Atlantis Vacation suggestions

[WDWfor5]

This year, instead of Disney my family is going to Atlantis in the Bahamas It's a corporate incentive trip and so we didn't get a choice of where to go and I have to say it's the first vacation ever I'm not looking forward to.

We will be there from January 21st - Jan 28th and are staying in Royal Towers. It's me, DH, DD 7, DS 5 and DS3. We're really not a lay on the beach/by the pool and veg kind of family so I'm hoping some of you have been there and can suggest a few good activities, so I don't go stir crazy

I has asked for ideas months and months ago on the families forum but can't seem to find that thread anymore although I did write down some of the ideas that might work for us.

So if you've been, please share your favorites and what you wish you'd known before you went.

Thanks & I'm so glad DH agreed that next year it's Disney again

 

[Kimberly]

Too much to do in the Bahamas to even list on this website. I would call the conceirge at the hotel to help you with booking as they can aide you in what would be the most fun for you and your family. Have fun!

 

[MoniqueU]

Bahamas really isnt my favorite island but I did enjoy atlantis and we did waverunners off of cable beach.

 

[WDWfor5]

Too much to do in the Bahamas to even list on this website. I would call the conceirge at the hotel to help you with booking as they can aide you in what would be the most fun for you and your family. Have fun!

I know there's probably a ton of stuff to do, so I'll clarify in case I wasn't clear. Looking for suggestions on Paradise island / Nassau (where Atlantis is) that people have tried and really liked. I don't particularly trust concierge staff to recommend stuff (I figure they reccomend the ones they get the best kickbacks on - can you tell I'm a cynic )

Anyway, any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

 

[Honu]

Nassau is not my favorite place either, but I would recommend a snorkel trip with Stuart Coves. They will pick you up outside of the hotel. If the weather cooperates, at the end of the trip they'll take you out to see the scuba divers feeding the reef sharks. You can choose to get out of the boat or not. It's a good show either way. The sharks in that area are very used to people and truly are only interested in the fish they're being fed. We've been in the water with them many times and have never felt threatened.

Did you get a meal plan? The food there is hideously expensive.

 

[WDWfor5]

Nassau is not my favorite place either, but I would recommend a snorkel trip with Stuart Coves. They will pick you up outside of the hotel. If the weather cooperates, at the end of the trip they'll take you out to see the scuba divers feeding the reef sharks. You can choose to get out of the boat or not. It's a good show either way. The sharks in that area are very used to people and truly are only interested in the fish they're being fed. We've been in the water with them many times and have never felt threatened.

Did you get a meal plan? The food there is hideously expensive.

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll have to look into Stuart Cove. As for meal plan, no but our trip includes daily buffet breakfast so at least that will help. I'm hoping to have DH and I skip lunch by eating a bigger breakfast and I'm packing snacks for the kids and water bottles in the checked luggage to help avoid the food costs which do look insane.

Were there any restaurants you thought were at least worth the money? We're used to expensive but I'm starting to think the food there will make Disney and hawaii look reasonable

 

[Honu]

The food prices are comparable to Wailea prices in Maui. Atlantis' breakfast buffet is probably their best meal of the day. The lunches are Disney-like food and Nobu is probably the only standout dinner restaurant. The best on the island is probably Dune at the Ocean Club.

Zio Gigi is pretty cheap and decent italian pizza/pasta place right outside the hotel. Anthony's is another decent place on the PI.

Underneath the bridge to Atlantis (on the Nassau side) is Potter's Cay and there are a bunch of fish stands, selling conch and other fish. We love to go to the Poop Deck for that though. Also on that side is a Domino's and they deliver to Atlantis. Downtown there is a McDonald's and a Sbarro for fast food.

Have fun. Stay safe.

 

[WDWfor5]

Thanks Honu - did you visit Ardastra Gardens and Zoo? Also, you mention staying safe - did you find Nassau unsafe to walk around during the day? I'm pretty used to city (grew up in Manhattan) but don't have any desire to spend my vacation in an unsafe area.

Thanks again - it's so much better to get first hand experience rather than a guide book.

 

[Mish19]

I'm also thinking of Atlantis this year. I keep seeing people are saying Nassau usn't their favorite island, why?

 

[MagicalMom]

There is a pirate museum & a couple of forts in nassau that your children may enjoy. We toured them last month & found it interesting.

If not you could always take them into town & have their hair braided.

 

[Beth76]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58
Here's a link to the Ports of Call Bahamas page on cruise critic. This might give you some ideas from people who do day trips while on a cruise.

 

[Honu]

Much of Nassau is dirty and filled with aggressive peddlers. Many residents are impoverished and live in shanty towns. While I have never had anything happen in Nassau, know have friends that have been mugged/robbed and I've been scared out of my wits a couple times. PI is one of the nicer areas and fairly safe.

Stay in a group, in well traveled areas and stay away from taxi cabs, if possible. Some are very honest, wonderful drivers, but others will pack you in a dirty cab with no air, try to squish other passengers in with you and take you for a very scary ride. I try to take vans provided by hotel/excursion vendors or I call for a private car/limo.

I'm fairly well traveled and very comfortable in Manhattan by myself. Nassau and the Bahamas are a world apart.

I've never been to Ardastra. Friends have told me it's OK if you have time to burn, but nothing special. I tend to spend most of my time in the water. Kids do like the Pirate Museum. The Straw Market is not my thing. It's kind of an island swap meet filled with souvenir crap and people harassing you. The only answer to, "Lady can I braid your hair?" (which you will be asked a gazillion times) is, "No, thanks." If you need to have braids done, Atlantis has staff with clean equipment.