"Dream Weavers" September 1, 2011

[happygo]

Hello Rebecca and welcome!

I was wondering if you showed your DS videos on You Tube of the kids activities maybe that would make him interested in going?? Also, I read somewhere that on the first day parents can stay with thier children for quite a while while they adjust, but maybe someone else with young children would know more about that! Even if he doesn't go to the kids clubs, I doubt he will be 'missing out' because there are so many other fantastic things for families to do!

We are all going to have such an awesome time!!! I can't wait!!!

You tube videos...GREAT idea. I've been showing him the videos on the Disney cruise site but didn't even think to look for others. I'll do that. He is a little skeptical of the size of the ship and keeps asking if it will run out of gas and if it did how would we get home....It's crazy because he's not usually timid about things like this. Shy, but not paranoid!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

On a totally unrelated topic, do we know for sure that we will be docking in Nassau on the 2nd? I am thinking of booking a room at comfort suites.

Deb,

I would only book if you they offer a 'refundable' rate. We cruised September 2008. We were re-routed because of a hurricane and ended up with our day at sea first instead of Nassau. And since it's high hurricane season, you never know. I was looking at doing the same things, but after reading more reviews and thinking we'll just stay on board then.

Thanks for the advice! I checked to see if the rate was refundable, which it is only up to 5 days beforehand. Then I noticed all the extra 'taxes' that you get stuck with. Sooooo... I am no longer in a dilemma as to whether to do Atlantis!! Aquaduck Wins!!

I really debated this one, especially since this will most likely be our only cruise with the 'kids'. I would not have thought twice about it until we were re-routed. But I do believe those that may excursion reservations with 'non-Disney' companies did allow them to make changes. They were telling people as we checked in of the changed itinerary. Friends were doing scuba diving and were able to change with no problem (just not sure of a hotel though).

Hi Everyone! If I'm understanding correctly, sometimes people may reserve a hotel room on Nassau? What are some of the benefits of that? Pool/resort access or something else? Thanks!

 

[pjstevens]

Hi Everyone! If I'm understanding correctly, sometimes people may reserve a hotel room on Nassau? What are some of the benefits of that? Pool/resort access or something else? Thanks!

I've read of people reserving the hotel across from Atlantis. (you can do four to a room). You pay for the one night, you can check in and out at the same time (saving a return trip, unless you want to go there to shower before heading back to the ship) and it includes passes to Atlantis. Many say it is MUCH cheaper than Disney prices.

Being we are only doing the three night, I've decided against Atlantis at this time (may change my mind when it gets closer though).

 

[happygo]

I'm really debating the Atlantis trip. I regretted not going to see it when we cruised on RC last year but the cost still eats at me. It's not so much affordability but rather is it worth it? Living in the Orlando area, we have all kinds of waterparks at our finger tips.

If we do go, we will utlize the room at the Comfort Suites. Even with all the ridiculous surcharges, total cost would be $341 for our family of 3 vs. $453 with Disney. $120 savings is worth it in my book!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I've read of people reserving the hotel across from Atlantis. (you can do four to a room). You pay for the one night, you can check in and out at the same time (saving a return trip, unless you want to go there to shower before heading back to the ship) and it includes passes to Atlantis. Many say it is MUCH cheaper than Disney prices.

Being we are only doing the three night, I've decided against Atlantis at this time (may change my mind when it gets closer though).

I'm really debating the Atlantis trip. I regretted not going to see it when we cruised on RC last year but the cost still eats at me. It's not so much affordability but rather is it worth it? Living in the Orlando area, we have all kinds of waterparks at our finger tips.

If we do go, we will utlize the room at the Comfort Suites. Even with all the ridiculous surcharges, total cost would be $341 for our family of 3 vs. $453 with Disney. $120 savings is worth it in my book!

Very interesting. I kind of assumed we'd be visiting Atlantis because I would hate to be so close and not visit. But I'll have to think about our options and costs. As the PP poster mentioned, I'd also have to make sure it's worth our money, considering we have a wheelchair-bound member of our party. Hmmm....

 

[happygo]

Check out the website- Comfort Suites Paradise Island. It looks great at first as the cost of the room was only $204 but then it was an additional $40 pp for guests 3 and 4 so we were at $244. Then an additional $17.75 pp per day plus 18% tax! Its ridiculous!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Check out the website- Comfort Suites Paradise Island. It looks great at first as the cost of the room was only $204 but then it was an additional $40 pp for guests 3 and 4 so we were at $244. Then an additional $17.75 pp per day plus 18% tax! Its ridiculous!

Ooh, I know, I saw that! Aside from that, my real concern is their cancellation policy. You'd have to cancel by Sunday in order not to be charged, and that's just too far out.

So, if we do any excursions, I think we'd book through Disney (because I assume they would be more lenient if the cruise itinerary changes).

Does anyone know about the general safety of Nassau (riding taxis, walking around, etc)? I've heard that cruise-goers can be targets in just about any country though.

 

[dstevens]

Ooh, I know, I saw that! Aside from that, my real concern is their cancellation policy. You'd have to cancel by Sunday in order not to be charged, and that's just too far out.

So, if we do any excursions, I think we'd book through Disney (because I assume they would be more lenient if the cruise itinerary changes).

Does anyone know about the general safety of Nassau (riding taxis, walking around, etc)? I've heard that cruise-goers can be targets in just about any country though.

