$49 shore excursion to atlantis...worth the money?

[Maraprince]

Has anyone taken the 3 hr.+ RCL $49 shore excursion to Atlantis? Would you recommend it or not?

 

MARAPRINCE

[danzig1989]

We went in February. For us, we went mostly out of curiosity, since we always see their commercials on tv. There's quite a bit to see, and you get access to "most" of the resort. As far as return on investment, it's like many of the excursions...you'd have to be the judge of that. I don't know how much a similar experience would cost if you put something together yourself.

 

I will say this, however. I'm glad we did the tour, cause now we know Atlantis is NOT somewhere we would spend money to vacation at. It's quite expensive, if you want to fully enjoy all their amenities.

 

 

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[cb at sea]

You can just take a cab, gamble in the casino, shop at the shops, eat in the restaurants. Of course, you won't have access to the pool/waterpark/beach....

[Maraprince]

We went in February. For us, we went mostly out of curiosity, since we always see their commercials on tv. There's quite a bit to see, and you get access to "most" of the resort. As far as return on investment, it's like many of the excursions...you'd have to be the judge of that. I don't know how much a similar experience would cost if you put something together yourself.

 

I will say this, however. I'm glad we did the tour, cause now we know Atlantis is NOT somewhere we would spend money to vacation at. It's quite expensive, if you want to fully enjoy all their amenities.

 

 

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What areas would we NOT be seeing on the tour?

 

MARAPRINCE

[Baron Barracuda]

A cheaper way explore Atlantis is to book a room at the nearby Comfort Suites. It's a poorly kept secret that guests staying there have full free access to all the Atlantis water attractions. DB did this two years ago while on Disney cruise. Took a cab to Comfort Suites, checked in, was given Atlantis bracelets, and immediately checked out. Kids spent full day at Atlantis and then took cab back to ship.

 

Just be sure to get back to ship on time. There was a thread a while back about the travails of a guy who didn't, and what he had to do to catch up to ship at next port.

[danzig1989]

What areas would we NOT be seeing on the tour?

 

 

 

MARAPRINCE

 

 

 

You don't get to see the water slide area and the beach areas of the resort. They give you a guided tour and then let you wander at your leisure and return to the ship when you're ready to go.

 

 

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[thrifty99]

A cheaper way explore Atlantis is to book a room at the nearby Comfort Suites. It's a poorly kept secret that guests staying there have full free access to all the Atlantis water attractions. DB did this two years ago while on Disney cruise. Took a cab to Comfort Suites, checked in, was given Atlantis bracelets, and immediately checked out. Kids spent full day at Atlantis and then took cab back to ship.

 

Just be sure to get back to ship on time. There was a thread a while back about the travails of a guy who didn't, and what he had to do to catch up to ship at next port.

 

Great idea depending on the cost of a room at the Comfort suites. We spent a week at Atlantis with our kids in the past - best water park we have ever been to. The lazy river is incredible. It even has a section that is like a wave pool.

 

I personally would not pay $49 a person just to tour Atlantis. However, it is an impressive place and the lobby area has an impressive aquarium. If you do go, eat a good meal before the tour. The restaurants / food vendors at Atlantis are very expensive.

[LMaxwell]

You can do exactly the same thing for a $4 water taxi ride or $4 van taxi ride; walk the marina / shops and casino area. Round trip is $16 for two adults. Sure beats $98.

[Maraprince]

You can do exactly the same thing for a $4 water taxi ride or $4 van taxi ride; walk the marina / shops and casino area. Round trip is $16 for two adults. Sure beats $98.

 

 

Is the van ride a flat rate of $4 per person? Does it drop you off near the lobby with the aquarium? How long is the ride? Will we be able to get a van going back to the ship or will we need to take the water taxi back? Any idea of what the water taxi schedule is going back and where in Nassau will it drop us off?

 

Sorry for all the questions but we do not want to have a problem getting back to the ship.

 

MARAPRINCE

[cmoore5524]

We took a water taxi over and taxi back to the ship and had no problems whatsoever. Preferred the taxi over the water taxi as it was quicker and the water taxi was high pressure to tip which we would have done any way but didn't like the high pressure sales job.

[Maraprince]

A cheaper way explore Atlantis is to book a room at the nearby Comfort Suites. It's a poorly kept secret that guests staying there have full free access to all the Atlantis water attractions. DB did this two years ago while on Disney cruise. Took a cab to Comfort Suites, checked in, was given Atlantis bracelets, and immediately checked out. Kids spent full day at Atlantis and then took cab back to ship.

 

Just be sure to get back to ship on time. There was a thread a while back about the travails of a guy who didn't, and what he had to do to catch up to ship at next port.

 

 

Trying to figure out how a hotel room would be cheaper than a $49 ship tour that takes us door to door. We want to see the grounds and not spend the day on the beach.

 

MARAPRINCE

[Beachammo]

Trying to figure out how a hotel room would be cheaper than a $49 ship tour that takes us door to door. We want to see the grounds and not spend the day on the beach.

 

MARAPRINCE

The beach/pool/slide area is the most expensive part of Atlantis.

 

Walking around the hotel is free...

 

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[Ourusualbeach]

The beach/pool/slide area is the most expensive part of Atlantis.

 

Walking around the hotel is free...

 

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For free you can only go to the casino and the few expensive shops just before you get to the casino.

 

To visit the aquarium or the grounds you need to buy a pass.

[LMaxwell]

Is the van ride a flat rate of $4 per person? Does it drop you off near the lobby with the aquarium? How long is the ride? Will we be able to get a van going back to the ship or will we need to take the water taxi back? Any idea of what the water taxi schedule is going back and where in Nassau will it drop us off?

