Disney's Atlantis Beach day excursion?

[mkymouse4ever]

Looking for any and all info and opionions about the (Disney) Atlantis beach day excursion.

Would you recommend this for 2 adults. How was the surf? Too strong, rip tides? Do you have to be a good swimmer?

What was the beach like? Could you walk in the sand / water without swim shoes or is coral / shells a problem? Is the beach clean?

How crowded is this excursion? Is this beach used by other cruise ships too? Atlantis people? Locals, a free beach?

How are the sales people? Hair braiders, etc... Do they leave you alone here or do they follow you out into the water? Take no for an answer?

Sorry for all the questions, thanks for the help! MKY

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Bumping to page 1 for some info.

Thanks, MKY

 

[virginiamama]

We just did this excursion at the beginning of December. The merchants on the beach asked repeatedly if we wanted hair braiding, necklaces, sarongs, coconut drinks, etc. A simple no thankyou sent them on their way. They were persistant in that they asked each time they walked by, but each time when we said no they just continued on.
The water was pretty rough for our little ones. My BIL went out to his waist and said his legs were getting sandblasted by the surf. All the boys had sortof a rash under their shorts if you know what I mean. The sand there is different than what we're used to (Virginia Beach and Outer Banks of NC). It was more like tiny shells. The sand was not hot though, but it did sortof stick to the skin and I guess that's how the boys got irritated.
You walk out to the street just past the port and get on a large van that carrys about 15-20 people and ride around Nassau which is interesting, but pretty depressing because of how some of the folks have to live. Then you go across to Paradise Island, get off the van and walk quite a ways to the resort, crossing a busy street or two. Then they take you through the hotel lobby and out to the beach. You walk past the resort-only areas where you are not allowed to go unless you have paid extra to buy some wristbands, or get a day-room at the nearby hotel (someone else could tell you more about this than me). But anyway, that includes some pretty cool water slides, and a beach area that has no waves, sortof like a sandpool, but with saltwater. The beach we went to was nice and clean. There weren't too many people there. Disney privided towels and Atlantis provided towels also. (My advice - don't take too many Disney towels since you'll have to lug them back - one per person is plenty especially if Atlantis is still providing them.)
We walked through the aquarium stuff and it was pretty cool, but we have nice aquariums around where we live, so it wasn't that big of a deal to us. We spent a few minutes in the casino, and then took a cab back to the port. It was $12 for our family of 4. We just were too tired to walk all the way back to the bus stop (with sand in the boys' cracks ) and then wait for the van to pick us up and take us back to the port.
It was nice to spend some time relaxing at the beach once we got there, but I wouldn't do it again. I think next time we may take a cab to Cable Beach and then do some shopping on the way back.

 

[Lindsay]

I am trying to decided what to do on our excursion. I have booked the Atlantis Beach Day, but I am not sure about it. Can someone tell me what I am suppose to do about a carseat?? I don't think I can drag it around with me, but I am not sure if you take a shuttle everywhere and don't need it. also what does the 60.00 excursion include, just access to a beach??? Would you recommend this for a married couple and a baby? Or would you just go shopping and stay on the boat? I have never been on a cruise before and any help would be greatly appreciated. I have to spend 120.00 for nothing.

Thank you!

 

[scrapperjill]

I think with the Atlantis Beach day through DCL you get acess to the Atlantis beach, the ride there, lunch of some sort...and I heard admission to "The Dig" the aquarium at Atlantis.

After reading other posts and comments.....You may be better off catching a Taxi on your own to a beach near Atlantis...or Cable Beach for alot less...(just the cost of the taxi).

We didn't do the Atlantis beach day...but went to Atlantis and got a Day room...but noticed the Beach, waves, break and tow....were not kid friendly. Our little ones (6 and 11) couldn't even get out in the water....VERY strong waves. My 11 did go out a little...(It gets DEEP fast also)...but my 6yo couldn't even stand ....the waves kept knocking her over. But they could have and would have loved to just play and sit at the waters edge and play in the sand.