Atlantis Aquaventure/Beach/Discover Atlantis worth it with 5 yo and 3 yo?

[Tashamu2004]

I have two little ones ages 5 and 3 at the time of our 4 night Bahamas cruise on the Dream. They will definitely not be 48 inches so I know that they would only be able to do the toddler areas or regular pools at Aquaventure. I've deemed Aquaventure out for this reason and the $$$, but I'm still pondering doing the beach day and Discover Atlantis tour with them. If you've done any of these before, are they a good use of time and a good experience for the preschool/K crowd or would we be better served to hang out on the ship? The blue lagoon beach day didn't seem like a good fit for us since I read its a 40 minute boat ride there and back and I think the kids would go stir crazy after finally being released to land lol. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Ashlea Ramsey]

I have a 6 year old and am wondering the same thing. He is short for his age and won't be 48 inches by the time we cruise, however we were still considering aquaventure because we had heard there was still a lot for them to do. I am also curious about the atlantis discover excursion.

 

[Tashamu2004]

I have a 6 year old and am wondering the same thing. He is short for his age and won't be 48 inches by the time we cruise, however we were still considering aquaventure because we had heard there was still a lot for them to do. I am also curious about the atlantis discover excursion.

I read a little about Aquaventure on trip advisor and popular consensus seemed to skip aquaventure if under 48". I doubt it would be unfun in the young kid area but you could do that all on the boat for what you've already paid... Hopefully we'll get some good tips from others!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

I would vote that it wouldn't be worth it. We did the Atlantis Beach day and I wouldn't do it again. We are returning in 3 weeks and have chosen to stay on the ship. Atlantis is a neat place but it was quite a hike to the beach and I think kids would have just as much fun on the ship

 

[Ashlea Ramsey]

If no to atlantis, is there anything else anyone would recommend? I am traveling with my son (6), husband 32, and parents (both in their 50's and like to go, go, go) so I know they will want to get off the ship regardless in nassau.

 

[Sytrace]

We have done the Atlantis excursion with beach and tour which was fun. The tour walks you thru the Aquarium part and lands you at the beach, so there is gorgeous scenery and the Aquarium is very nice. We just did a walk thru first as we headed for the beach, but then went back thru and took some time on the way out. No rides or height restrictions because it did not include the Aquaventure and the beach was very beautiful.
The second time we went to Nassau we did a Glass Bottom Boat tour which got us back on the ship in plenty of time to enjoy some Aquaduck and pool time.
Our most recent trip (June) we checked out the Greycliff Chocolatier tour and really loved that! Again, plenty of time to get back onboard for some pool/Aquaduck time.

The Glass Bottom boat tour was really good in my opinion and we saw many kids in the younger ages who seemed to really enjoy it as well.

Have a great cruise!

 

[jne7043]

The problem with the Atlantis Beach excursion is that it doesn't even take you to the nice Atlantis Beach. The part the excursion takes you to is the old Atlantis Beach which butts right up to the public beach. The nice Atlantis beach that the tour doesn't take you to is the cove beach between Aquaventure and The Cove. If you really just want a beach day (The Dig is nice, but I wouldn't pay that to see it) I think there are some resorts closer to port that sell day passes for much cheaper and you can use their pools. I think one of them is the Hilton. Someone else may know this better than I do. While we've been to Atlantis many times I've only cruise one other time when I was 12.

 

[Tashamu2004]

The problem with the Atlantis Beach excursion is that it doesn't even take you to the nice Atlantis Beach. The part the excursion takes you to is the old Atlantis Beach which butts right up to the public beach. The nice Atlantis beach that the tour doesn't take you to is the cove beach between Aquaventure and The Cove. If you really just want a beach day (The Dig is nice, but I wouldn't pay that to see it) I think there are some resorts closer to port that sell day passes for much cheaper and you can use their pools. I think one of them is the Hilton. Someone else may know this better than I do. While we've been to Atlantis many times I've only cruise one other time when I was 12.

So to get to the better beach you'd need the full access pass with Aquaventure?

 

[jne7043]

So to get to the better beach you'd need the full access pass with Aquaventure?

I'm not sure. I think you would be allowed access to the better beach, but the "tour guide" doesn't take you there. You would have to walk through the water park area to get there, but I'm not sure anyone would actually stop you from doing that.