Atlantis questions answered for those who want to know about…

[Coach D]

I booked thru travelzoo. 179.00 is for two..We are 4 and paying 279.00

[crystalblue0610]

Is booking a room ONLY for if you're staying the night?

We'll be in Nassau from 1-7pm only

[pigeon_forge_princess]

Getting a hotel room at the comfort suites to get full access to Atlantis.

 

1st we were on a 3 Day cruise with Carnival Sensation and the ship was docked in Nassau from 7-9am to 7am the next day.

 

WHY WE BOOKED A ROOM:

For those who do not know, Atlantis does not have A DAY PASS THAT ALLOWS ACCESS TO ALL OF ITS SERVICES such as the water parks and so on. A ROOM COVERS UP TO 4 persons.

 

WHAT WE PAID: for September 1st: $140.00 (base)-1 king bed room

Details on payment: Kids under 12 are FREE if within the parents room; 12+ are considered adults.

Then we paid $6 x 2 adults for energy charge plus $4 x 2 adults for room gratuity

SO the total is $140.00 + $12.00 + $8.00 = $160.00

THEREFORE IT WILL COST $160.00 for up to 4, we were 3.

 

HOW WE BOOKED: Internet go to http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=BS003&sid=j0Na.FUlwMgUGR.6&sarea=83402&sname=Paradise+Island&sstate=&scountry=BS&sradius=40.22&slat=25.068607330322266&slon=-77.34882354736328&schain=A&exp=&scity=Paradise+Island&sort=&month=9&day=10&depart_month=9&depart_day=11&srp=STD&nadult=2&nchild=1

OR if the link goes down go to the main URL www.choicehotels.com and type in “Paradise Island” in the “quick search” box

It will list the hotels and click the comfort suites.

Then select your date and for “select Rate Program” we used an existing special rate that does not show up at the moment, BUT FOUND THAT the option “internet user’s rate” was not that far off at the time of booking a 15 dollar difference AT THAT TIME.

 

HOW WE GOT THERE: We took a taxi for $4 per person, my 2 year old was not charged, so $8 is what we paid each way.

 

CHECKING INN – YOU CAN GET THERE EARLY EVEN THOUGH CHECK INN TIME IS 3pm. THEY GAVE US A ROOM ANYWAY, a 1 king bed smoking room. We did not care as it was just a place to change. Then they will ask for a credit card to create an account tied to your room so that you can charge to it, such as food and drinks. DO THIS, I WILL EXPLAIN WHY LATER. They basically give you a stiff paper card NOT PLASTIC, that you use to charge stuff to and to get your WRISTBANDS. Room keys are like any other.

 

AFTER CHECKINN – They will give you a map as to how to get to the main Atlantis grounds from the hotel. We changed in our room.

THE ROOM: Is nice and spacious, the safe was disabled and they were charging at the time to use the lobby safes. Tile floors and a glass back door with a couch and clean bathroom.

 

HOW TO GET TO ATLANTIS FROM THE COMFORT SUITES: We walked down the hallway to a door that leads to the back of the hotel. Then there is a side walk about 15 yards to the street that is actually a drive into the Atlantis grounds. This street is a driveway of sorts, it is not a major street. Just walk across it and you are in Atlantis.

Things to note, FORGET THE TOWELS you will not need them Atlantis will give them to you when you get your wristbands, just ask for how many you need.

 

NAVIGATING ATLANTIS: Use the maps given by the hotel, BUT EXPECT TO WALK A LOT, this place is HUGE! The water park is split by lagoons and bridges, one side is the lazy river with a few slides. The other part is by the Royal Towers with the big slides and small kid area that is really nice. Height restrictions on all major slides is about 4 feet.

 

HOW TO GET THE WRISTBANDS AND TOWELS:

Once you find the pools there small shack buildings selling floaties, sun-screen and a bunch of other stuff, THEY SELL A LOT OF ITEMS that cover the basic pool and beach necessities. DO NOT CONFUSE THEM WITH THE FOOD STANDS. Walk up to one of the many shacks and ask for wristbands, and they will give up to 4 per room. You will have to show them the charge account paper card to your room. Then ask for towels and find a chair were you wish to hang out. That is all it takes to get the wristbands. THEIR IS SECURITY EVERYWHERE AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE WRISTBANDS, THEY WILL ASK TO SEE THE CHARGE ACCOUNT PAPER IF YOU ARE IN THE AREAS THAT REQUIRE THEM.

