Dolphin Excursion for 3 year old?

[Crystal_27]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to decide on whether or not to book the dolphin excursion in Nassau for our upcoming cruise. The DCL website says that 3 year olds can participate, but I worry about the "waist deep" water. Wouldn't that mean that one of us would have to hold her the entire time? Can anyone with young children who have been on this excursion comment? I don't want to blow $300 on something that my DD isn't going to enjoy. Thanks so much!

 

[ESN]

I can't speak for Nassau specifically - but we took our 3 and 5 yr olds for the "Dolphin Encounter" in Cozumel. The weather was very rainy - but we still had fun - booked thru Disney - You stand on a metal grate in about waist deep water. Everyone wears life jackets anyway. My son was able to stand on his own - My 3yr DD wanted to be held - even though she was in a life jacket. She was a bit intimidated by the dolphin - it was a rather large animal compared to her - but she did pet it and feed it fish. My son loved it. The adults enjoyed it too - but prob. would have preferred the true "Swim" experience.

There was a 4 yr old girl in our group who would not even get in the water - so I would determine your child's degree of fear of water, animals etc.

It is not a cheap excursion - either on your own or through Disney - so I would not book this one just for your child's sake - -If it is something you want to do for yourselves - then I would do it and bring the 3 yr old along. We wanted an excursion we could all enjoy together - which we did.

But I honestly don't think we would do it again - A neat experience once - but a lot of money - (I think it was like $400 for all 4 of us)

 

[Crystal_27]

Thank you ESN for your input. My DD is very comfortable in the water and it's good to hear that life jackets are included as well. Geeze, we'll probably end up booking it now (I hate being so indecisive about this). Anyway, thanks again!

 

[B9erSteve]

I was contemplating this as well. It's a lot of money and I fear that my kids will be too afraid to get near the dolphin. My son if buggin the crud out of me about wanting to do it. If it were just him and I then I'd do it, but adding my wife and daughter (who is 3 and may or may not be intimidated by the animal, I never know with her) then the cost doubles and becomes a major bummer if the kids freak.

 

[ESN]

You could always just try one adult and one child --- there is plenty of other stuff to do...

 

[disallday!]

My family did the dolphin encounter at the Blue Lagoon off of Nassau. DH and I ended up chaperoning my neices and nephews along with our own children.

My youngest nephew wanted to be held but it was not a problem. The dolphin was very with my husband and my nephew. They didn't give us life jackets for the "encounter" but they did for the "swim" which we didn't do because it was much more $.

I agree with ESN... we did it once but once was enough! It was a great experience.


B9erSteve... your wife and daughter can watch you guys. I think it costs somewhere around $30 to be an "observer". My sisters watched their kids from a deck above the area we were in (and they videotaped).

 

[princesdi]

Hello fellow cruiser!!! How about calling Atlantis Dophin Cay and speaking to someone about your concerns to see what their suggestions/recommendations would be. My DH called for a price quote and they charge $150 pp. You can get the phone number and extension number off their website. Not that you would book through Atlantis but you could speak to someone that is knowledgeable in this area.

 

[MCourtney]

I can speak from experience with the Nassau encounter and our then 3 year old DD- she LOVED it as did we. We did it this past November. The water was a bit chilly for me, but otherwise the day was perfect. You start off with a 20 minute or so boat ride, then large group instruction, then divided into smaller groups. We were with about 4 other small families. You stand/sit/kneel on a platform attached to a dock. Waist deep is really only about 3ft. Water came up to my daughters' mid chest. When I kneeled it came up to my chest as well. You get to touch, dance, kiss, hug, etc the dolphin. And they do both photos and video, available for purchase if you want. After you are done, you can go over and see the sea lions, and the gift shop is pretty decent too. Personally, I thought it was worth every single penny, as did my 3yr old DD. Book it!!! (and no, I promise I am not a spokesperson )