*Sensation to the Bahamas*

[urbabie2]

Hi everyone! Its my first time here on cruise critics which is really crazy since ive been cruisin forever and NEVER heard of this website~! ...

This is my 5th cruise which will set sail on Sept 20th 07 to nassau bahamas for 3 days! Its my small birthday present from my boyfriend...We will be traveling with another couple that has never cruised before-

We decided since its only a 3 day to take an inside cabin- we are all in our mid to late 20s so were really excited.

I just booked a room at the comfort suites for the day we are at the bahamas so we cud access the atlantis for like half the price they wanted... Was this a bad idea?? I would like everyones imputs please...

Also we are flying in from new jersey to port carnaveral... anyone know of any cheap buses from the airport to the port besides carnivals transportation... id rather spend our money on drinks! hehe =)

Also if anyone has ever been on this ship or this particular cruise let me know your info =)

Any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

[urbabie2]

also now that im reading all of everyones posts.... (BTW this forum goes sooo fast i just posted and im already on page 3) do i need a passport.... my cruise vacation planner said no~ ahh

[krystalkruzer]

Took the very same trip for my first cruise last November at Thanksgiving.I live in Florida so I drove to the port.Stayed in a OV room on the Empress deck.Enjoyed it so much this years trip is a 7 day Eastern Caribbean on the Glory.Go with an open mind with no preconceptions and you will enjoy it.

As of now a DL and certified BC is all you will need.

[urbabie2]

Took the very same trip for my first cruise last November at Thanksgiving.I live in Florida so I drove to the port.Stayed in a OV room on the Empress deck.Enjoyed it so much this years trip is a 7 day Eastern Caribbean on the Glory.Go with an open mind with no preconceptions and you will enjoy it.

As of now a DL and certified BC is all you will need.

 

 

Thanks so much! I was getting confused with everyone saying i gotta get my passports ready and stuff like that-

 

I love cruises- my first time to the bahamas though- i really want to see the atlantis... thanks =)

[fllady61]

Took the very same trip for my first cruise last November at Thanksgiving.I live in Florida so I drove to the port.Stayed in a OV room on the Empress deck.Enjoyed it so much this years trip is a 7 day Eastern Caribbean on the Glory.Go with an open mind with no preconceptions and you will enjoy it.

As of now a DL and certified BC is all you will need.

 

 

When are yo going on Glory?

 

Why did you waste money renting a room in Nassau??? you are only there for a short time. And are you really going to be in the room that much. I would save my money for the casino.

 

As for an interior room, NEVER AGAIN. We did the same with the interior room. 3 dys don't matter, but it was a mistake. Never and I do mean NEVER knew what time it was without looking at our watches. Slept till almost noon one day.

 

But, that is my views.

[urbabie2]

When are yo going on Glory?

 

Why did you waste money renting a room in Nassau??? you are only there for a short time. And are you really going to be in the room that much. I would save my money for the casino.

 

As for an interior room, NEVER AGAIN. We did the same with the interior room. 3 dys don't matter, but it was a mistake. Never and I do mean NEVER knew what time it was without looking at our watches. Slept till almost noon one day.

 

But, that is my views.

 

 

i booked a room right next door to the atlantis at the comfort suites for 240.00.. oposed to getting the atlantis day passes for 130 pp.... if you get a room at the comfort suites you get complete all access to the atlantis-

[bguppies]

i booked a room right next door to the atlantis at the comfort suites for 240.00.. oposed to getting the atlantis day passes for 130 pp.... if you get a room at the comfort suites you get complete all access to the atlantis-

If you just have to go to Atlantis and play at the waterpark, the Comfort Suites is probably the way to go.

Since you get access to Atlantis for up to 4 people per room booked.

 

Personally there are too many other great things to do in Nassau to spend a day at Atlantis, but if that is what you want, I think you did well.

(but we live 20 minutes from the beach and can swim from March - late October and we have a waterpark 2 miles from the house.)

 

Check out the Bahamas board to get alot of in depth information about your day there.

 

Bill

[bguppies]

A couple of Sensation tips.

 

First, if you go all the way forward on the Verandah deck in either corridor, there will be an unmarked door that leads out to a viewing deck area under the bridge.

There is also another one all the way up top on the Sun deck in front of the jogging track and mini-golf course.(right above the gym)

 

Second, there is a little outdoor dining area at the back of the Lido buffett on either side. (just past the Pizzeria, Deli, Bar across the back of the Red Sail buffett)

A great place to relax and watch as you arrive or leave port.

(also there is a stairway there with easy access straight up, one deck, to the aft pool area, which is never crowded. )

 

Just ask if you need to know which lounges have Karaoke, smoking etc...

