Dolphins: Dolphin Discovery vs. RC Tour

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sstaarzz

Guest
hi
this is our first cruise (10/30/04 Navigator western caribbean)

would like to know if there is any difference between the tour that Dolphin Discovery sells called the "Royal Swim" and the "Swim and Snorkel" that the cruise line offers.
DD is $125 compared to $136 from the cruise line but i believe the cruise line price already includes the taxi fare to the park as well as admission. I heard the Royal Swim is a great program (does not include snorkel) but would be interested if anyone ever booked the dolphins thru the cruise line.
thanks
happy sailing.

judy
ps...how do i get the count down to my cruise to appear on my posts??
 
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hkolln

Guest
There is two different "swim" programs with the dolphins.
Go to dolphindiscovery.com and they describe them both. One is a swim with them (the swim) and you snorkel...the other is more advanced tricks (the royal swim) with them and you snorkel. So the royal swim is more advanced tricks and that is why it's more expensive.

On our cruise on the Voyager is only the Swim with the dolphins (which is a couple tricks and snorkeling which is the cheaper one) is 136.00 also. It includes transportation to the park and admission. Since the swim is 99 by itself, then you have to add 12.00 admission, plus taxi fare we are just going to book thru the cruiseline instead. Then if there is any problems with time we won't be left behind by the ship too.
If you book thru dolphin discovery just remember it doesn't include the park admission plus the taxi to get you there from the pier.



Post Edited (07-18-04 12:25)
 
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sstaarzz

Guest
thanks for your reply.
i just spoke with dolphin discovery and will make my reservation for 2pm; if the ship docks at 10 (which really might be 9 in cozumel but no one can really help me with that one) then we should be fine.

dolphin discovery is charging 125 which i know does not include taxi or admit to park. you get to swim with the dolphins, do the foot push and dorsal tow.

royal carribean charges the 133 or 136 which like you said includes transport, admit to park but only does a belly ride with the dolphin.

i am tending to go with dolphin discovery for the fact that they are taking reservations now and royal carribean is not (i went to their website and it said to check back later). if i wait too long i will be closed out perhaps.
 
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hkolln

Guest
Just be sure the actual dolphin thing doesn't last too late. The reason we didn't book thru Dolphin Discovery on our past March cruise was the swim wouldn't get done til like 30min prior to our ship leaving port and we would have never made it back in time. Just make time for a taxi to bring you back to the ship so you don't miss the ship.

I'm leaning more towards not doing the dolphin swim now because I really am not for them exploiting them for money. I've been reading up on it and from what I've read it only a tourist thing and money thing to them. I just hope it's not that cause I'd hate for them to be harming the animals in any way, especially just for profit.

Let us know how it goes! When are you going?



Post Edited (07-18-04 14:34)
 
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sstaarzz

Guest
We are going on the October 30 2004 western carribean cruise. Our reservation for dolphin discovery is for 2PM and the ship departs cozumel at 7PM... so i think we should have enough time.

I would hate to think that the dolphins were harmed in any way.
 
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BamaBelle

Guest
You made the right choice sstaarzz...we booked with Dolphin Discovery and loved it. The whole thng lasts about an hour and you are pushed and pulled through the water by the dolphins...awesome. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
 
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