Ahoy, Ashley! Welcome to planDisney, where we help you figure out all the little details to make the most of your time aboard Disney Cruise Line.
It sounds like you will be setting sail for Nassau, Bahamas, and are considering the
Atlantis Dolphin Cay Playtime with Dolphins and Aquaventure (N27) excursion for your family of six. Although I haven’t personally booked this particular excursion before, I can tell you that one of the best parts of booking
Port Adventures directly with Disney Cruise Line is that your reservations, tickets, and itinerary details are all taken care of for you.
This specific Port Adventure allows you and your family to spend the day at the world-renowned Atlantis Paradise Island resort, where you will have time to enjoy the Aquaventure waterpark and experience the Playtime with Dolphins Program at Dolphin Cay. When you make your way over to Dolphin Cay, you will first learn about bottlenose dolphin behavior from a marine mammal specialist and then it will be time for everyone to put on their provided wetsuits. The program is designed with families in mind, so the dolphin interactions only require you to wade in waist-high water for the meet-and-greet. However, children may need to be held or require assistance depending on their height and swimming abilities.
Nothing specifies that there must be a ratio of one adult to one child, but the requirements for children do vary by age. In order for children under 10 years of age to take part in the Playtime with Dolphins Program, they must be with a participating parent or appointed guardian who will actually be with them in the water during the dolphin interactions. In contrast, children 10 years of age and above may take part with a participating adult or with an adult observer present. Please note that this Port Adventure includes participation as part of the booking cost for each person, but you can choose to just observe if you prefer. Should you choose to observe, you must remain on the observation deck and are not permitted in the water at all.
There are plenty of
Port Adventures offered in Nassau, so be sure to check out the other options if you decide that this particular one doesn’t meet your family’s specific needs. If you need another recommendation, I suggest the
Family Ardastra Gardens and Wildlife Conservation Center (N16) excursion because it is the only place to see the world-famous marching flamingos. I saw them on my very first Disney cruise and it still remains one of the most memorable excursions that I have taken.
No matter what you decide to do, I hope that you and your family have the best time on your upcoming cruise. Happy sailing!
Catherine