A FROG who can't swim wants to Swim with the Dolphins

froggie620 · #1 (**permalink**) March 17th, 2007, 07:06 PM

My sister and are I are booked on the Voyager of the Seas the week of January 13, 2008. We are going to Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya and Pregreso. We would like to try the Dolphin Encounter tour but neither one of us knows how to swim. My sister is afraid of the water but loves cruising and is willing to try this tour. Even though I can not swim I am not afraid of water as long as the water is waist high and my feet is touching bottom. Is there anyone out there who can't swim either but has taken a tour like this? If so, which island and which tour group did you sign up with? [b]

Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Sun -
[img]/countdown.php?month=01&year=2008&day=13&hour=16:00[/img]

January 2006 - Norwegian SUN

September 2005 - Carnival Conquest - :evil:

Kuki · #2 (**permalink**) March 17th, 2007, 07:26 PM

If you can't swim you can safely book a Dolpin Encounter, as you are standing on a platform, and the dolphins come by you. Though you'll get wet, you don't have to swim.

The Dolphin Swim is much more fun, as you get in the water with them. You're given a life jacket, so if you can paddle your way around, and don't get freaked out by the water, you could manage this one.

froggie620 · #3 (**permalink**) March 17th, 2007, 09:43 PM

Thanks Kuki - I just called my sister who is coming with me (she lives 400 miles away) and she told me she saw a show on the Travel Channel where a non-swimmer held onto the Dolphin's fin and was pulled around the area. Naturally this scared her. I am willing to try this but she isn't. She is willing to put a life vest on and have the dolphins swim near enough to her where is can touch them. Do you think that I can be pulled around the area and she can just float around?

And which is the best port of call to try this; Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya or Pregreso

Kuki · #4 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2007, 01:53 PM

I know in Cozumel, both are done at the same facility.

We did it in Cozumel, and loved it. Plus the beach is right there, so you can relax on the beach and eat and drink there as well if you like.

Lou · #5 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2007, 07:12 PM

I did it on the mainland by Cozumel as Chankanaub (sp?)
wasn't open yet...(June 2006) after hurricane damage.

We all had life jackets on and started off standing on a
platform, but then got in the water. Ended up doing
the "belly ride" where the dolphin pulls you along in the
water (dolphin is upside down) and you hang onto a
fin. It was so much fun...no worry about the water as we
had life jackets on. Bring extra cash, because of course
they take pictures of you having the time of your life.
And of course, you want the picture.

Lou

Cassandra · #6 (**permalink**) March 20th, 2007, 09:44 AM

It won't matter which one you book for the Dolphin excursion (wading or swimming), you'll have to wear a life preserver & believe me, you are going to be floating.

Just make sure when you get there you let them know she can't swim. They'll keep an extra eye on her.

Don't worry, if kids do this all the time, so can she! Go & have fun! It'll be an experience you won't regret & since its filmed, you can bring home the DVD or pictures.

world_traveler_et · #7 (**permalink**) March 20th, 2007, 03:58 PM

I did the dolphin encounter in Carusao. I saw people who did the dolphin swim that were wearing life jackets. You might want to contact the company doing the excursion and find out if they are provided.

We had to sign a waiver when we participated in the dophin encounter or the dolphin swim. The water was deep for the dophin swim. It might depend on where you were doing the excursion.

For the dolphin ecounter we stood on a platform that was about 3 foot wide and 20 foot long. That way the dophin could swim up to the group and you could touch the dolphin. We got some great pictures. The swim takes longer. I was happy I didn the encounter. It left more time to do shopping in the port.

froggie620 · #8 (**permalink**) April 1st, 2007, 10:12 AM

Thanks everyone. I just got back into this site after having a senior moment and losing my password. My sister agreed to the Dolphin Encounter so we'll do that. Then we can spend the rest of the day touring the Chankanaab Marine Park; sea lion show, jungle tour, walking around the ruins and enjoying a good lunch.

Excuse any funny looking errors but my pet cockatiel, Baxter, loves pecking on the keyboard when I'm typing so sometimes I get an odd looking character in my text.

I know my cruise is still 9 months away but I will post my experience of the park on a nb (nb is compliments of Baxter - he just jumped from my shoulder on the keyboard)

non-swimmers point of view.

Upcoming: Royal Caribben Voyager of the Seas - January 2008

September 2005 - Carnival Conquest
January 2007 - Norwegian SUN