Dolphin Discovery

[MichelleChell]

Has anybody reciently done the dolphin swim at Chankanaab not thru the ship? I did in 2010 but then heard they were making you go thru the ship. I would rather thru DD because its way cheaper.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Has anybody reciently done the dolphin swim at Chankanaab not thru the ship? I did in 2010 but then heard they were making you go thru the ship. I would rather thru DD because its way cheaper.

I believe the only cruise line requiring you to book through the ship is Carnival. Of course you can tell dolphin discovery you're staying in a hotel. ;)

[crackupforlaughs]

we booked directly with DD for our manatee and dolphin encounters we did last week. We booked about 5 weeks ahead of time.

[MichelleChell]

I will be on a Carnival ship. Guess I will figure out what other ships will be i with us that day and happen to be on that one.

[YaWk3Y_BoMb3r]

I will be on a Carnival ship. Guess I will figure out what other ships will be i with us that day and happen to be on that one.

 

I dont know if it was a mistake, but I just booked dolphin discovery last night for our trip in May. When I was pricing it in late January, it wouldn't allow me to book if I put that I was arriving on Carnival. Last night, however, when I got on to finally book and pay, I had a hotel I was going to put in, but I tried Carnival and it allowed me to book. So like I said, I dont know if it was a mistake or what, but I booked and paid and told them I was coming on Carnival.

 

I'm wondering if I should've just said a hotel anyway just in case it was a mistake and they could refuse our trip. Probably wont happen, but still.

Edited February 28, 2014 by YaWk3Y_BoMb3r

[MichelleChell]

Well let me know how it goes. We don't go till Dec and I will book early.

[ctyhrn]

I was able to book last week through the site saying I was cruising with Carnival as well. I would book now just in case the restiction goes back up again.

[YaWk3Y_BoMb3r]

I was able to book last week through the site saying I was cruising with Carnival as well. I would book now just in case the restiction goes back up again.

 

Yea I went ahead and booked too for that same reason. I'm thinking that even if it was a mistake, they'll still honor our reservations anyway.

[cruisin chef]

We went on to book last month for April and when you said you were with a cruise ship it wouldn't let you book. We did the live chat to ask why and the lady we talked to booked us right then.

[Kingisacruiser]

Is there a package that includes lunch/buffet when booking directly through Dolphin Discovery? I haven't located that option and I am trying to see what makes the most sense for us? Does anyone have approximate cost of food at Chankanaab. TIA.

[ctyhrn]

Is there a package that includes lunch/buffet when booking directly through Dolphin Discovery? I haven't located that option and I am trying to see what makes the most sense for us? Does anyone have approximate cost of food at Chankanaab. TIA.

 

I think some of the Dolphin Swim packages include the food. I booked the Royal Swim for my husband and I for April and it was included in that one.

[subieroo]

Just a heads up on this, I tried booking when putting in Carnival as the ship and it wouldn't let me. I used their live chat and they said carnival wasn't allowed. I then called and told them carnival and the guy said they were full that day for website bookings. I changed the ship to Royal Caribbean and it let me book it immediately. They must be getting a pretty good kickback from Carnival.

[chipmaster]

We just did this DIY.

 

We caught a taxi from port ( $15), got there early. We just walked up and signed up ( FYI there were 5 ships in port ). Around 10:30 the cruise tours showed up and the 11am to 2pm tours were packed. If I was smarter I would have scheduled a swim after 2:30 or at 9am and likely would have had a smaller group.

 

I don't think they extend the experience, they have a very set routine of poses, swim activities and make sure everyone gets it then the move on. well worth it. From what I can tell from what I've seen in Fl and HI this is a much better value.

 

They do milk you for $$$ for the photos, but I found they negotiated, at least with us ;)

[S.A.M.J.R.]

We just did this DIY.

 

We caught a taxi from port ( $15), got there early. We just walked up and signed up ( FYI there were 5 ships in port ). Around 10:30 the cruise tours showed up and the 11am to 2pm tours were packed. If I was smarter I would have scheduled a swim after 2:30 or at 9am and likely would have had a smaller group.

 

I don't think they extend the experience, they have a very set routine of poses, swim activities and make sure everyone gets it then the move on. well worth it. From what I can tell from what I've seen in Fl and HI this is a much better value.

 

They do milk you for $$$ for the photos, but I found they negotiated, at least with us ;)

 

Did u negotiate for individual prints or the "all on 1 CD" deal? What rate did u pay?

 

Sent from my DROID X2 using Forums mobile app

[chipmaster]

They wanted $139 for all the pictures on a CD, I declined then they offered me all the pictures for $100. I was still on the fence, but came back after lunch and another sales person honored it.

 

I got 75 pictures, a better deal then the cruise ship photos IMHO :D

Did u negotiate for individual prints or the "all on 1 CD" deal? What rate did u pay?

 

Sent from my DROID X2 using Forums mobile app

[Heartfruit]

I also used the chat feature to book when even though I was on a Carnival Ship. My daughter and I wanted to swim with the Manatees and it wasn't offered as a Carnival option so I don't know if that made a difference.