Anguilla

[bobsuzla]

I have read all of the threads about the Anguilla Dolphin encounter, but I can not find any one who has either just gone and done this on thier own, or if anyone has strayed away from the group after their "swim" and just found their own transportation back to St Maarteen? We really want to do this, but 7 1/2 hours and a cruddy lunch is just too much! I would spend the amount of money for the experience but not the inconvienience of being trapped there for several extra hours... HELP

There has to be someone out there, or even someone doing this on their own in the future...

 

["Ginger"]

We have not done the dolphin excursion but we have gone to Anguilla on our own. It's very easy. Once off the ship and in town we took a cab to Blowing Point where we got a ferry to Anguilla. The ferries are $10 each way plus $3. departing tax. Info on that Blowing Point Ferry
info on doing the dolphin excursion on your own, $140.pp you must make reservation Dolphin Fantaseas On the island you can get a taxi to take on.
You can contact the Anguilla tourist board at 1-800-553-4939, this number is good for U. S. callers.

A few other sites for finding info about Anguilla are:
WWW.news.ai
www.anguilla-vacation.com
www.anguillaguide.com

I contacted the board of tourism by email before we went giving them all our information about the day of our arrival, we've found someone waiting for us at Blowing Point to travel with us the rest of the way. Once on the island we given a quick site seeing tour of the island then taken to Shoal Bay Beach East, what a beautiful beach. We enjoyed a day of sun and fun ending with a very enjoyable glass bottom boat ride from Jr. Our tour guide/ driver was 30 minutes early to pick us up and take us back to the St.Martin ferry. He helped us gather all of our belongings, loaded us up in his large van and drove us back to the ferry. He also joined us on the ferry ride back. Once back on St. Martin he secured us taxi ride back to St.Maartin negotiating the fare for us. He did all of this for $60 for the day, BTW there was 9 of us. Our driver took us right to the ship by passing the water taxi that we had taken earlier that day. It was a day that we will never forget. We will be returning on Monday Nov. 1 this year.

You can contact the Anguilla tourist board at 1-800-553-4939, this number is good for U. S. callers only.

 

[bobsuzla]

Thank you, this gives me hope!!! Lot's of it. My daughter wants to swim with the dolphins, and I would pay above what The Disney Excursion is, just to do this with her, but as I said before, I don't want to feel as though I am being held captive on an Island for seven hours, Disney should look into splitting this tour into two departure times, so each would only be 4 hours or so...
Still hoping to hear back from someone who has done Fantasea's on their own...

 

[AnnMorin]

We did the Anguilla Dolphin last year and loved it!! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you can not do it on your own, at least not the dolphin fantasea's part. DCL books the entire facility the day they are in port, no one can get tickets that day, even people who live on the island would be turned away.
Seven hours seems long but it really did fly by! You don't feel captive at all, the beach is breathtaking, I would hae stayed longer if I could . If you have any questions about the excusion ask away and I will be happy to answer them. I would do this one again in a heartbeat!
(BTW we did still have time to go shopping in St. Maarten- we skipped our rotational dining and shopped and then ate at topsiders)

 

[bobsuzla]

Thank you Ann, I am just hoping to get in a little shopping,while on St Maarten, and my DH is a very impatient person, not much for the beach either... Is there at least a spot on the beach where he can "grab a cold one" and kick back? I don't think that I want to miss any of our dinner rotations, from what I have read each one is special, and they only do the "show" at AP one time during your rotation... Besides, this is the time that the rest of the family who is cruising also, has agreed to spend together, dinner together- rest on our own so we're not standing around all dang morning (my Mom, 2 sis's and thier families) going" I want to go here,we have to wait for so&so etc etc etc Family togetherness if you know what i mean

 

[AnnMorin]

It is in a shaded/covered area on a patio with a great view, very tropical! You could ask DCL or Dolphin Fantaseas about having a cab pick you up and taking the ferry back on your own I would think. It is the same ferry station for everyone. The only problem would be it depends on which group you are in. The split the whole group into two one half does the beach first and the other group gets split in thirds to do the encounters (one group does the stingrays, one does the birds/turtles and hermit crab races and the third does the dolphins and each group rotates) If you were in the group that did the beach first you would not do the dolphins until later. We were in the group that did the beach second (after lunch) so if you got in that group I would think you could leave if you had a cab ride arranged. We got back into St. Maarten around 4:30 we had early seating and I really wanted to shop so we chose to skip dinner, (of course we have done all the menus many times before) if you have late seating it would not be a problem at all or if you are not shopping for as much stuff as I was.

