A Family Cruising Adventure. Our Photo Trip Report from the 5-7-17 Carnival Splendor

[easyboy]

Very nice photos!

 

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[TeknikDC2]

We got off the Water Taxi at a dock under one of the bridges to Paradise Island. This is when we realized that the special “Kids go free” on this Water Taxi was a one way deal so we would have to pay for them on the return trip. Still we ended up paying about what I originally planned on paying so it was fine. Under the bridge was a bunch of small booths trying to sell your typical touristy stuff as you walked by. Where the boat dropped us off was actually about ½ mile away from the Atlantis Marina Shops so you will have a short walk ahead of you if you choose to take the Water Taxi. Also the walkway to get to Atlantis isn’t very well marked. So when you get to the street Light cross the street and Turn Right. That marina shops aren’t too far from there.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

I mentioned that we had visited Atlantis back in 2009. However we never looked around the Marina Shops on that trip. This was the first we had seen them. I read that the shopping here was better then what you would find around the Cruise terminal in Nassau. And yes that would probably be true if you were looking for higher end items. But honestly there was nothing in the shops that intrigued us or that we would want to look at. The place was also pretty dead. But that could be in part due to only 2 ships being in port.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

Walking by the actual Marina was pretty cool seeing all of the Yachts that were docked. I couldn’t fathom how much some of the must be worth. They were huge. The Marina was located at the end of the Marina Shops and before you entered the main building.

 

[ABQrobin]

following....

[TeknikDC2]

Day 3: Nassau Part 2:

 

As we entered Atlantis it was as beautiful as we remembered it being. One thing that’s pretty cool to look at are all the Glass sculptures located throughout the Casino and shops of the Resort. These things are pretty incredible to behold.

 

 

We walked thru the Casino fairly quickly. Although this Casino didn’t smell nearly as bad as the one on the Splendor it was still a place we didn’t want the kids to be for very long.

 

 

We walked past a few more shops and finally the hotel lobby was in sight. Only there was something had changed since our last visit in 2009. There was now a security guard checking for Hotel Room keys to enter the lobby. Yes that is correct. You can no longer go in the Hotel lobby and see the Aquarium unless you are a Hotel guest or have a waterpark pass. We thought this was kind of dumb as it was the whole reason we made the venture over to Atlantis today. Lizzy obviously wouldn’t know the difference but Daniel was pretty sad about it as he was excited to see the fish. I have to imagine the reasoning for it is because of all the tour groups that would stop in just to see the hotel lobby (like we did in 2009) but still I wish I would have seen that before we made the trip over. So just be warned if you go to see the public areas of Atlantis its now limited to only the Casino and Shops. You know the places to make money off of you.

 

 

We stopped and took some photos with the Atlantis Throne……

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

And then we went outside on the Casino Bypass.. This is just a sidewalk that goes outside and around the Casino so that you don’t have to go thru it. Out here you do get some good views of the Tower and some of the resort beaches. We also did see some fishes in the ponds.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

There is a place out here on the Bypass that you can get a pretty good photo with the Hotel tower. It was fun to take this same picture again that we took back in 2009.

 

[TeknikDC2]

[TeknikDC2]

 

After we reentered the hotel we looked around the remaining shops before heading back down to the Marina Shops.

 

 

We were done with Atlantis as we made our way back thru the Marina shops and eventually to the Water Taxi dock. Atlantis is cool and something I recommend seeing at least once. But honestly I don’t think we will go to it again unless for some reason we are gifted passes to the Water Park. With the change and further restrictions to what you can see at the resort for free. Espeically with not being able to see the Lobby any more the trek out to the resort just isn’t worth it. Honestly its on par with a Vegas resort. Just in a prettier location.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

We had to buy our return tickets at the dock for the Water Taxi. Again that “Kids go Free” deal was just get us on the boat for a one way trip. And then we waited about 15 minutes before the stated to load up the Water Taxi to take us back to Nassau.

 

[TeknikDC2]

[TeknikDC2]

There was once again a “tour Guide” for our trip back to Nassau. But he pretty much said the exact same things as the guide did on our trip to Atlantis. I mean couldn’t they change up what they talked about just a little bit based on whatever direction the boat is going. I’m sure 80% or more of the people on the Water Taxi are round trip.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

I love taking photos of Cruise Ships. So I’m glad to be on the right side of the Water Taxi for our return to trip to get these photos of the Splendor and the Oasis of the Seas.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

Back on shore we decided to look around some of the stores before heading back to the ship. We of course had to stop by Senior Frogs which Daniel really liked lol.

