Atlantis Sub Excursion?

[PoohJen]

Hi All!

I read in the Passporter that reviews for the Atlantis Submarine Adventure on St. Thomas weren't all that great. I really thought my DH and twin DS7 would enjoy it. Anyone care to share their experiences with this excursion?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[TheWog]

I did this with my DS6 who is 7 now. We both loved and it and thought it was great. We went about 85 feet under water saw 5 sharks about 4-5 feet in length, lobsters, turtles, barracuda, not to mention all the other regular fish, a ship wreck of sorts and it was really neat. My son still talks about it and can actually say he has been in a submarine. I would do it again at a different port and thought it was a great experience. They will really enjoy it. My DW stayed onboard and relaxed and waited for us to come back.

 

[educator]

Did it in Hawaii.If you decide to do it, go to Google and get the Atlantis web site. You can book it directly for a lot less money.

 

[drarill]

Did it in Grand Cayman, both kids (ages 5 and 6) loved it.

 

[drarill]

Did it in Grand Cayman, both kids (ages 5 and 6) loved it.

 

[MCazer]

This is what you have to do.

Go to the website, make a reservation for the noon tour. You see, all the cruise ships book the early one, and it is packed!

We booked ourselves, it was cheaper, and if you go to the WELCOME center and look in the coupon books they have a 10% coupon. You will need one coupon per person, so take as many as you need.

There were about 12 of us on the sub. The earlier one with all the cruise line people had full capacity (I think 38). We were able to move from side to side and we did see sharks, turtles and stingrays!

 

[PoohJen]

Wow, excellent advice guys, thanks!!! Although I expect to hit the beaches on my own, I hadn't thought of booking the sub outside of the "official" excursions.

MCazer - what welcome center?

 

[MCazer]

When you get into port, there is a short walk and you just really need to ask someone to point you in the right direction.

It is hard to describe, but it is right at the port, it is a building and it was on the left and you are entering the little shopping area.

You have to walk past it to get to the Atlantis shop, so not to worry.

 

[godisneyboat]

The price I find on the Disney excursion is 75 for adults and and
50 ages 4-9. What is the price booking direct? I obviously have
not found the correct web site because the cheapest I have found is 84 dollars. When I search on Atlantis Subs I get a lot of
returns.

I will remember the discount coupons.

Thanks

 

[MCazer]

Here is some information I got online. I would call and not tell them you are going to be on a cruise ship, it seems the cruiselines are getting wise to us booking our own tours, and they are losing out on some money.


If you really want to get to the bottom of it all, board the air-conditioned Atlantis submarine, which takes you on a 1-hour voyage (the whole experience is really 2 hours when you include transportation to and from the sub) to depths of 90 feet, where an amazing world of exotic marine life unfolds. You'll have up-close views of coral reefs and sponge gardens through the sub's 2-foot windows. Atlantis divers swim with the fish and bring them close to the windows for photos.

Passengers take a surface boat from the West Indies Dock, right outside Charlotte Amalie, to the submarine, which is near Buck Island (the St. Thomas version, not the more famous Buck Island near St. Croix). The fare is $79 for adults, $39 for ages 4 to 17; children ages 3 and under are not allowed. The Atlantis operates daily November through April, and from Tuesday to Saturday May through October. Reservations are a must (the sub carries only 30 passengers). For tickets, go to the Havensight Mall, Building 6, or call tel. 340/776-5650.

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks everyone!

I found the info at www.atlantisadventures.com, but it's not really cheaper than the Disney price. I'll keep checking though! DH thinks he still wants to try it, based on everyone's feedback here - so thanks again!

 

[TheWog]

Originally posted by PoohJen
Thanks everyone!

I found the info at www.atlantisadventures.com, but it's not really cheaper than the Disney price. I'll keep checking though! DH thinks he still wants to try it, based on everyone's feedback here - so thanks again!

He really should and it was a lot of fun. If you go through Disney they will tender you over to the dock directly for the excursion if you anchor like we did. Otherwise you dock right where the boat leaves from. Ask if they will open the bow for your trip over and back, they did and it was real nice. They also offer Rum punch for the ride in the "leaded" and "unleaded" versions.

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks, Wog; loving your cool signature line!

 

[lovepuzzles]

This thread has made me decide to give it a try. I had been thinking about it for a while anyway. Being less than a month out, I was surprised that there was availability on all three departure times. Anyone have any advice on which time is best?

 

[TheWog]

earliest is usually best. DCL will get you off fairly quickly for your excursion if you book through them (even if you don't as well, but have one planned) That way you will have the rest of the day for whatever else you may want to do.

poohjen, thanks. go to smileycentral.com and you can use any that you like. They have some really cool ones.

 

[invaderzim]

THEWOG:

Just curious -- why do you say earliest is best? We are scheduled to take the one in Grand Cayman at 1:15 p.m. (because we are doing the Island Tour and Stingray swim in the morning).

 

[ericnj]

THanks for the thread, my wife and two DS will be submarining August 31. I also read somewhere that you can obtain coupons for the sub ride in the local Cayman Islands freebie magazines. I will be looking for them before I pay for my made online reservations.