Day 2 - wake up and go to Blue Lagoon for Dolphin Encounter. we booked this two months in advance and glad to have done that. DD passes on breakfast. Send others ahead of us and they brought back covered plates for us. We met in Barrel of Laughs for directions and check-in. Lathered up with sunscreen there while we waited. Got a special sticker for identification purposes and ship towels to take along. DD was bumming out when we told her we were going on another boat ride. Disembarked with everyone else and walked about a mile with them and the Sting Ray group to our ferry. Passed a welcome to Nassau sign that I thought would make a great picture, but no one wanted to have pix taken. Children were hot and daughter was throwing up much of the way - gross, I know, but she wasn't going to miss the dolphins. She had a cup to toss cookies into. The walk was a bit longer than we had expected, but we moved along. The vendors hit us along the dock to get water ($1)and gatorade ($2). They were also selling towels ($10) and flutes ($1). Hard to say now when they are right in your face making conversations. We got two gatorades. We had a three level ship, two covered and one sun-filled. The sting ray group boarded before ours, so space was limited. I was not taking daughter to top level, so she layed on the floor under the bar while I asked people for empty seats. Just when I had given up hope, one man said she could sit at their table while kids were above, but would have to give up seats if they came down- never saw them. I took some pictures of area from boat. The water was so beautiful and blue. They will pass out food and drink tickets to you. DS enjoyed standing on front part of ferry and having waves break up onto ship and drench him. Didn't like the salt water, but loved the splashing. We got to the island and son wanted conch shell. We passed and said he could get one when we left. Never happened, because they were gone by the time we left. So, on to the half mile walk in sand to dolphin encounter. It was picture perfect day. They had us go up to hot area to tell us about dolphins. Good information - try to sit under a fan - it is hot when all others show up. They also tell you about picture options. Then they separate you into groups. There were about 30 of us in a group. They tell you not to take your less than waterproof cameras down there - do not take them. The first thing they do is have dolphin say hello and he splashes you and drenches you and all your things. Then they ask who is getting the video - raise your hand. Who is getting picture packages- raise your hand. We decided to get $100 album. My advice to you is get the album. Unless you plan on going to play with dophins again. The photos are close up, in focus and amazing. I could not have done this myself no matter how hard I tried. They even give you extras. I am pretty good at picture taking, but not when you have to get in and out of water, lighting, etc. Just get the album. Here is another reason why........First group of people get into water - about ten of them. One family of three is getting album. they get individual shots, groups shots and double shots of everything they do with the dolphin. They even get to play extra time with dolphin to get the right angle. All others get one group shot picture. When the second group of people who were not getting picture got into the water, they were smiling at the camera, but she was not taking pictures of them. You can get as many pictures as you want with the other packages, but it is of one group picture. The same picture, they just make different sizes. So, if you want a picture of the dolphin dancing with you or hugging you or you rubbing the dophin - tough. They aren't taking it. Make up your mind in the beginning to get the album. We also were so bold to ask the family that sat closest to the dock that we went into to take shots of us while we were in the water with our waterpoof disposable. You are taking a chance, but they can get shots of the dolphins splashing or playing around that the photographer won't. So, the poeple who didn't order albums were complaining about not getting photos taken. We were pleased with our photos and even ordered the video, too. We keep thinking... (smaller cabin, more extras - no problem, man) We waited about an hour for the photos and video and didn't make the 200 ferry. So we played in the water, layed on the hammocks and ate lunch. Lunch is served until 300 - don't wait until the end, they will start to run out of food. We were not impressed with food there. They had bbq ribs, steamed veggies, fries and chicken. The kids could get hot dog or hamburger and a side. They did have salad, too. Your drink ticket is for one "bug juice on ice" fruit punch syrup mixed with water. You pay for the rest. Use a tray to carry food to table. You may have to ask for one. We bought some other drinks, too. We enjoyed the quiet sunny day at the beach. They do have a volleyball court and basketball court available, store for tuorst items, clean bathrooms, dj with island music, life guarded beach and trails to walk. Ferry leaves at 4 pm. No conch shells - son is bummed. DD ate some food and no more vomitting.