 

[bobsuzla]

We have the early seating, as my niece is young and that is the way my biggest sister(nieces Mom) wanted it. And they say I am the spoiled brat I would think it would be easiest to wait for our turn with the dolphins, and harder to wait after we were through... What were you shopping for? I don't have any particular must haves, but I want to find a special something that when I see it I just have to have it ie: jewelry or something
What about a cold brew for my DH and I heard the lunch is gross, any suggestions on that?

 

[AnnMorin]

I always shop for jewelry in St. Maarten, for what I buy (diamonds, sapphires, tanzinite, caribbean topaz) the buys can't be beat, I have never had any item I have bought appraise for less than double back home, of course I do have a very good jeweler in St. Maarten which helps. I also buy booze there as the prices are the best, by now I know where to shop so it is not as much of a time consuming ordeal. St. Thomas is far better in regards to gold though so hold out for that port if you are interested in gold.
The lunch was not gross at all, I just wish we had gotten there sooner, by the time we arrived most of it was gone, but a BBQ type of thing, the bar is a full bar, I had a strawberry daquiri but I am sure they have all kinds of cold beer. The view is amazing,
We did the dolphins right before lunch but I really must tell you that the beach is AMAZING, I would go there again anytime and am actually thinking of next winter spending a week in Anguilla. (2006 I mean) The water is SO crystal blue and the sand so deep and soft, BIG waves in the ocean it was just perfect, the sand is so soft and deep it was like walking through snow here at home! They have chairs and I think maybe hammocks set up but we spent the entire time in the water, it was (the water) about 85 degrees! Palm trees were swaying in the background and nothing but paradise around you, seriously you will not want to leave!

 

[AnnMorin]

What is really cool and have your camera ready is all the goats on the island! They are everywhere people could not believe back home the photos I took, Dolphin fantaseas does have lockers (which I wish I knew ahead of time I would have brought the good camera instead of a disposable water one) that you can use that lock (no charge)

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I won't get into the politics of it, but have you considered doing the dolphin thing at seaworld, at your own pace, not in conjunction with the cruise? I hear it really worth it. And you area much more intimate with the dolphins? (no jokes!!), having been to Anguilla several times, and st maarten more than I can remember, I have not heard good things about it especially regarding the care of the dolphins. just a thought.

 

[AnnMorin]

I certainly don't want to get into any debate here but the dolphins were VERY well cared for in Anguilla. The trainers were very explicit as to how you could and could not touch them, they were never used to pull people through the water, it was all very educational. They had three dolphins that had two HUGE tanks at their disposal, the sea water from their natural habitat filtered in and out all day. The head trainer was extreemly protective over them and had no problem telling people how to act.

 

[bobsuzla]

Ann thank you so much, I do hope to find an inexpensive diamond something or other or emeralds just something that I look at and go "WOW" "I have to have it" but not looking to spend my daughters college fund (not much left there after paying for the cruise ) The beach is sounding more and more inviting keep it coming...
ClarabelleCow, I have considered it, but it won't be possible for this trip maybe one in the future (2 yrs or so) and DD is growing up so quickly, I really want to do this now!!! Thank you all so much, I appreciate your advice and words of wisdom...

 

[AnnMorin]

he is in St. maarten but you could email him in advance. I usually do and tell him what I am looking for at that time. The items he has sold me are always of the highest quality and as I said have appraised for double or more back home (he also gives me a written appraisel at the time of sale with US values)

Clarabelle please do not think I was being argumentative, I just personally was VERY impressed with dolphin fantaseas, any dolphin swim program will undoubtably be debateable but I was so impressed at the level of respect they demanded for the animals, only small groups were allowed in at a time, no one was allowed to hang on the animals or be "pulled through the water by them" we swam with them and interacted but they did not have to perform or do strenous "tricks" for our entertainment. It was very natural and educational/

 

[logan1_2000]

Have been to St. Maarten 3 times, incl. previous DCL Eastern, RCI cruise, and a week on the island at the Divi, in the past 4 years. Highly recommedn Shivas Jewelry and TriDent, one store on each side of Front Street, both owned by the same family. We have bought diamonds, had rings made, and I have even made purchases from the states using email (and they usually call me on the phone in reply to the email). They were recommended to us by time share owners who have gone to the island annually for over 15 years, and more than one such couple, in fact. The appraisals back here in the state show the value of what we bought and prices are great.