Doing our own Excursions (Questions) and Atlantis Resort

[tabbykiki]

We are cruising on the Epic in March to St. Maartin, St. Thomas & the Bahamas. We are considering foregoing NCL sponsored shore excursions - #1 due to having to pay upfront and #2 to save a little money - and I was curious if anyone had any recommendations for reputable travel companies and or tours.

 

We enjoy beaches and really anything. I would like to do Atlantis in the Bahamas but not sure how that will work out since we are not staying at the resort... Any ideas or suggestions?

[monicajay]

Trying asking your port questions on the threads about ports. The one for the Bahamas is found here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

 

You can do Atlantis on your own and there are lots of other ideas.

[LynneL]

We wound up going with Bernard tours in St. Maarten & Geodfrey tours in St. Thomas. We were pleased with both companies. Both of these were recommendations from Cruise Cruise port of call boards & we've used them both previously. You will find a lot of recommendations if you check out the places you are visiting on there. There are a few good ones to choose from but I think most offer about the same as you see other tour companies at each stop.

 

We didn't tour in Nassau. A previous time in Nassau we went over to Atlantis and inquired about day passes. I don't recall the prices but more than we cared to spend. We made sure we got off the ship right away, grabbed a cab & went directly to the resort. We were directed to a desk in the hotel and there was only a small line of people waiting to buy the day passes (you could get for just the aquarium, beach & aquarium, all ground access, etc.) From what I understand there is a limited number of passes sold, but we would have had no problem getting them since we got there quickly.

 

Have fun...Wish I was going back on the Epic in March too! : )

[glorialagos]

Atlantis day passes are $69 and include lunch - you purchase them in the casino

[coachpete]

You can see some things at Atlantis without being a guest or buying the passes. If you aren't going to buy the passes, I'd skip Atlantis, because the "cool" stuff is behind the ropes.

[mjkacmom]

Atlantis day passes are $69 and include lunch - you purchase them in the casino

 

These will not give you accessnto the waterpark. Those passes are $100+, and don't include lunch, and they limit the number available.

[cb at sea]

It costs alot to use Atlantis' beach/pool. You can get day passes from the Comfort Inn next door that will allow access to the water stuff. If you just want to SEE Atlantis, anyone can go in, shop in the shops, eat in the restaurants and gamble in the casino...it's a hotel!