 

CHARGE ACCOUNT PAPERS AND WHY: Many stands DO NOT TAKE CASH, BUT THERE ARE A FEW THAT DO. We found drink and food stands WILL ONLY ACCEPT CREDIT OR YOUR CHARGE ACCOUNT PAPER. While some of the merchandise shacks will take cash it is a hit or miss if they take cash. WARNING: WE RAN INTO ONE SHACK TO BUY FLOATIES AND THEY DID NOT ACCEPT THE PAPER CHARGE ACCOUNT, BUT LATER WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A MISTAKE.

We used the paper charge account a lot as it was very easy.

 

FOOD & DRINK

Hamburgers are $10 for Adults

Sandwiches such as Turkey run to be about $7

Alcohol runs about $8.50 for mixed, I do not know the cost of beer. BUT THE MIXED DRINKS ARE GOOD AND STRONG.

The restaurants can run as low $15 a plate.

 

THE WATER PARK:

Height restrictions at 48 inches for most ride with exception on the kid area by the Royal Towers.

The kid area is great, it has a playground setup with rope bridges and nets and water guns and two enclosed tube slides and one open slide. It also has traditional straight slides. There is a huge bucket at the top that fills up with water and tips once full and floods the area. The whole setup is in a very shallow pool and places for the adults in the pool to get far enough from the complex not to get splashed by the huge bucket. I saw many adults reading and relaxing while the kids played.

 

In between the Beach Towers and Coral Towers

Lazy river – the same as any other, relax in a tube as the current pushes you along.

Jungle slides – there are a few of these, open slides that twist and turn and one has stage pools.

 

In front of the Royal Towers

Kid Area and other pools with squirting seahorses

Located on a pyramid

Race slides – side by side slides to race each other

Leap of faith, a sharp drop slide that starts open faced into a glass tube that is under-water. Basically you slide very fast into a tube that goes into the shark tank, the tube is underwater so you see the sharks though very briefly as you slide through the tube then hit an open pool

Then there is serpent slide which uses a tube, this is slower but twists and turns in darkness then also goes through a tube under water, but now you can see the sharks through the glass tube as you slowly drift to the open pool.

 

CHECKOUT: All the charges to your charge account will print out on the checkout list along with the room charges.

We took a taxi back to the ship.

Please ask any questions that you want answered not covered here or pic requests.

 

 

OK SO ALOT OF PPL ON HERE SAY BOOK A ROOM YOURSELF THEN YOU CAN ENJOY ATLANTIS FOR EVERYONE AND IT IS INCLUDED INT HE PRICE. I FOUND A ROOM FOR $175.00 SO IF I BOOK THAT THEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER 3 PPL IN THE ROOM WOULD GET TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY ATLANTIS IN ITS ENTIRITY FOR WHAT I PAID FOR THE ROOM THERE ARE NO HIDDEN CHARGES HERE IS THERE OR LIKE HIDDEN FEES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO ATLANTIS???

[scubagirrl]

OK SO ALOT OF PPL ON HERE SAY BOOK A ROOM YOURSELF THEN YOU CAN ENJOY ATLANTIS FOR EVERYONE AND IT IS INCLUDED INT HE PRICE. I FOUND A ROOM FOR $175.00 SO IF I BOOK THAT THEN MYSELF AND THE OTHER 3 PPL IN THE ROOM WOULD GET TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY ATLANTIS IN ITS ENTIRITY FOR WHAT I PAID FOR THE ROOM THERE ARE NO HIDDEN CHARGES HERE IS THERE OR LIKE HIDDEN FEES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO ATLANTIS???

 

I wouldn't say there are no hidden charges..

First off.. the $175 probably covers only the 1st 2 ppl. Additional guests pay another fee. Then there is resort and room taxes, Energy surcharges, Mandatory bellman charges and Mandatory housekeeping charges.

