Need dolphin encounter advice - long

[jdlr]

Hi! I am planning a dolphin encounter excursion for our 4-day Wonder cruise.

I was planning to book the one on Freeport because the price is cheaper than the one on Nassau.

Anyway, I called DCL and asked if pregnant women can go on the excursion. The lady I talked to said that they discourage this. Since I will be a few months on the way by the time we cruise, I will be skipping the excursion then.

I would still like to go and take pictures of DH and the kids(9 & 4). For the Freeport one though, she said I would still have to pay full price to get to go with my family. Also, the lady said she's not sure if there's an observation place where I can take pictures/videos from.

For Nassau, she said I can just pay $38 if I was going to the place but not joining the encounter.

Nassau would still be a little more expensive by about $50 for us 4.

So, I would like to get input from other cruisers who've gone on these dolphin encounters.
- Which of the encounters is better?
- Those who've gone to the Freeport encounter, did you notice if there's an area where others not joining the encounter can stand and take pictures/videos from?
- Is it worth it to go as an observer? If not, I'm thinking, I might just ask my husband to go with the kids while I go to the spa or go shopping.

Sorry about the long post. I'd appreciate any input though.

Thanks!

 

[4crusinransiers]

Well you asked for advice. You and others should think long and hard about promoting Dolphin Swims, Dolphins die in Mexico and other countrys due to this practice. Please see this link.
http://www.freethedolphins.org/letters_manati_park.htm
I took my family to Southern Mexico and in a remote area we hired a guide to take us to some small Islands. On the way we encountered these beutiful animals in the wild. Just my opinion, but I beleive this a better way to see Dolphins.

 

[DISJAZZ]

I think that jdlr was asking for advice about which dolphin encounter to try. I looked hard through jdlr's post and I didn't see anything about requesting a lecture. I think that most people use the Dis Boards to find answers to their questions. Perhaps lectures would be better given in another forum.

 

[4crusinransiers]

Geez...My opinion, not a lecture....He asked for advice. Some people never think of it as animal abuse but it is.
Last I heard this was still a free country
For us Humans anyhow, but not for captive dolphins

 

[DISJAZZ]

It looks to me like jdlr asked some innocent questions seeking information for her family's vacation. I can't see how you attempted to answer her questions. There is a "Debate Board" forum on this website. Maybe you should start a thread there. It looks to me like you ignored jdlr's questions and then took a slap at her. I think that's uncalled for. Freedom of speech should not be equated with the freedom to attack others who are innocently seeking information.

 

[Dreamer04]

ANYWAY.....Hi jdlr, I was on the Blue Lagoon Doplhin Encounter in Nassau with my DD, 5 in Jan '03. We loved it!

There are pictures and a video you can buy. They are probably more than $38, though. Also, if you schedule this excursion early, you can then spend the rest of the day at Blue Lagoon Beach, which I thought was lovely.

The problem with Nassau is there is not much else to do. Freeport was just as bad. I didn't care for Nassau ( been there several times before). So, the excursion was perfect for us.

If you have any other questions about the dolphin excursion in Nassau, I'll be happy to help anyway I can.

Also, check out these informative sites:
www.castawayclub.com
www.dcltribute.com

Good Luck

 

[4crusinransiers]

Disjazz, my comments were Dolphin swim related. Yours were not. I do not see where you gave advise...hum. Move on to something you actually know something about