If I book my own Dolphin Encounter at Nassau, how long will I be away from ship?

[Leigha]

I want to try and book my own excursion that won't include the beach portion that Disney includes. How long will it take to travel and do the excursion? I also want to be able to walk around Nassau a little while.

 

[Hopkins]

We did the Swim-with-the-Dolphin program at 3:30PM on the January 17th sailing of the Wonder. We just loved it! You have to get to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal 30 minutes before your scheduled time, so we left the cruise ship at 2:30PM. This really was too much time, but it let us wander around the Atlantis resort a bit. We took a taxi from DCL to Atlantis even though I told her that we wanted to go to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal (it was a short walk, and also a beautiful day) for $4/person. From the Ferry Teriminal it's a 20 minute high speed catamaran to Blue Lagoon. I didn't realize this. The dolphin program at Blue Lagoon ended around 5PM, but the returning catamaran didn't leave until 6PM. It first stops at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, but stay on, and then it takes you to the cruise ships. We were back on-board for "Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer" about 10 minutes late. You do have the morning and most of the afternoon in Nassau. The Dolphin Encounter people once you tell them that you are on a Disney ship, they schedule you for later in the day since they know we'll be docked there until evening. I wanted a morning program, and got the run around. I guess your wondering about if they have showers. Well, they do, but they are outside. Really the best you can do is get the salt water off you, change in the bathrooms into your new clothes, go to the show on the ship and between the show and dinner, shower and change, again. That's if you have late seating for dinner. The program and trainers (and dolphins) were outstanding. A highlight of our trip.

I hope this helps.
Tina

 

[willow0256]

We loved the Dolphin Encounter and plan on booking it on our own again (and not through Disney). We plan to get an early appoinment so we can stay at Blue Lagoon. They have a beach there, and there were only two other people on it. We prefer to avoid the crowds! I would say the encounter itself takes from 1- 1/2 hours, if my memory serves me correctly. They have a website you can check out. I is www.dolphinswims.com. If you decide you want to get the photo album (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!), you do have to wait 10-20 minutes longer for the pictures to be developed. Enjoy your cruise!

- May 12, 2000, Disney Magic 4 Day/3 night
- April 28, 2001, Disney Magic 7 Day
- May 23, 2001, Disney Wonder 4 Day/3 night

 

[Leigha]

Thanks for all the info! I didn't notice a photo album available on the site. What is it and how much does it cost?

 

[willow0256]

When we went 2 years ago, it was $89. It may be more now, not sure. But it was a beautiful album, with lots on 8x10, and 5x7 shots. In addition, if you sign up for the photo album, you are taken to a special area where you get more "one on one" time with the dolphins. My guess is that they do this in order to get better photos. Usually only 10-12 people agree to the photos and you are taken to a separate pool from the other 20-30 people, hence more individual time with the dolphins. I know it it expensive, but it is well worth it. We have wonderful 8 x 10's of me, my husband and my daughter hugging the dolphins, etc. It was great. And you don't have to worry about missing out on the enjoyment by juggling your own camera...