dolphin encounter or swim? HELP!

[veruka]

Hi - My dd is dying to "swim" with the dolphins (she's 8). I know DCL offers the encounter, but I was wondering if someone could help me decide whether to book the encounter through DCL and not worry about transportation, or book the "swim" and just get there by myself.

I've been to Nassau once before and, honestly, was kind of intimidated
by all of the *assistance* for transportation offered once I got of the boat. Is there an easier way, with no haggling involved, to get to Blue Lagoon?

Thanks for any help!!

 

[jclark3]

I also would like to hear from someone who did the Dolphin "Swim" encounter on Blue Lagoon. I wonder why we must book it ourselves and why the cruise lines won't book it?

 

[Farms]

My family and I did the dolphin swim, which we booked seperately and directly with dolphin encounters. At the time, my daughters were 7 (they are 8 now). We found transporation very easy and it was definately work the money over paying for just the encounter. My daughters still talk about it -- it was the best thing about the whole trip. I would highly recommend it. Let me know if you need any additional information. I'll be happy to help.

 

[cepmom]

Farms -
My DD15 is interested in doing the dolphin "swim" as opposed the "encounter, but the rest of us are not (DH, DD8, DD5 and myself - DH or myself might do it, but definately not the 2 younger ones) I want to sign her up for the swim directly through Dolphin Encounters, but what about the rest of us? Can we sign up as observers (at $20 each) and then once DD15 is done with her "swim" can we hang out at the Blue Lagoon Beach for the rest of the day? I know that the Blue Lagoon Beach Day through DCL is about $38/adults and $23/children, but even then we will not be able to be observers for DD15's swim. Any idea how that works?

Also - how did you end up getting over to Blue Lagoon? Was it complicated to make the transportation arrangements? TIA

 

[S. C.]

Farms -
My DD15 is interested in doing the dolphin "swim" as opposed the "encounter, but the rest of us are not (DH, DD8, DD5 and myself - DH or myself might do it, but definately not the 2 younger ones) I want to sign her up for the swim directly through Dolphin Encounters, but what about the rest of us? Can we sign up as observers (at $20 each) and then once DD15 is done with her "swim" can we hang out at the Blue Lagoon Beach for the rest of the day? I know that the Blue Lagoon Beach Day through DCL is about $38/adults and $23/children, but even then we will not be able to be observers for DD15's swim. Any idea how that works?

Also - how did you end up getting over to Blue Lagoon? Was it complicated to make the transportation arrangements? TIA

We took a regular taxi for a short ride over to paradise island between the two bridges to catch the ferry. On the way back tell the ferry driver you are from the ship. They make a quick stop at paradise island and will take you straight back to the ship at no extra cost. At least that is how it was in 2003.

Here is a link about the swim & encounter.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7371074#post7371074

 

[veruka]

thanks for the advice! The swim sounded like more fun and now I'm going to book it. My main fear was transportation, but it sounds like it will be easy.

Wish us luck!!!

 

[ThreeSmiths]

We booked the Dolphin Encounter through DCL in Sept 2004. It made the transportation easy and I'm always nervous about getting back to the ship on time. At the Dolphin Encounter they give you a short, educational intro before you go to the dolphin platform, and at that time they asked us if anyone wanted to upgrade to the dolphin swim. Several people did it. We did not only because DD (7 years) was not a strong swimmer.

Maybe this is an option for you.

Good Luck!

Stacy

 

[cepmom]

S.C. ~
thanks for the info. Sounds like the transportation was fairly simple. Do you happen to know how much time (if any) we would have at Blue Lagoon after the dolphin Swim is over? Do you need to leave on the ferry back to the ship once the swim is over? I wouldn't want all of us to go for just DD15 to do the swim and not have anything for the 2 younger girls to do but watch. I would love to be able to combine the swim with some beach time too. Thanks!

 

[LuvThatMouse]

We are interested in doing the dolphin encounter as a family but my dd is only 4 and a half. According to the age limits listed, she's old enough. Has anyone done the encounter with a child this age and how did it go?

 

[S. C.]

S.C. ~
thanks for the info. Sounds like the transportation was fairly simple. Do you happen to know how much time (if any) we would have at Blue Lagoon after the dolphin Swim is over? Do you need to leave on the ferry back to the ship once the swim is over? I wouldn't want all of us to go for just DD15 to do the swim and not have anything for the 2 younger girls to do but watch. I would love to be able to combine the swim with some beach time too. Thanks!

We did our swim & picked out what pics we wanted, we wanted the video but they said somehow the tape was messed up and didn't take (pics & video are extra $$. Then we walked out on the dock to get on the ferry, They never told us we had to catch the ferry back at any certain time.
Sorry i really am not any help about your beach question we just went back to the ship. We loved the swim It was one of the highlights of our cruise.
Last summer we went to discovery cove in florida and did the dolphin swim there. Discovery cove was wonderful.

 

[tink11]

We booked the dolphin swim directly with dolphin encounters in nassau. We had a great time. My husband and daughter who was 5 at the time did the encounter, while the rest of the family did the swim. It was a highlight of our trip. We took the taxi to the ferry and took the ferry back to the ship. We had a late appointment for the swim, so don't know how long you can stay at the beach. The pictures turn out beautiful! Hope you enjoy!

 

[mudangel77]

You said that you had a late appointment. Just curious, we were thinking of sticking around the shops in Nassau beforehand and doing a 1:30 swim. 1st - how long does it take to get to paradise island & the ferry over to the lagoon (trying to estimate what time to start out for 1:30) & 2nd - that would give us plenty of time to make the ship departure, right? Help! This is getting confusing!

 

[cepmom]

Just checked on the Dolphin Encounter website and on the FAQ list, it had this listed:

Q. Can we stay longer on the island after our program?
A. Unless you purchased a day package through Nassau Cruise Lines, you must return on our boats.

So, I guess we wouldn't be able to hang out on the beach after the swim. Bummer

 

[stina]

Anyone know anything about the Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel? (West. Caribbean Cruise) I am interested but wondering if it is worth it. It is $105/pp and listed at 30min. interaction with the dolphins. I'm not sure what they mean by interaction, is it just a passing wave or actual physical swimming/touching the dolphins? What's the difference between a "dolphin encouter" and a "dolphin swim"?

Those with experience please tell me what you think...likes or dislikes.

Thank you!

 

[jclark3]

I had almost decided to book the encounter with DCL (due to transportation) and wait until we get to Blue Lagoon to upgrade to the dolphin swim. But now that I think about it, the person who said they were asked if anyone wanted to upgrade was on a Sept. cruise and we're going in Apr. (more crowded time?) Does anyone know if they ALWAYS ask for upgrades when you're at the encounter?

 

[veruka]

Hmmm I'd be interested in this answer, too.

 

[S. C.]

Bump.

 

[WorldlyWise]

 

[chasbos]

We were asked last week if we wanted to upgrade. The ferry that we took from the ship left the island at 2 and 4 - that was it! We had time after our encounter to have lunch and play on the beach for about 2 hours but we the first group chosen to have our encounter and there were 2 more after us.

 

[WorldlyWise]

chasbos et. al. - how long were you in the water for the encounter? How about the swim?