Disney Cruise Day 3: Dolphins and Dramamine

A few months prior to the cruise, I mentioned to Ella that I swam with dolphins when I was younger.   “Daddy, you have to take me swimming with dolphins one day.”  She said.  When I saw that one of the available excursions in Cozumel was swimming with dolphins, I did what any Daddy would do. I took out the maximum allowed loan from my 401k and booked the excursion.

The dolphin park didn’t allow cameras or phones, so I had to purchase their photo package.  Due to my rusty Spanish, I was suckered into buying the premium package, which included getting a family picture with a manatee.  I didn’t even bother to ask what the picture with the manatee cost because at that point I had already realized that what I paid for four people to swim with a dolphin, I could’ve easily purchased the Miami Dolphins.   I have no buyer’s remorse because the Miami Dolphins bring my children no joy.  That, and the Dolphins have glaring needs in the defensive secondary.

Someone once told me to spend money on experiences, not things, and that is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received.  I’ve wasted as much money as anyone on material possessions, but I’ve never regretted spending money on giving my kids a memorable experience.  The smile of excitement and joy on Ella’s face the first time she touched a dolphin will never leave me, and I can’t put a price tag on that. The Disney Corporation, however, can put a price tag that, but it was so worth it.

The current was strong and the water was cold in the dolphin facility because a storm was coming, but we got lucky with our timing because we were able to finish our adventure before the storm hit.  But our boat did not avoid the storm.  I think someone on our cruise pissed off Poseidon, and he took it out on the Disney Magic.  Our boat rocked and rolled all night. A boom came from above us every few minutes because, apparently, the family above us brought an anvil with them, and it kept falling off the shelf when the boat rocked.

The doctors told us that Audrey can’t get motion sickness because she doesn’t have a vestibular system. Michelle and Ella, however, can get motion sickness, and I felt terrible for them because there is nowhere to go when you get seasick.

The night of the storm, I got up around 2:00 am to pee because that is what you do when you are 53 years old. The ten foot walk to the bathroom felt like that part of the fun house where the floor suddenly shifts, and only a select few time it perfectly and make it all the way through without falling over.  I was not one of the select few on my voyage to the bathroom. I was within arm’s reach of the bathroom door when the boat shifted and I slammed into the wall.  

TMI Alert: I decided to sit down to pee because if I hadn’t, the cleaning crew would have been wiping down areas of the bathroom they never knew existed.

The weather kept it from being a perfect day, but Ella will always be able to say that she played with a dolphin.

P.S. Professional Disclaimer: I was only kidding, of course. As a financial advisor, I would never advise someone to take out a 401 (k) loan to pay for a vacation.