Did Comfort Suites / Atlantis Aquaventure- some info

[FlashbackAlternatives]

Thanks.... I have stayed at this property on a few occassions and have paid no more than $150.00 for 4 people in the past... that is why I refuse to pay when being there the same week in previous years was more cost effective ! Atlantis is beautiful, but I just cannot justify that costs to see it.

 

Ah.. I guess I would feel the same way.

[Travel Angel]

But I really appreciate your assistance on this..... thanks for sharing so others can look into staying there at what they deem an affordable cost ! :D

[23sluvsg]

I just booked a room at CS and chose 2 adults & 2 children. One child is 16. When I check in will they ask their ages and then charge me extra? Also, I used the Significant Organization rate. Will they want to see something for "proof?"

[cruiser from georgia]

I'm considering this, we'll be there next week. Will I need proof to use this discount? Hubby is military, but that rate is $250 and the special org. one is $132. That's before extras fees, but a huge difference. Like question before me, will they ask for proof of anything to use this rate??

[maryln]

I'm considering this, we'll be there next week. Will I need proof to use this discount? Hubby is military, but that rate is $250 and the special org. one is $132. That's before extras fees, but a huge difference. Like question before me, will they ask for proof of anything to use this rate??

"Jeanne B" said in her 4/4/08 post that she has booked through Smarter Travel twice & has never been asked to show a Significant Organization ID. She thinks Smarter Travel is actually the SO.

[cruiser from georgia]

Ahh ha! I see and she's probably right. Thanks so much!!

 

This will be our 7th trip to Nassau and strangely enough, we've never been to Paradise Island. What??? I know some people can't believe it. When my parents cruise with us (3 times) they can't believe we wont go over there. We spend short trips just walking around to favorite shops, we've done the glass bottom boat trip and then went to BlackBeards & swam with the sting rays 3 times. It's time to move on and see Atlantis in all it's glory. I figure this is a great way to do it. I hated to pay close to $300 for a day there though through Carnival, yikes! It's just the two of us.

 

I always get such good info. here, you guys and gals are awesome!

[familyman6]

First of all, this site is great. I was able to find a great deal by reading all of your threads, so thank you. I did some pricing before and after reading this site, so I will share what I have done.

 

I am taking my family of six on a 3 day cruise next Friday, June 13, 2008. I wanted to spend the day at Atlantis Aquaventure, but the rate through the cruiseline (Carnival) is $168 per adult and $128 per child. Ouch! I called Atlantis Resort and they offer one day passes for $105 per person 12 and older and $75 per person under 12.

 

Then I read this site and learned one can use the park for free as a paying guest of the hotel. I called Atlantis and since I have a family of 6, I am required to get two rooms. The chaeapest I could get was $868 for one nite's stay. They told me to check with Comfort Suites. I called them (in Nassau) and was told there is a two night minimum stay requirement and each room was $299 per night per room. Ouch!

 

I got back on this site and learned more.

 

I called CS at the 877 number and booked two rooms for $423 for one night. There was no requirement for a two night's stay.

 

I got back on this site and learned about the SO rates.

 

I clicked on the hyperlink provided by another member (smarterliving?) and booked the same two rooms for $338.

 

Awesome! There are crazy taxes and other fees attached to the hotel, but it is the best way to go.

 

I return next Monday and I will share any information worthy of passing along. Bon Voyage! :)

[FlashbackAlternatives]

I clicked on the hyperlink provided by another member (smarterliving?) and booked the same two rooms for $338.

 

Awesome! There are crazy taxes and other fees attached to the hotel, but it is the best way to go.

 

I return next Monday and I will share any information worthy of passing along. Bon Voyage! :)

 

Very cool!

 

Remember that kids under 16 are free. If anyone is between 12 and 15, they do not have to pay the energy surcharge ($8.00) but do have to pay the housekeeping fee ($4.00). Under 12, and they do not have to pay either the energy or housekeeping fee. If anyone is 16 or older, there is an additional $40 charge per person over 16 (not counting the the first two adults over 21).