When we visited 2 years ago i did not feel threatened but i definitely had my guard up. From the time you get thru customs the natives harass you to give you "rides", braid your hair or even sing you a song for a $1. Their driving abilities seem to be lacking greatly. Of course the further we walked away from the dock the more my radar went on alert. I would only feel confident doing a Disney excursion if i did more then a little walk around Nassau. I also was not used to seeing the military walking around along with what appeared to be several layers of Police.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

When we visited 2 years ago i did not feel threatened but i definitely had my guard up. From the time you get thru customs the natives harass you to give you "rides", braid your hair or even sing you a song for a $1. Their driving abilities seem to be lacking greatly. Of course the further we walked away from the dock the more my radar went on alert. I would only feel confident doing a Disney excursion if i did more then a little walk around Nassau. I also was not used to seeing the military walking around along with what appeared to be several layers of Police.

Very good to know! Thanks!

 

[pjstevens]

This was a common site in Nassau.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

This was a common site in Nassau.

I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!

Has anyone done their own exploring in Nassau? For safety reasons, I can understand not getting crazy with it, but I'm thinking I don't want to commit to an excursion. How expensive are taxis? How far away is Atlantis from the dock? Has anyone tried getting a day pass to Atlantis as a walk-in?

 

[pjstevens]

We walked a few blocks from the dock. We hit the Harley shop and the Hard Rock (two t-shirts that HAD to be purchased). We walked around a bit. I just kept our bag real close. As Dale mentioned the drivers were the most scary at times (they drive where ever they want, which at times was the side walk).

I have never heard of just getting a day pass at Atlantis? Do you know the cost for this? There was a post (but I think it was spring break time) that they weren't accepting certain passes due to crowds. I heard it's only a short cab ride (I believe I've read about $5 per person for the taxi).

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

We walked a few blocks from the dock. We hit the Harley shop and the Hard Rock (two t-shirts that HAD to be purchased). We walked around a bit. I just kept our bag real close. As Dale mentioned the drivers were the most scary at times (they drive where ever they want, which at times was the side walk).

I have never heard of just getting a day pass at Atlantis? Do you know the cost for this? There was a post (but I think it was spring break time) that they weren't accepting certain passes due to crowds. I heard it's only a short cab ride (I believe I've read about $5 per person for the taxi).

Atlantis' website says they sell daypasses, based on availability. I didn't see prices on their website, but a quick look around the web seems to show a price of about $110 per person for access to their beach and waterpark. Here's a good link: http://gocaribbean.about.com/od/toursandactivities/a/VisitAtlantis.htm.

Disney has excursions to Atlantis that include beach only or waterpark only and things like that. But, the transportation they use does not appear to be wheelchair friendly (it says the rider must board and debark the bus on their own). So I don't know if we should just get our own cab and do our own thing. It might be easier to visit Atlantis in person, see how accessible they are, talk to someone in person, and decide what we want to do based on availability.

 

[happygo]

When we were there last year we stayed in the main tourist areas, did a little shopping. There were some very bizarre people but I never felt uncomfortable. As long as you stay on beaten path, you are safe. I've heard lots of people say they have gotten taxis without any problem but to negotiate the price up front. If we don't go to Atlantis, we will probably just get off to visit a few jewelry stores and the Bacardi store to stock up on rum and then head back to the ship to enjoy the pool without the huge crowd.

This time I won't claim all the rum and have to pay duty. Not huge drinkers but there was some great deals!

Have you ever checked out cruise critic.com? They have ports of call forums that have tons of information.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

When we were there last year we stayed in the main tourist areas, did a little shopping. There were some very bizarre people but I never felt uncomfortable. As long as you stay on beaten path, you are safe. I've heard lots of people say they have gotten taxis without any problem but to negotiate the price up front. If we don't go to Atlantis, we will probably just get off to visit a few jewelry stores and the Bacardi store to stock up on rum and then head back to the ship to enjoy the pool without the huge crowd.

This time I won't claim all the rum and have to pay duty. Not huge drinkers but there was some great deals!

Have you ever checked out cruise critic.com? They have ports of call forums that have tons of information.

Thanks for all the info! I'll have to check out that website!

 

[cogero]

Does anyone know if there is a cigar store not to far off the boat?

I would love to get my dad some cigars as a souvenier.

 

[pjstevens]

Does anyone know if there is a cigar store not to far off the boat?

I would love to get my dad some cigars as a souvenier.

Chiara, I'm not sure, but certain one of our more veteran cruisers can answer that.

 

[dstevens]

Does anyone know if there is a cigar store not to far off the boat?

I would love to get my dad some cigars as a souvenier.

There are cigar stores in Nassau. They supposedly sell Cuban cigars which you can take aboard ship but not to the USA. From what i have read they probably are not real cuban cigars either. You would be better buying the others cigars offered.

 

[OKW Lover]

If I recall correctly, they also sell cigars on board. At least that's what I remember from the Wonder in December.

 

[cougar242]

Hello everyone!! I am sailing with my two kids on this cruise, they will be daughter (9) and son (10). My husband unfortunately wont be able to go with us so I am a little nervous about cruising with them by myself for the first time. We are so excited though!! Now just to get a hotel booked the night before the cruise and figure out what to do on Nassau! Looking forward to chatting with everyone in preparation for the cruise!