Current Nassau/Atlantis information

[Wonder2008]

Hello,

I'm sailing on the Disney Wonder in early May and I'd like some up-to-date information on Nassau and transportation to and from Atlantis (on our own, not an excursion). It would help me a lot if you could tell me:

- The best (safest, most reliable) way to get a taxi to Atlantis. I believe I read somewhere here that you can get a taxi in the cruise building - where?

- I believe I read that I should expect to pay $4 per person. How do I confirm that? Do I tip?

- Where at Atlantis do I get the taxi for the return trip? Do I just tell the driver to take me to the cruise ship docks?

- What about taking the ferry to Paradise Island instead? I think I remember reading some negative things about it here last year - has it improved?

- Where at Atlantis is a good place to look for inexpensive gifts (postcards, etc.)? Is Atlantis strictly credit cards and no cash?

I've been to Nassau before, but it was on an excursion - this will be my first time on my own. Thank you for any information you can provide.

Robert

 

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[kutchyone]

Robert,

It was easy as pie to get to Atlantis. I had a few concerns when we were there this past January. As a female who was with my 19 year old daughter and her 18 year old boyfriend, who would be protected by us two ladies instead of the other way around, I had my concerns. See below:

Hello,

I'm sailing on the Disney Wonder in early May and I'd like some up-to-date information on Nassau and transportation to and from Atlantis (on our own, not an excursion). It would help me a lot if you could tell me:

- The best (safest, most reliable) way to get a taxi to Atlantis. I believe I read somewhere here that you can get a taxi in the cruise building - where?
They will find you, you don't have to worry about that. I asked the person in charge of the port buiding, can't remember his title, how much to Atlantis and he said each way we should not pay more then $4.00 each and that a tip by us would be appreciated by the drivers. They are closely monitored by the governement, or at least at the port and Atlantis they are. They don't want to be kicked off those two sites. He actually brought a driver over to us, told him where we were going and off we went. They will wait until their taxi is full prior to taking off.

- I believe I read that I should expect to pay $4 per person. How do I confirm that? Do I tip? Yes you can tip and prior to getting into the taxi ask how much, if he says something more the $4.00 you can pass or even say to him that you will pay $4.00 a person.

- Where at Atlantis do I get the taxi for the return trip? Do I just tell the driver to take me to the cruise ship docks? Right in front as you walk out the door. The Bell Captain can hail you one if one is not there but we saw plenty waiting. Yes just tell them to take you back to the port.

- What about taking the ferry to Paradise Island instead? I think I remember reading some negative things about it here last year - has it improved?

No idea about that having not done it.

- Where at Atlantis is a good place to look for inexpensive gifts (postcards, etc.)? Is Atlantis strictly credit cards and no cash?

We did not purchase anything there. We did the tour of the aquarium and gambled for a few hours. Had no problem using a credit card for the tour and as you could well imagine no problem for all three of us to use cash in the casino. The kids did buy a drink at the bar and they paid cash for that too.

I've been to Nassau before, but it was on an excursion - this will be my first time on my own. Thank you for any information you can provide.

You should have no problem. We enjoyed the tour so much more because we had our own guide just for the three of us. She was a wonderful young girl who spent time talking with us about the exhibits and about her life and ours back home. She thought is was so cool that we had squirrels and chipmunks in our yard back home. She was over the top when she found out we had deer too.

Now since you have done an excursion and I'm looking to see other sites along with a brief stop of an hour or two to show my sister the casino at Atlantis, where would you suggest I go. The beach is not something I would spend time on because Castatway Cay is enough beautiful beach for me. What other sites should I not miss this trip. And by the way I think the shopping is WAY overated!
Robert