Dolphin Encounter-Cozumel

[Kimber1963]

Has anyone done this excursion? Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[MCazer]

We did in on our 8/3 cruise.

Me (38)
DH (38)
DD (6)
DS (4)

Well, according to the trainer, the tide was extremely high that day. Which was not good for us. We all had to wear life vests. And with little kids, they tend to ride up on you.

Well, we had to stand on a platform, except my son couldn't stand and my daughter could only stand on her tippy toes. There were constant waves, and this knocked them over. My husband and I had to hold them. This was very difficult and the vest kept cutting into their chin. It was very hard to hold your child, and also interact with the dolphin.

My kids did not want to kiss the dolphin. My husband and I did though. They did let my son feed the dolphin some fish, but my daughter declined. (we found out later that she had a sinus infection) she tends to be shy when she starts to feel ill.

We did buy the video ($25). They did it quite nice, and they put it in slow motion when you interact, so the kids like to watch it and see themselves.

I would do it again when they are older, and can definitately stand on their own. It was an expensive day their, but a memory none the less.

 

[hazmat1212]

wish your DD felt better and the weather had cooperated

we booked DOLPHIN excursion --- for me and DH for 8/31 MAGIC

thanks for the video insight --- was really ambivalent about spending another $25 on top of the $105 each ... but i probably will, thanks to your view!

cin in NJ

 

[DuncanLL]

A couple questions:

1. Was the video of the entire group or individual?

2. Did you do anything else at Chankanaab the rest of the day?

We're going to try this on our trip, although we're on a waiting list for a Dolphin Swim...

Linda

 

[MCazer]

The video was of our whole group, but since we were the the last four into the dolphin area we are at the beginning of the tape and it seems to focus on us more than the others.

After we did the dolphin encounter, we went over to the beach, it was nice, but nothing that great. Snorkeling there was not that great.

A hint for all that may go. When you get to the park, they walk you over to the locker area, let you get your vests, and then they give you a little talk about where to touch the dolphins. At this point, its important to send one person from your group to get a locker. The lockers without keys hanging down are already taken. I got one during the talk. After the talk, there were none to be found.

Our dolphin encounter was for the noon one. I believe there are 3 different times. I noticed that people coming after us could not find a locker at all, and were lingering around trying to get one from someone leaving. Like most of us, we used the locker for the dolphin encounter but kept it until we left the park. Not sure if this is what you are supposed to do, that could be the reason they went so fast.

Also, when you want to go back to the ship. they have you meet at the entrance on the 1/2 of the hour (1:30, 2:30 etc.). You wait until this one individual comes out and then they start a line for taxis to take you back. We were first to get there and were about 15th on line, as there was no rhyme or reason. So be sure to get there before the 1/2 or you will be waiting another hour to get back to the ship, unless you want to pay your own way.

 

[hazmat1212]

think there IS a difference ....

and the Dolphin excursion on the WONDER is different from the
"dolphin encounter" on the MAGIC - western/cozumel???

so your 'group' is whoever is scheduled for the same time as you? not people in your family?

how many people on the shelf at the same time petting and feeding?

thanks

cin.

 

[MCazer]

Originally posted by hazmat1212
think there IS a difference ....

and the Dolphin excursion on the WONDER is different from the
"dolphin encounter" on the MAGIC - western/cozumel???

so your 'group' is whoever is scheduled for the same time as you? not people in your family?

how many people on the shelf at the same time petting and feeding?

thanks

cin.

There is a defininate difference between the two. My husband and I did the swim in the Bahamas a few years ago. We were actually swimming with the dolphins.

The one in Mexico, you stand with your family and another 10 people or so on a platform up against a chain link fence which is in the water (the ocean) off the beach. You do not leave the platform at all.

 

[hazmat1212]

now i'm having second thoughts
it is $210 for the two of us

i've got til thurs to make my decision --- if we're gonna cancel.
harumpf!
cin in NJ
MAGIC 8/31