Atlantis Question

[jeeper9]

First time on cruise with DH, 1 DGS and 2 DGD. I am confused about the Atlantis. If we only want to see the Discover Atlantis (fish) what excursion do we book?

If we would decide to do the entire Atlantis experience, when should be book a day room? Now or can we wait until we get to port in case we change our mind?

 

[MarkRG]

You don't seem too confused. None of Disney excursions include access to the waterpark at Atlantis. The Discover Atlantis one includes time at 'a beach' which is not the same thing. Atlantis has a big water slide, a tube slide, a lazy rizer and a number of internal pools. The only way to get full access to the waterpark stuff is to book a room at Atlantis or the Comfort Suites which is right next door.

The excursion does have some downsides. You get shuttled over in a Water Taxi that they will fill as full as they are able to do. It also drops you off a block or more from the resort, which is a downside for the return trip. The tour itself also moves at a very brisk clip. It's more intended as a teaser than anything else. We're not that slow, the last time we visited we spent 3 hours there, and, no joke, 3 tours passed us up. You are allowed to 'explore at your leisure' after the tour ends, but after all the rushing, not many have an inclination to rewalk the tour. The upside is the tour is cheaper than doing it yourself. Not a lot cheaper, but it is.

To do it yourself all you have to do is leave the ship, walk to the end of the dock and get a minivan taxi that'll cost you(prices do fluctuate-always ask upfront) approx $4 per person to get there, they'll drop you right at the front door. When you get in, you can get the same wristbands as the tour for $29 each for Adults, $20 Kids 4-12, under 4 free, and you can now explore the resort at your pace. You will be given a map of the resort that you can follow the route the tour does and see all the aquariums.

As far as the room, I'm not absolutely clear on this anymore, you might be best to book Comfort Suites in advance, if you want to use the waterpark at Atlantis. Atlantis you can usually book a room that day but it is expensive. Atlantis used to have this thing called a 'day room' that were first come, first served at a discount by just showing up there, but don't know if that is still in effect.

 

[232271]

NOt sure how much the tour will cost, but we are only paying $164 plus tax for the comfort suites, next June. this is for two adults and two kids, it was much cheaper than the "beach" experience DCL offers, but more than the other tour I believe.


good luck in your decision.
let me know if you want to book CS, there is a link to a cheper rate.

 

[erikthewise]

How far of a walk is it from the Comfort Suites to the Atlantis resort (more importantly, to the pool complex area)?

 

[wintermom]

The comfort suites are just across the street to the Atlantis complex. Once you are at the complex everything is spread out and there is a lot of walking if you want to do everything. We stayed at the comfort suites last cruise, (got a room I should say). I don't know that having a room onsite at Atlantis will keep you from walking, it a hike from the slides to the beach, to the lazy river etc. We had a great time and I am really glad we did it.

Wintermom

 

[my3m]

Could u send me the link (PM it to me). thanks

 

[Tonyspad]

We booked a Comfort Suite room in advance from their website. We found the whole excursion to be a HUGE waste of time and money. You must check into the CS then walk through the back of the hotel across the street to the Atlantis. Once you cross the street you must walk through the Atlantis to get to the pool area. From leaving the ship to getting to the pools took us almost 2 hours. On top of it we cruised in February and the water was freezing cold. None of the pools are heated and there is a huge distance between all the slide areas. IMHO- Stay on the ship or head down to the Crystal Palace and use their pools and slide for a nominal fee.

 

[jeeper9]

thanks for the replies ~ I think our best bet is to get the taxi and then wrist bands to see the aquarium ~

How far is Atlantis from the straw market and do you think it is worth going to the market?

Thanks for the good information ~ it makes decisions much easier.

 

[amy2girls]

what and where is the crystal palace. I looked on th atlantis web site and the slides seemed more appopriate for older kids/adults. What are the slides like at crystal palace. I was thinking of a short stay somewhere ie straw market and the spending the rest of the day on the boat in the pools etc. any one else done this. is there enough to do on the boat if you stay aboard.

 

[Tonyspad]

The Crystal Palace is a resort hotel at the opposite side of Nassua. It is located in the Cable Beach area. It has one medium size slide, pools and a man made salt water lagoon. The water is MUCH calmer because it is located on the inlet where Atlantis is on the ocean.

