Atlantis Excursion; Yes or No?

[kcatoir]

O.K. I keep going back and forth on this issue...we are taking the 3day in Sept and stopping at Nasseau.
Here's my question: Is the Atlantis Excursion to tour the aquarium's etc... worth the money??
There is really nothing else in Nasseau that would appeal to us other than a quick trip around the market for some souviners for the kids. We aren't interested in the casino.
This is our first cruise and from what I read about the aquarium it sounds like it would be really fun to see expecially for our 2 DD's ages 8 & 9.
I've read the Disney "Harbour tour" that includes the Atlantis tour is not worth the money.
I did look into doing the tour on our own but once you add in cab fare and the price of the tour its just about the same price.
Has anyone done this tour that would recommend it??
Anyone done the tour on their own???
We are a very active family, walkers, hikers etc... but from the maps it doesn't look possible to walk there from the dock.
Can you take the ferry over???
How much is it?? Cheaper than Cab????

Thanks for all your help,
KC

 

[fredms]

I've stayed at the Atlantis as well as visited there on the 4-day Disney Cruise I took on 5/18/03. In response to your questions:

1- don't walk. it is way to far and some of the area looks a little sketchy.

2- we did the tour on our own (3 adults). We took a cab from the pier ($4pp) and then paid $25 each for the aquarium. We spent some time at the casino, shopping and brought along some food from room service and had a picnic. We then ended up taking a limo back to the pier (they wanted $20 and there were 3 of us). The reason I dodn't do the tour (as I think economically they are pretty consistent) was that we wanted the flexibility to come and go as we pleased and I had heard the boats were small and crowded and thought that may make my boyfriend nervous.

3-the Atlantis is very big so bring good walking shoes.

As far as your dd's, there are really fun looking pools and waterslides, you may want to consider of it is a "teeze" for them to see it without being able to go (unless you book a day room at the Atlantis or Comfort Suites).

In terms of - "is it worth it?" honestly, it was our first day on the boat and I would've been more then happy to hang out on the boat and explore the ship I had paid so much money for. The aquarium is nice and very impressive but it is just an aquarium. That's my 2 cents - hope it helps and have a fantastic trip!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have always heard that the excursion is a LOT of walking, being hustled along as part of the group. Not quite my idea of fun... As I am sure your kids would agree.

If you would like to go.... you may want to take a cab. Right from the ship to the front entrance of Atlantis. Excursions do take the often crowded water-taxi. Which sounds like an adventure at best!!! Then you have to walk up from where it docks to the Atlantis.

Your kids sound like a good age for the slides, pools, etc! As mentioned on another current thread - Day Rooms at the the Comfort Suites can be booked for a special rate of $136.50. (assuming this is still available???) This is by calling the Comfort 800 number directly and requesting the LGOLD rate. This would give you full access everything at Atlantis.

 

[WDWLVR]

We've done Atlantis on our own twice and feel that's the best west to do it. Here is a little helper my DH (MarkRG) wrote up about it:


MarkRG’s guide to doing Atlantis (and the Dig site) on your own:

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 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 like doing it on our own because we don't have to take the water taxi's. Not only are they crowded, but when you get off you need to walk about a block and a half to Atlantis, with the cab you get dropped off right in front. Doing it on your own you can also do it at your pace. We passed the tour groups a number of times on our visit and like doing things at our own pace.

 

[disneystyle]

TO WDWLVR

This information really helped...
Your bullet points with the faces made it easy to read.
I'm looking forward to our trip.

blountstyle

 

[yvettpal]

We did the Discover Atlantis tour thru Disney. You had to walk from the ship to the ferry boat and them from the ferry boat dock to Atlantis. It really wasn't that much walking, especially if you are used to it.

When the tour is over you are free to explore the aquarium and shop on your own. When you are done, you just walk back to catch the ferry back and then walk back to the ship. We were tired of walking after this excursion, but I think that had more to do with 4 days of walking at WDW before the cruise than the excursion itself.

I think I paid $33 for 3 adults and $23 for my niece (age 4).

 

[MarkRG]

Actually, Mary cut and pasted an old one. I've rewritten it since then, here's the most current info:

This note is for people who want to just go visit Atlantis and tour the Dig, a huge grouping of aquariums. If you want to use the water facilities, you need to get a room at Atlantis or Comfort Suites at Atlantis.

To just visit is very easy to do on your own. All you have to do is walk to the end of the dock, where there are numerous cabs(minivans) with a current rate of $4 per person to shuttle you over. There are also private limos if you prefer with competitve rates.

Where they drop you off at Atlantis is where they will pick you up to return to the dock. At this point you have access to the casino, the shops, the main building of the resort.

To get access to the Dig and all the resort, simply go to the center of the Casino to a kiosk with a blue globe over it.

Wristbands for access to the rest are $25 for adults, $19 for kids 4-12, Under 4 free. This is not for access to the water amenities, as I said above you have to get a room for that.

They will give you maps of the Dig/resort and such at that point. You're now on your own to explore the resort at your own pace. The Dig is in sections spread over the resort and it is a great deal of walking. But definitely worth it. Enjoy!

I would also comment on the fact the official excursion has two negatives. First the water taxi's are scary to say the least and they do drop you off a good deal away from the resort itself. Second, the tour of the Dig is from all reports including observation of them, very rushed. Mary got that backwards, at least three tours passed us while we walked it. And we didn't go exactly that slow. You're much better off doing it on your own, you'll really enjopy a resort that is the equal to any of the top WDW resorts, if not even a bit more.

 

[KLR-wlv]

We just returned from a 4 day cruise and did Atlantis by way of a room at Comfort suites (175 internet rate). Took a "bahamian air conditioned" cab to CS and then walked over to Atlantis and got wristbands good for the pools/beach/slides from the towel kiosk. The beach there is really beautiful - heavy surf and the bluest water and cleanest sand I've ever seen. The place is huge with about 5 pools. I booked the room because I knew if I saw the pools and beach and weren't able to use them I - along with the kids - would be very disappointed. I wasn't feeling great that day unfortunately (sinus infection) but I am glad that we had access to the pools and beach if we bothered to make the trip there. We did about half the dig and it is cool - but I wouldn't have wanted to pay $100 plus $40 in cab fares just for the dig. For under $100 more you get the whole thing which seemed worth it to me. On the way back - we got a limo for the same price as the cramped, hot van on the way there...also - I heard Michael Jordan was there at a different pool the day we were there.

If we are fortunate enough to get to do another cruise - I probably would stay on the ship, or maybe try Blue Lagoon - but I think atlantis is one of those things that is great to say you did and it was a lot of fun. Have a great trip whatever you decide!