Dolphin Cove with only 1 swimmer in the group

[mr.purple]

Hi,

 

In a few weeks we are docking in Ocho Rios.

 

One of our group wants to go swimming with dolphins.

For her it's worth it to pay the price asked by the cruise company.

 

But the rest of us arent looking forward to paying full price, just to hang around and waiting for her to finish.

 

Is there a way we can go there and pay an entrance fee, just for visiting.

And she can pay a higher price for swimming?

 

Cant seem to find any info on Dolphin Cove website.

 

Thanks

[langleyfld]

Wow! I hope you get an answer because that is a problem in our group too! We go in Nov.

[ThorHiney]

Not sure about the one in Ocho, but for the one in MoBay, there are two types of Dolphin excursions. "Swimming with Dolphins" and "Dolphin Encounter".

 

Swim version is exactly as you'd expect. You're in the water with the dolphins, they'll pull you around and interact with you in the water. This will be one of the most expensive excursions you see.

 

The dolphin encounter is cheaper and you do not actually swim with them. Instead, you sit on the dock, feet in the water, and you get to touch the dolphins as they swim past. Then, you get on a platform in the water at the dock that is about waist deep. The dolphin will swim up to you, give you a kiss and ham it up for a photo opp.

[mr.purple]

Dolphin Cove was very hard to book without going trough the cruise company.

 

I you contact them and say you are with a cruise ship, they tell you they can't book you because they have a contract with the cruise companies.:mad:

 

 

If you say you are visiting on your own, they give you a specific time to come. And that time does not go well with the ships boarding time:mad:

 

Ended up booking 1 swim and 3 encounter trough the cruise line.

Same bus going from dock to cove.

At the entrance you get a different color of wristband, swim or touch.

And a number of a group.

You head to the water when your number is called.

 

So only during the dolphin interaction you are separated.

Jungle path, barbecue,... you can meet up again.

 

It was a bit expensive but it was a great experience.

 

A tip:

 

You can't take pictures of yourself or anyone in your group.

They take pictures and video and sell them. 100$ +/- 10 photo's and 1 video

 

But you can take pictures of other groups.

 

So, take your camera. If your on a encounter, you can film/photograph your relative/friend who is doing a swim:)

[langleyfld]

Thanks Mr. Purple! Good info, but one question, what cruise line were you on? You mentioned the same bus to the cove for 2 different types of encounters. We will be on NCL Pearl in November.

[mr.purple]

Thanks Mr. Purple! Good info, but one question, what cruise line were you on? You mentioned the same bus to the cove for 2 different types of encounters. We will be on NCL Pearl in November.

 

Also the Pearl :)

 

They had several minibusses waiting. All going to the cove. Didn't matter what program you booked.

 

You can stay as long as you want in dolphin cove. Every 10 minutes there is a bus back to the dock.

[langleyfld]

I love this board!!

Thank you so much, this may have saved a friendship, lol!!

When did you go?

[mr.purple]

We boarded 31st of march. The last caribbean cruise of the Pearl this season.

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time.

First thing i did when i was back home was start planning the next one:)

[langleyfld]

I'm sure we will have a great time! I do have one question that I meant to ask about the excursion. It's listed along with Dunn River Falls [which we want to do] was yours?

 

Well ahead I guess...last week we booked a Pacific Coastal to Alaska for May 2014.

Alaska was our first cruise and DH wanted to return, so I was okay with that!

 

It's been great talking to you and thanks for the help. I see you are from Belgium? My aunt used to travel a lot and she bought me a vase from Belgium, its in my dining room.

[mr.purple]

We only went to Dolphin Cove.

You can book the 2 togheter, but as we were travelling with my 4yo son we didn't. To avoid any falling accidents at the falls:D

 

Yes, I'm from Belgium. Wasn't the vase filled with beer then, as we are not exactly famous for our vases;)

Downsite from cruising out of here is that the airline ticket costs more than the cruise:(