Atlantis Sub or Nautilus Semi-Sub

[4eeyore]

Can anyone who has done either excursion in Grand Cayman describe what it's like to be on one of these? Are they claustrophobic or motion-sickness inducing? I'm looking for ideas for GC but don't want to snorkle with the rays (I like some type of barrier between me and fish!)

 

[TheWog]

I have tried the Atlantis Submarine in St. Thomas. They offer the same excursion in GC as well as a more personal sub (much more expensive). The submarine holds about 44 people and if you are claustraphobic it may be intimidating for you. You must climb through a hole to get into the sub, then you are seated arm to arm with the other people on the trip. Once inside the area felt very open. We were lucky though and didn't have anyone sitting on either side of us, not that it would have mattered much. Your view is out of a porthole in the side that your seat faces. You do not really feel any motion as you under the waves. It was really an incredible time and my DS6 absolutely loved it. I am glad we decided to cancel my DW as I don't think she would have ended up going in. It does look tight when you are climbing down. I think the semi-sub has an even more "open" feeling to it. The Atlantis is an actual submarine. We went about 85 feet under the water on our trip, but we got to see sharks, barracuda, turtles, lobster, some ship wreck parts, many beautiful fish, it was a really great experience. You just need to know your tolerance for confined spaces.

 

[plutojudy]

We did the Atlantis Sub in Grand Cayman in April. We enjoyed it.
I had some of your same concerns. I did not feel claustrophobic at all. I have a problem with "closeness", (I have to sit on the aisle in church or a theatre.) I did not feel seasick either. (I was sick on 3 of 5 cruises.) Hope this helps.

 

[outahere]

We did the Atlantis excursion in St. Thomas and thought it was great! We were lucky enough to sit at the very front so we could look out the huge window in front of the pilot as well as the side windows. It is somewhat of a tight fit, but I didn't feel closed in at all.

 

[Cruise04]

We did the semi sub in Grand Cayman and it was great. You are seated below the water with the top part of the sub above water. You go out to Cheeseburger Reef and they describe what you are seeing on your way out there and then you spend a good 30 minutes, I'd say, snorkeling (for those that want to). I didn't want to snorkel so it was great for me because I could still see what others were seeing without have to snorkel. And I got some great pics of my dd snorkeling from under her by being able to take them inside the sub.