 

Bill

[memphislonghorn]

Hello urbabie, I will be debarking Sensation a few hours before you are embarking. I will try to leave some drinks and some winnings in the casino.:D My first time to the Bahamas also, but I'm not interested in Atlantis. Gonna go to Cable Beach at the Wyndham, hear its great there.:)

[bguppies]

My first time to the Bahamas also, but I'm not interested in Atlantis. Gonna go to Cable Beach at the Wyndham, hear its great there.:)

Plus only $15 for a daypass and $1 each way on a Jitney.:D

 

Bill

[Jacky4]

We booked a room for the day at the Atlantis and basically didn't feel it was worth it. A quick review: The Atlantis is huge so walking from the pool to our room was a hassle, especially when you forget something. The lines at the food stands were super long and when we got to the front they were out of a lot, this was at 12:30 in the afternoon. I paid $28.00 for a large cheese pizza and brought it back to the pool area for lunch but was exhausted after the walk. We weren't allow to go in the ocean due to rough waters. Casino is open to the public and does give free drinks. Basically you are paying to use the water park, if you love water parks this was a lot of fun. Aquarium was nice but just an aquarium. We had a nice time but all agreed we wouldn't do it again.

[urbabie2]

Thanks everyone for your imput =) ...

 

Yes we really love waterparks and really want to use the pools and everything else ... we arent going to even step foot in the room at the comfort suites... just got it so we can have access to everything =)... Its only 120 a couple so it works out fine-...

 

To the one thats leaving when i get there.. you better leave me some drinks- on that boat haha- well at least just the grey goose =) ...

 

Anyone ever go to the night club in atlantis ... aura i believe?? ...

[urbabie2]

also anyone have any good cheap ideas on how to get to the port ???

[firefly333]

also anyone have any good cheap ideas on how to get to the port ???

 

This is the cheapest Iv found. free shuttle from the airport to the hotel and $30 pp roundtrip shuttle from the hotel to the port if you stay the night

 

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-us/html/HotelInfo?hotel=FL600&promo=gglocal

 

Iv heard that there are other discount shuttles for $30 round trip, but have not run across them. That works out to $15 pp each way, hard to beat.

 

Rental car is probably cheaper, but not by much and a lot more trouble to me.

[urbabie2]

thanks hunni-

 

Im def going to check into it...I hate to spend so much money on just getting to the port...

 

does anyone know how much a reg cab would be for 4 people there? from the airport?

[crusinmama06]

You did EXACTLY like I do. We are going on Sensation 4 days next month. We are taking a group of our friends. When we did the SAME trip on Elation in November I did the SAME thing...booked a room at Atlantis. For $199/night it was cheaper than the price of the passes for our fam of 4.

 

And for US, Atlantis is the BEST place ever. I love Atlantis. Can't say enough about it. And it might be our age...I am 33, you are mid 20's, so we like those kind of water parks. ;) But I agree, you have to LOVE water parks to be willing to pay the kid of prices for the food. I think I paid $11 for GRAPES for my toddler....lol.

 

You could do the transport 2 ways, you can do the cheapest way, the cheap way or the BEST way...lol.

 

Cheapest - rent a car and drive

 

Cheap - take a shuttle like Art's Shuttle. They will pick you up and transport you (cheaper than the Carnival transports)

 

BEST - get a private car from someone like Tiffany's or Florida Towncar Service and for $120 - $160 ROUND TRIP you can get a private driver pick you up at the airport, they hold a sign with your name on it, grab your bags at the baggage claim and load them up in the car, then drop them off with the porters and you don't have to do a thing. That's only $40 per person max. I vote for that :D

 

Oh and to add, the taxi is MORE expensive than anything else.

[urbabie2]

You did EXACTLY like I do. We are going on Sensation 4 days next month. We are taking a group of our friends. When we did the SAME trip on Elation in November I did the SAME thing...booked a room at Atlantis. For $199/night it was cheaper than the price of the passes for our fam of 4.

 

And for US, Atlantis is the BEST place ever. I love Atlantis. Can't say enough about it. And it might be our age...I am 33, you are mid 20's, so we like those kind of water parks. ;) But I agree, you have to LOVE water parks to be willing to pay the kid of prices for the food. I think I paid $11 for GRAPES for my toddler....lol.

 

You could do the transport 2 ways, you can do the cheapest way, the cheap way or the BEST way...lol.

 

Cheapest - rent a car and drive

 

Cheap - take a shuttle like Art's Shuttle. They will pick you up and transport you (cheaper than the Carnival transports)

 

BEST - get a private car from someone like Tiffany's or Florida Towncar Service and for $120 - $160 ROUND TRIP you can get a private driver pick you up at the airport, they hold a sign with your name on it, grab your bags at the baggage claim and load them up in the car, then drop them off with the porters and you don't have to do a thing. That's only $40 per person max. I vote for that :D

 

Oh and to add, the taxi is MORE expensive than anything else.

 

Thank you so much!! -

 

Did you ever think to book a room right adjacent to the atlantis at the comfort suites?? Its much much much cheaper then doin the atlantis which is barely a 5 min walk... hehe.. im trying to do ALL the research here- and get everything down pat-

 

I think im going to go with the best way.. 40 bucks pp r/t thats not bad at all .... im soooooo excited hehe-

 

any other tricks of the trade u can add ??

