bahama excursions

[aprilvw69]

My husband and I are new to this and looking for advice on excursions. I am considering the Atlantis one ( I love aquariums and would like to see the digs) but not to sure. Is there anything worth seeing and how do I go about private tours. I don't think I can do the snorkering ones but possibly anything else. We want to make the best of it while we are there. So any help I will take.

[Peregrina651]

My husband and I are new to this and looking for advice on excursions. I am considering the Atlantis one ( I love aquariums and would like to see the digs) but not to sure. Is there anything worth seeing and how do I go about private tours. I don't think I can do the snorkering ones but possibly anything else. We want to make the best of it while we are there. So any help I will take.

 

April -- Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

One place to find advice on the excursions is in the Bahamas section of the Ports of Call forum: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

 

The other place is in the roll call for your ship http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34 Find your ship (you did not mention it in your post) and then find the roll call for your sail date. The roll call is also the place to meet up with other folks who will be sailing with you and it is the place to find people to share a private tour with you.

 

Even if you post a message asking about the Atlantis tour also be sure to search the threads to find out information that has already been posted.

[barnismom]

I've been looking at the destinations and on the internet too. I am not that keen on the offerings for the Bahamas. Any recommendations on outside (but reputable) tour vendors/operators that you can contact to create custom tours?

 

Thanks!

Janice

 

P.S. We are sailing May 14 on the Majesty.

[vega]

Hi, my family and I will be in Nassau for the day on a cruise with RCCL. We were interested in going to the Aquarium in Atlantis but are not sure how to do that. Is there a tour we can book? Do we just get to Atlantis on our own and then book it at the hotel? How much is the aquarium entrance fee? What's digs?!

 

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Lana

[Cavatelli430]

If you haven't been to Nassau before I recommend the Royal Caribbean Nassau Sea & See Tour. My husband and I did that last August on Sovereign of the Seas. Ship also had Nassau shopping class, highly recommend, lots of fun! Hope to see Atlantis next time we go to Nassau. But now have NEW Liberty of the Seas to look forward too!

[travelgarn]

We were in Nassau in February. We did not book an excursion to Atlantis. We caught a water taxi ($3 pp/one way) to Paradise Island. It was a short, 10-min walk to Atlantis. (I think a taxi will drop you off right at Atlantis.) We walked around the grounds & to The Digs - Aquarium. No fee!

[aprilvw69]

We were in Nassau in February. We did not book an excursion to Atlantis. We caught a water taxi ($3 pp/one way) to Paradise Island. It was a short, 10-min walk to Atlantis. (I think a taxi will drop you off right at Atlantis.) We walked around the grounds & to The Digs - Aquarium. No fee!

 

 

Hi so what you are saying is that you spent $12 to get to Atlantis and into the digs? Is the water taxi and taxi the same thing? That is alot cheaper than what Carnival charges for their excursion.

[scubagirrl]

Hi so what you are saying is that you spent $12 to get to Atlantis and into the digs? Is the water taxi and taxi the same thing? That is alot cheaper than what Carnival charges for their excursion.

 

Although the poster may have viewed the DIGS for free.. they are not. The pass to the DIGS cost $29pp, and the grounds are usually off limits to non guests (you need an ID bracelet). Usually security is very tight during the daytime hours. At nite. after 7pm.. the security is gone, and you can enter the DIGS and roam the grounds free of charge.

 

Water taxi's (or ferry) cost $3 pp and run from 9am-6pm daily. After that, you'll need a cab..$4pp.

[Kellismom]

Hi the last time my DH and I were in Nassau we did a tour from RCI at Crystal Palace Casino where we would use the hotel facilities and got a lunch buffet and included transportation. I do not see that anymore. Can you still use the Crystal Palace facilities? We will be in Nassau with 2 teens and my DS. I remember the pool being very nice and a nice little beach. We are only in Nassau for about 6 hours.

[tw67]

I am not really interested in any of the ship's tours, does anyone know what is offered when you leave the ship in Nassau, and who they would suggest?

 

Thanks!