 

Sorry for all the questions but we do not want to have a problem getting back to the ship.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

I'll try to answer your questions in order.

 

1. I believe so; yes.

2. Since it is a taxi I'm sure they will drop you any place you wish as relates to Atlantis for that price.

3. Ride should be 10 - 15 minutes; not going very far.

4. You can take a van or water taxi. You don't buy roundtrip tickets up front, just one ways, so take any combination you wish.

5. Here is the water taxi schedule. The water taxi drop off is under the bridge and it is probably a 5-10 minute walk to the heart of the shops around the marina. http://www.bahamas.com/how-get-around-nassau-paradise-island-ferries

 

There is a bit of novelty of seeing a little bit of Nassau from the water and the boat operator telling you a bit about what you are seeing. A van is probably easier and more comfortable.

[NateUpNorth]

We did the tour a few years ago, so it may have changed by now, however:

 

Always wanted to see Atlantis, was the dream destination for a while. I'm glad I did the tour, now I know it's not worth the $$$ to stay there. (subjective I know, but just my opinion)

 

It was a fun chance to see the aquarium, and to walk the grounds.

They keep you strictly limited to the tour areas, so getting a look at the waterpark/slides etc was not possible. I tried to walk over and was intercepted. (nicely, but definitely wasn't going to be allowed to wander over)

 

Was it worth it? I think so.

Would it get a second visit from myself? Nope..

[Maraprince]

We did the tour a few years ago, so it may have changed by now, however:

 

Always wanted to see Atlantis, was the dream destination for a while. I'm glad I did the tour, now I know it's not worth the $$$ to stay there. (subjective I know, but just my opinion)

 

It was a fun chance to see the aquarium, and to walk the grounds.

They keep you strictly limited to the tour areas, so getting a look at the waterpark/slides etc was not possible. I tried to walk over and was intercepted. (nicely, but definitely wasn't going to be allowed to wander over)

 

Was it worth it? I think so.

Would it get a second visit from myself? Nope..

 

Really want to see the aquarium and the structures around the grounds and perhaps some of the shops (if they give free time).

 

When we were with NCL last year we did a tour around Nassau and drove thru (operative word "thru") Atlantis since stopping was not permitted. We weren't close enough to see anything other than some of the dolphin area, front driveway and some of the grounds all at a distance from a moving mini van. Enjoyed driving over the bridge to Paradise Island from Nassau.

 

Thanks for answering.

 

MARAPRINCE

[mjkacmom]

Is the van ride a flat rate of $4 per person? Does it drop you off near the lobby with the aquarium? How long is the ride? Will we be able to get a van going back to the ship or will we need to take the water taxi back? Any idea of what the water taxi schedule is going back and where in Nassau will it drop us off?

 

Sorry for all the questions but we do not want to have a problem getting back to the ship.

 

MARAPRINCE

You can't enter the lobby without a pass, you can buy a pass for the aquarium. It's easy to get a cab from Atlantis back to the port.

[sea legs 2017]

I can't say it the water slides are worth it…but we did take a local taxi there and walked across the bridge for $2.00 pp. we saw the hotel and shops them went back for about $5.00 pp. I thought it looked like vegas….I'm glad to say i went but i had more fun exploring the shops near the pier and the straw market…for free. Good luck

[Desinico]

We did Atlantis on our own in December. When you get off the ship there are taxis that will take you and pick you up from Atlantis. You pay them once they drop you off right in front of the hotel. They will give you a laminated card that shows you paid for the return trip. You'll hand that to your driver when your being picked up. You are allowed to go so far on either direction of the hotel before you have to show your a guest. I would never pay 49$ for a tour when you can pay like 4$ total doing it yourself. If you want to go to the beach right outside the hotel you have to walk all the way around which is a trek. There is a small opening where you can get to the beach. But if you do walk to that public access spot be prepared to be bombarded with ppl selling stuff. I found it super annoying. After you say no another person is trying to sell you something else the whole time your at the beach. Don't take the water taxi if you decide to go. It's still a far walk to the hotel. Just take the regular taxi. Hope this helps!

 

 

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[NateUpNorth]

We did Atlantis on our own in December. When you get off the ship there are taxis that will take you and pick you up from Atlantis. You pay them once they drop you off right in front of the hotel. They will give you a laminated card that shows you paid for the return trip. You'll hand that to your driver when your being picked up. You are allowed to go so far on either direction of the hotel before you have to show your a guest. I would never pay 49$ for a tour when you can pay like 4$ total doing it yourself. If you want to go to the beach right outside the hotel you have to walk all the way around which is a trek. There is a small opening where you can get to the beach. But if you do walk to that public access spot be prepared to be bombarded with ppl selling stuff. I found it super annoying. After you say no another person is trying to sell you something else the whole time your at the beach. Don't take the water taxi if you decide to go. It's still a far walk to the hotel. Just take the regular taxi. Hope this helps!

 

 

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Just out of curiosity, were you able to tour the aquarium and other areas yourself? Or just walk around the outside of the "compound"?

[Desinico]

Just out of curiosity, were you able to tour the aquarium and other areas yourself? Or just walk around the outside of the "compound"?

 

 

 

Nope pretty much just the casino and the balcony over looking the beach. Of course the shops because they still want you to spend money lol.

 

 

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[jamesr3939]

We did the full day ($$$$) package and we really loved it. I am not sure I would do it again, but for a one time shot it was much fun. The water slide is cool and the grounds are just amazing.

[parrotfeathers]

There are employees at key points making sure people don't wander into places for which they haven't paid. The aquarium had some nice exhibits but the year I went the water was really dirty.