Nassau and Atlantis the shore excursion.

[jima53]

I realize that the ship planned shore excursions are more expensive but have you ever taken the ship excursion to see Atlantis and the aqarium and casino. Novice cruisers with a couple under our belt, but one of us is really sensitive to the heat and hot sun and are more concerned with comfort and as hassle free tour as possible. Have you done the ships tour of the above. Thanks for any help on this topic. please don't waste your time criticising us for using the ships tour service if we choose because everyone isn't as adventuresome as others. I say this because on a previous cruise someone took it upon themselves to tell me I was the kind of person afraid to leave my house for fear the traffic lights might interfere with my travel.

 

Thanks

Jim

[ImPcJunky]

I just wanted to let you know more than just you uses the Rccl Ex. I do all the time. I am like you, I want good, clean, and honest and most of all safe excurisons. So don't let anyone talk you out of the safe way to go. Some people have found out they should have used Rccl. But they won't fess up to it I am sure. I know one lady who got left on a mountain using a cheap tour ex. and she died up there. The ship left port before her hubby even missed her. As they were to meet at dinner table that night. He went to play golf as she did the cheap tour to the mountain. Went he arrived at the dinner table and no wife he asked the waiter, I'll wait a few for my wife. And 30 mins. later still no wife the waiter notified the ship co capt. and the hunt was on. She was not on the ship. Then they notified all the people on the bus she was on and found out she was not on the bus coming back. They notified the port of call police and finally got to the mountain and found her dead. She had a heart attack with the thin air on the mountain, being up there so long. This is very true.. As far as doing the ships tour of Alantis, sorry no.. Been to Alantis, but not on ship tour.. Can't help there..

[halos]

Don't feel bad Jim...I always take the ships excursions. :D !!

I look for deals other ways to make up for it...I try to get a deal booking my cruise...shopping for clothes for my cruise...etc. When it comes to excursions, I just don't think (for me anyway) going out on my own is worth the risk...I guess I'm not adventurous either...I like the security of knowing if something goes wrong, the ship isn't going to leave without me. To me, it's worth the extra $$$$...just like trip insurance is worth the $$$$ to me and not to others. It all depends on your comfort level!!

[Zeta3]

Jim I usually take ship excursions too and so do mllions of other cruisers every year so you should not feel bad at all.

 

Now as someone who tends to do ship excursions I will tell you that doing Atlantis on your own is just as safe and easy as doing the ship excursion we have done t several times. It is a short cab ride across a bridge (you can see it from the ship) directly to Atlantis. Once there you can choose to use the casino, shop in their shops, have a meal or explore the Dig (aquarium) all in the same building. You can pay for admission to the Dig right there on site. I only mention this because if you have some with you who don't want to do the Dig then they wouldn't have to pay for the whole package deal.

 

You will be able to see the ship the whole time and taxis are abundant and safe.

[staylor]

I agree with Zeta. We do a mix of ship excursions and "on our own" excursions. Atlantis is SO easy to get to. You will have no problem returning to the ship on time!:)

[richfret]

Test

[richfret]

Sorry about that. Sent 2 notes and they disappeared off the file so I tried a test.

 

I don't know if you read the previous posts about Atlantis written about 2 weeks ago but some one wrote and said that you can no longer tour the grounds unless you book a room. Last year it was free (Paradise May Cruise)but apparently, that has changed. I wonder if any else had heard this since we were planning to go again but I certainly don't want to book a room. Last year, outside of the taxi fee, you could spend the day there and really have a good time. All good things must come to an end and that is probably what is happening.

[staylor]

That's a shame. We have toured it 3 times and didn't have to pay. We did buy drinks, bought jewelry in the shops, and spent money in the casino, though.

 

They will lose a lot of money if they close it to tourists, as we spent money in other areas. Also, when people see it, they want to stay there sometime.....

[jima53]

Thanks for the encouraging replies. It seems that it would be easy to take a cab over to Atlantis. Is it true that you cannot go into the aqarium unless you rent a room. I don't mind paying for admission to it, but also might want to walk into the casino. Are these areas limited to hotel guest?

 

Thanks

Jim

[kujobie]

First of all, I agree with others that this is one of the easiest things to do on your own. THe ship uses the same type of cabs that you can get on your own at the end of the pier. It is a 5 minute cab ride and is $5-6 per person. All of the cabs we were in had a/c, sort of. Once at the hotel, you can walk around on your own and see some of the aquarium, or pay for a tour ($25, I think) that will include more of it and some of the grounds. This tour would be included in the price of the ship excursion. Some areas were off limits to everyone except guests staying at the hotel including the beach right behind the resort and the pool/waterslide area. Not sure if the previous poster had this confused or if things have changed in the last couple months.

[MRIrene]

We were at Atlantis in May this year. You could walk thru the casino, shops, and some of the aquariums for free, but had to buy a ticket to tour the Digs (large aquarium). You have to be a guest to use any of the water facitlities or purchase a day pass.