Stay on Ship in Cozumel or do Dolphin Kids at Dolphinaris

[HCP55]

Hello! We will be traveling with a 5 and 3 year old and have booked the Dolphin Kids at Dolphinaris Shore Excursion while in Cozumel on our 5 Day Cruise- but I'm having second thoughts (largely based on cost). Has anyone done the Dolphin Kids Inclusive Excursion? Is it worth the cost for kids and observers? What are the pros/cons of just staying on the ship?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hello! We will be traveling with a 5 and 3 year old and have booked the Dolphin Kids at Dolphinaris Shore Excursion while in Cozumel on our 5 Day Cruise- but I'm having second thoughts (largely based on cost). Has anyone done the Dolphin Kids Inclusive Excursion? Is it worth the cost for kids and observers? What are the pros/cons of just staying on the ship?

Its good and its best to get off the ship imho to have some fund kids will love it.

 

[Melissa S]

Cozumel is such a beautiful island and the port area is very nice. It's not like Nassau. Haven't done that excursion but you should definitely get off the ship for a little, even if it is just to walk around for a couple hours and take pictures.

 

[RedStars]

We did that excursion with our then 6yo and 3yo and they LOVED it. Seeing the look of joy on my 3yo's face made it all worth it.
Keep in mind, you'll have to go in with them.

 

[flyersfan1129]

The dolphin excursions and pictures are expensive, but the look on my son's face in that picture..well, you just can't put a price on that.

 

[pierresgirl]

We did Dolphinaris 2 weeks ago, my dd15 did the swim and it was wonderful. I booked through Dolphinaris, not DCL so that was a savings plus it was close enough to walk rather than take a taxi. Here's a pic from where we were seated watching her and dh, the Wonder is on the right.



I think it was about 4 or 5 blocks

 

[Ofinn]

Whatever you don't stay on the ship. Cozumel is my favorite port.

 

[maraque]

While in Cozumel two years ago we did the dolphin encounter at Chankanaab. It was amazing! The park itself is beautiful, so much to do. I kept stalking the dolphin discovery website weekly because they constantly change their coupons until one day I landed a coupon for 50% off. It is a 10 minute cab ride from the port. Once you pay for a dolphin activity, entrance to the rest of the park is included. I have not been to Dolphinaris but I definitely recommend Chankanaab. The pictures they take of you (you cannot take any of your own) are highway robbery. The only reason we ended up purchasing was because we were a large group and were able to split the cost enough where it was almost reasonable. Otherwise you're looking at like $30/picture or $200 plus for a CD depending on how many people there are.

 

[HCP55]

Thank you everyone for your feedback - sounds like it is well worth it!

 

[mary0305]

Another vote for the Dolphin Swim at Chankanaab! We did this when we were on the Wonder a few weeks ago. I booked it through a local tour operator and saved TONS of money over booking thru DCL. Our kids are older and could go on their own. They also got time with a manatee with this group. Lunch and drinks were also included for them. The picture prices were crazy, but they came down off of the price after talking with them awhile. It is a national park and had a beautiful beach and great snorkeling. PM me and I will be glad to provide the website we used if you are interested.

 

[Amw1064]

We have done the Dolphin Swims at both Chankanaab and Dolphinaris. The one at Dolphinaris was nice because just my daughter did it, (so it was cheaper) and they allowed a parent to go with and "help" for free. My daughter was 5 or 6 when she did Dolphinaris.

eta/ our favorite excursion in Cozumel is the Fury Catamaran. It is pretty cheap in comparison to most and we do it almost everytime we go. You get to snorkel, go to a beach for an hour to hour and a half that has all kinds of water inflatable to climb and jump on and then you sail back to the port.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

Do your research into dolphin captivity. I wanted to do a dolphin swim, but after doing the research, I changed my mind. There are so many better ways to spend your time and money in Cozumel!