See Dolphins from the balcony?

[Thisguylikestocruise]

For the first time I’m getting a balcony(Harmony of the Seas, Eastern Caribbean 12/20).  How common is it to see dolphins while sitting on the balcony?  I read a couple comments online where cruisers mentioned them.  

[Coralc]

We've only seen dolphins in Galveston and always off the coast of California and Mexico in the Pacific. 

[roadburner]

One is more likely to see dolphins on sea days if occupying  a cabin very near the bow of the ship.  We have seen them both before and after the canal on Panama Canal cruises. We have also seen them on a cold October day off the Maritimes.  Dolphins were spotted several times while on Symphony last spring.  Just keep your fingers crossed and watch the water.

Edited January 4, 2020 by roadburner

[bearette]

I have done 25ish cruises, I have seen whales once and dolphins once, so by my math 2/25 chance of seeing anything. It will also depend on what time of year and your itinerary.We saw them both on cruises in the Mexican Riviera.

Edited January 4, 2020 by bearette

[rucruisn2]

Last month we sailed out of Port Miami and saw a big dolphin swimming along with the ship at sail a way from out balcony.  Loved it.

[RCCL Fan]

20+ cruises (all except one booked in a balcony)  i've only seen dolphins three times.

 

1) while walking out of johnny rockets on a sea day on freedom

 

2) while docked in galveston

 

3) while docked in galveston

[hallasm]

Statistically 15% of my cruises - depend on itineraries and time of year.

Difficult to take good pictures.

[sparks1093]

Once in 6 cruises. 

[purescottish]

3 times on 12 cruises and all 3 times they were swimming in the port in Miami while passengers were getting on,

Orca's once and a huge turtle swam alongside us when leaving Port Canaveral

[vacationlover_mn]

We’ve only seen dolphins once (I can’t remember which trip it was), but on our last trip, we saw tons of flying fish!  So neat!  We’ve seen flying fish twice 🙂

[Ourusualbeach]

There have been many reports of people seeing dolphins following the ship sailing out of Canaveral.  You are probably more likely to see them there than on a sea day. 

[spookwife]

9 hours ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

For the first time I’m getting a balcony(Harmony of the Seas, Eastern Caribbean 12/20).  How common is it to see dolphins while sitting on the balcony?  I read a couple comments online where cruisers mentioned them.  

 

 

not very.    its rare at  the best of  times.  I have seen more flying fish,  birds landing on my balcony railing and the odd sea turtle or jelly fish mass than I ever have dolphins or whales.  

[cello56]

Our very first cruise, sailing out of Port Canaveral, we had dolphins swimming/jumping beside our ship the entire way out of port. It was awesome, as if the local tourist board had set it up. 45 cruise later and we have not seen dolphins EVER again! Seriously, the only thing we have ever seen is some flying fish a couple of times. 

[BND]

We've seen them in Port Canaveral while docked and while leaving.  In Charleston harbor there's always a lot of them.  Haven't seen them at sea, mainly because they tend to be just ahead of the ship where it's harder to see them.  I've seen a couple of turtles also, mainly in PC.

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by BND

[sjb317]

We usually see a few dolphins at Port Canaveral but, otherwise, it’s rare for us to see them at sea.  I hope you have better luck!

 

Sherri🙂

[molly361]

We saw them in the harbor at Port Canaveral when we were leaving on the Mariner last month

[SamTimeDining]

Both times we have sailed out of Canaveral we saw a couple. We saw a whole pod of at least 20 departing Ponta Delgada (Azores) when on the Serenade TA in Spring of 2017, was amazing!!!

[irishgal432]

In 30 plus cruises we have seen dolphins 3 times, schools (right word?) of jellyfish, and flying fish in the Caribbean.

[CruiserKris34]

Been on 5 cruises and love seeing dolphin...have only seen them at buffet breakfast on last day in port. They were playing. 

[Wordell1]

As others have said. look for them as you are leaving each port.  I have seen them in Galveston and San Juan.  Balcony is not the best place to see them.  Get to the front of the ship.

[di T]

Have been lucky to see dolphins a number of times usually in the med and around Gibraltar. Once saw a pod swimming right near the window when we were in an OV cabin! But some cruises  we have seen whales and turtles and others out at sea think it depends where you are and the time of year!

[dwayneb236]

have only seen them while in or near port of Galveston. pretty cool

[Ren1216]

We've seen them while leaving port AND in the distance while at sea.  Sometimes you just get lucky.  Definitely watch the water while in (or leaving) port.  Like others, that's where we've seen the most things.  Sea turtles, hammer head sharks, etc.

[DaniDanielle]

Once while at sea.  I didn’t believe the people that kept saying they were out there but they were!

[island lady]

Have seen dolphins many times, and occasionally a small whale or two (even in the Carib and Bahamas).  Dolphins are common in the port at PC, and if you pay attention closely...will see Manatees as well. 

 

Just once at sea while we were coming into a port of call...saw a huge shark! 

 

Always see many flying fish, and love watching the birds dive for them.   

 

Have seen many whales on Alaska cruises too.  Best part of having a balcony.  🙂