Dolphin Discovery Cozumel

[Lisa Anne Colling]

We are starting to plan our excursions for Sept cruise. Hoping someone here can help us plan our dolphin adventure. We are trying to figure out whether or not to book direct with The Dolphin Discovery or through DCL. Those that booked through DCL, what was your encounter like? Did you just get in the water and touch them or did you actually swim and "play"with them? I noticed on the Discovery web site that there is different packages some where you really get to interact with not only the dolphins, but have a sea lion encounter as well. Seems more worth while. We are a group of 11 with 5 kids ranging in age 3-15. The young kids are quite adventurous and very comfortable in water. Anyone else take young kids and if so what did they think? I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions!
Thanks
Lisa

 

[nordkin]

We did the dolphin encounter in Cozumel a couple of years ago and it was just stand on a platform in the water and touch the dolphin. The kids enjoyed it, but we thought it was a bit of a rip off. We actually stayed at the beach after the dolphin encounter and had more fun snorkeling.

 

[spencersmom]

My son and I did it and I agree, it was a rip off. You just stand on this platform and you barely touch them. It's nice to see them up close but I would not recommend this at all to anyone. I was not happy that I spent that much money on it. The park was filthy. Afterwards, they brought you into this room and showed you this video of you guys touching the dolphins and try to sell you pictures. I guess that's fine but I just wanted out of there.

Best of luck on your decision!

 

[BWVPam]

Supposedly the Royal Swim is a much more interactive experience where you actually get in the water and swim with the dolphins. We had this booked for our May cruise, however we have since cancelled and are still waiting our refund (4 weeks have passed.) If Cozumel had not been hit by the hurricane, we would not have cancelled this excursion as it is something we really wanted to do. The Royal Swim has to be booked directly with Dolphin Discovery. However, if you cancel, be prepared to wait for your refund and I think they keep 2% of the amount you paid.

 

[Hanover]

I also think it wasn't quite worth the money. My husband and I did it November 2004 while on a Carnival Cruise. We (me, DH, DS4 and DS7) did the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Excursion in Nassau last February while on the 4 day Wonder cruise and it was so much better. I felt really bad for the people that did the dolphin/snorkel excursion and paid $60 more each in Cozumel. They had the same time with the dolphin...just got to peak in the water with their masks/snorkels on at the same time! The platform was also pretty slippery and would have been too deep for our 4 year old to stand. The blue Lagoon excursion offered wet suits which was nice and much more dolphin interaction. We are looking into the dolphin excursion in Anguilla on our DCL cruise this May and that one doesn't seem to have many positive reviews. It's much more expensive, but it's the only one we are all interested in doing.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

DON'T do it through DCL. We did it a couple of years ago and booked the Dolphin Royal Swim through Shoretrips.com and LOVED it!! We stood on a platform and the dolphin swam up to us, but then we swam out into the water and were dragged by their fins, pushed upright (they put their noses on your feet, push you, you put your arms up and wallah - you're flying lol!), held a limbo bar and they jumped over it. The last thing was we all got in a circle, treaded water and the dolphins played "tag" with us, swam in and out of us. It was amazing. The price was maybe $10 more than DCL (who only offered the encounter, not the swim)and besides the swim we got free entrance into the park, free tix to the parrot/sea lion show). We are going back in May and hopefully they will be open so we can do the swim again. They take pics of you doing the "fly" and kissing the dolphins. Of course we got the ones of my dd. My dh and I didn't come out that great. We also got the vhs (expensive though) - and it is great! We watch it all the time. They videotape your whole swim and edit it for just your family while you wait. We can't say anything but wonderful things about this place. If you want to have a great time with dolphins go for the Royal Swim!

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

Thank you very much for all your replies! You have helped to make my decision much much easier!
Happy Sailing Everyone!
Lisa

 

[dlf246]

we have since cancelled and are still waiting our refund (4 weeks have passed.) However, if you cancel, be prepared to wait for your refund and I think they keep 2% of the amount you paid.

Pam: if you do a search you will find posts that urge that you begin a dispute process through your credit card co. Most of us would get our refund within days of this. Lastly, keep any emails or notes you have as you may need for the dispute process.

 

[BWVPam]

Pam: if you do a search you will find posts that urge that you begin a dispute process through your credit card co. Most of us would get our refund within days of this. Lastly, keep any emails or notes you have as you may need for the dispute process.

I called them on Monday and was told that the credit would be processed this week, but not later than next week. I told them I would file dispute if credit was not processed by next week. Let's see if they can keep their word or not. Thanks for the info.

 

[Alamo]

We did the Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel 10/18/06, and it's a complete rip off. You're in the water for about 15 minutes with the dolphins, and then you're carted off to a room to view the video they shoot of your group.. Only $29.....what a bargain!!

Other issues:

- Entrance fees of $16 for adults and $8 for children. Entrance to what? There's just a building and a gift shop.... They're rebuilding everything else.. When I asked about this fee, I got a bunch of BS answers. Bottom line - you're paying for construction. Rip off.

- Cameras. Don't plan on taking a camera down with you on the pier when you get into the water... No no. They will (in some cases not so politely) ask you to leave it in the locker or take pictures from afar. Of course, they want you to buy their overpriced pictures $15/ea. of your kid kissing a dolphin. OK, I'm a sucker, and I bought some pictures for my kids, but I felt trapped in the experience. In other words, I wanted my kids to remember it.

They have other "experiences" where you actually ride the dolphins and swim with them. Those look better, but I'm not sure on the prices. Either way, they charge you to take a step in that place. If you absolutely have to do the excursion, do it; however, if you have an alternative in a different port, I would highly recommend re-booking elsewhere.... Sorry to dissappoint the dolphin fans out there, but I feel obligated to speak the truth.

I hope you have a great DCL Cruise.