 

[zippeedee]

The Crystal Palace is the Wyndham hotel at Cable Beach. It is about 15-20 minutes from the cruise dock area by cab or jitney bus ($1 or so each way).
They have a nice beach area, a pool and a small waterslide, restaurants, bars and a casino. It is NOTHING like the waterpark at Atlantis, but it has the advantage of being quieter, much less crowded, and FREE. On one side is the Nassau Beach hotel, which has a larger beach and the usual rentals-jet ski's, small sailboats, water bikes and banana boat rides.
On the other side is the Radisson hotel. They have a larger beach and more of a waterscape (pools, waterfall, etc) but I'm not sure if they are as welcoming. I know they aren't really happy sharing their beach with the Wyndham guests.

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by jeeper9
thanks for the replies ~ I think our best bet is to get the taxi and then wrist bands to see the aquarium ~

How far is Atlantis from the straw market and do you think it is worth going to the market?

Thanks for the good information ~ it makes decisions much easier.

Don't bother spending the $25 to see the Dig (aquarium) at the Atlantis, it would be a huge waste. We had a day room at the Atlantis on our cruise and going through the Dig was part of the room perks of course. If you have been to any large aquarium you will be disappointed. I was so happy that we did not spend our money on this and would have been mad had I wasted $125 to do so.

You have to take a cab from the cruise ship to the Atlantis and it was $4 per person when we did it. The straw market is in walking distance I believe from the ship. (They hadn't rebuilt if after the fire when we were there last.)

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Just for a different POV: we stayed at Atlantis in December, and we thought the Dig and the aquarium were the best part of the resort. My kids probably did the walk through about 20 times in 2 days. We've been to much bigger and better aquariums, but this was a lot of fun.

It all depends on the types of things your family likes to do.

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by MarcyIn Florida
Just for a different POV: we stayed at Atlantis in December, and we thought the Dig and the aquarium were the best part of the resort. My kids probably did the walk through about 20 times in 2 days. We've been to much bigger and better aquariums, but this was a lot of fun.

It all depends on the types of things your family likes to do.

I guess it also depends on what ages your kid are to whether or not they would like it, I didn't think of that. My kids were 10, 12, and 14 when we went so they weren't that thrilled with it.
It was nice to walk through, I just don't think that it's worth $25 a head. (Remember you and I got to go through for free since we had rooms there.)
My 3 kids loved the slides the best! Me, I enjoyed sitting by the pool relaxing and having a cocktail!!

 

[jeeper9]

the children are 5, 8, 9 ~ I think the slides at the Atlantis are to big for them and they absolutely loved the Baltimore Aquarium so that is why I thought the Atlantis aquarium would be good.

Of course they would also like the stingray and dolphin excursion also but that is a little steep I think.

 

[232271]

Rent the Mary Kate and Ashley movie:

HOLIDAY IN THE SUN

and you will see some of the Atlantis resort. It is filmed in Nassau and they are at the Resort. It really made my kids excited to go and see someplace Mary Kate and Ashley were.


good luck and even if others say it is a waste, I am totally excited about seeing it and I am 35!!

also the other excursions are expensive, however if this a once in a life chance to do it, I might go ahead a spend the money.
my kids did discovery cove in Flordia and swimming with the dolphins was awesome!!! the memories are worth it to me.

 

[dzneprincess]

Originally posted by 232271
NOt sure how much the tour will cost, but we are only paying $164 plus tax for the comfort suites, next June. this is for two adults and two kids, it was much cheaper than the "beach" experience DCL offers, but more than the other tour I believe.


good luck in your decision.
let me know if you want to book CS, there is a link to a cheper rate.

I would like the above mentioned link, please. We are sailing in a few weeks and I would like to get a room at CS.

 

[MarkRG]

I think what makes the aquarium work more at Atlantis than other places is how it is themed into being a part of the resort. For kids it'll seem like the aquarium is everywhere since they have them pretty spread out. And the resort itself is as goregous as the pictures/video makes it, maybe even moreso. Take the time to take the longer walk around the lagoon, there are a number of aboveground pools with rays and other large fish in them too that you'll miss if you stick with just the closer to the building parts.

As for the straw market, it's near the dock, so if you get a cab ride back there, you only have to walk a block or so away from the dock to get there.

You will be given a map of the port area of Nassau with all the shops listed onboard ship, you'll have no problem finding anything.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I have some pictures of Atlantis and the pools and grounds at the link below. We rented a "day room" at Atlantis and had a great time with My Niece and Nephew. I think we paid around $184.00 with tax. Scroll down a few pictures as we were at Animal Kingdom First.
Teri

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=1265445&uid=471454

 

[232271]

this is using the significant organization savings rate. I found out about it on these boards.

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HomePage?clientid=SKqvGxBjtuO5

do not change the rate as it is the cheapest by far.

let us know how much it saved you.
We had a rate of $204 first, then $164 with this rate.