shop area before heading out.

However, the boat parks on the other side of the pier upon return and yes you have to walk through the inside mall vendor area when you return because the passport check area is on the other side. Don't try to walk past and around the vendor building because the entryway to the port area is IN the building. The signs indicating the building entrance are pretty well displayed. We ignored it thinking there was a way around the shops, but met with a chain fence, we had to walk back through. Just keep a tight hold on your stuff, ignore the pushy vendors (honestly there weren't many or we just didn't look approachable) and you will be in the boat port before you know it.

 

[disney minnie]

We are traveling with another family. Both families were considering doing the Blue Lagoon 1/2 day beach excursion. After looking at this I was considering doing this with my family. It seems to be about the same amount of time. Will these two excursions travel on the same boat together and then separate when we get there and then have a chance to get back together for some beach time?

 

[Zim]

We are traveling with another family. Both families were considering doing the Blue Lagoon 1/2 day beach excursion. After looking at this I was considering doing this with my family. It seems to be about the same amount of time. Will these two excursions travel on the same boat together and then separate when we get there and then have a chance to get back together for some beach time?

Yes that's exactly what happens. At the lagoon after docking you walk up to the main building and there was someone collecting people for the sea lion excursion while pointing the dolphin and beach goers elsewhere. After the dolphin or sea lion stuff you have the whole place to explore. Like I said before some areas are pay to play like the giant inflatables at their beach. Lunch is included in the dolphin experience but NOT the sea lion experience. You will find there isn't much to the island unless you're going to pay to play on the inflatables or just enjoy lounging on a hammock. We were ready to go back to the ship at the first ferry pick up time ... I think they are 1pm, 2pm and 4 or 5pm

 

[masylimed]

Do you buy the photos while at Blue Lagoon? Do they put it on your room bill or do you pay them directly? Cash or credit card?

 

[MagicMe]

Do you buy the photos while at Blue Lagoon? Do they put it on your room bill or do you pay them directly? Cash or credit card?

You buy them while you are on the Island and directly from Blue Lagoon (not DCL). I used my CC but I would guess they'd also take cash. I bought a package that gave me several pictures and I believe the one picture can be downloaded from their site later (I think it was the actual "kiss").