swimming with dolphins

[MindydLeon]

me again ... has anyone out there done the swimming with dolphins excursion at freeport ... not the close encounter (we waited too long and there are no more available spots for that through dcl), I called dolphin encounter at sanctuary bay and was told about a swim with the dolphins program ($139 per person) -- just wondering if anyone has done it before and if it's worth the cost ... i also wouldn't mind hearing about the dolphin thing at blue lagoon ... it costs more than the encounter at freeport but I think it's the same concept as the encounter at Freeport (doesn't seem like a lot of interaction with the dolphins at all) Thanks for the info ...

 

[mikeymars]

O.K., not to start a war here, but I must admit I am not a fan of these dolphins as toy "encounters," and shame on Disney for supporting them in any shape, manner or form.

These animals belong free in the sea, not held captive (which they are by the firms that run these so-called "encounters," they literally go out to sea, chase wild dolphins until they are too tired to flee and then snatch 'em for your enjoyment) to be "played with" by well-meaning tourists just so some third world investor can make a big, fat profit.

And understand this is coming from someone who is anything but a nutty hard core environmental nazi. I just get sick at the thought of animals being abused, which there is clear, inarguable evidence is going on here (made blatantly clear to any thinking person who checks out the below):

http://www.inkokomo.com/dolphin/captivity.html

http://www.wspa-americas.org/dolphins-html/letters_curacao.htm

http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/marine/itn_flipperflap.html

http://mytravelboard.com/playa/messages/4489.html

 

[reggie92762]

I also hate circus like atmospheres but that is not what I found in Freeport at all!! This is an open cove and the dolphins come and go as they please. They are not held in and seemed to be treated with love. There is no netting in and they always come back because they are well treated. Just an FYI.

 

[Thumper1]

Would someone just answer MindydLeon's question?

Thank you reggie92762 for your much appreciated and kind input.

 

[MindydLeon]

I promise to post here when I get back ... we are swimming with the dolphins end of this month ... will post early May ... but I would still like to hear from someone who has done it ... Thanks for all the help ....

 

[Familyof6]

Mindy,
I know these GS's did the encounter about a yr ago. You can read their trip report. It talks a bit about what was observed of the "swim".
You'll have to do a search of the trip reports for the one by Girl Scout Troop #37. I can't seem to figure out how to put a link here.
I have yet to cruise, but we are booked in the encouter for mid-May. I've very excited for my children to be able to learn about these animals and have some interaction.

Is DCL booked up as well as UNEXSO? Did you call UNEXSO directly and they told you they were booked? Just wondering.

Good luck and let us all know how it goes!

Lisa

 

[MindydLeon]

Hi Lisa! thanks for the clues ... I'll be trying to find more info (and like I said I will post here after we return) ... DCL was booked, they told me the dolphin excursions are the very first to sell out (my guess is especially at Freeport, because the rate is cheaper) When I called UNEXSO directly, they did have spots for both the encounter and the swim, but the times were not very desirable, the times available were later in the day (11:30am and 1:30pm) and I was worried about any delay at all causing us to miss the ship ... it is cheaper if you go directly through UNEXSO but you are responsible for getting there and getting back to the ship on your own.

 

[Familyof6]

According to GST 37 it only takes about 20 mins to get there. We have signed up for the 1:30pm and I don't expect to have any problems. We also booked on our own because Disney doesn't let my 2 yr old go and UNEXSO does. (besides that it's cheaper) We don't get into Freeport until 9 something so I was afraid to book anything too early for fear we wouldn't be able to get off the ship early enough.
I hope we don't have any trouble getting to and from...Pam from GST 37 assured me it was easy...as did the guy at UNEXSO!

I hope you enjoy your cruise!

Lisa

 

[MindydLeon]

Hi Lisa! thanks for the clues ... I'll be trying to find more info (and like I said I will post here after we return) ... DCL was booked, they told me the dolphin excursions are the very first to sell out (my guess is especially at Freeport, because the rate is cheaper) When I called UNEXSO directly, they did have spots for both the encounter and the swim, but the times were not very desirable, the times available were later in the day (11:30am and 1:30pm) and I was worried about any delay at all causing us to miss the ship ... it is cheaper if you go directly through UNEXSO but you are responsible for getting there and getting back to the ship on your own.

 

[MindydLeon]

I'm sure it will be fine ... i "over" worry about everything (character flaw) ... anyway ... I hope you and your family enjoy your cruise as well ... I'm sure you will ... we will definitely post when we get back ... I feel like I owe so much to these boards and if anyone else is addicted to these boards like I am, maybe our report can help them get their "fix"!

Happy Cruising!
Mindy

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by reggie92762
I also hate circus like atmospheres but that is not what I found in Freeport at all!! This is an open cove and the dolphins come and go as they please. They are not held in and seemed to be treated with love. There is no netting in and they always come back because they are well treated. Just an FYI.

Would someone just answer MindydLeon's question?

Thank you reggie92762 for your much appreciated and kind input.

Hmmm....think for a moment.

As referenced in a link in my original post on this thread, the financial success of the first few “swim with the dolphins“ attractions in the Caribbean has lead to a continuing proliferation of them across that entire area. Unfortunately, most are not run as “nicely” as the one in Freeport.

“So what?” the reader may think. “We aren’t discussing those other swims.”

Oh yes we are – for your dollars talk. Every time some DCL client uses the swim in Freeport, they send a loud message to all the other islands in the Caribbean that their tourism won't grow unless that island gets it’s own proprietary swim with the dolphins attraction.

Which is leading a huge rush to build those attractions ASAP, which in turns has lead to the entry of less than professional promoters who (a) DO capture wild doplphins, (b) DO cage them, (c) DO force them work in poor conditions and (d) DO burn them out with 3-4 years. In other words, the animal abuse discussed earlier is growing because the profiteers view YOUR use of dolphin swims anywhere as a big, flashing green light.

Again, you dollars talk. So regardless of where you swim with dolphins, the mere fact that you do means you are part of the problem. As is Disney for supporting their use.