Dolphin encounter vs. dolphin swim

[Daddyman]

I'm going to be on the 3/3/03 4-day cruise and currently have reservations for the Dolphin encounter during the day in Nassau. My 2 daughters are 8 and 6 and very much into animals - not just dogs and cats, we understand these are large animals.


At the Diney site they only connect you to the encounter, but on these boards I've read about a dolphin swim. This sounds like a worthwhile excursion for us. Can antone tell me if this is available and where I can find more information.

Also, I know there on other threads on this topic, but I'd appreciate sharing your experiences and any other recommendations for that day.

 

[joyv]

I believe the dolphin swim is only available in Cozumel which is not a scheduled stop on the 4-day cruise.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have heard really really good things about the Dolphin Swim. It is supposed to be so much more than the encounter.

I wish I could remember the link, there is an incredibly terrific account of this, called "Flying with the Dolphins" written by Dave in the Frozen North. A great read!

Yes, you can do this excursion on your own.

Try Dolphinswims.com

and Shoretrips.com

Not sure if these links are right. But wanted to mention them in case they can help.

 

[singledismom]

Daddyman,

Here our 2 web addresses,one is for Nassau and the other is Freeport, sorry don't remember which is which.
dolphinencounter.com and dolphinexperience.com

Also-
When I called to book our dolphin encounter in Freeport the CM told me they just added a dolphin swim that was not yet advertised. There was an age restriction on that one though, because my DS-8 is too young. :-(

 

[woodymac64]

The website for the dolphin encounter/swim in Nassau is:

www.dolphinswims.com

The website provides plenty of information on both the encounter and the swim. I'm not sure of the booking requirements for the swim encounter (I think it's around six months before your cruise date), but if you opt for the encounter excursion, you need to book it a month before your cruise date. There is also an observer option available.

You'll find that the encounter excursion pricing is cheaper from Dolphin Encounters than it is through Disney, though I'm not exactly sure what the excursion differences are (plus I don't think Disney offers the Dolphin Swim Excursion at all). As long as I can get to and from Blue Lagoon and still enjoy the Dolphin Encounter, then I'd save my money and book the excursion through Dolphin Encounters.

I hope this helps.

 

[RC Sunshine]

We have done both the encounter and swin im Nassau. WHat you do is book the encounter, and when you get there they gather the group for a short lesson on how to interact with the dolphins. At this time they offer the opportuntiy to upgrade to the swim program. It is a lot more expensive than the encounter and in my opinion the enounter is better value for money. You get to do a lot of interacting with the dolphins either way.

Have fun.