Dolphin Push, Pull & Swim ~Cozumel

[aurelius180]

RCCL - Push, Pull & Swim ($99)
-Taxi
-Locker
-Entrance to Park
-Dolphin Kiss
-Boogie Board Ride
-Dorsal Tow
-Free Time

Dolphin Discovery - Royal Swim ($118 w/discount)
-Locker
-Entrance to Park
-Dolphin Song
-Dorsal Tow
-Foot Push
-Handshake
-Hug
-Kiss
-Two Dolphins for Excursion
-Free Time
-Really Cool Synchronized Show at the End
-About an hour with the dolphins


As you can see above there are some major differences. They may seem minor but when you're paying for time with dolphins it makes a difference. The biggest difference is the Foot Push! That was simply amazing!! I'm 270lbs and they really got me up there. By the wording it sounds like the RCCL excursion only has one dolphin where the Royal Swim has twon(boogie board instead of foot push).

Taxi ride is quick and pretty cheap. One company runs it and there were a couple dozen waiting at the pier when we arrived and a couple dozen waiting at Chankanaab for people leaving. There's some at each stop who manages the drivers and will get you a cab. Very well run and efficient.

[ruffs]

It seems we have to book at least one adult, but can the other adult just hang out and watch the wife and kids do the Royal swim with the dolphins? I'm not all that interested in actually getting in the water. Thanks in advance.

[cawagner]

If we did book direct I am not sure how to do that with the time zones...we are supposed dock at 10am...would that be est? Cozumel is cst right?

What if by some reason the ship has to miss going to Cozumel, would I just be out of luck with the money I paid? I know with RCCL they refund you for missed port excursions.

[cawagner]

Per their website....

1. - If for some reason I need to cancel my program? What is the cancellation policy?
All cancellations requested at least 5 days before your program are subject to a 10% bank transaction fee. No refunds will apply for cancellations requested 4 days or less before your program.


2. - What happens if my trip by cruise ship or plane is cancelled and I cannot make it to my program?
Let us know. Only if you send us a letter from the airline or cruise ship company informing about the situation, we will schedule again the same program for any date with a valid certificate for a year or we will give you a 90% refund on the total cost, due to a 10% cancellation charge.


3. - Will I have a refund if there is bad weather the day of my program or if it is cancelled for some reason?
You will be able to enjoy your program during the next 7 days or we will offer a certificate valid for one year + 15% discount on additional bookings

This past June my friend went on a cruise and one of the stops was supposed to be Cozumel and her ship didnt go to this port because of the swine flu. I can't take the chance of missing that port and not getting a full refund, even a certificate wouldn't do me any good because who knows when we will get on another cruise, it sounds good but I just can't take my chances of it getting cancelled for whatever reason. Thanks for all the input tho...I think we are going to just book it through RCCL

[ruffs]

Cawagner, when are you going? Please let us know how it goes through the ship.

We are going this weekend, on Enchantment, Saturday I think. We booked direct and will let you know how it goes. Almost did it through RCCI, but I was worried that since it costs a bit less that we'd get less...

[mechcc]

Has anyone waited to book the Royal Swim directly upon arrival at Cozumel?

[ruffs]

When we called they made it seem like they had a ton of availability. I did read somewhere, though it may not be correct, that if you just walk up then you have to pay for the park entrance then the fee for the dolphins. Not sure if that is true or not.

Also, if you book 4 (maybe 3?) dolphin swims then they supposedly will pay for your taxi.

[SingingPixie]

Originally Posted by mechcc

Has anyone waited to book the Royal Swim directly upon arrival at Cozumel?

I booked mine ahead of time, but my friend decided to join me when we arrived in Cozumel. We just talked to the gentleman who checked me in and he was able to get my friend into the same group I was in. I'm sure they'll let you book same-day as long as they have availability. Maybe check to see how many ships will be in port with you before deciding if you want to chance waiting?

[Debbie's-cruising]

I didn't read all the posts, but I have done this 5 times...Royal is the best....do it on your own....Just go in the morning (not too early), and you'll be able to shop in Cozumel and not worry about missing ship!! They take great pics and videos that will keep you in the dolphin area awhile longer, but worth the price unless you plan to do this more than once in your life. Enjoy!!!!!

[Desert Cruizers]

Our one time Dolphin encounter tour was in 2006 in Acapulco, at the Sea Park. We had 15 in our Van and were divided into two groups, the first group interacted with them, pet them, and the best part was when we laid out on our stomach, feet and arms elevated and at the whistle, the two Dolphins came up behind and propelled us across the pool. When the trainer blew the whistle again, they stopped and we were launched out of the water. We moved over to the 2nd pool where we were taught how to make them do certain tricks, at the end we each received a video. Cost $150 pp.

[klfr]

We were in Cozumel on Nov 11 on the Enchantment. I kept watching the Dolphin Discovery website because each month they change the specials. I got a great deal on the Swim Adventure, it was $49.50 per person and then an additional $4 for entry into the park. Enchantment changes it's time to be on Cozumel time, but we had so much time to do this at our leisure that it wasn't an issue.

We had no trouble getting a taxi when we were ready, and the drive there was really quick. It was $10 for the taxi ride each way.

We had booked our swim for 1pm but when we got there, they asked if we wanted to go in the 12pm group. We had a chance to explore the archeological exhibit there and still have enough time to put our things into lockers (free) and get ready for the swim.

There were about 12 people in our group and we each had a chance to kiss and hug the dolphin, go for a belly ride and get a foot push from the dolpin. The waves were really strong that day so we didn't have the opportunity to snorkel around the dolphin enclosure, which was disappointing. We spent most of the time holding onto the fence because of the strong waves. I did a dolphin swim in Cuba 2 years ago, and I feel like we didn't get nearly as much time with the dolphins in Cozumel. We still had a great time, and I would have done it again, booking it on my own.

After the swim, we had lunch at Chankanaab. It was really good and pretty reasonably price. It was about $24 for three lunches and three cokes. Mine was delicious too.

We headed over to the snorkelling area, but it was pretty rough so we just explored the grounds and relaxed on the beach. When we were ready, and we took our time, there were taxis waiting for us and we were back at the port with enough time to do some shopping.

The group from the cruise ship was herded in together, it seemed like a big group, although I saw that they were broken down into smaller groups for the actual swim.

It was so easy to do it on my own. I'm a single parent travelling with two kids, and it was a nice, easy, leisurely day. And by watching the website, I got a great deal, considerably less than RCCL.