Help! Atlantis Question

[lulu201]

OK, I've finally got DH to agree to a day at the Atlantis when we arrive in Nassau on our 10/5 Wonder cruise, but how do I make the reservation? We really want to experience the whole resort--pools, aquarium, etc.--but how do we get a "day room"? I called the Atlantis reservation desk and the woman there told me it would be $150 or $200 for the day (depending on where the room was, I guess), but said they don't take reservations just for the day--I'd have to call when the ship came into port to check on availability or show up at the front desk and take our chances. From what I've read on the boards, however, other people DO get reservations. Is everyone making "one night" reservations? Or do you all have some secret wisdom that I'm missing? If you do make a ressie and the ship doesn't dock because of weather (certainly a possibility in Oct.), do you think they'd charge your credit card anyway?

See, I have lots of questions and I definitely need some guidance. Could any of you experienced cruisers help me?

Also, if anyone's stayed in a cat. 11 on deck 6 forward (#6319 or thereabouts) and has an opinion on the room, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks, all.

 

[Wishing on a star]

You are actually lucky that you spoke with somebody at Atlantis who even admitted that they do offer day rooms! Official policy has been, they do not even tell callers about them.... (This was my personal experience....) From what I hear, if rooms are available, they have been going for $200.00 apiece. What we are considering doing is making reservations at the Comfort Suites. (you are familiar with this???) The internet rate is $175.50 for the day that we will be there. This can be cancelled until 48 hours prior. Like if a real storm was brewing and you were indeed afraid that your cruise might not stop at Nassau. I do not know, but my guess is that reservations directly with Atlantis would not be refundable. Don't they charge your card when you make your reservation, not when you check in....

And, remember, as far as enjoying all the amenities, there is a strict limit on the number of armbands that you will be able to recieve per room. It is 4 armbands per room at the Comfort. I am not sure, but I think it may be 5 armbands for rooms at The Atlantis. Of course, if it is just you and your DH, then this does not matter. Unless you hook up with others who would like to go to Atlantis with you.

Hope this helps!

Any experienced Atlantis goers out there... We would love to here from you!

 

[AInWonderland]

We rented a day room at Atlantis in May. When we docked we took a taxi over and immediately entered the closest lobby. We asked for a day room. They had one for $200. I forget what tower it was in, but our room overlooked the lazy river. We then had to go to another section through the casino to check in. The room was great. We changed, and headed out for the whole day of fun in the sun at all of the pools, beaches and water slides. We definately got our money's worth. There were 5 of us and we all had arm bands. After our day in the water DH and I went down to the casino for 15 minutes. He won back the cost of the room in about 5 minutes. We got the others and left there with a great experience in Atlantis.

 

[Wishing on a star]

AiW,

How are the beaches at Atlantis? Did you happen to visit Cove Beach? I hear that the surf is often high on the main beach... So, we were interested in Cove Beach. Especially with DS(5). I imagine that the main beach is a hub-bub of activity, tons of people, local vendors, etc. So, if you visited Cove Beach, I wonder what the atmosphere, view, etc. are like there.

Sounds like you had an ideal day at Atlantis! Thanks for posting!

 

[lulu201]

Thanks for the posts. . .just the information we need! We have thought about the Comfort Suites--especially because they're cheaper--but I think we might be willing to pay the Atlantis price just for the convenience of it all. (As it is, we'll probably do tons of walking all over the resort!) Also, the Atlantis looks like such an awesome place, maybe I can talk DH into a vacation there someday if DH and DD (will be 13 then) see it and like it, too!

One question about the C. Suites, though. . .where did you go to get the "internet price?" Whenever I try to access room info on Travelocity or another hotel sales site, I'm told that there must be a two night minimum. Are you getting this price directly through
Comfort Suites? Keep those travel tips coming. . .

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, that rate is directly from the Choice Hotels site... I think it might be comfortinn.com. Do a simple search on Comfort Suites Paradise Island and you should see the link to take you directly to it. Excellent site with a few photos, etc. This is MUCH recommended over sites like Travelocity, who will not offer the internet rate, one night stays, and probably have very restrictive cancellation policies.

Also, as far as exactly where the Comfort is located, in relation to the Atlantis. If you look at the Map on the Atlantis site, the Comfort is located on the top right... Just across from Coral Towers, where that sea-creature symbol is shown. I hear that looks are deceiving, and that the Comfort is almost as close to many things as some of the rooms at the actual Atlantis are.

Happy planning!

 

[jenschaef1]

lulu:
Thanks for another great question on atlantis, we haven't booked our room for our 10/5 cruise as of yet. Checked out both Comfort Suites and Atlantis sites a few weeks ago. The least expensive rooms at Atlantis seem to be just about the same price as Comfort Suites (Hmmm) also it looks like they both charge additional for my 14 year old (ouch). Still plan on going though, as older girls will love it. By the way, your DD13 falls right in the middle of my 2 DDs. DD12 has her 12th bday on board and DD14 will be just 14 in August. What club are you going to enroll your DD in, from what I have been reading on these boards she will have her choice because her bday is within 30 days of your sail date. I have enabled my email link on the bottom of my post if you want to have the girls get in touch with each other.
Oh one more thing, DH spent time when he was growing up in Bucks County. Lived in Holland? for about 4 years.
90 days to go!!!