 

From their site:

 

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, an additional 40.00 plus taxes and service charges per night. Energy Surcharge: 8.00 per night (all persons 16 yrs and older) and housekeeping gratuity 4.00 per night (all persons 12 years and older) are additional charges that are not included in the estimated total and must be paid directed to the hotel. Five rooms or more is considered a group - please contact hotel. 100 percent smoke free hotel as of Sept. 1, 2007

I would be interested in knowing how far a walk it is from the Comfort Suites to the actual water activities - not just to the Atlantis lobby.

 

Have a great time! We'll be there for the day at the end of August.

[familyman6]

We are back! It was a great trip. Just to recap, it would have cost my family $896 for four adult tickets ($160 ea.) and two child tickets ($128 ea.) through Carnival.

 

Two rooms at Atlantis cost $868, which would have included full access to Atlantis.

 

Purchasing day passes in the lobby would have run us $570 ($105 and $75).

 

Booking through Comfort Suites cost a total of...$366.78. Quite a savings and we had two rooms to return to, shower, take a break, then go shopping at the Straw Market.

 

I will break down the trip...

 

Once we landed in Nassau, it cost $4 per person for a cab ride to the Comfort Suites. My youngest two (twins) are 5 and I negotiated no charge for them. Therefore, I paid $16 for the six of us.

 

The CS is at the bottom of the driveway of the Atlantis Coral Towers. We checked in at 9 am. The rooms weren't ready, but they issued our ID cards to access Atlantis. They did NOT question the SO rate.

 

We walked to the Coral Towers, which was about a three minute walk next door. Once we entered the lobby, we were pointed in the direction (toward the back of the hotel) to access Aquaventure. Make sure to ask for a map.

 

Once out the back door, it will take about 10-12 minutes to walk to the opposite side of the park. It is not bad, considering you are looking at stingrays, the aquariums, etc., along the way. You will need to walk to the other side in order to be close to the Power Tower, the Mayan superslides, and the big kids Splashers.

 

Once there, you check in at the towel hut (located next to every pool) and they will issue armbands and towels. I will say, you will need to make room reservations for every member of your party. We were checked twice on our walk through the park by security. Lastly, the guy at the towel hut did a head count of all members in our party.

 

We claimed our chairs and spent the whole day at Aquaventure. The park fills up fast, so I would get there by 10 am at the latest. The only recommendation I have is to get some aqua socks or something for your feet. The concrete walkways get extremely hot and it can be painful.

 

Regarding the water slides, your kid must be 48" or taller to ride. They were very strict on that. I thought I successfully snuck my daughter onto the Power Tower, but they made her get off and measure at the very top. We ended up having to walk down the tower.

 

Lunch at the park is costly. We ate at the snack bar closest to Splashers and it cost us $85. We ordered wraps and chicken nuggets for five, two orders of fries and five sodas. Ouch!

 

On our walk back toward CS, we walked through The Dig in Atlantis. Very cool! It is a large aquarium and well worth the visit.

 

Upon our return to CS, we were issued our room keys. We had to take an elevator down to the first floor and the elevator seemed to be a service elevator...very dirty and hot. The rooms were nice, though. Each room had a king size bed with pull out sofa sleeper.

 

The whole family showered, changed and took a break. At 6:30, we caught a cab to the Straw Market. I negotiated $2 per little one on the way back, so cab fare cost $18.

 

At the market, which closes between 7 and 7:30 pm, my wife and older daughter bought Coach and Juicy Couture purses. My wife is quite the negotiator and not afraid to argue until she wins (NJ girl). She haggled quite a drop in price and I would encourage you to do the same. Their prices are jacked high, obviously because people are willing to pay it.

 

On the cruise, Carnival automatically charged a $10 per person, per day gratuity onto our bill. For a family of six, I was charged $180. You will see this on the second day of your cruise, when they slip your bill into the Carnival Capers daily activity sheet. It says you can dispute the charges if you wish by going to the Information Desk. We had those "gratuities" deleted. No offense, but don't the room attendants get paid through the cruise line? I do not agree with a "per person" charge. A room charge is more acceptable. We tipped what we felt was fair - by room, not by person.