 

Terry

[barnismom]

We were in Nassau in February. We did not book an excursion to Atlantis. We caught a water taxi ($3 pp/one way) to Paradise Island. It was a short, 10-min walk to Atlantis. (I think a taxi will drop you off right at Atlantis.) We walked around the grounds & to The Digs - Aquarium. No fee!

 

Thanks; I think I will check out the Atlantis website! No fee for the aquarium?

 

Janice

[scubagirrl]

Thanks; I think I will check out the Atlantis website! No fee for the aquarium?

 

Janice

 

Yes, there's a fee for the DIGs Aquarium, although you can see quite a bit of it at the Great Hall of Waters Cafe for free. The fee to walk thru the underground, and the pedators lagoon is $29 during the day. After 6/7pm, when security goes off duty.. you can walk thru for free.

 

The above poster was lucky.. must have been a bad day for security.

[vacationfool]

We just returned from Nassau and went to Atlantis by taxi-cab for $4 each way, however we took the water taxi back at $3 per person. The taxi cabs are right at the port, a very short walk, and also the water taxi's are right there. At Atlantis, we walked through the shops inside, the casino, had drinks, and then walked around outside, out one door,to the beach and waterslide, they will tell you that you cannot enter the beach, however we walked outside around the deck-pathway and it lead us to this area anyway..so depends on what door you go out of. We did walk by the inside aquarium and viewed all the fish / sharks, and watched a scuba diver cleaning the glass inside the tank! We then walked to the Marina, which has many stores along the way, as well as StarBucks, and a Johnny Rockets hambuger place. We enjoyed our time, and the cost was $20 for the two of us, with our drinks. we just went early around 8:30am , and went back to our ship for lunch by 11:30am . ( our ship was departing at 1:30pm, so we had time to find chairs! ) lol I am not sure the cost of the water slides, etc, but it seemed to be enjoyed by alot of kids!

[butnzb]

Atlantis tour of the Digs is 29$ but is free after 6 pm but its not a guided tour.

There are public beaches one is beside Atlantis if I remember correctly. If you take the water taxi you have a pretty good walk to Atlantis but a regular taxi takes you right to the door. The Hilton used to have a day pass for a small fee & its a nice beach it is right next to the ship port.

[scubagirrl]

I am not really interested in any of the ship's tours, does anyone know what is offered when you leave the ship in Nassau, and who they would suggest?

 

Thanks!

 

Terry

 

Here's a link to most of the excursions available.

www.majesticholidays.com

[travelgarn]

Scubagirl, you're right then. At first, I thought there might be a charge, but after we went, no one stopped us and asked us to pay or for a ticket so we walked on through. (It was about 2:00 pm) Now, we did "explore" after the aquarium and were stopped by hotel staff who told us that we had to have an armband to go any further. Of course, we didn't argue. We apologized and turned around. We would've been okay to pay but were pleasantly surprised with the $12 do-it-yourself excursion, paying only for the water taxi!! :p

[aprilvw69]

So what I think I am udnerstanding is that the Atlantis digs might be from $12-$29 depending on where I get my tickets. We have to pay $3-4 for a taxi or water taxi pp. Those I am okay with whether its a guided or unguided We really don't care We were just interested in possibly going the there, well thats if its worth it.

[scubagirrl]

So what I think I am udnerstanding is that the Atlantis digs might be from $12-$29 depending on where I get my tickets. We have to pay $3-4 for a taxi or water taxi pp. Those I am okay with whether its a guided or unguided We really don't care We were just interested in possibly going the there, well thats if its worth it.

 

Atlantis DIGS is Never $12.. it's $29 for adults and $21 for kids. This is directly from the Atlantis.

Other tours may add a little something.. but never discount below the ticket price.

[addicted to cruising]

April;

 

Ive been to Nausau twice and both times went to Atlantis (Iwas with differnent groups each time) When you get off your ship you can see the hotel in the distance. Great photo opp!! However, neither time was I all that impressed. there is no dout it is an AWESOME hotel. If you take the ferry (leaves like every 20-30 mins) it is a very nice ride over (10-15 mins) where you get dropped off will require a pretty good walk (there are some shops along the way) The hotel is huge with upscale shops in the corridors, you can use the casino which was really quiet both times and you can view parts of the Aquarium for free. It circles the outside perimeter of one of there restaurants. Its nice, I took some photos but nothing over the top. I chose not to pay the $29, so dont know if that part is better. I love Aquariums and have been to many, what I saw was nice and adequate for free. And that is about it. You certainly could gamble or have lunch etc but if you plan to see any of the hotel....DONT.

