Dolphins or Atlantis

[Tink 232]

Hi
I am going on the 3 night cruise in April and am booked for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) to swim with the dolphins in Nassau. Has anyone done this? I've heard from others that spending the day at Atlantis is great and that Disney is the only cruise line where you can use the amenities. Now I can't decide. I know all the wonderful people here will have some advice for me!!

Thanks.

 

[2boyshere]

We did the Dolphin encounter thru Disney last Jan. and it was alot of fun. This time we have rooms booked at the comfort suites so that we can use all of the Atlantis facilities. When you book Atlantis thru Disney you will NOT be able to use the pools/slides at the resort.

 

[readyfordisney]

We are going on a 3 day cruise in April also. I had the same thought this morning. I am worried about the water temp in general, but what will it be like at 9:15 in the morning?!

 

[lmok]

My two DD's and I did the Dolphin excursion in Nassau in 2004. This turned out to be one of our favorite excursions. We love our family photo with the dolphins so much that my daughters have to show everyone when they come to visit. I don't see how you can go wrong with. Blue Lagoon is much more quite and not so crowded as some of the other place.

 

[we4blairs]

What all does Atlantis have? I didn't see much about it on the DCL site.
We're considering doing this too but don't really see what there is that we'd be paying for.

 

[Tink 232]

Thanks for all the information. This site is great.

 

[disneypoor]

What all does Atlantis have? I didn't see much about it on the DCL site.
We're considering doing this too but don't really see what there is that we'd be paying for.

Hi! You might want to go to the Atlantis website. It's a pretty good site and shows everything that they have to offer. My family and I are doing this when we cruise in June. We booked a room at Comfort Suites so that we would have FULL access to Atlantis. I have some friends who have stayed at Atlantis for a week, and they absolutely loved it! I have two children, ages 12 and 8, and I think they are more excited about doing Atlantis than they are about the cruise! Our room at Comfort Suites was $174 before taxes and stuff, but I still don't think that is bad since we are a family of four. They have some pretty cool water slides, and one or more of them even goes through the shark tank! Check out their website. I think it will answer your questions.
Susan

 

[Stepht5]

Hi
I am going on the 3 night cruise in April and am booked for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) to swim with the dolphins in Nassau. Has anyone done this? I've heard from others that spending the day at Atlantis is great and that Disney is the only cruise line where you can use the amenities. Now I can't decide. I know all the wonderful people here will have some advice for me!!

Thanks.

I vote for y'all to do the Dolphins. <gg> Dh & 4dd did the Dolphins in Oct and had a BLAST!!!! I've done the Atlantis thing twice (Oct '05 & Feb '06) and while we all really enjoyed Atlantis I think the Dolphin experience was a lot more *memory making* then Atlantis. kwim?

 

[scrapperjill]

I think the choice between the to have alot to do with what type of person you are...what you enjoy and of course the rest of your party also.

We did Atlantis while on a DCL cruise..but booked the room on our own. I haven't done the Dolphin thing..and I'm sure it would be amazing. BUT I'd want to make sure I was doing the "SWIM" with the dolphins..and not just the "experienc" where I'd wade in the pool and pet them.

At Atlantis they have the casino (Of course) lots of pools, lagoons and some real fun water slides (their are height restrictions)...they also have a beach and "The Dig" aka huge aquairum with tons of diffrent areas, pools and a wide variety of sea life. They also have some water toys in one of the lagoons...like paddle boats, bikes and other things.

When you book the Atlantis excursion with DCL your NOT allowed to use the pools, slides or lagoons. I beleive there's one Disney excursion that allows you into the Dig...and the beach....OH..and the casino. IF your wanting to use the pools and slides you'll need to book a room (Day room) at Atlantis or a room at Comfort Suites. They don't allow non hotel guest to use these other areas.

Myself I'd pick Atlantis over the Dolphin thing while in Nassau..simply because you can do dolphin encounters other places (Like Orlando)...where you can't do Atlantis anywhere but at Atlantis.

 

[kimszath]

While I'm searching for the thread that MUST exist about how to book at the Comfort Suites in Nassau to use the Atlantis fun stuff, how did you guys book your "day room?" Did you have to call them directly? I've been trying to find a room there online since October, and the websites show nothing available for December this year. TIA!!!

 

[yogibigdog]

While I'm searching for the thread that MUST exist about how to book at the Comfort Suites in Nassau to use the Atlantis fun stuff, how did you guys book your "day room?" Did you have to call them directly? I've been trying to find a room there online since October, and the websites show nothing available for December this year. TIA!!!

The Comfort Suites do not offer day rooms. You have to book a regular overnight room. You can use the facilities as soon as you get there but a room might not be ready until 3 pm.
Keeping check their website maybe something will open up. I know when I last did this shortly after I booked they were full but a couple of weeks before we sailed rooms opened up.
You can always check with the Altantis the day you arrive. The Altantis sometimes offers day room but you cannot book them in advance. You have to call when you get there (calls from the ship can be expensive) or take a taxi over there and check it out.

 

[clovely]

We stayed at another resort in Nassau about 5 years ago and went into town one day because everyone said we should see Atlantis. We weren't impressed then. And I talked to a lady on the Wonder this past weekend with us who had just gone to Atlantis the day before (we had stayed on the boat) and she said it had really gone downhill, in fact several areas were down right delapidated, since she was there five or six years ago. I've heard much better things about the Dolphin Encounter.

 

[TumFamily]

DOLPHINS....DOLPHINS....DOLPHINS.....


It was one of the happiest days of my life. We had such an incredible time and the private beach there is absolutely beautiful.

So, after the dolphins you go have lunch on the beach (which is included) and there is hardly anyone there. It was GREAT!!!!!

