atlantis on our own or with rccl

[needinsomesun]

hi everyone, this is my first post!:) thanks for all the great information! we will be traveling on the vos in 2 weeks. in nassau we would like to take the kids to the atlantis to see the aquarium. should we book in through rccl or just take a cab on our own? i know if you book it through rccl it includes some beach time which we thought would be fun. has anyone done this? was it worth it? thanks a million!

[wolfganghowell]

You can do it on your own but the beach is only for hotel guests. So unless RCCL has arranged something with Atlantis you can tour around the exhibits for a price but if they have a deal including the beach, do it through RCCL. Have fun - Atlantis is gorgeous.

[HaliMakai]

The RCCL tour does include the beach, but not the pool areas. I have yet to find a way to get in their pool ;) . The ticket includes a guided tour which was nice, but a little slow at times when you had to wait for different people to catch up. And it does include "The Digs" which is the under water walk way. We thought it was great - at the end of the tour they set you loose to explore on your own. We did not wait for their transportation back to the ship, but took a cab back which was about $3.00 per person. I thought it was worth the $$$$

[gulfcoast39]

I went to Atlantis in August. I booked a room at the Comfort Suites across the street for $220 a night and they gave us all wrist bands, which allowed us to go over the Atlantis and go to the pool and do everything. There were four of us, so I figured that $220 divided by 4 people was about the same as paying for a tour anywhere else. To confirm that they are still doing this, just call the comfort suites in paradise island and ask, which is what I did before I booked the room. We had a hotel room to go to to change, and then grabbed a taxi back to the ship.

[LKitt82566]

Did you have 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 childre?

 

I would like to do this with 4 adults but not sure if possilbe.

[laurasue]

Do a search on this board or the Bahamas board. You can get a room at the Comfort Suites for a 20% discount (in May that made it roughly $150) for up to 4 people, who can then use the pools at Atlantis. If you just want to see the Digs, I would take a cab there and pay the $29/pp, versus booking through RCI. From the reviews I've read, their excursion seems overpriced for what you actually get :)

[cruzobsessed]

two years ago, we did the atlantis excursion. the truth is...i don't remember what it cost but is was pricey. it included transportation both ways...a wristband that was the appropriate color for cruise "rif raf" and lunch vouchers to eat at one of their snack bars (hamburgers etc). we got to see the aquarium and had a chair on a remote part of the beach. the truth is....the deal at the comfort inn sounds much better. i have no regrets because the atlantis is amazing.

[alleauna]

Hi there. :) I'm fairly new to Cruise Critic as well. Isn't it a treasure trove?!

 

I don't post a lot, but this is one subject I'm still trying to come to a good decision on myself! Thought I'd share with you what we are considering doing about Atlantis for our family of 6...

 

I have heard renting the room at Comfort Suites to get the day pass to everything at Atlantis is well worth the money. Only problem for us is, it only allows 4 people per room rented...so we'd have to rent 2 rooms.

 

The other option is the Discover Atlantis Tour. Passes cost $29/adults and $23/children under 12. The pass includes admission to The Ruins Lagoon, The Dig, The Upper Ruins, and The Predator Lagoon. Again, it does not provide use of the pools or Waterscape like the renting the room at Comfort Suites.

 

I'm sorry I can't comment on the excursions you can book through RCI since this will be our first cruise. The Historic Harbor Cruise/Discover Atlantis and Historic Harbor Cruise/Atlantis Beach Break both sound nice. I think you might save money if you were to do these excursions on your own.

 

So far, for us, we've decided to save the $$$ and do Atlantis completely on our own. We've read it's fun to take the ferry boat from from Prince George Wharf just outside the cruise ship dock (they will be lined up). The ferries run every 30 minutes 9-5 daily. Cost is only $3.00/person. You get a historic tour of the harbor and a great view of Paradise Island as you cross over. I've read that it is a 10-minute ride, but it takes about an hour for the entire process. Also note that each ferry features a “tour guide” who will expect a tip.

From there, it is a 5 minute walk to Atlantis, strolling past the multimillion $ boats in the marina on your way to the entrance. Another neat experience I hear!

 

At Atlantis, you can stroll around the common indoor areas, casinos and shops. You can even view about 100 feet of the aquarium for free. It's open at the Great Wall of Water restaurant. I also read that underneath the ponds that are visible upstairs on the oceanside of the lobby (and to the left facing the ocean?), there is a stairway leading down to a lower level where there are large picture windows where you can see lots more sea life. This is totally free and spectacular. (I'm clipping and pasting my notes here!)

 

We booked this specific cruise at our oldest daughter's request because of her desire to "see Atlantis". It should cost us only $36.00 for the 6 of us to take the ferry both to and fro, plus whatever we decide to purchase while we are there. I hear there is a great ice cream parlor! :)

 

We're still trying to decide whether or not to spend some time on Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island (I've read the entrance walkway is just past the Sheraton Grand?) or to head back via ferry to catch a jitney to Cable Beach ($1.00/adult & .75/child).

 

Good luck to you in whatever you decide! Two weeks...lucky you! Would love to hear what you did and how you enjoyed it when you get back!

[moneeman]

Gulfcoast,

 

I have a quick question regarding Atlantis. Does your whole party need to be there to check in and get the wrist bands, or can just one person get them for all four people? I've got a room reserved at the Comfort Suites, and I'm trying to figure out how we'll handle it. Thanks.