Security is very tight and you will not be allowed into guest areas, makes sence, if I paid what they did to stay I wouldnt want cruisers drifting through. Outside there is a cafe and the yachts that are there are fantastic, also there is public beach access up the street...locals can tell you how to get there...you will walk! Taking a taxi vs the Ferry will cut off alot of walking and time. All in all it was fun but not my greatest adventure. Fairly cheap if you are watching your $. I think it just depends on how long in port and what interests you. It is an easy Do-it-yourself day. Best of luck...Im heading back in 10 weeks and I just know my kids are going to want to go, I hope Im up to it for the 3RD time.

So what I think I am udnerstanding is that the Atlantis digs might be from $12-$29 depending on where I get my tickets. We have to pay $3-4 for a taxi or water taxi pp. Those I am okay with whether its a guided or unguided We really don't care We were just interested in possibly going the there, well thats if its worth it.

[aprilvw69]

Thanks Addicted.............This is our first time on a cruise ship and we are trying to find places on the islands that sound good to go and that are worth it. I myself have been to tons of aquariums VA, MD, Chicago. We wanted to check this one out maybe it might be different who knows. Do you know what extra you get for the $29 to continue through the aquarium? I was trying to find a website for there but I could not find anything just on the hotel only(for reservations). You said you were going back in 10 weeks, we are going June 3. I was trying to see if We could find others that were going to be on that cruise also that might be interested in the Atlantis tour but so far no luck. Oh well if you have any other information on anything to see while in Nassau let me know we will be docked over night so we should have plenty of time.

 

Thanks

 

April

[addicted to cruising]

April

This is a great site for getting info...can be overwhelming sometime but alot of great people here. I encourage you to search around and read read read. Ive always been in port during the day, but the immediate town is right as you come off the boat. There are shops right as you walk thru the gates (this is where you get the Ferry tickets). Once you go thru here get ready for the locals to swarm....you will be offered every tour known to man and the ladies brainding hair are there as well. Straw Market is to the right about 4-5 short blocks, gotta do it once! Stroll the streets, I like to get off the beaten path some to really see the "true" area. You could then walk back grab the Ferry to Paradise beach....see hotel, shop, and if you want go down to the public beach for awhile. Be prepared to be sandy the rest of the afternoon, no water source. You could go back to ship, shower and then head to Senoir Frogs...gets lively at night. There is a Hard Rock nearby as well. That would be a pretty cheap day....if you want you could do a shore excursion to a good snorkel area in am them come back and head to Atlantis. I have not snorkeled there but the water is clear like 20 ft down so I would bet it would be good. I dont want to speak to what the pay ("Digs") part of the Atlantis Aq is like as I only did the free part but I was at the Shedd in Chicago a few months ago and there is no way it could compare. I need to search myself as we are only in port 8:30-2 on a Sunday! Use the freq cruisers advise and most sites have locals that are on here and they are a huge help. Good luck...no matter what you do,remember that cruising is awesome and every place in the Caribean is paradise to me.

[aprilvw69]

Thanks Addicted for the info..................

[barnismom]

Hello everyone!

 

Thanks for all the feedback; it's been very helpful!

 

Janice

[cecebebe]

Hi,

We are looking to do this excursion but in a less expensive way. Any ideas or places we can book this from?

[tikib]

Hi,

We are looking to do this excursion but in a less expensive way. Any ideas or places we can book this from?

 

Atlantis doesn't discount,

 

You might look into booking a room for the day and getting the waterpark entry, then booking the dolphins seperately.

 

Rooms at Atlantis and Comfort Suites both have full access to the park for up to 4 persons per room. Ea. PAID guest gets a wristband for the park.

 

Of course, it depends on the price of the room on your date of arrival.