Dolphin Swim in PV?

[bridegirl]

What are the times that this is offered?

It is sold out for our cruise, but there is some thinking here on the boards that the concierge can maybe get us in.

Also, has anyone done this with young kids? The age says five and up - we have 4 six year olds who want to do it.

Trying to schedule our day - just curious about the times.

Thanks so much for any advice or information!

Susy

 

[jel0511]

I have to say that we did the kids encounter for ages 4 - 8. The encounter/swim pool was right next door. Personally for the amount of money we paid, it was o.k. but I wouldn't do it again. The water is VERY cold and my 4YO wouldn't go in because it was too cold and they were on a platform, not completely immersed. They do not provide wet suits so it is REALLY cold, the water is kept at 65 degrees we were told. For the swim, probably too cold for really little ones since it lasta 45 minutes. You really don't get to interact as much as you think, and with little ones, tough. They did offer every hour on the hour, until 4PM with about 2 hours (I can't remember which one) not having one. I do remember 8, 9, 11, 1, 3 and 4 though, there were at least one more though. I wouldn't recommend this excursion for a bunch of 6YO's though if they really want to see the dolphins, do the dolphins kids excursion.

 

[bridegirl]

Whats the difference between to encounter and the swim?

Would it help if I bring wet suits? Even if just for the encounter?

It seems there are 4 dolphin things listed in PV.

Thanks,

Susy

 

[jel0511]

The encounter has you standing on a submerged platform, the kids platform has them up to their mid thighs. My 7YO didn't think the water was too cold, but I can see her being scared during the swim. 6YO's can't do the regular encounter, only the kids encounter, my guess the platorm is more submerged in the regular encounter. The swim you are actually in the water with the dolphins and HAVE to wear a life vest. I guess you could bring your own wetsuits, that might help with the water temp. It is really not as interactive as I thought it would be and am glad that I didn't "waste" the money on it. My kids (well daughter since son didn't like the cold water) got a lot out of the kids encounter, more than I think they would have gotten out of the swim. I think they got more individualized attention from the trainers than the "swimmers" got, probably because it was a kid program. The main thing in the swim program is that you get to ride the dolphins, which you don't get to do in kids encounter. Other than that, the programs seemed the same, and I think the kids get more out of the encounter than the swim based on what I observed and talking to other DCL passengers after.

 

[bridegirl]

Thanks so much!

Sounds like I will sign up for kids encounter and bring wet suits!

My poor DS is spoiled by life in sunny california - our pool at home is always WARM, and he thinks his pool at school is FREEZING at 80 degrees. LOL.

Both my boys have the light weight wet suits that we use for ocean swimming here in LA, so I can bring those.

Thanks for your insight - it's very helpful! I never would have thought about the water temperature.

Susy

 

[mommykeg]

My DS4 did the dolphin encounter for kids. I brought a wetsuit for him. He never complained about the temperature of the water and he had a GREAT time!!! He loved the interaction with the dolphins and the trainers (There were 3 or 4 of them for the 10 children) were FABULOUS with the kids!

DD8 and DH did the dolphin swim. DD said it was better than she had thought it would be. She said she got to swim with, touch, and interact with the dolphins for longer than she thought she would be able to. She had a wetsuit as well, but DH didn't, and neither complained about the water temperature. Their only complaint was that the water was REALLY salty and stung their eyes! Both really enjoyed the experience and were glad they did it.

I was only an observer on this trip, but when my son is old enough for the swim, he and I will do it together. DD and DH will probably do something else. For the money, it's probably a "once in a lifetime" experience. But definitely worth doing once!

 

[bridegirl]

Will they let you wear goggles?

Thanks,
Susy

 

[Eeyorefan12]

Will they let you wear goggles?Thanks,
Susy

They probably would...although no one in the group we went with had them that I could see. My DH, my DD11 and DS9 went on the swim. My DS9 is kind of a shy kiddo with some sensory issues but he only complained about the salt water at the end when the dolphins did a directed jump in front of the group to say goodbye and he wasn't ready and got water splashed in his eyes. (But I have video of him riding the dolphin with waves hitting him in the face and he's grinning from ear to ear.) Otherwise, everyone had a great time. I could see younger ones used to west coast beaches thinking the water is a little cold but my DH, a former lifeguard, assures me it was at least 70. Because it was a hot day (which it probably will be for you), he called it "extremely comfortable."

I understand there are different locations for the swims/encounters because they give the dolphins a break. The one we went to (the first group, at 9 a.m.) were in the same huge pool with the groups separated by concrete walkways that the dolphins could just swim under. I was an observer and watched both groups from where I was. We also saw the encounter photos available to buy afterward and there were some awfully darling once-in-a-lifetime shots there! It was a lot of money but was considered one of the highlights of the cruise for our group of 7. I hope you get to go.

CB

 

[jlima]

Bring lots of patience with you to the PV dolphin center.

Expect a lot of hurry up and wait. DS11 and I had the 2pm slot for the Dolphin Encounter. We waited in Diversions to leave (you are give DCL's waivers to sign); we waited just outside the ship after we disembarked, just to get on their bus; we waited when we got there (you are given their waiver to sign); and we waited again for the encounter to begin.

You cannot take your own pictures, during your encounter. If you want photos you have to purchase theirs. At our encounter, there were two groups of 8 and the photographer took photos of both groups and then left to dump her camera; even though we were in the first group of 8 we couldn't look at our photos until the second group was done; because the same photographer took pictures of both groups. When we made it to the photo area EVERYONE at the dolphin center was there trying to get pictures at the same time and it was extremely disorganized.

When you get to the photo area ASK FOR A FORM IMMEDIATELY. (we waited 10 minutes before someone started to give out forms) The pictures will be scrolling on the TV screens & each frame is numbered. Write down the number of the pictures you want; then give the form to the staff behind the counter. They will give you a copy that you take to their gift shop in order to pay. After you pay, you have to return to the photo area (where everyone is still crowding around to pick up forms and look at the screens!) to show the receipt and pick up your pictures.

Check your bag for the pictures they give you; I ordered 4 pictures and they only gave me 2 and I had to ask them to find the remainder of what I ordered.

When we were dropped off there was no mention of what times the bus would leave to return to the ship. After I picked up our pictures we walked back to the entrance and there were 2 busses sitting there. After we got on the driver refused to leave until every seat was filled and we waited for about 10 - 15 minutes for just four more people. One man even got off the bus & went back inside to ask one of their staff to make an announcement that the busses were available to board. We didn't leave the dolphin center until 5:15pm and made it back to the ship at 5:40. We practically dived into our Pirate outfits (without a shower!) and made it to Animator's by 6:10.

The actual experience with the dolphin was teriffic and DS11 really enjoyed it. But if you have the early dinner seating try to get times at the Dolphin center before 2pm. They are just not organized enough to get you back in a timely manner.

 

[challada]

Will they let you wear goggles?

Thanks,
Susy

The trainers themselves wear sunglasses in the pool so I would guess that yes, kids could wear goggles.

My DD (5) did kid encounter and loved it...never complained about the water temp!

DS (10) and I did swim and loved it...never a problem w/the water.
Grandparents did a swim hour later and were in a different facility...loved it too!

Only thing I think that is the most important to remember is you are not allowed to use sunscreen and it is all in the bright sun...I brought tshirts for everyone to wear in the pool...of course, DD took hers off getting in the pool and had a slightly sunburned tummy (I was already in the water at the other end of the facility).