$180 To Hang With The Dolphins?

[sillysmom]

I need some help here. I originally thought that this 7.5 hour dolphin excursion on the eastern (I believe it was St. Maarten) was going to be what my sister experienced in Mexico, where the dolphins actually push you through the water. Well as I understand from these posts, there is none of that, just some touching and a kiss and half the time you're on the beach. Before I go back and look through all the excursions AGAIN, is there anything else on the eastern cruise where you can interact with the dolphins but for less money? I'm not cheap, and if all the time was spent with the dolphins I wouldn't mind spending the FIVE HUNDRED FORTY BUCKS for it, but it just doesn't seem worth it. Anyone have any suggestions

 

[alexandrew]

I agree with you 100%....then again, we are shoppers, not "excursioners"....

I feel most of the excursions offered are a rip off, with a few exceptions...

 

[AnnMorin]

We are going to be doing it in a month and I can tell you what I think when we get back. From what the people at dolphin fantaseas told me you get to swim with the dolphins, not just stand there, they will swim next to you etc. feed them etc.. but no I do not think they will "push you through the water" I would think the companies would be concerned about you or the animal getting hurt. At any rate I can't wait to go!

 

[ChattyKathy]

about the encounter or the dolphin swim sillysmom? As I understand it....and I do realize your talking about St Maarten...BUT~ In Nassau, they have both; and if you do the swim, it does let you in the water with the dolphins to play with, and at the end the dolphin does 'push' you to shore.. I read it in Dave in the Frozen North's trip report. He said it was awesome.
But I dont know what they have where your going to.

alexandrew-if you dont mind me asking...what excursions do you feel are the exceptions to the ripoffs ? Tell me where its good to shop at, lol, window shop that is!


Good luck in your choice sillysmom, and I hope you get to do it, I would love to hear about it when you get back too..



Have a good one,

Kathy

 

[markmyboy]

From what I understand in Nassau & in Cozumel the Dolphin ENCOUNTER is just the petting the dolphin & kissing & watching it do a few tricks right in front of you. The Dolphihn SWIM is when you actually get out there in the water with the dolphins.

I do not know of any cruise lines that offer the actual swim as an excursion through the ship. In Nassau & in Cozumel you must book that on your own.

 

[sillysmom]

ANNMORIN, you can be sure I will PM you when you get back, just want to know if its worth it, you know for 3 hours at the beach, I can spend no money, and thats what half the time is spent doing. We shall see I guess, Hope you have a great time on your cruise!!!

 

[S. C.]

Here is a Q&A on all the islands and the excursions that are offered.
Scroll down on cruise critic and it gives a list of all of the islands.

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=cfrm&s=927093444&f=253093035

We have decided to do discovery cove next year instead of any excursions, discovery cove covers just about everything that we would want to do and we can snorkel at CC. We did the swim with the dolphins last july at blue lagoon and loved it.

http://www.discoverycove.com/index.asp

 

[AnnMorin]

We have been to St. Maarten before and specifically wanted to go to Anguilla, the dolphins were just a bonus. I am very much so looking forward to having one of the most beautiful beaches in the world private for myself and 29 other people, that is a huge draw for me., but like I said I wanted to go to Anguilla regardless.

 

[Belle&TheBeasts]

i'd like to hear the results to!
tthanks for the sites SC
NICE

 

[xnascar2x]

The $180 for the dolphin encounter is worth the money. My DW and I had the time of our lives. Having an entire beach to yourself is an added bonus.