 

Overall, we had a great time. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

[Travel Angel]

On the cruise, Carnival automatically charged a $10 per person, per day gratuity onto our bill. For a family of six, I was charged $180. You will see this on the second day of your cruise, when they slip your bill into the Carnival Capers daily activity sheet. It says you can dispute the charges if you wish by going to the Information Desk. We had those "gratuities" deleted. No offense, but don't the room attendants get paid through the cruise line? I do not agree with a "per person" charge. A room charge is more acceptable. We tipped what we felt was fair - by room, not by person.

 

Overall, we had a great time. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

 

Well it sounds like you had a nice cruise vacation and the day in Nassau was apparently a wonderful one at a $avings too !

 

As for the tipping.... that should have been advised to you whomever you booked with so you would have known well in advance what to expect. Do you realize that the $10.00 is pooled ad goes to the stateroom attendant, head waiter and their assistant ??? If you only knew how much of their income is derived from that per person per day gratuity due to the poverty level wages they make w/out out those gratuities, I am sure you would have rethought that decision !

 

I am not going to chastise you for this by any means and happy that you did provide some type of gratuity, but for all these folks do for their guests, I think you made a poor decision if it was because you thought they were paid enough !

 

Off my soap box

[FlashbackAlternatives]

Thanks for the review!

 

We'll probably be splitting up - my oldest daughter and I to the larger slides and my wife and youngest daugther to the smaller slides (she is 48", but not a big slide kind of girl - she is happy in a pool).

 

How long a wait did you have for the larger slides? Did you do any of the pools/lagoons? I know they have a lagoon that you can go snorkeling in - did you see it/try it? I heard it isn't much, but figured since I will have my equipment, I might as well give it a try. Any *must* sees?

 

I won't get into the gratuity aspect, but will second what TravelAngel said about the break down of the $10 per person per day - it covers as follows: "The total amount will be $10 per guest (over the age of 2), per day, which breaks down as follows: $5.50 pp/pd for Dining Team Service (headwaiter and waiter); $1 pp/pd for Bistro Service (waiter/cooks) $3.50 pp/pd for Cabin Services (cabin steward). (This was from a USA Today article from a couple of years ago)" - and they all pretty much work for gratuities. They have a VERY small base salary.

 

Thanks again for the review!

[4bellablue]

The pools & slides closed at 6PM when we were there on 4/30/08.

 

6pm That does not give you much time.

[phabric]

Thanks for the great review.

 

I was wondering if the room is not ready until 3pm, what do you do with all your clothes and things while you are all in the water.

[familyman6]

We did not see the snorkeling area. I went in some of the other lagoons and they were nice. There is one lagoon right next to the superslides and it had small slides for kids and adults. That was alot of fun.

 

I guess there is a dolphin cove area, but we never made it there.

 

While there, a golf cart carried a large sea lion in a cage that barked at people as they drove by. That was cool and the driver was kind enough to stop and let everyone look at it. I don't know where they were going, but I guess there is a place at Atlantis for large sealife.

 

The water park closed at 6 pm, but that is plenty of time to spend at the park if you get there at 10am.

 

The water slide lines go fast, so don't let the long lines fool you. The Power Tower lines took about 20-30 minutes though. However, you sit in your tube the whole time so the wait isn't that bad.

 

When you check in to your room, you may have your bag stored in an office at the CS. We packed two small tote bags with only a change of clothes and carried it with us to the park.

 

I hope I answered all questions...

[bobsfamily]

We are back! It was a great trip. Just to recap, it would have cost my family $896 for four adult tickets ($160 ea.) and two child tickets ($128 ea.) through Carnival.

 

Two rooms at Atlantis cost $868, which would have included full access to Atlantis.

 

Purchasing day passes in the lobby would have run us $570 ($105 and $75).

 

Booking through Comfort Suites cost a total of...$366.78. Quite a savings and we had two rooms to return to, shower, take a break, then go shopping at the Straw Market.

 

I will break down the trip...

