Swim with dolphin- can we book privately?

[CRUISING71]

Hello,

 

We are looking at dolphin swim for our daughter, I know they offer it in Cabo and PV, can we book this privately with Vallarta Adventure or it is one of those tour where you have to book directly with the ship?

 

Which place is better for Dolphin Swim? Cabos or PV?

[birdblaster]

I'll try and answer this with the best knowledge I have about it. I have been checking on the exact same thing.

 

Through vallarta adventures and cabo adventures(same company) there is a price difference of about $20 for adults and $60 for children(11yrs and younger) between the two, Cabo being the most expensive. However there is a cab ride to get to the one in Puerto Vallarta(PV) which is about $20 each way from what I have read so the cab ride pretty much negates the cost difference especially considering that the dolphin center in Cabo is right at the pier within a very short walk.

 

I booked on my own through Cabo Adventures. When you are on their web site they declare that you need to book through your cruise ship. In the reservation process they even ask you where you are staying and it lists all the hotels in the area along with options for a cruise ship. The first time I ran through it I selected my ship and it rejected my reservations. So I went in a second time and just selected one of the hotels in Cabo and it let me book the reservation. Now all we have to do is get off the Mariner and walk down the sidewalk and play with the dolphins and save some money. They currently have a 15% discount for booking online.

 

As far as which is better I don't know because I've never been to either but I do know that the one in Cabo is new and supposed to be pretty nice. Hope that helps.

[CRUISING71]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with me. I try to book with directly with the tour company and they kept telling me to book with the ship, so I am little confuse.

 

What happen if you book directly with them and they found out we are on the ship? Will they let us in or do they have the right to reject our booking?

 

We have been to Cabos a few time, but this time my daughter really want to do the dolphin swim. Most of the time we just hang out at lover beach.

[CRUISING71]

I just check the ship price it is cheaper than Cabodolphins even with the 15% discount?

 

Weird. I tried to call them, but got a busy signal, will try again to make sure the website price is correct if book directly with them.

[Puffinater]

When we booked in March we booked through an agency. When we were in line at VallartaAdventure there were folks buying the dolphin swim. The only issue was the availabilty of time slots. You can head over there and hope for a time slot but given the short time you are there it would be best to prebook.

[birdblaster]

I just check the ship price it is cheaper than Cabodolphins even with the 15% discount?

 

Weird. I tried to call them, but got a busy signal, will try again to make sure the website price is correct if book directly with them.

 

Make sure you are not comparing apples to oranges. By that I mean there are varying levels of dolphin interaction. There is the basic where you just stand on a platform in very shallow water and the dolphin swims up to you. This is usually called the dolphin encounter.

Then there is a dolphin swim where you are actually out in the middle of the pool which allows the dolphin to swim around you. The swim also usually includes a belly ride where you get to be pulled by the dolphin around the pool. The time with the dolphin is usually longer with the swim and is more than the encounter.

 

If you are that nervous booking independently then I would just book through the cruise line, especially where you only have one that is doing it. When we are going there will be five of us. Booking through the cruise line would cost us about $150-$200 more.

 

Whatever you decide good luck and have fun!

[CRUISING71]

Birdy,

 

I am comparing swim with dolphin, not encounter. The price on RCCL is cheaper, I was surprise too. I also have the shore excursion from Carnival from our April sailed and it is $ 159 per person for dolphin swim and $109 for Dolphin encounter.

 

Do you know if they charge for tag along? My daughter and son want to swim, but I don't. They are 10 and 13, so no need for adult participation.

[lisa e]

Birdy,

 

I am comparing swim with dolphin, not encounter. The price on RCCL is cheaper, I was surprise too. I also have the shore excursion from Carnival from our April sailed and it is $ 159 per person for dolphin swim and $109 for Dolphin encounter.

 

Do you know if they charge for tag along? My daughter and son want to swim, but I don't. They are 10 and 13, so no need for adult participation.

Hi,

I bought the Dolphin Signature Swim tour from P.V. Tours back in Nov, for our July sailing..I saved quite a bit every paying adult the child goes free..We had to change our sailing date to Sept.when I called to move the booking the lady said on Wed. in PV the cruise lines put a block on the dolphin excursions..They were able to move mine but you may want to call directly to see if it is available..I am not sure about Cabo..I know carnival wanted 175.00 per pax no discount for children..I paid 270.00 total..good luck and safe travels..lis

[CRUISING71]

Hi,

 

Okay...here is the scope. I called Cabodolphin swim...$ 169 per person for a dolphin swim. Doesn't matter if you adult or kid. If you book online you save 15%. Just don't tell them you are on a cruise ship.

 

If you book through RCCL, it is $ 145 for adult and $ 130 for children age 5 to 11. If children under 10, you need an adult particiaption, that mean a paying adult. If children over 10, parents can tag alongs for free and watch at the observation deck.

 

They did block out 3 time slot for cruiseship. 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30. cabos location.

[cooltj]

Hi,

 

Okay...here is the scope. I called Cabodolphin swim...$ 169 per person for a dolphin swim. Doesn't matter if you adult or kid. If you book online you save 15%. Just don't tell them you are on a cruise ship.

 

If you book through RCCL, it is $ 145 for adult and $ 130 for children age 5 to 11. If children under 10, you need an adult particiaption, that mean a paying adult. If children over 10, parents can tag alongs for free and watch at the observation deck.

 

They did block out 3 time slot for cruiseship. 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30. cabos location.

 

Hi,

 

I booked Vallarta Adventures in PV for the Dolphin signature swim (last April). I saved a ton of money for 2 adults and 2 kids (approx $400 or so). I booked online and stated that I was staying at the Krystal. When we arrived, they said we moved my reservation to another day. I stated that I confirmed my reservation before I left and everything was ok. They asked me if I was off the cruise ship and I said yes. About 15 minutes or so they finally gave us our wrist bands and off we went for the intro. I would not suggest anyone doing this, would hate to give bad advice. While we saved money, not sure if you would be able to do it.

