Atlantis Options?

[MomTo2Princess]

To visit Atlantis on Nassau stop, I believe these are my options below. Now, I just need your help in filling in the missing information.

1) Go through DCL Excursion desk. How much are the cost per adult and per child? Is it true I get free transportation (but drop-off point is a long walk to actual beach), free lunch, and can only hang out at the beach (i.e., no dig nor swimming pool access)? Was the free lunch good or should we just get food at one of the Atlantis restaurants instead?

2) Catch a cab and go to Atlantis myself. Cab cost = $5/person and drop off right at registration desk. Then, I can go inside and buy color-codes wrist band myself. How much are the cost per adult and per child? Where can I visit with this option (i.e., beach, dig, swimming pool)?

3) Get a day room at one of the Atlantis towers or Comfort Suites nearby. Cost = ~$200. I get to visit everything at Atlantis but do you really use the room with this option? Is it really worth the cost?

There are five of us: 2 adults and 3 kids. I'm not sure we would need access to the pool/slide since our kids are younger and probably will fine playing at the beach or lagoon area.

A couple of other questions:
a) Do we need to bring our own towels or does Atlantis make them available for us at the beach/lagoon area?
b) I also would like to do some quick souvenir shopping. Are the shops and this famous straw market right off the ship?

Thanks!

 

[MarkRG]

Ok I'll answer your questions in a different order:

-The shops/straw market are right off the end of the dock. I believe you have to walk over 1 block and turn right, if I remember correctly, to get to the market.

-Any access to the water facilities is either thru the tour or by getting a room at either atlantis/comfort suites. The tour limits you to a specific beach, I believe. And the way it's worded, it might not even be one in Atlantis. I've never taken the tour, so I really don't know for sure.

-The wristbands you can buy outright there are $25 for adults, $19 for 4-12, under 4 free. They only allow access to the resort and The Dig, not water facilites that way either. to see pics of The Dig, look thru my trip replort linked at the bottom. Put a lot of city acquarioums to shame.

-Food at Atlantis is quite pricey. The most popular suggestion was to get sandwiches from room service and pack your own, if not on the tour. Remember food onboard is free, only need to tip whoever brings the room service.

-The DCL excursion has some minuses. First, the tour part is very rushed. It's a long hike thru The Dig and they take it at a very rapid pace. And, yes, second, they take you over on this scary looking water launch that drops you off quite far from the resort. The taxi's drop you right at the front door. This info is from other posts I have read on here about it. It's what prompted us to do it ourselves with the cab ride over and wristbands. Just Mary and I, we had no interest in the pools/beach/slides.

If they want to play in the water, the ship gets really empty, your best bet is to visit Atlantis if you want, get back for lunch, let the kids play a bit in the pools, then go into town for shopping. It's very easy to go to/ from the ship at any time.