 

Once we landed in Nassau, it cost $4 per person for a cab ride to the Comfort Suites. My youngest two (twins) are 5 and I negotiated no charge for them. Therefore, I paid $16 for the six of us.

 

The CS is at the bottom of the driveway of the Atlantis Coral Towers. We checked in at 9 am. The rooms weren't ready, but they issued our ID cards to access Atlantis. They did NOT question the SO rate.

 

We walked to the Coral Towers, which was about a three minute walk next door. Once we entered the lobby, we were pointed in the direction (toward the back of the hotel) to access Aquaventure. Make sure to ask for a map.

 

Once out the back door, it will take about 10-12 minutes to walk to the opposite side of the park. It is not bad, considering you are looking at stingrays, the aquariums, etc., along the way. You will need to walk to the other side in order to be close to the Power Tower, the Mayan superslides, and the big kids Splashers.

 

Once there, you check in at the towel hut (located next to every pool) and they will issue armbands and towels. I will say, you will need to make room reservations for every member of your party. We were checked twice on our walk through the park by security. Lastly, the guy at the towel hut did a head count of all members in our party.

 

We claimed our chairs and spent the whole day at Aquaventure. The park fills up fast, so I would get there by 10 am at the latest. The only recommendation I have is to get some aqua socks or something for your feet. The concrete walkways get extremely hot and it can be painful.

 

Regarding the water slides, your kid must be 48" or taller to ride. They were very strict on that. I thought I successfully snuck my daughter onto the Power Tower, but they made her get off and measure at the very top. We ended up having to walk down the tower.

 

Lunch at the park is costly. We ate at the snack bar closest to Splashers and it cost us $85. We ordered wraps and chicken nuggets for five, two orders of fries and five sodas. Ouch!

 

On our walk back toward CS, we walked through The Dig in Atlantis. Very cool! It is a large aquarium and well worth the visit.

 

Upon our return to CS, we were issued our room keys. We had to take an elevator down to the first floor and the elevator seemed to be a service elevator...very dirty and hot. The rooms were nice, though. Each room had a king size bed with pull out sofa sleeper.

 

The whole family showered, changed and took a break. At 6:30, we caught a cab to the Straw Market. I negotiated $2 per little one on the way back, so cab fare cost $18.

 

At the market, which closes between 7 and 7:30 pm, my wife and older daughter bought Coach and Juicy Couture purses. My wife is quite the negotiator and not afraid to argue until she wins (NJ girl). She haggled quite a drop in price and I would encourage you to do the same. Their prices are jacked high, obviously because people are willing to pay it.

 

On the cruise, Carnival automatically charged a $10 per person, per day gratuity onto our bill. For a family of six, I was charged $180. You will see this on the second day of your cruise, when they slip your bill into the Carnival Capers daily activity sheet. It says you can dispute the charges if you wish by going to the Information Desk. We had those "gratuities" deleted. No offense, but don't the room attendants get paid through the cruise line? I do not agree with a "per person" charge. A room charge is more acceptable. We tipped what we felt was fair - by room, not by person.

 

Overall, we had a great time. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

 

Great review... glad you had a good time.

BTW don't worry what some say about you removing tips... hopefully you paid by the service you received. Some seem to think that removing the "prepaid" tips is a sin whereas I wonder if they ever get fully paid to the people that do the work.

[twins mom]

After reading these posts I was so excited to visit Atlantis in August. I just realized that our ship is in port from 1:30 until 11 PM. Is this trip still worthwhile given how late we are arriving? My kids are interested in both the water park and the aquarium. Is it possible to do the waterpark until it closes and then do the aquarium in the early evening or does that close at the same time as the waterpark? I hate to spend all that money and have crying kids because we got to stay for such a short time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[maryln]

After reading these posts I was so excited to visit Atlantis in August. I just realized that our ship is in port from 1:30 until 11 PM. Is this trip still worthwhile given how late we are arriving? My kids are interested in both the water park and the aquarium. Is it possible to do the waterpark until it closes and then do the aquarium in the early evening or does that close at the same time as the waterpark? I hate to spend all that money and have crying kids because we got to stay for such a short time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

We walked through The Dig (aquarium) in the evening after the pools & slides were closed.