 

[Tink 232]

Thank you for all the great info. I think we'll stick with the dolphins.

 

[scrapperjill]

We stayed at another resort in Nassau about 5 years ago and went into town one day because everyone said we should see Atlantis. We weren't impressed then. And I talked to a lady on the Wonder this past weekend with us who had just gone to Atlantis the day before (we had stayed on the boat) and she said it had really gone downhill, in fact several areas were down right delapidated, since she was there five or six years ago. I've heard much better things about the Dolphin Encounter.

I have to say...we were just there in fall of 04...and I for one didn't see anything that was delapidated...or unkept. Matter of fact....we arrived shortly after one of the big hurricanes of 04...and the ONLY things that weren't looking to hot were the palms...and trees. Another thing...I think if you just "go" to Atlantis to see it...but NOT do the whole room thing to get acess to off limit areas...then yes I can see where someone may not be very impressed....Myself I think I could have spent the day roaming around admiring the structures and how the whole place looked..but for some that may not fly.

I loved how the dinning area near the Dig looked like it was sunking into the sea...not to mention all the detail EVERYWHERE (throughout the hotel, casino the dig and slides). We didn't spend much time (Just a walk through) in the Casino...but I'd imagine one could spend a good amount of time in there...not to mention all the shopping.

Anyhow...I just wanted to say that when we were there it was in NO means worn down, unkept or delapitated in any way.

 

[disneypoor]

I have to say...we were just there in fall of 04...and I for one didn't see anything that was delapidated...or unkept. Matter of fact....we arrived shortly after one of the big hurricanes of 04...and the ONLY things that weren't looking to hot were the palms...and trees. Another thing...I think if you just "go" to Atlantis to see it...but NOT do the whole room thing to get acess to off limit areas...then yes I can see where someone may not be very impressed....Myself I think I could have spent the day roaming around admiring the structures and how the whole place looked..but for some that may not fly.

I loved how the dinning area near the Dig looked like it was sunking into the sea...not to mention all the detail EVERYWHERE (throughout the hotel, casino the dig and slides). We didn't spend much time (Just a walk through) in the Casino...but I'd imagine one could spend a good amount of time in there...not to mention all the shopping.

Anyhow...I just wanted to say that when we were there it was in NO means worn down, unkept or delapitated in any way.

I am so glad that you responded on this thread! We are booked through the Comfort Suites for our June cruise. To be honest, that is the one thing that everyone in my family is excited about. Then I read the post about it being run down, and I was kindof depressed about it and wondered if it would be worth the money. We are keeping our reservations! I do have to admit though that when we first started planning, the dolphin encounter was the top thing on our list. Although I'm sure it is amazing, I decided that maybe my family and I might not enjoy being in with the dolphins. I'm completely happy just petting them at Sea World!

 

[readyfordisney]

Okay so DH comes home excited about going to Atlantis when I already have the Dolphin Encounter booked, didn't even look into the Atlantis thing.

So here is where you guys come in.....

So if you book a room at the comfort suites you can use Atlantis' pool?

How do I book a room there?

And how do you get there from the ship/port?

thanks, I am so confused

 

[disneypoor]

Okay so DH comes home excited about going to Atlantis when I already have the Dolphin Encounter booked, didn't even look into the Atlantis thing.

So here is where you guys come in.....

So if you book a room at the comfort suites you can use Atlantis' pool?

How do I book a room there?

And how do you get there from the ship/port?

thanks, I am so confused

We booked our room at Comfort Suites through smartertravel.com. The rate was $174. However, I found out that there are energy surcharges per person and a few other fees besides taxes, so the total for our room for two adults and two children was $208. If you have a room at the Comfort Suites, you get full access to everything Atlantis has. I have read posts on this site that some people don't ever even go into the room at the hotel. They just check in, get their wrist bands, and head over to Atlantis. I'm not sure what we will do yet.

As for getting from the ship to Atlantis, we are taking a taxi. I think (and I might be off a little bit) that it is around $4 per person. Have you visited the website for Atlantis? My kids are so excited they can hardly stand it. Actually, it was my husband's idea to go there in the first place. He said that if we were going to Nassau, we couldn't go without doing Atlantis. I work with someone who travels all of the time. Her family spent a whole week at Atlantis in June two years ago. She said it was fabulous! Her girls are even much older than my children. She also said that her entire family wants to go back, and they travel all over the world! I think that says something.

 

[scrapperjill]

Our day room at Atlantis was $150 flat....no additional taxes, fees or surcharges. Only draw back of booking a day room at Atlantis...rather than a "room" at either Atlantis or Comfort Suites..is with the day room you can ONLY book it the day you arrive...not before.

Yes from what I've heard you CAN get a room at Comfort Suites and have FULL use of everything at Atlantis...which is right next door.

Taxi's are available as you get off the ship...if you tell them you want to go to Paradise Island Comfort Suites or Atlantis...they'll know right where you want to go. I've heard you should find out (agree to) just how much you'll be paying BEFORE you get in the taxi and start going.

It's a short 10 min taxi ride to get there.

When we were ready to leave....we walked out of Atlantis and there were taxis ready and waiting. If all else fails you could alway have someone at the front desk call and get one for you.


BTW....we only stopped by our room to view it...we didn't have much time once we were done playing to actually get any use out of the room at all.

 

[disneypoor]

I had read that you could book a dayroom at Atlantis. I called Atlantis directly and was told that they don't do that anymore. I'd love to hear from anyone who has been recently that might have done this. It would be cheaper than what we're paying for a room at Comfort Suites, but is it risky since you don't know for sure until you get there if you can get a room or not?