One thing to note on dolphin adventure - if we were do do it all over again.........we would have booked privately a swim with the dolphins. The brochure they had was dophin encounter $75 bucks and Swim with dolphin $145. You actually get into the water with dopin and do all the same things plus, they will push you through water by nose to your feet and jump over your head for an awesome photo. I would have opted to pay the extra for that for sure. Plus those groups are smaller. Youa ctually swim with them. Yo would have to book blue lagoon excursion from the ship so you could get there, but book the swim lesson on your own. We ferried back uneventfully and took a walk throught he straw market. Wow! Lots of trinkets to get there. We were there on the Bahamas version fo 'Labor Day" so most of the shops were closed. We had just enough time to get back to room to change for dinner at Triton's. Plus, I snagged the kids for a welcome to Nassau picture. After dinner, we took a walk on deck four and took some amazing pictures as the sun set over the island and an old fashioned ship was docked there. We also carefully removed one of the circular life buoys around the deck and held it up to encircle our faces in a photo that reads Disney Wonder Nassau. It was heavy and attached to a light, so be careful if you do it. We could fit three heads inside. Everyone went to watch movies that night. I went to shutters and bought the pre paid package of photos. We got our glo-light necklaces
and headed for the goodbye party. It was easy to spot all members of our group this way, too. The fireworks were amazing. Ask a crew member which side of the boat they will be held on so you are sure to get a railing to watch from. We enjoyed all the dancing and music with that party. It started to rain right after the fireworks. So we went inside. DD and DS were in oceaneer lab. DH was in ESPN zone and grandma and grandpa went to bed. They went to catamaran and snorkeling and raved about it. They wished they spent more time snorkeling and less time on bus to get to boat. Enjoyable day for them. Sister and I went to Krazy Karaoke. It was crazy alright, because you had to take a shot of free alcohol to get confidence up to sing. Was a good time. We did sing and there is a guy there who does a Michael Jackson imitation - Brian, I think was his name. Great job! We had fun afterward dancing with others until 145 am...................zzzzzzzzzz time for bed. Seas were much calmer tonight.
One thing to note on dolphin adventure - if we were do do it all over again.........we would have booked privately a swim with the dolphins. The brochure they had was dophin encounter $75 bucks and Swim with dolphin $145. You actually get into the water with dopin and do all the same things plus, they will push you through water by nose to your feet and jump over your head for an awesome photo. I would have opted to pay the extra for that for sure. Plus those groups are smaller. Youa ctually swim with them. Yo would have to book blue lagoon excursion from the ship so you could get there, but book the swim lesson on your own. We ferried back uneventfully and took a walk throught he straw market. Wow! Lots of trinkets to get there. We were there on the Bahamas version fo 'Labor Day" so most of the shops were closed. We had just enough time to get back to room to change for dinner at Triton's. Plus, I snagged the kids for a welcome to Nassau picture. After dinner, we took a walk on deck four and took some amazing pictures as the sun set over the island and an old fashioned ship was docked there. We also carefully removed one of the circular life buoys around the deck and held it up to encircle our faces in a photo that reads Disney Wonder Nassau. It was heavy and attached to a light, so be careful if you do it. We could fit three heads inside. Everyone went to watch movies that night. I went to shutters and bought the pre paid package of photos. We got our glo-light necklaces
and headed for the goodbye party. It was easy to spot all members of our group this way, too. The fireworks were amazing. Ask a crew member which side of the boat they will be held on so you are sure to get a railing to watch from. We enjoyed all the dancing and music with that party. It started to rain right after the fireworks. So we went inside. DD and DS were in oceaneer lab. DH was in ESPN zone and grandma and grandpa went to bed. They went to catamaran and snorkeling and raved about it. They wished they spent more time snorkeling and less time on bus to get to boat. Enjoyable day for them. Sister and I went to Krazy Karaoke. It was crazy alright, because you had to take a shot of free alcohol to get confidence up to sing. Was a good time. We did sing and there is a guy there who does a Michael Jackson imitation - Brian, I think was his name. Great job! We had fun afterward dancing with others until 145 am...................zzzzzzzzzz time for bed. Seas were much calmer tonight.
