Discover Atlantis tour. What is included and what isn't?

[aboveH20]

We did the Discover Atlantis tour on our July 2017 cruise, so fairly recently! We had a designated time to meet in the D-Lounge for our tour group to leave. There were a lot of tours heading to Atlantis, so they separate each tour by stickers. When we arrived at D-Lounge, they gave us Jasmine stickers to wear. So when our group was called, all of the Jasmine stickers were together. They took us through the bag check and they walked us down the port to an area with several buses. We had a 20 minute bus ride to Atlantis during which our bus driver told us about several of the historic places we were passing. When we arrived at Atlantis, we were divided into smaller groups (about ten people per tour guide) and our tour guide took us through the aquariums (called the dig I believe) and several areas outside. We stopped at many places to take pictures or to use the restroom. It seemed a lot longer than what I expected. Our tour guide was excellent and super energetic and funny. When the tour was over, he told us about a few activities that would be coming up that we were more than welcome to go to. My husband and I were able to do two of these activities for free since we had the wristband! We fed sea turtles at their sea turtle lagoon on property AND my husband fed the stingrays! When we were finished, we headed back to the main entrance and buses left every 30 minutes back to DCL. It was an enjoyable afternoon!

A few things...
It was so hot walking around outside. We did bring water bottles with us from the ship and that helped a lot!
Lots of walking! Wear comfy shoes!
Our tour left at 11:00am, and was going to be going right through lunch time. We had a late breakfast that morning and then packed snacks to eat while on the tour so that we didn't feel hungry. The tour does not stop for lunch until it is over, and lunch is on your own. Our snacks held us over and we made it back to the ship for a late lunch.

Hope this helps!

Great report.

I have a followup question. I'm currently signed up for this excursion, but then in reading a number of things about Nassau, I've been wondering if I'll feel comfortable solo (I have white hair and don't run very fast ) so am wondering if I'll feel secure at Atlantis, and more importantly when/where the drop off is back at the port. Any thoughts?

 

[dcassetta]

Great report.

I have a followup question. I'm currently signed up for this excursion, but then in reading a number of things about Nassau, I've been wondering if I'll feel comfortable solo (I have white hair and don't run very fast ) so am wondering if I'll feel secure at Atlantis, and more importantly when/where the drop off is back at the port. Any thoughts?

you'll be escorted with a group to the shuttle that takes you to Atlantis. You shouldn't have any concerns while you are at Atlantis itself. They'll be several times when you can return to the ship, again it will be on the shuttle with others. The shuttle will drop you at the front of the port area, you'll walk through an area with some vendors and into the place where they check your ID to head back to the ship. Again there shouldn't be any security issues there. However, as others will be on the shuttle with you, you could certainly ask if you can walk with another person or family through the vendor area.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We had a fun time at Atlantis, but it is not all that great in my opinion. Honestly, I cannot imagine paying to visit there and walk around. It does not look like it does on TV in my opinion. Just stating this so that visitors can level set their expectations. Again, just my opinion, I am in my 50’s. I would have felt safe there being solo for the person who asked.

 

[aboveH20]

Thanks for the details. Not that we've cruised a lot, but some of the ports are starting to all blend together. Is the Nassau port the one with the two story "mall" that you have to walk through? I'm pretty good about traveling alone, but also want to be prudent. I'm curious to see Atlantis, but it's also just a five night cruise so am also thinking of maximizing my ship time. Fortunately I have 69 days to make up my mind.

 

[dcassetta]

Thanks for the details. Not that we've cruised a lot, but some of the ports are starting to all blend together. Is the Nassau port the one with the two story "mall" that you have to walk through? I'm pretty good about traveling alone, but also want to be prudent. I'm curious to see Atlantis, but it's also just a five night cruise so am also thinking of maximizing my ship time. Fortunately I have 69 days to make up my mind.

If we are thinking of the same place, the two-story mall is Cozumel. Georgetown, Grand Cayman also has a two-story mall, but it is across from the port and you do not have to walk through it.

 

[mocodis]

For the Discover Atlantis Tour, is there a lot of walking? A person in our party is on crutches. Do you think she would be able to do this excursion?

 

[dcassetta]

For the Discover Atlantis Tour, is there a lot of walking? A person in our party is on crutches. Do you think she would be able to do this excursion?

There are two main parts to the tour. The first is in the main Dig Site aquarium in the main hotel building. We used stairs to access this, but I would guess there is an elevator available. The second area would be more problematic as it would require a bit of a walk out to the other grotto area. This is a little distance from the building and did have stairs. I think being on crutches would be challenging.

 

[aboveH20]

If we are thinking of the same place, the two-story mall is Cozumel. Georgetown, Grand Cayman also has a two-story mall, but it is across from the port and you do not have to walk through it.

