Atlantis excursion....is it worth it?

[Stepharoonie!]

My boyfriend is very interested in doing the Atlantis tour...is it worth it for the price? Any input?

 

[DisneyGator01]

I have been to Atlantis 3 times, but have never done the tour. You can walk a little bit around the hotel, and of course go into the casino for free.

I have heard people saying that the tour is somewhat of a big advertisement/sales pitch for the hotel. But then you are able to see a lot more then you can on your own, and it's supposed to be an amazing resort.

 

[ElaineMc]

I just got back from the 3 day and did the Atlantis tour, but on my own. We booked a room at the Comfort Suites for $136.00 a night not including taxes. Staying at Comfort Suites gives you the same privies as if you were staying at Atlantis. We were able to use all the facilites including water slides and the aquarium. In my opinion it's not worth it. Yes it's beautiful and my daughter loved the slides, but after about 3:00 hours we were ready to get back on the ship. If there's a next time I think I would just get off and look around at the shops and then get back on the ship.

 

[MarkRG]

If you just want to go look and tour the resort which is a wonderful thing(I have pics in the link at the bottom!) I have a prewritten set of instructions on how to make the most of it. They have this thing called 'the dig' that is really part of the resort, a bunch of above and below ground aquariums, better than a lot of public ones I've been to. The only thing you can't do is use the water amenities, which you can't do on the tour anyhow, except for one specific beach. The only way to make full use of the water amenities was described by the last poster.

I'll cut 'n' paste now:

Ok, you've said the magic word! Atlantis is the real highlight of Nassau.

Ok, you *can* do the excursion, but, it can get rushed. It is a gorgeous resort, you have four options:

1) The Disney excursion.

2) Get a room at the resort, and use all the amentities, 2 options: reserve a room, or try to get over and get a 'day room' limited in availability, first come, first served, and a good bit cheaper.

3) Get a room at Comfort suites, which is considerably cheaper, and allows up to 4 per room full access to everything at Atlantis.

4)(my preference) If you really don't want to use the water amenities, which amounts to a few fancy slides, a nice beach, and a lazy river, You can very easily do it yourself. To do so, just follow these steps:

• Leave the ship and go to the end of the dock.
• Take one of the numerous taxis for (right now, price partially depends on a bridge toll) $5 per person to Atlantis, much more pleasant than the overcrowded water taxi. Or, you can find limos for hire there as well for comparable prices.
• Walk to the center of the casino upon arrival, to the kiosk with the blue globe(Temple of the Moon).
• Buy a wristband for $25 each Adults, $19 Kids 4-12, under 4 free, for access to all the resort except the water recreation(you can still walk out to the beach, just not on it).
• Walk the Dig at your own pace. It's long, at least a mile or more, but it is exceptional. And you basically walk about 2/3 of the property in doing so, they give you a map. You can go where you wish, at your own pace.
• Whenever you're done, just go back to where you were dropped off for another taxi ride back to the ship.

We did this and still got back in time for a late lunch shipboard. But you can indulge yourself of the restaurants at Atlantis, but they are a bit pricey. Any questions? Feel free to ask!

 

[rosemary123]

Hi there,

We did the Atlantis excursion last year and it wasn't really worth it. We wont be doing it again this year.

I would think it is just as easy to get your own ferry over there and look around at your leisure.

As someone in an earlier thread said, 'you don't go all the way to the Bahama's just to look at a hotel and a casino'.

Atlantis is a great resort and there are some lovely beaches but I would recomend that if you want to go, get a cab or your own ferry.

Have fun in whatever you decide to do.

Rosemary

 

[jrabbit]

We really don't like Nassau. The Dig at the Atlantis hotel/resort is one of the best aquariums in the world. We took the DCL excursion to the Dig and it was overpriced and we were rushed. IF (very big IF ) we go back to Nassau, we will either stay on the ship or go to the dig on our own.

If you get the Travel Channel, they periodically run a show (hour long) on the Atlantis, and there is a segment on it in their show "The Worlds Greatest Casinos" (they cover more than just the casino during the segment).

 

[tcmata]

Hi. My husband and I are on the 10/26 Wonder and would like to do the Aquarium and hotel/ casino. In 2001, we did the Atlantis Beach Day Excursion and felt it was a waste of $$ because we did not use the beach and could have eaten cheaper on our own. We thought about the Discover Atlantis excursion, but it doesn't leave until 11:00 and we would like to be there earlier. So we're trying to find our options.

I know that you can get a pass for $25/ person at the hotel. You mentioned taking a taxi for $5/ person each way. Is that they only option or can you take a ferry boat? If there is a ferry, where do you board and how much $$ (also where do you pay)??

Can't wait for our trip!!

 

[Lswilmot@aol.com]

If I remember correctly, the ferry cost $3 each way and is billed as a "harbor cruise" and took over 1/2 hour, The walk from the ferry terminal was hot, and about 20 minutes or so (less if you walk faster). The taxi cost us about $5 each way and dropped us off right at the front door of Atlantis. Definitely worth the couple of bucks for the "door to door"service.

 

[MarkRG]

The ferry boats leave from the dock the ship parks at, but I still recommend the land taxis more. They are a nice pleasant ride over, better than some taxis I've ridden here at home!

The water taxis(as they call the ferry boats) are kinda scary looking as they won't go till they have a really full boat. They also drop you a good ways away from the resort where the land taxis will drop you off right at the front door. I don't remember exactly but both were about the same price.

Now as for timing, you can go over as soon as you leave the ship. We did so and were back to the ship by noon for lunch.

 

[cat1239]

I'd have to agree with the others. We went on cruise in September, but we took a taxi there and did it on our own. We had a room booked at Comfort, but cancelled it. I enjoyed it, but we were done after a couple of hours. It is a beautiful resort and we enjoyed the casino and aquarium. I felt that it was worth the trip over.

Cathy

 

[tcmata]

I think that I've just about convinced him to do this one on our own. Just one more question for clarification... is the $5 for the taxi per person?

I think that we'll plan to go as soon as we can get off the boat and head back to the boat for lunch! Thanks for the advice!

 

[cat1239]

When we went last month it was $4.00 a person each way.

Cathy