 

I can suggest getting the signature swim though. You are in the pool with the dolphins 2x longer then the other groups. The pictures are expensive but, are worth every penny...

 

good luck.

[downsized]

My daughter and grandaughter did the Dolphin swim in Cabo in March. It was a bit more booking through the ship (well...okay, quite a bit more, as NCL will not book a child without an adult!) My daughter did not mind that at all though, since that meant that she got to swim, as well!

 

One thing that you might want to keep in mind too, is that Cabo is a tendered port, and 2400 folks are trying to get off the ship (into tiny tenders) all at the same time. If you book through the ship, you should receive "priority tendering" for not just those that are swimming with the dolphins, but for everyone in your party! That generally means that you will be escorted to the head of the line.

 

The facility in Cabo is new and it has a great atmosphere. We spent quite a bit of time there, relaxing and enjoying the cold beverages in the shade and peace and quiet.

There is a very nice "cantina/snack bar" for use while waiting, and anyone in your party will have free access to the viewing area to watch all of the participants of the swim.

Too, those that are viewing will be offered an opportunity to "kiss a dolphin"...

Be sure to take extra money because the pictures are spendy, but their quality is superb!

[cruise87crazy]

I did the Cabo Dolphin Swim in November and it was a beautiful resort. I definitely would recommend it to anyone. As someone said before it is a nice place to hang out and the pictures ARE pretty spendy. I believe it was $20 for a 8x10...there was 5 of us in the group so we ended up getting all the pictures on a disk for I think $120. That is still pretty pricey, but we split it between the 5 of us and we got to print them at Costco for cheap. :)

FYI you aren't allowed to take any pictures or video of your own. So if you are in the observation area watching your children, don't think that you can sit there and snap pictures they are very strict about that because that is how they make more money.

[Jiffymom]

wow I booked ages ago for PV swim. I booked on my own and they never asked if I was on a cruise ship.Our swim time is 1:00 which does not sow on their schedule. They say that they often add times as necessary. So I am guessing the cruise ship had the prime noon swim reserved and we got second choice of times.We will be in PV June 3 we were told to arrive at 12:30.

[esmo]

We went on the Dolphin Swin at Vallarta Adventures last December. I booked it through Princess at that time. I don't know how much cheaper it would have been on our own, but since I am slightly anal-retentive and get nervous about being late, missing ship, finding transport etc. - it is worth the extra for my peace of mind (and my husband for not having to put up with me). That all being said, no matter where you book it, how you book it - the experience should be transcending. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done and it was worth every penny, including the expensive pictures!

 

So much so, that I have booked it again for myself, husband and two teen-agers for our June cruise. I was very impressed with the facility at Vallarta Adventures so we are doing that again.

 

My advice, again. No matter where, no matter through whom - do it! I don't think you'll regret it a bit.

 

Kathy

[Jiffymom]

Anyone remember how long taxi to Vallarta?

[cooltj]

Anyone remember how long taxi to Vallarta?

 

I believe the taxi ride was about 20 minutes or so...

[esmo]

I believe the taxi ride was about 20 minutes or so...

 

We took the Vallarta Adventures bus and it seems it was between 20-30 minutes..

[Jiffymom]

Thanks I am booking a massage at Krystal afternoon and want to make sure I get back in time.http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Chesie]

Just back from the Sapphire Princess last week. We chose Cabo as we ziplined in PV. We booked with the ship which ended up to be about 10 pp more but I wanted to be sure we made it back to the ship in time as it was an early afternoon departure. We got priority tender and when we arrived dockside, early, the gal said they had openings in the earlier time slot which we took. That gave us easy time for shopping later on.

 

Had a blast at Cabo Dolphins. Very clean and taken care of. Short walk about the marina where the tender drops you off. Very nice clean shops in the marina area. We purchased a 5 x 7 photo for $25.

[sherin65]

We just got back from our cruise. We booked the Dolphin Royal Swim at Aquadventures in PV, directly through the park. It was awesome! When we booked we got a Sea Lion Encounter free. The two mom were just watching and didn't have to pay. We talked them down on the pictures and got 6 5x7 and the video for $86.00. Taxi was about $7 per person each way.

[Wavesprite]

We just got back from our cruise. We booked the Dolphin Royal Swim at Aquadventures in PV, directly through the park. It was awesome! When we booked we got a Sea Lion Encounter free. The two mom were just watching and didn't have to pay. We talked them down on the pictures and got 6 5x7 and the video for $86.00. Taxi was about $7 per person each way.

 

Sherin, is this the place in PV with the waterpark? Did you go on any of the slides, etc? Also, is it easy to find a cab back to the ship??

[sherin65]

Sherin,

is this the place in PV with the waterpark? Did you go on any of the slides, etc? Also, is it easy to find a cab back to the ship??

 

Yes. There was a waterpark there. The girls all went on the slides and lazy river and getting a taxi back was fine, they radio for you and taxis are nearby.

 

I've never been successful but I will try to post some pics. (they did let us take pics of our own but we were not close up during the dolphin swim.)

 

 

Sher

[Wavesprite]

Thanks Sher, I would love to see pictures. I've booked the Dolphin Encounter in October. We'll be taxi'ing our way there and back. I'd love to see pics, as I've seen reviews from it's great to it's run down....

[sherin65]

Try this link and you should be able to view our pictures.

 

 

 

http://spolster.shutterfly.com/pictures#n_5?role=-1

[Wavesprite]

Thanks for the link, I'm going to look just as soon as I get home (work has shutterfly blocked)!!