[needinsomesun]

thanks so much everyone. still not sure which route we will take. i'll let you know when we get back!:)

[DMage]

The other option is the Discover Atlantis Tour. Passes cost $29/adults and $23/children under 12. The pass includes admission to The Ruins Lagoon, The Dig, The Upper Ruins, and The Predator Lagoon. Again, it does not provide use of the pools or Waterscape like the renting the room at Comfort Suites.

 

Out of curiosity, where did you find this tour? It appears that RCCL only has this tour combined with a harbor cruise. I will be in Nassau in August with my fiancee and I would like to show her Atlantis. This tour sounds great. Thanks.

[Tra4]

They give you your reciept and then you get the wristbands at the pool area along with your towel, etc.

 

We did this in June and we were only at Nassau from 9-1. Even the short 4 hours, it was worth the 50pp price.

[GARY1227]

Hi everyone,

 

We are regular visitors to Atlantis and they are always updating their security. But there is a way to get out to their secure areas. If you get to the old Beach Tower check-in lobby there's a large lobby with many sittting areas. At the far end there is a bank of elevators. Go down the hallway past the elevators and there is an entrance to the lagoon or pool area (there's two doors). Many times you can locate a "lost" towel (aqua-striped) and toss it over your shoulder. Remember, you can"t get these towels without a room key or wrist band. No one will stop you if you have one!! Then just roam around. It's a fabulous place. Or else ---- go the Comfort Suites route BUT check in like you're really staying and after check in (and the day's over) have someone in your party go to the front desk and state you have had a "family emergency" and must check out and they may just charge you a minimum charge of $79.00 like they did with us. This was advised by a TA and it worked!! This will only cost the price of a cab ride.

[Tra4]

Really??

 

I would rather do it the "legal" way, and teach my children the same.

[alleauna]

Out of curiosity, where did you find this tour? It appears that RCCL only has this tour combined with a harbor cruise. I will be in Nassau in August with my fiancee and I would like to show her Atlantis. This tour sounds great. Thanks.

 

DMage, The "Discover Atlantis Tour" is the selft-guided tour that the Atlantis Resort itself offers to tour the ruins, digs, and lagoon. It isn't something you book/buy through the cruise line. :) Hope you and your fiancee have a wonderful time!

[junior8]

NCMOM2FOUR,

I too am going on the Soveriegn as my 1st cruise. April 29th. I cant wait. :D

This Atlantis tour you mention, how did you find out about it? Do you purchase it right at Atlantis or is it something you need to do before you leave? Any info would be helpful. I went to the Atlantis website and cannot find anything.

 

Any other good info you found out on Nassau? I am going with my sister. We will be there from 11am-3am. I read so much on this board that I get myself confused. I just started keeping a copy/paste word document. Very handy.

 

Thanks

Brenda

[Darstime]

Just wanted you to know that we were at the alantis last year and we just took a water taxi across the water it was fun and cheap

We got to see anything we wanted except the pools

[JerseyGirl23]

Someone over on the Nassau boards posted this link, it might be helpful to those of you who want to take the water taxi over to Atlantis from near the port:

 

http://www.bahamasgo.com/watertaxi.htm

[medolee]

Hi everyone,

 

We are regular visitors to Atlantis and they are always updating their security. But there is a way to get out to their secure areas. If you get to the old Beach Tower check-in lobby there's a large lobby with many sittting areas. At the far end there is a bank of elevators. Go down the hallway past the elevators and there is an entrance to the lagoon or pool area (there's two doors). Many times you can locate a "lost" towel (aqua-striped) and toss it over your shoulder. Remember, you can"t get these towels without a room key or wrist band. No one will stop you if you have one!! Then just roam around. It's a fabulous place. Or else ---- go the Comfort Suites route BUT check in like you're really staying and after check in (and the day's over) have someone in your party go to the front desk and state you have had a "family emergency" and must check out and they may just charge you a minimum charge of $79.00 like they did with us. This was advised by a TA and it worked!! This will only cost the price of a cab ride.

 

Very creative!!;)

[clingandclatter]

I actually just returned from a land vacation to Paradise Island on Wed. We stayed at the Riu (formerly Sheraton Grand, re-opened as Riu in Dec. 04) which is right next door to the Atlantis Beach Towers. I've also done the Atlantis tour through a Disney cruise before.

 

If you are looking to tour the aquariums, it is probably much better to do it on your own as it is not very difficult. Take the ferry over ($3/pp/one way), they are located right behind the straw market. It drops you off on Paradise Island across the street from the Atlantis Royal Towers. A short walk gets you there (just remember the cars drive on the "wrong" side of the street so make sure you're looking the right way before you cross!) The Atlantis tour is $29/pp (not sure about kids price) and can be bought at the entrance to the Dig, down one level from the main entrance - ask any employee they can direct you. This does not allow you access to any of the pools or water slides. I don't even think you can access the beach through Atlantis because your way is impeded by the pools which is all controlled by the security.

 

I remember on the Disney cruise there were 2 different Atlantis packages - one was for the aquariums, the other was a beach day. If the beach day package is offered, I wouldn't do that either. The beach by Atlantis is very rocky and very wavy. Unless you are just dying to say you've sat in front of the beach at Atlantis, don't do it. If you want to go to the beach, you can take a longer walk past all the Atlantis properties up Casino Drive, and right past the Riu hotel is a public beach access. Chairs and such can be rented here. You can walk down the beach back to Atlantis if you wanted to see it, but again access into the Atlantis property is controlled by security.

 

If you are really looking for beach days, I'd go to Cable Beach. What a difference. Cable is in a protected harbor/bay so the water is really calm. This is especially good for younger children or people like me who just don't like the waves.