 

this still would likely be less than 4 day passes.. But you have to be aware that these charges are probably not included in your price.

[hubofhockey]

I wouldn't say there are no hidden charges..

First off.. the $175 probably covers only the 1st 2 ppl. Additional guests pay another fee. Then there is resort and room taxes, Energy surcharges, Mandatory bellman charges and Mandatory housekeeping charges.

 

this still would likely be less than 4 day passes.. But you have to be aware that these charges are probably not included in your price.

 

I have a room booked at CS and checked the Atlantis special from the ad mentioning the $175. After adding two people and the other charges, the price wasn't cheap. I'm sticking with Comfort Suites.

[Luv2Cruz4Ever]

Great write up!!! Thanks so much for the info. I do have some questions: How far do the ships dock from Atlantis? Are there taxis readily available at the dock? How long was the taxi ride to/from the ship? Our stop in Nassau is not a full day, so I'm looking to see if a trip to Atlantis is worth it.

[pigeon_forge_princess]

I wouldn't say there are no hidden charges..

First off.. the $175 probably covers only the 1st 2 ppl. Additional guests pay another fee. Then there is resort and room taxes, Energy surcharges, Mandatory bellman charges and Mandatory housekeeping charges.

 

this still would likely be less than 4 day passes.. But you have to be aware that these charges are probably not included in your price.

 

 

I really aprreciate your commetns this has helped in my decision making process and as much as I wanna go to atlantis I think this year we will just enjoy the beach near the boat and the water and we will do atlantis next year in 2009 when we are gone on a longer cruise if we go back there still searching for our cruise for 2009. But thanks!!!!!!

[aga3736]

Allright. I see that the original article (which by the way I found very complete and informative) was written 2 years ago. I have several questions though:

- does comfort suites still provide bracelets (or passes) to Atlantis ?

- my ship arrives on April 6th and I should be in the hotel by 9 AM. Is there a chance not to be given the room ? (they say check in time is 3 PM)

- has anyone in this forum had a bad experience with Comfort Suites (being denied passes to Atlantis, being dnied a room etc.) ?

Thank you

[dis2cruise]

how long does the taxi ride take?? also, are they available all the time from the port/hotel to go back??

 

cheryl

[adamsmom]

They do still give the passes, or at least they did when we were there in September. You may be able to get a room early, but if they are booked up, you may not get one. But you can still get into Atlantis. The cab ride is 10-15 minutes.

[cookcamba]

Allright. I see that the original article (which by the way I found very complete and informative) was written 2 years ago. I have several questions though:

- does comfort suites still provide bracelets (or passes) to Atlantis ?

- my ship arrives on April 6th and I should be in the hotel by 9 AM. Is there a chance not to be given the room ? (they say check in time is 3 PM)

- has anyone in this forum had a bad experience with Comfort Suites (being denied passes to Atlantis, being dnied a room etc.) ?

Thank you

 

We will be in Nassau the first week of June and we have a reservation at the Comfort Suites so that we may enjoy a day at Atlantis. However, being the very thorough person that I am, after reading this thread and before making a reservation at the Comfort Suites I called both the Comfort Suites and Atlantis to verify. Both confirmed the OP's post. Unless something changes between now and then... enjoy Atlantis! :D

[NJCruiser23]

Where did you all book to get the rates of $179 and around that area. We reserved through choicehotels with the discount rate and our rate in April was $280. Want to know how it was so cheap at comfort suites at the times you all are going? Where do I book to get it that cheap. Thanks.:confused:

[webnut]

I just booked a room at Comfort Suites thru AAA, the posted price was $175+tax, but with the AAA discount it was $157.50+tax. My TA confirmed the access to Atlantis. My trip is in August. I saw the Atlantis deal for $179, but you have to pay in full with the reservation (not a dime at CS), their cancellation date is 31 days prior to arrival (CS is 7 days), and their housekeeping/gratuity fees are higher.

 

Cheers!

[cookcamba]

Where did you all book to get the rates of $179 and around that area. We reserved through choicehotels with the discount rate and our rate in April was $280. Want to know how it was so cheap at comfort suites at the times you all are going? Where do I book to get it that cheap. Thanks.