Thanks. I bet it's the Cozumel port I'm thinking of.

 

[aboveH20]

Me, again, one more question. (Can you tell making decisions is not my speciality.)

My excursion starts at 11:15 (don't know if they're staggered, but that's when I "report"). I've also signed up for wine tasting which starts at 4. I'm trying to decide if I'll have enough time at Atlantis or if I'll always be checking my watch.

Truth be told, since I can't make up my mind I'm looking for cosmic forces to decide for me. But, I'm on a Marvel cruise, not a Star Wars cruise so I guess that won't happen.

 

[dcassetta]

Me, again, one more question. (Can you tell making decisions is not my speciality.)

My excursion starts at 11:15 (don't know if they're staggered, but that's when I "report"). I've also signed up for wine tasting which starts at 4. I'm trying to decide if I'll have enough time at Atlantis or if I'll always be checking my watch.

Truth be told, since I can't make up my mind I'm looking for cosmic forces to decide for me. But, I'm on a Marvel cruise, not a Star Wars cruise so I guess that won't happen.

The formal tour at Atlantis was a little over an hour. Then there was free time to explore the resort and shuttles were waiting when you wanted to leave. If you are concerned about waiting for a shuttle, you can grab a cab. I think a wine tasting at 4:00 would be fine.

 

[aboveH20]

The formal tour at Atlantis was a little over an hour. Then there was free time to explore the resort and shuttles were waiting when you wanted to leave. If you are concerned about waiting for a shuttle, you can grab a cab. I think a wine tasting at 4:00 would be fine.

Thanks, that's what I thought. I think I'm really on the fence about Atlantis and just want something to make the decision for me to cancel.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks, that's what I thought. I think I'm really on the fence about Atlantis and just want something to make the decision for me to cancel.

Just follow your heart. If you are not feeling it, then you shouldn't do it.

You can't have remorse for something you never did.

 

[aboveH20]

Just follow your heart. If you are not feeling it, then you shouldn't do it.

You can't have remorse for something you never did.

You're right. I canceled, and wondered if I'd regret it as soon as I did. I actually felt relief. I'm sure I'll be back to Nassau and will save the Atlantis trip for when my husband and I cruise together.

 

[mevelandry]

You're right. I canceled, and wondered if I'd regret it as soon as I did. I actually felt relief. I'm sure I'll be back to Nassau and will save the Atlantis trip for when my husband and I cruise together.

I've booked and cancelled this excursion many times but we are 100% decided on doing it this time around.

There are some nice excursions in Nassau that may start earlier and will bring you back to the ship earlier as well if you really want to do an excursion.

 

[aboveH20]

I've booked and cancelled this excursion many times but we are 100% decided on doing it this time around.

There are some nice excursions in Nassau that may start earlier and will bring you back to the ship earlier as well if you really want to do an excursion.

Good point about checking for other excursions. I think I'd feel more comfortable with one where I was with the group the entire time. Ironically, the first time we went to Nassau my husband got seasick (or at least sick) so I did that excursion alone. Still (too much) time to change my mind.

 

[mevelandry]

Good point about checking for other excursions. I think I'd feel more comfortable with one where I was with the group the entire time. Ironically, the first time we went to Nassau my husband got seasick (or at least sick) so I did that excursion alone. Still (too much) time to change my mind.

You like wine tastings, maybe tours to Graycliff could be a nice complement? (there's a chocolate making activity, a luncheon, or spend the day around the pool with a 3 course meal) They are a bit expensive but they sound very nice.

 

[aboveH20]

You like wine tastings, maybe tours to Graycliff could be a nice complement? (there's a chocolate making activity, a luncheon, or spend the day around the pool with a 3 course meal) They are a bit expensive but they sound very nice.

Good suggestion, I’ll check it out.

 

[SarahSnow]

I've booked and cancelled this excursion many times but we are 100% decided on doing it this time around.

There are some nice excursions in Nassau that may start earlier and will bring you back to the ship earlier as well if you really want to do an excursion.

Have you gone on this cruise yet? We are looking at booking this excursion. Honestly I'm 100% just looking to live my life as Mary Kate and Ashley did in Holiday in the Sun lmao but really I do want to see the resort too

 

[mevelandry]

Have you gone on this cruise yet? We are looking at booking this excursion. Honestly I'm 100% just looking to live my life as Mary Kate and Ashley did in Holiday in the Sun lmao but really I do want to see the resort too

We did. We did not do the waterpark because we were with seniors but we visited the grounds and the aquarium... We had a great time! It was beautiful.

EDIT: If I had to do it again with my husband, I would probably go for the whole package.