Atlantis-how to do it cheap??

[misseulalie]

After 10 cruises, I am finally going to Atlantis. I don't want to, but my sister who is sailing with us wants to go there.

So... we don't want to do the DCL excursion we will just catch the ferry once docked. Can we use Atlantis' beach, if so, what is the charge? How much is it for the water park? If we don't gamble or want to go shopping, what else is there to do?

Other question is what beach is nice at Nassau? We prefer not to do DCL excursions.

THANKS!!!

 

[mickeyfan1]

In order to do anything in Atlantis other than shopping and gambling and a look see in the lobby, you must purchase a bracelet from a special desk there or get a day room at the comfort inn or do an excursion. With out the bracelet, you won't get on the beach there or be able to go to the water park area. You might want to do a search for recent pricing. Also go th their web site and compare, maybe they have a web only special.

 

[poohfriend9]

How do you catch this ferry you mentioned over to Atlantis and how much is it?

We have been to Nassau so many times that we don't want to pay big bucks for another excursion when we would just like to go over to Atlantis and back to the ship. We have taken a cab before but was in a crammed up van and not fun.

 

[mickeyfan1]

The "ferry" is the water taxi.

 

[tinkmom2]

DO NOT take the water taxi unless you don't value your life lol! We had the worst experince in November. The lady guided us on the docks and instructed us to walk on the slip where the boats are tied. There was a 20ft drop to the ocean. Then we get to the ferry and it's something from the 1920's with cement seats and they packed us in like sardines. The thing was rocking in and out of the waves like crazy(be sure you take your sea sickenss meds) Then this guy proceeds to give the tour and requests money afterwards. So you aren't paying the $3.00 you are paying more unless you don't want to be shamed.
Take the regular taxi to Atlantis it's $4.00 and they will direct you from there. You can get the taxi or water ferry when you stop in the visitors center you have to pass through to get anywhere on Nassau.
There is a public beach called Cabbage beach and the taxi can take you there.

 

[pluto1979]

You can always do the Atlantis aquiarium which was nice but was a bit expensive. We acutally walked over to Atlantus instead of taking public transport. It was a hike but not terrible. I liked going to the Rum cake factory and that that was pretty nice to do. Atlantis is just very expensive and not much to do that is free. they do have a nice restaurant and you can always go out and look at the yatchs.

Good luck and have a fun trip!

 

[misseulalie]

We took the water taxi about 12 years ago when we were in Nassau for our honeymoon. It wasn't bad. Though I suppose 12 years makes a difference!

I was just planning on doing it again...

How long is the taxi ride?

 

[cheesekate2005]

get a day room at the comfort inn or do an excursion. With out the bracelet, you won't get on the beach there or be able to go to the water park area. You might want to do a search for recent pricing. Also go th their web site and compare, maybe they have a web only special.

Have you done this? I am thinking about doing this for our February Cruise and I would love to hear more about it! Thanks.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have been to Atlantis before it was Atlantis, when it was the Merv Griffin Hotrel and Casino! LOL, I have been on excustions that took you to a beach on PI, but that's as much as I can say. There are tons of posts here about both the Comfort Inn, the Bracelets and Atlantis itself. Honestly, I don't get off the ship in Nassau unless I am with someone who hasn't been there. Beach time I can get at Castaway Cay, and I only shop if I have a specific purpose. Having been to Nassau 11 times, there isn't anything that makes me want to get off.

 

[Paticake]

The water taxi was also an experience! There were some plastic chairs nailed on the second floorof the boat. They packed us in. I have never seen anything like it LOL. I had to laugh at the 1920 boat comment as we thought the same thing. I'm glad we saw Atlantis but next cruise we may choose to stay on the boat in Nassau.

 

[cheesekate2005]

Thanks...I will search for old posts! I am not sure what to do about Nassau, we are doing a 4 day on the Dream and it will be our first cruise. I can't wait! I just wish I knew what to book as far as excursions go...I may want to just enjoy the ship, but I don't want to miss out on anything...I will be travelling with an 11 year old and 14 year old...any tips would be great!

 

[scootch]

The taxi ride is about 5-10 minutes. $4 per person. I took my girls age 8 and 10 in Nov to Atlantis.... we loved all of it, the beach, the pools, the Dig, the architecture. We did rent the room at Comfort Suite, check in and out the same time, never saw the room just got our wristbands. Saved me almost $200, all depends on how lucky you are to get a comfort suites room discounted.

 

[cheesekate2005]

So you just get a wristband when you check in at comfort inn and that's it? They let you check out the same time you check in? Wow! I see that the rates at the comfort in are $220 for my date, and I think I can get an additional 10% off with AAA. Does that sound right?

 

[lilpooh108]

I am going on my first Disney cruise in Dec 2010, but I've been to Nassau and Atlantis and I stayed at the Comfort Suites back in 2005. Once you check in, they will give you a bracelet per person. Make sure you book the right amount people on your reservation and they'll give you bracelets based on your booked per person room rate. If the room is ready, you can drop your stuff off (shower/towel items). If not, just haul it with you to Atlantis. The Dig, pools, slides are about a 10-15 easy walk from Comfort Suites. The taxi ride is no fun (I think Nassau is a little scary in general). But once you get to the Atlantis resort area its feels alot safer...HTH!

 

[scootch]

So you just get a wristband when you check in at comfort inn and that's it? They let you check out the same time you check in? Wow! I see that the rates at the comfort in are $220 for my date, and I think I can get an additional 10% off with AAA. Does that sound right?

Yes, we did the check in/check out the same time. Then you walk to Atlantis, short walk, scenery beautiful. You do have to walk thru the Atlantis resort and then we took our "room key" from the CS to a towel hut to get our bracelets. From arrival at CS to dipping our toes in their pool, about 20 min. Worth 20 min to me to save a couple hundred dollars. If you want to get the room you can, but we just wanted to leave from Atlantis to go back to the ship, so we just went to the front main area of Atlantis and asked for a cab. ATlantis valet got us a guy in seconds. You can rent lockers at Atlantis too to put your credit card, ect..in.

 

[scootch]

So you just get a wristband when you check in at comfort inn and that's it? They let you check out the same time you check in? Wow! I see that the rates at the comfort in are $220 for my date, and I think I can get an additional 10% off with AAA. Does that sound right?

Yes, we did the check in/check out the same time. Then you walk to Atlantis, short walk, scenery beautiful. You do have to walk thru the Atlantis resort and then we took our "room key" from the CS to a towel hut to get our bracelets. From arrival at CS to dipping our toes in their pool, about 20 min. Worth 20 min to me to save a couple hundred dollars. If you want to get the room you can, but we just wanted to leave from Atlantis to go back to the ship, so we just went to the front main area of Atlantis and asked for a cab. ATlantis valet got us a guy in seconds. You can rent lockers at Atlantis too to put your credit card, ect..in.