 

[luvstiggertoo]

We sailed on the 4 day in May and had heard great things from friend who had been to Atlantis. We knew it was definitely something we wanted to do.
We booked a room for the night through Expedia. We wanted to stay at Atlantis, not Comfort Suites, and Expedia had the cheapest rate at the time.

The room rate was $195 for the Beach Towers, but we were upgraded to the Coral Tower when we checked in! Don't forget to account for tax (I think its around 12%) and the extra person charge. They charge $45 for each additional person over 11 yo.
All told, we were close to $300 for the day.

Was it worth it? You bet!!!

It was me, DH, DD12 & DS9. We spent most of the day by the pool and slides. The shark tank slide is something to be experienced.

 

[AInWonderland]

"Wishing on a Star" the beach we went to was part of the cove beach over near the pool by the lazy river. The water was warm, and not too rough. It did drop off pretty quickly, but my 7 year old DS had a great time. We actually liked this beach better than Castaway Cay. The water was crystal clear and nice gentle waves. Also I know others have been charged a lot for taxes for the room, but for some reason ours was $200 flat, no tax charged.

 

[Bacrd]

Hi
Yesterday, I just booked a room at the Comfort Suites for our Halloween cruise. Go to www.choicehotels.com and we got $175.50 for 2 adults/2 children.

 

[cowhip]

Another key point (which I learned the hard way!) is book the Comfort Suites EARLY. The later you wait, the higher the rate as you get closer to your cruising date--either on the internet or my phone

 

[Tonyspad]

I just booked the CS for $207 for Feb 20th. Not too bad considering it is Presidents week!

 

[lulu201]

Wait a minute!!!! What's this additional person charge you're talking about, luvstiggertoo? Are you saying that in addition to the (approximate) room rate of $200 at the Atlantis, we'd have to pay a $45 "additional person charge" for our DD13? I just don't get that! We want that whole Atlantis Experience and I guess we'd just have to step up to the plate and pay the cash, but WOW! That's hard to believe!

Wishing on a Star, I took your advice and checked out Comfort Suites directly (thanks so much for your help) and they gave me a price of $195. The only mention of additional charges that I saw was an extra $3.50 for kids 12-15. Is there something there I'm missing?

I'd love to stay at the Atlantis if even for a day, but I think the Comfort Suites might be the direction we go. . .will have to think about it some more.

Jennshaef, tell your DH that we have a business in Southampton, right next to Churchville/Holland. . .did he go to school in the Council Rock School District? It's a small world, isn't it ? I'll talk to DD about emailing and club sign up.

We're counting down those days 'til our fun in the sun!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Lulu,

I am not sure about the extra person charges at The Atlantis...
I think the lowest rate that I saw online at Atlantis was $215.00. plus whatever extra charges...


The $195.00 at the Comfort sounds like their regular 'rack' rate. If you go online and select Internet Users Rate, you should be able to book for $175.50.

 

[jenschaef1]

Lulu,
Sounds like I'm going to be checking expedia to see if I can get Comfort Suites at a better price, so far the only one I saw was regular rack at 195 vs. Atlantis at 210 or so. We plan on ordering room service the night before and taking our own food over to Atlantis via cooler to save money...heard here that food is very expensive at the resort. (between the extra charge for teens and the food and taxi we will probably be pushing the 350 mark for the whole day (6 of us) ...got to conserve somewhere).
Spouse went to Council Rock Jr. High and then started at CR Senior High before they moved back to CA. DH also has 2 sisters who attended CRHigh, would have been about 1974 - 1978 (yikes we are getting old)
Jennifer

 

[renzdr]

Can you reserve just one room for more than 4 people? I have 2 adults and 3 kids and was under the impression that I would have to reserve 2 rooms because they only issue 4 wristbands per room. Does anyone know first hand how this works?
THANKS

 

[lulu201]

You all are super! Thanks for your help on this. I checked out the Internet Users rate at choicehotels.com and brought up the
Comfort Suites at the $175.50 rate. Hooray! Question, though: if I book there and the official check in for the day isn't until 3:00 p.m., do I have to request an early check in or do they just let us use the facilities until our room is ready later in the day? I promise if someone answers this last question, I'll be quiet for awhile. . .

 

[luvstiggertoo]

lulu....you can check in at any time and get your room keys/wrist bands. You may not be able to have access to your room until after check in time.....it just depends on if the room is clean and ready or not.

On the extra $45 charge at Atlantis. The room rate is for double occupancy (2 adults). Any additional "adult" is an extra charge. Anyone over the age of 11 is considered an adult in their books.

 

[Emerald777]

Just wanted to let you all know the rate I found. I'm sailing on 9/14 and got the Comfort Suites for 136.50 through Placestostay.com . I called the hotel directly this morning to verify my reservation and they had all the info, including the correct rate! You can book for 1 night. I also did a serch this morning on placestostay and they are still offering the low rate. You can also get Atlantis for 1 night for 210. with no additional person rate.

 

[Bacrd]

I just went thru Choice hotels the other day and booked ours for
$175...but am definately going to check out placetostay.com. Thanks for the tip,