Atlantis Aquaventure

[kjkelley]

What is the preferred recommendation... Book this experience through the Atlantis Resort or Disney Cruise Line? I know the cruise line would include transportation and lunch, but is considerable more expensive and I feel you might be able to find your own transportation and eats for less? I am looking for any help here, thanks!

 

[FargoFam]

My view on this is to book through Atlantis (bahamasdaypass.com). I have not enjoyed doing large group tours through a ship, as you have to wait for the group to gather, be herded to a bus, etc. which eats into time you could be enjoying the destination; plus you are not tied to a specific return time window. Not sure which ship you're doing, but on our recent Dream stop, our time at Nassau was 9:30 - ~ 5:00, so going independently added to time to our Atlantis visit and helped justify the cost. We were down near the front of the disembark line, got to the taxi stand quickly and were enjoying Atlantis in no time. We were there March 1st. Wonderful time!
Note - I believe the one-way cost of the taxi was $4/person, and the only downside was that they tried to gather groups of 10 to fill a van before departure, which isn't much of a deal when there are multiple ships in port; just added a few minutes for the group of 10 to be led to the van, a bit outside the perimeter of the chaotic taxi area.

 

[scootch]

We did the checkin/check out at Comfort Suites next door. I like FargoFam, do not like going in a huge group for it. It was very easy to takacab over $4 per person. Also, when you are ready, just go to the main lobby at Atlantis and taxi's waiting. I just walked out the back door of CS and across the street, through the casino(kids are allowed) and you are in the main lobby.

We have actually done it twice(the second time I had Comfort Suite points for the room). I travel without hubby and took my daughters by myself when they were 7 and 9. So truly, super easy.

 

[Drusilla99]

I have done it through Disney and we ere able to come back whenever we wanted too when we went. There were shuttles waiting at the entrance to bring people back to the port.

 

[remlap]

on our first trip we did the CS check in and out and as said above, SUPER easy.
On our second trip, believe it or not, we caught an Atlantis special which was cheaper than CS, so we booked at Atlantis. The only difference was at 8 in the morning, Atlantis handed us a room key, so we had a place to drop our stuff and shower after. At CS they aren't going to give you a room (at least until check in time) they will give you wristbands.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The lunch that comes with the DCL package isn't any good. You'll be happier paying for food at one of the better restaurants. We had the package and had greasy chicken, a bag of chips and a can of soda. I don't normally eat greasy food and I ended up only eating a couple bites of the chicken. Blech.