 

 

I booked ours right at choicehotels.com using the AAA rate. We are a group of 3 (wife, me, 4 year old daughter). Here is a portion of my confirmation email...

 

 

Arrival Date:Wednesday, June 4, 2008

 

Length of Stay:1 Night

 

Number of Rooms:1

 

Rate Program:Automobile Association Rate (An eligible party with identification must occupy the room to qualify for the Automobile Association Rate.) - This rate is eligible for Choice Privileges points or airline/partner credit.

 

Cancellation Deadline:If you need to change or cancel this reservation, you may do so up until Sunday, June 1, 2008, before 4 PM local hotel time.

 

Estimated Total:176.40 (US Dollar) including taxes of: 12.00%

 

Check In Time: 3:00 PM

 

Check Out Time: 11:00 AM

 

Special Request:EARLY CHECK IN AS POSSIBLE PLEASE. THANK YOU. This information will not be viewed by the hotel until your date of arrival. Special requests are subject to availability.

 

Hotel Alerts: Must have one adult 21 years or older in each room. Children under 12 stay free if sharing room with parents. Children 16 or older charged as adults.Max 4 persons/room. Energy Surcharge: 6.00/night/person (for all persons 16 and older) Housekeeping gratuity 4.00/night/person (for all persons 12 & older) Do NOT reserve more than 5 rooms per call. Effective January 1, 2007: The US Department of Homeland Security will require all US citizens who travel outside the Continental US to carry a valid US Passport. This will Include all travel to & from Canada, Mexico and Caribbean. Non-smoking hotel as of Sept. 1, 2007.

 

Room & Rate Information:

 

Directions:

From Nassau Intl Arpt,Thompson Blvd to W Bay St(Over PI Western Brdg rt at lights,left onto Casino Dr,turn right onto PI Dr to htl.

 

RoomRoom OccupancyAdultsChildrenNightly Rate1 King Bed, Suite, No Smoking

 

Max Occupancy: 4 persons21157.501 Room Suite Partial Room Divider Sofabed-2Person No View Refrigerator

 

1 Night:157.50 (US Dollar)

*Estimated Tax:18.90 (US Dollar)

Estimated Total:176.40 (US Dollar)

[HopefulRomantic08]

I'm going on the member cruise 5/8/09, and as of so far the best rate I can get at the Comfort Suites is $251. Does anyone know what the current rate is for the Carnival excursion to Atlantis for Aquaventure? This is something I know my husband and I would enjoy. If the price difference is about the same, or even a tad cheaper through Carnival, would there be any extra advantages to booking through Comfort Suites? If you go through Carnival, do you HAVE to go through the DIG thing or is that optional?

[tamtot]

SOOOOO, we could get the Comfort Suites for $200 roughly when we go in August. Have you that have gone found it to be worth it? It will be just my husband and me, celebrating our 25th anniversary. I've always wanted to spend a day there, has anyone ever regretted it, or is it worth every penny?

Thanks,

Tammy

[madaamt]

Hello everyone. This information is going to save my family a ton of money. but, Will we get full access to all the the slides, pools, beaches and marine habitat? Thanks in advance.

[maryln]

Hello everyone. This information is going to save my family a ton of money. but, Will we get full access to all the the slides, pools, beaches and marine habitat? Thanks in advance.

Yes, you will.:D

[scubagirrl]

Yes, you will.:D

 

 

Actually, you'll get full access to all the pools/slides and beaches that Royal Tower/Beach and Coral towers get. You still won't be allowed at the Cain Adult Pool with outdoor casino. (Cove Guests only), or the quiet pool between the reef and the Cove.

 

All other areas are accessible.

[tamara01]

We just returned yesterday from a short 3 day cruise. We took a cab to Atlantis and went to the casino and asked about a day pass. It was $105 each and they said we had FULL access to everything at the water parks. We had a great time. We used about 3 different pools, water slides, lazy river, beach, etc.. went thru the digs on our way out. Park was open until 7PM. It was a great day. We had lunch, very good at Sharks.. something. It was a very nice way to spend the day. Will go back sometime for sure!