[crusinmama06]

Thank you so much!! -

 

Did you ever think to book a room right adjacent to the atlantis at the comfort suites?? Its much much much cheaper then doin the atlantis which is barely a 5 min walk... hehe.. im trying to do ALL the research here- and get everything down pat-

 

I think im going to go with the best way.. 40 bucks pp r/t thats not bad at all .... im soooooo excited hehe-

 

any other tricks of the trade u can add ??

 

NOPE cause Comfort INN isn't cheaper when you find deals on Atlantis. At the time that I paid $199 for Atlantis (last December) Comfort Inn was $239. And this time I am paying $279 total for Atlantis and Comfort isn't THAT much cheaper (maybe $20). So I'll happily take my room, my key (a souvenir) and the shorter walk. :)

 

If you call Atlantis DIRECTLY and tell them you have been seeing deals on other web sites for Atlantis under the title "Summer" or "Fall" Promo, you can get a better rate than what you see on their web site.

 

Another trick...the water taxi is $3 per person EACH way to Atlantis (well the station across from Atlantis) but it is a ROCKY ride...lol. The boat we were on, it was spewing smoke and I was just praying we would make it...lol. We ended up taking a taxi back from Atlantis to the port and that was $20 total for 4. We just walked right out of the resort and they were all lined up. Much easier than hiking to the water taxi and praying for a safe landing...lol.

 

Oh and we all got showered at Atlantis then headed back to have dinner onboard the cruise. So you might wanna bring a change of clothes.

[urbabie2]

NOPE cause Comfort INN isn't cheaper when you find deals on Atlantis. At the time that I paid $199 for Atlantis (last December) Comfort Inn was $239. And this time I am paying $279 total for Atlantis and Comfort isn't THAT much cheaper (maybe $20). So I'll happily take my room, my key (a souvenir) and the shorter walk. :)

 

If you call Atlantis DIRECTLY and tell them you have been seeing deals on other web sites for Atlantis under the title "Summer" or "Fall" Promo, you can get a better rate than what you see on their web site.

 

Another trick...the water taxi is $3 per person EACH way to Atlantis (well the station across from Atlantis) but it is a ROCKY ride...lol. The boat we were on, it was spewing smoke and I was just praying we would make it...lol. We ended up taking a taxi back from Atlantis to the port and that was $20 total for 4. We just walked right out of the resort and they were all lined up. Much easier than hiking to the water taxi and praying for a safe landing...lol.

 

Oh and we all got showered at Atlantis then headed back to have dinner onboard the cruise. So you might wanna bring a change of clothes.

 

 

hmmm sounds interesting... well i can cancel on the comfort any day up until i go and get a full refund--- let me see what i can find on atlantis then ... since i then can go directly there, a little easier- ...

 

also just FYI- i called your transportation places they want 180 RT....

 

Thanks for all your help=)))))

[crusinmama06]

hmmm sounds interesting... well i can cancel on the comfort any day up until i go and get a full refund--- let me see what i can find on atlantis then ... since i then can go directly there, a little easier- ...

 

also just FYI- i called your transportation places they want 180 RT....

 

Thanks for all your help=)))))

 

Was that Florida Towncar or Tiffany's....that seems to be HIGH. Let me do some checking real fast for you.

 

Edited to say, you're right, they are BOTH listing $180 as the price from Airport to Port. So that's $45 per person. Maybe you should take a shuttle. I know on the PortCanaveral Board there is a well written post talking about all of the transport options so make sure you check there.

[cruizer4662]

Thanks so much! I was getting confused with everyone saying i gotta get my passports ready and stuff like that-

 

I love cruises- my first time to the bahamas though- i really want to see the atlantis... thanks =)

 

If you plan on cruising again in the future (You're already hooked), I would suggest applying for your passport now so you will have it.:)

[urbabie2]

If you plan on cruising again in the future (You're already hooked), I would suggest applying for your passport now so you will have it.:)

 

 

yeah im starting to apply now-

 

i started freaking out last night thinking i needed one to get off the boat in the bahamas- because there is no websites thats completely clear on whether or not you need one yet-;)

[urbabie2]

Where did you find that cheap rate for the atlantis... i cant get anything cheaper then 4something..... help!!!!! =)

[crusinmama06]

Where did you find that cheap rate for the atlantis... i cant get anything cheaper then 4something..... help!!!!! =)

 

 

THere are a few ways to do it. Call Atlantis directly and ask for the Summer (or Fall) Promo. It might be gone already.

 

Also, on the Bahama board there is a link to Smart Travel that has a discount code for the Comfort Inn. People are using that. You may be able to get the Comfort Inn for cheaper

 

 

 

 

[urbabie2]

i cant find all these boards hehe.. im new to all this so im kinda confused with it all- it took me forever to realize that there is a carnival board away from all the other cruises lol-

 

thanks for all your help though i really appreciate it!!!!!

 

BTW i got a AAA rate for 241