 

[TeknikDC2]

Then we walked down to check out the Straw Market. This is a big swap meet type area with hundreds of little booths selling the same things. I wanted to see if I could find some new sunglasses though so we stopped to check it out. I get some Fake Oakley’s on every cruise and this would likely be the only chance I would have to find some. Sure enough as we looked around I did find them. The guy wanted $35. I pretty much laughed at that as I wouldn’t pay that much. Especially since the Authentic Fossil Sunglasses I had were only $20. This guy wasn’t gonna let a sale walk away though so I finally got him to go to $15 for the Sunglasses. I’m really glad I decided to get them after all as my Fossil Glasses would end up breaking later on in the trip.

 

 

The Straw Market is so big that we actually ended up losing Logan and Elizabeth in it. We wouldn’t see them again until we were back on the ship.

 

We looked in a couple other shops before heading back to the ship. We stopped in a souvenir shop to find our traditional Postcard. I also bought a Bahamian Soda called “Bahamas Goombay Punch”. It’s a Coke product and it was kinda different. I honestly don’t know what I would compare it to. But if you like trying different sodas then give this one a try. It was good enough that I felt I didn’t waste my money. But I don’t know if its something I would buy again. We also stopped by the Carolohoa & Del Sol to look around. We got a free Bamboo necklace for each of us just for stopping in. So consider that for a free souvenir.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

We finally decided to head back to the ship after looking at these shops. Since we still had a couple hours until our ship would be leaving there weren’t really any crowds going back to the ships. We got thru the checkpoint quickly and soon we were walking back along the docks to the Splendor.

 

[TeknikDC2]

 

We had a lot of fun in Nassau. I’m glad we went to Atlantis again. But again it was confirmation that I don’t think we will go back again. Even though this was our 3rd time here we still just don’t care much for it. We’ve done a city tour, we’ve gone to Atlantis, we’ve gone to Junkanoo Beach. Honestly when we go there again, which I’m positive we will since we love the Eastern Caribbean, I do believe we will stay on the ship and use it as a sea day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that will be all for today and a conclusion of our time in Nassau. Our next update will be Elegant Night on the Carnival Splendor. Stay tuned and feel free to ask any questions. Thank you.

[elainmir]

Loving your review! Your kiddos are so adorable! I've not been on the Splendor but I have stayed a week at Atlantis back in 2006 I believe it was...we loved the resort and the lazy river. Loved the aquariums ..but the food costs there were so crazy to me and the tips! I worked as a bartender before becoming a teacher...I know you have to work hard for tips and I certainly overtip when warranted but at Atlantis the incredibly lazy servers were lined up in the Market Place against the wall and back then I believe you were forced to tip 6 bucks PER PERSON and they got incredibly angry because my husband asked for a soda refill ONE TIME. We are glad we were fortunate enough to experience our mostly cool vacation back then but don't think I'd ever book there again ! Cruises are much more cost effective :) I did love seeing your pictures by the way! I think if you've not experienced the straw market it's cool to do once..just know the goods are 99% knockoffs and they are all pretty much selling the same stuff (for those who've never been) My son loves the Goombay Punch...me...well I'd rather lick 25 old school envelopes instead! That stuff was NASTY to me. I look forward to reading more! Congrats to your wife and BIL on their spa raffle wins! That's awesome!

[cloudninecat]

Enjoying your review. Can't wait for the rest of it.

[TeknikDC2]

Hello everyone. I just finished typing the last part of my Day 3 review. However upon coming to the site to post it I was now made aware of the changes to Photobucket's "Hot Linking" Policy. Basically this is no longer allowed on Photobucket unless you buy a $400 subscription. Which I am not in a position to do. I am reviewing other photo hosting options at this time and hope to find a new solution soon. Sorry to leave you hanging.

[Jamman54]

SmugMug. :D

[MistyRo76]

Hello everyone. I just finished typing the last part of my Day 3 review. However upon coming to the site to post it I was now made aware of the changes to Photobucket's "Hot Linking" Policy. Basically this is no longer allowed on Photobucket unless you buy a $400 subscription. Which I am not in a position to do. I am reviewing other photo hosting options at this time and hope to find a new solution soon. Sorry to leave you hanging.

 

Thanks for posting this...I was thinking that I was the only one unable to see your pics!