Question RE: Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel

[LWILDP]

Hi,

We're doing a Western Cruise in Jan 2016 with a 4 and 8 yr old and are considering doing the Dolphin Discovery at Chankanaab Park in Cozumel. Because of our kids ages, we're thinking of doing the Dolphin Encounter with the younger child and the Dolphin Swim Adventure with the older one. I have two questions:

1) Because they are doing different "experiences" will they be split up the whole time? While I fully expect that during the dolphin encounter/swim they'll be in different "pens" presumably we can hang out the rest of the time together. What if we booked via DCL? Would they separate us because they're classified as two different excursions?

2) For those of who who've gone would you recommend booking through DCL or on your own. I like the freedom and possibly lower cost of doing it on our own, but the times aren't until the afternoon where presumably DCL excursions are in the morning. Just curious to hear people's personal experiences.

Finally because our 4yr old isn't tall I'm hoping that the platform isn't too deep and she can actually stand.

Thanks in advance for any feedback/views.

 

[rosaciri]

Hi - we did this last year on the same cruise. The dolphin swim and encounter where in the same pens just at different ends. My girls were 2 and 7 at the time. They both luved it. My little one wasn't suppose to do it but somehow she did it as well. They ended up giving her a jacket to wear as everyone has to wear one and my husband basically stood behind her when she was standing in the water which was shallow. The dolphins swim past, you get to pat them, feed them and they do tricks as well. You are also able to get photos taken. My husband and I just alternated in taking pics from the side of the pool.. Would highly recommend it - great experience and I have some great pics from the day.

They will only split you up for the duration of the event but not the whole day. I think the event is about 2 hours or so. I booked my excursions directly through DCL and it wasn't a problem - there are different times from memory. I liked the fact that DCL organised it, they took us out to the park for the excursion and it wasn't a problem getting back either.

Everyone doing the dolphin experience stands on the edge - its sort of like the beach where u have sand and are able to walk in the water. Happy to post pics if u like from my one.

Enjoy ur cruise - it will be here before u know it. We are planning our second DCL in April 2017 - doing Eastern Carribean Cruise on The Fantasy. Its a great ship and we luved every minute of it apart from when we had to get off on our last morning - sad to have left after having a great time. We travelled from Australia to do the cruise and it was well worth it.

 

[Madzac]

We were in your same situation in March. Older kids and dad did the swim and younger DD then almost 4 and I did the encounter. We all met together in the same lounge and walked off the ship together. They put us in taxis and the 6 of us were together again. Once arriving we were given instructions and found the lockers for our stuff. Only then after grabbing life jackets did we split. We were in two different pens. I could see where the others were but not watch them. The encounter took maybe 45 min and then we met back up to view our photos. They easily combined them for us on one CD. Pictures were amazing and we talked them way down from over 400 to 150 for the CD.

The rest of the day we were able to spend together and enjoyed the pool and sea lion show. We were able to depart anytime hourly over the afternoon and again cabbed it back together.

We really enjoyed it! I'm sure you could do it yourself for less and taxis were plentiful but it sure was nicely organized through DCL and we felt we had plenty of time!

 

[Madzac]

Oh and my little DD could not touch. The water was fairly high. I held her for the duration and the mom next to me took her when I had my turn. It worked out ok.

 

[lillygator]

can you take your own photos?

 

[WIFamily]

We weren't on Disney when we visited Chakanaab (Dolphin Discovery) in 2010. We did it privately and not through Carnival. As others have said the park is open to you once you check in, so there's no issue with different ages and programs. Others have also said that the water is pretty deep. My add here is that this park is exposed to the ocean, with concrete docks and chain-link fencing; also cat walks under the water to stand on. In 2010 we had a good deal of wind and wave - probably 2-3 foot waves. It was difficult at times due to the waves.

 

[WIFamily]

can you take your own photos?

With our private visit in 2010 we were able to. I brought a water camera with and had no issues taking pictures and videos while participating. I have no idea if that's changed.

 

[Madzac]

They said no photos or video when we were there.

 

[princessmommyx3]

can you take your own photos?

We went through DCL in 2013 and were not allowed to take our own photos.