[steve_lisa_ohio]

Can someone please give the link again for the SO rate discount you are talking about because I tried to click a link from earlier and it was a dead link.

 

Also, does Atlantis have casios? If me and DH port in at 11 and depart at 10 PM it sounds like we'd have time to check in one room at CS, do the water park at Altantis until late afternoon. Then we'd be interested in either accessing the beach or another pool onsite or even the casino.

 

I think I'd starve myself until I got back onboard the boat before I'd pay the huge food prices Atlantis has wow!

 

We've been playing with doing a daypass at the Hilton but heard its going under construction so now maybe this is a good idea?

 

Are the beaches beautiful and can jet skiing be caught from there?

 

I'm going to for sure go check Atlantis's personal website for many of these answers but I seriously do need a repost of a workable link for this SO rate and what does SO stand for?

 

Thanks much in advance for your replies!

Lisa

[FlashbackAlternatives]

Can someone please give the link again for the SO rate discount you are talking about because I tried to click a link from earlier and it was a dead link.

 

The last I checked (about 2 weeks ago), the SO (Significant Organization) rate was no longer working. However, the AAA rate was lower than what I originally booked with SO, so I canceled the SO reservation and re-booked with AAA rate.

 

We are going to be there 8/29.

[pigpug]

I just booked today for next Saturday via the CS website and used my AAA discount. Got a room for 2 adults for $200.59. I will gladly pay that that get the passes plus be able to shower & enjoy the day. Can't wait! :D

[FlashbackAlternatives]

I just booked today for next Saturday via the CS website and used my AAA discount. Got a room for 2 adults for $200.59. I will gladly pay that that get the passes plus be able to shower & enjoy the day. Can't wait! :D

 

Don't forget the surcharges that are added when you get there ($24 total for two adults).

 

We're paying $182.26 with AAA discount on 8/29 (including all surcharges) for 4 people (2 adults, 2 kids under 12).

 

As mentioned elsewhere, rates do vary widely depending on time of year, day of the week, and phase of the moon :)

[bobsfamily]

Can someone please give the link again for the SO rate discount you are talking about because I tried to click a link from earlier and it was a dead link.

 

Also, does Atlantis have casios? If me and DH port in at 11 and depart at 10 PM it sounds like we'd have time to check in one room at CS, do the water park at Altantis until late afternoon. Then we'd be interested in either accessing the beach or another pool onsite or even the casino.

 

I think I'd starve myself until I got back onboard the boat before I'd pay the huge food prices Atlantis has wow!

 

We've been playing with doing a daypass at the Hilton but heard its going under construction so now maybe this is a good idea?

 

Are the beaches beautiful and can jet skiing be caught from there?

 

I'm going to for sure go check Atlantis's personal website for many of these answers but I seriously do need a repost of a workable link for this SO rate and what does SO stand for?

 

Thanks much in advance for your replies!

Lisa

 

Atlantis has a casino. If staying at the CS you will be able to buy food outside Atlantis. Wyndham at cable beach has a casino. The SO does not work anymore. The Hilton is not under construction Scubagirl notified the board that dredging in the channel will begin soon and will stir up the water so it will be murky at the Hilton. She said you would be able to see the dredging equipment from your ship.

[FLbeachbaby]

pigpug-where did you get your reservation for next week? I am trying for a couple of weeks out and the 800# is saying there are no rooms-any suggestions-anyone?

[europe4fun]

Just want to be 100% sure this won't be an additional charge on top of the hotel room @ Comfort Suites.

 

The web site for CS says "full use of all their facilities" but I only have seen posts referring to Aquaventure (the pools, slides, etc) - which we want - but we really want to go to The Dig too.

 

Thanks in advance!!!

[maryln]

Just want to be 100% sure this won't be an additional charge on top of the hotel room @ Comfort Suites.

 

The web site for CS says "full use of all their facilities" but I only have seen posts referring to Aquaventure (the pools, slides, etc) - which we want - but we really want to go to The Dig too.

 

Thanks in advance!!!

Yes, the passes include The Dig.:)