Really enjoyed their Dolphin Watch Cruise as a part of AAT King tour. The company offers whale watching, dinner cruise, etc.
(日本語は下の方)
At the time I want on this cruise in December of 2015, there was only one 2 Star review by Rob B. Would I have tried this cruise if I read his review? Hmmm. Since it was one of the stops in my AAT King's all day tour, I had no choice but to take part in the tour, so I went with it. Boy was I glad that I did. I fully respect Rob's review. If I went on a dolphin watch cruise and saw no dolphins, I would be unhappy as well. So, if you are considering this cruise, just make a mental note that Moonshadow is not paying the dolphins to show up at a certain spot at a designated time. The company is too cheap to sign such contract with the dolphins.
Condition of the ships: It was clean and I was completely satisfied. However, I could see how some may notice the bit outdated style of their furniture and such. I took lots of pictures, so judge it for yourself. They had a newer ship (Moonshadow V) with a tube waterslide in the back, but I did not get to ride on that. I had no choice on which boat I get to ride on. I got on this one, which is not their newest.
Service: The lady that sold me the potato chips was nice. The captain of the ship that kept pointing you to the direction of the dolphins was fine. To be honest, I didn't really care abou the service. Service is actually a non-factor in this cruise as the main purpose is to go look at some wild dolphins.
Swimming with the dolphins: Moonshadow doesn't market this in their website, but AAT did. I wouldn't consider splashing around inside a huge net in the back of a boat to be swimming with the dolphins that are hundreds of yards away. I guess you are technically in the same water. I don't recommend jumping in the boom net. It was very uncomfortable.
Why not 5 stars: So, how much value is in watching wild dolphins? That is the ultimate question. If your mission is to see dolphins up close, going to one of those aquariums with dolphin show is the best. Those trained dolphins are under contract (one way) and will do flips and jump through hoops. Here is another way to look at it. Is it worth your time and money to travel to Africa to see wild lions? You can see one up close and personal in a zoo. There is one difference with dolphins and lions that you need to consider. With a lion, it might be fun to observe them in the wild for hours, seeing how they live their life. With dolphins, you only see them when hop up above the surface. You don't really get to see how they live, unless you scuba dive.
Price: $28 per adult. (it was included in my AAT King's all day tour, so I didn't pay Moonshadow directly).
Conclusion: I think it is worth it. Not too often do you get to say you seen a wild dolphin, and the cruise is very refreshing, taking in the scenery of Port Stevens.
日本語:
野生のイルカを見たことがありますか?
この会社の運営しているクルーズに乗ると99%の確率で見ることができる。100回乗ってみた訳ではないので本当に99%なのかは保証できない。僕は観れた。それも10匹ぐらい。でも2015年12月時点ではYelpレビューは一つしかなく、アメリカから来たRobさんは一匹も観れなかったと言っていた。この船はイルカと契約を結んでいないらしくて、イルカがさぼることもあるらしい。
僕が体験したのはAAT Kingと言う1日ツアーの一部としてこのムーンシャドー船に乗った。なので大人$28を直接払ったのではなくて、AATに払った。
結果: とても楽しい90分だった。野生のイルカを見たことがある人は少ないのではないだろうか?みることができたのにエクサイトしたし、それにこの景色のいいポートスティーヴン湾をクルーズすることに価値はある。Robのように一匹も見れなかったら僕も2星レビューを書いていたかもしれないが、僕はオススメしたいクルーズだ。
なぜ5星ではないか?
写真を見てくれたら分かるが、イルカはなかなか空中に飛んでくれない。3回転ジャンプをしなくても、1.5回転ぐらいしてくれてもいいのではないか?イルカのサービス精神を疑った。日本からわざわざ来ているのだからもう少しおもてなしをしてくれてもいいのでは? オーストラリア人が日本に来てくれたら僕ならいつでもバク転を披露する(失敗しても)。それが日本の「お・も・て・な・し」だ。日本のイルカだってこのおもてなし精神を教育されている。品川エプソンアクアパークのイルカは回転ジャンプを何度も披露してくれる。僕にコンサル費を払ってくれたらいつでもこのおもてなし精神をオーストラリアのイルカにもコーチングしに行くのに。 read more