Dolphin Encounter at Chakanaab Questions

[nattie]

I want to do the Dolphin Encounter at Chankanaab (lowest level, since we have 2yo) and am a little worried about the timing.

 

Their website list earliest time at 1pm and out ship is in port 7am to 5pm. I called the park and they have refused to give me any information and stated that I MUST book through the cruiseline. I wouldn't have minded all that much since the price difference is not huge ($20), BUT cruiseline (Princess) doesn't have just Encounter program, theirs include swim and sea lions and manatees and on top of it doesn't wants money for my DS who is free according to the park website.

 

My question is how long is Dolphin Encounter program? Did anybody do it without pre-purchasing, just by showing up at the park?

[wantocruisemore]

I'm a little confused by the question. We did the Dolphin Royal Swim and it lasted about 1 1/2 hours. The seperate Manatee Swim was about an hour and the seperate Sea Lion swim was an hour.

 

If you can get through the cruise line all 3 for only $20 extra, I say go for it. My guess is you're getting just the dolphin with a few minutes free with the manatees thrown in and then able to see the free sea lion show that anyone at the park can see.

 

Yes you can walk up and book. Since we were there in Nov. they now have the deal with several cruise lines that if you come on that ship you can't book ahead. If you do a search on this board you will find out several people have. Some give hotels and others just wait til they get there.

 

My hope is that the Park will see a decline in participation and redo the deal with the ships. The ship excursion prices last Nov. were much higher than when we did it on our own. And it's easy to take a taxi there from the port for $10 (or $15 depending on your pier).

[nattie]

Thank you for the reply!

 

I am basically looking for just play time with dolphins, no swimming and that is what Encounter is. It is on the platform and doesn;t require any swimming whatsoever.

 

The list price is $79pp and cruiseline price is $99, BUT cruiseline has additional "swimming" time thrown in in the deep water and all the mantee and sea lion stuff. I just think all of that will be too much for 2yo, touching a dolphin and getting a "kiss" is plenty of stimulation for one day (overstimulated toddler in the sun is not fun to be around!) Also cruiseline states that kids are $79 when operator has under 3 free policy.

 

Anyway, I wanted to just do the encounter and then enjoy the park on our own, i.e. have mor flexibility with timing and when to return to ship.

 

From your experience, was it easy to "break from" the group so to speak? If we only participated in one activity out of 4? Or were everybody "hearded" from one station to the next?

[D-Roc]

There should be earlier times than 1pm. I have seen them start around 10am. Oh and I would really consider the full swim instead of standing on the dock. You will be missing out.

[wantocruisemore]

Thank you for the reply!

 

I am basically looking for just play time with dolphins, no swimming and that is what Encounter is. It is on the platform and doesn;t require any swimming whatsoever.

 

The list price is $79pp and cruiseline price is $99, BUT cruiseline has additional "swimming" time thrown in in the deep water and all the mantee and sea lion stuff. I just think all of that will be too much for 2yo, touching a dolphin and getting a "kiss" is plenty of stimulation for one day (overstimulated toddler in the sun is not fun to be around!) Also cruiseline states that kids are $79 when operator has under 3 free policy.

 

Anyway, I wanted to just do the encounter and then enjoy the park on our own, i.e. have mor flexibility with timing and when to return to ship.

 

From your experience, was it easy to "break from" the group so to speak? If we only participated in one activity out of 4? Or were everybody "hearded" from one station to the next?

 

For us, we were the only ones who had booked all 3 activities. We were escorted from one to the next but not "herded". We asked for and got a bathroom break between the manatee swim and sea lion swim.

I honestly think the sea lion thing mentioned in your cruise ship excursion has to do with the free sea lion show. They're not going to offer all 3 encounters/swims for that cheap.

 

We were on Carnival and taxi was $10. I don't know where Princess docks, but the taxis are all lined up and easy to get both ways.

[NHcruisergirl]

If you go to www.dolphindiscovery.com you should be able to book online if you want to save $. That is how I booked it 2 years ago when we swam with the dolphins (we too were coming from a cruise ship). My family LOVES Chankanaab and go there whenever we are in Cozumel (were just there last week matter of fact!). There is great snorkeling and free sea lion shows and lots of shade so your little one will not have to be in the sun all day. There is also a nice pool which is a nice break from the ocean. We did the full swim with the dolphins which I would recommend but you know your little one and what they can handle so do what you think would work best for you. Have fun!:D