Hotel guests can enjoy the dolphins
without leaving their room.
I awoke one morning to the sound of dolphins in a lagoon outside my
window at Dreams Cancun. Although I had arrived the previous
afternoon, it was quiet and I later learned that afternoons are the
dolphins’ rest period. Every newly decorated room at Dreams Cancun
boasts a water view, showcasing the turquoise waters of the
Caribbean or the dolphin lagoon or both. Located at the tip of
Punta Cancun, this deluxe resort is the only one that offers
oceanfront from three sides. The aquatic encounter at Dreams Cancun
is the result of the hotel’s association with Delphinus, a highly
respected dolphin research center.
Priority for swimming with the dolphins is given to hotel guests
who at any given time can be viewed standing on their pool-front
terraces with video or still cameras.
“It’s almost as much fun watching the people watch the
dolphins,” said Kevin Wojciechowski, vice president of sales and
marketing for AMResorts. “Statistics show that at least 12 percent
of visitors to Cancun swim with the dolphins. We want to give them
that option without even having to leave their resort,” said
Delphinus director of corporate communications Miguel Angel
Canseco.
Prior to interacting with the dolphins, we watched a video
demonstration, and were then separated into groups of six and
trooped out to the dolphinarium (coined from “dolphin aquarium”) in
swimming togs and life vests. Each of us had a group leader who
introduced us to our dolphin for the approximately one-hour
program.
Personally, I didn’t feel a strong urge to delve into the waters
and join what I considered the hordes of dolphin fanatics, although
I do harbor a great respect for the animals. Nonetheless, I
listened closely to our guide Magnolia, as she reiterated some of
the important points of interaction no attempts to “hug” them, no
touching near the eyes and the like. We then jumped into the cold
seawater. Under her instructions, we moved away from each other to
allow the dolphin (a female, Zama, the Mayan word for morning) to
swim around and among us without physical contact if she wished. It
wasn’t long before Zama not only came into contact but she bumped
gently, allowing herself to be touched on her silk-smooth skin.
(Dolphins are constantly shedding skin cells so they maintain that
soft exterior.)
The swim with dolphins experience
includes numerous aquatic interactions.
Numerous interactions followed, as Zama came out of the water to
give each of us a kiss on the cheek; smiled by showing off a row of
about 100 jagged teeth and danced with us as we held out our arms
to touch her side fins. The most exciting interaction of all was
the “foot-push.” In this exercise, we took turns swimming into the
center of the lagoon, with face turned down. Two dolphins working
in tandem came up from behind, pushing us from the soles of our
feet and lifting us into the air.
While swimming with the dolphins is available daily to the
public, each dolphin has one day free during the week with the
normal work day regulated strictly from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Recognizing
that swimming with dolphins is a dream for many, Delphinus and
Dreams Cancun work together to fulfill that dream with efficiency
and safety.
“It’s a naturally friendly experience. Our challenge is to
further understand the habitat of the dolphins while continuing to
encourage interaction,” said Canseco.
With new properties in development and set to launch within the
next three years, AMResorts continues to redefine luxury with its
three brands in the all-inclusive market: Secrets, Dreams and
Sunscape.
For further information on packages, special prices and all
amenities, visit AMResorts.com where a special travel agent site is
available to ensure proper tracking of commissions.
| THE DETAILS The Delphinus Dreams Cancun experience includes the
following: * An hour-long dolphin experience that includes fifteen minutes
of training and forty-five minutes swimming with the dolphins.
That’s more swim time than any other dolphin program. * The minimum height requirement is 3 feet, 6 inches to swim
alone with the dolphins. Children under this height may participate
but they need to be with an adult at all times. * The charge for the dolphin swim experience is $149 per person,
regardless of age, and is subject to change without notice * There are four programs per day (9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m.
and 1:30 p.m.). * Top-notch digital photography and DVD video services are
available to capture the memorable adventure. |
