Nassau - Atlantis: Walk-Up Aquaventure Passes No Longer For-Sale

[GrnMtnMan]

As of March 1, 2015, Atlantis is no longer selling day-of / walk-up day passes to its Aquaventure water park. This does not impact Comfort Suites guests, who will continue to have full-access to Atlantis' grounds and facilities, nor does it impact cruise excursions. But if you were planning to do Atlantis on your own (without a DCL excursion nor though Comfort Suites), you're out of luck.

This is seen as a competitive response to a new mega-resort that is due to open in Nassau later this month, Bahamar. This new resort will have 2,000+ new hotel rooms (in mutiple brands) aimed at the higher end, kind of like City Center in Las Vegas. Bahamar is not really aimed at families, but the thinking is that Atlantis does not want a family spending a week over at Bahamar and just buying a daypass to Atlantis for a day or two. So if you are visiting Nassau but not staying at Atlantis, Comfort Suites, or taking a DCL excursion, you can't use Atlantis water-park facilities. I haven't heard if this policy will apply to the aquarium tours, but I would think they will still sell these tours to walk-ups.

 

[dmunsil]

I just called Atlantis - Cruise ship passengers can still buy day passes, including in person. You have to show a cruise-ship ID or room key to purchase.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I just called Atlantis - Cruise ship passengers can still buy day passes, including in person. You have to show a cruise-ship ID or room key to purchase.

I'll report back when I visit in a few weeks, but the call centers at Atlantis are notoriously misinformed / not up-to-date. The call center is in Fort Lauderdale and I think many of the agents there have never been on-site at the resort in The Bahamas.

What you said makes sense though, as it accomplishes the goal of shutting out people staying at non-Atlantis hotels. But then there's the issue of Atlantis not selling walk-up day passes during March and April, because of high occupancy and cruise excursions during spring break.

 

[dmunsil]

I'll report back when I visit in a few weeks, but the call centers at Atlantis are notoriously misinformed / not up-to-date. The call center is in Fort Lauderdale and I think many of the agents there have never been on-site at the resort in The Bahamas.

Yes, I called both the toll-free line, where I talked to someone who clearly was reading from a script, and then called the direct line, which seemed like I was actually talking to folks on property. I got transferred to excursions desk, then the Discover Atlantis desk, and then back to the excursions desk. I never actually talked to someone who worked in the ticket window at the Coral Towers. But they all seemed to agree that they would sell you a pass as long as you had a cruise-ship ID. They just don't want people booking unaffiliated hotels, and then walking over there for a day pass.

Let us know what you find out; we won't be there until later this year.

 

[AirOps1]

Atlantis has daypasses!? Darn I bought a dayroom rate to use the pool.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Atlantis has daypasses!? Darn I bought a dayroom rate to use the pool.

For more than 1 person, a room can often be a better value. I think the price is like $120 per day, and they can and do sell out of them, and some days do not sell ANY day passes because of hotel occupancy and pre-sold cruise excursions.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

But they all seemed to agree that they would sell you a pass as long as you had a cruise-ship ID. They just don't want people booking unaffiliated hotels, and then walking over there for a day pass.

Got it. Sounds right. Might be a few hiccups with the on-site staff, as Atlantis staff aren't always up-to-date with policy changes.

 

[Dave_MaryJo]

Wow the Baha Mar looks amazing! We will have to check it out the next time we are in Nassau.

 

[jnsma]

I was about to book the Comfort Suites for an upcoming cruise. Looking at the main Comfort Suites page (http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-nassau-bahamas-BS003), it doesn't say anything about access to the Atlantis. I have booked there a number of times to get to the waterpark and I could have sworn that it used to say that you had full access to the Atlantis facilities.
The hotel specific web page (http://www.comfortsuitespi.com/) does say that you have full access.

Does anyone know if this feature might be going away?

 

[dmunsil]

I was about to book the Comfort Suites for an upcoming cruise. Looking at the main Comfort Suites page (http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-nassau-bahamas-BS003), it doesn't say anything about access to the Atlantis. I have booked there a number of times to get to the waterpark and I could have sworn that it used to say that you had full access to the Atlantis facilities.
The hotel specific web page (http://www.comfortsuitespi.com/) does say that you have full access.

Does anyone know if this feature might be going away?

Seems highly unlikely. I'd trust the hotel's web site over the brand web site, though I don't know why they wouldn't mention Atlantis on the brand site. Maybe Atlantis asked them to leave it out?

If they were going to lose the Atlantis privileges, one would think they'd announce a date after which the privileges would be gone. They'd also lower the price significantly after that date.

If you are worried, call them.

 

[ahain]

The Comfort Suites Paradise Island site http://www.comfortsuitespi.com/ still says it includes Atlantis:

Comfort Suites Paradise Island Bahamas

• (242) 363-3680
• FREE WiFi now available!
• 
  
  Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free! - View Details

Welcome to Comfort Suites Paradise Island
Nassau, Paradise Island Hotel with Full Access to Atlantis Resort
Comfort Suites is an all suite Bahamas hotel located in Nassau, Paradise Island. We provide affordable accommodations and complete access to all amenities at the famed Atlantis Resort. With 229 newly renovated junior suites that now include flat screen cable televisions & free wireless internet access, plus Complimentary Hot American Buffet Breakfast daily, there is no better place to stay in Nassau, Paradise Island. So come see what one of the most family friendly and affordable Bahamas hotels in Paradise Island has to offer and check out our latest vacation deals and specials before you book your stay.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

FYI, I contacted BahaMar already. No day-passes for their pool facilities. But they invited me to come to their casino and eat in their restaurants. My friends and I are going to Sandals for the day instead.

 

[keishashadow]

FYI, I contacted BahaMar already. No day-passes for their pool facilities. But they invited me to come to their casino and eat in their restaurants. My friends and I are going to Sandals for the day instead.

Are you buying a day pass there? if so, do you know how much they charge & what it includes?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Are you buying a day pass there? if so, do you know how much they charge & what it includes?

I've not been before but that's currebtly the plan for my friends & me. I believe the day passes are $110 each. You also need to pay taxi fare to/from. It's my understanding this includes towels, pools, facilities, non-notorized watersports, food, beverages (including bar drinks), etc. Just not a room. Also, it includes being able to cross over to their private island. This is all according to what I've absorbed from CC. My TA actually brought it up as an option. She's one of the girlfriends who will be part of the big group of us.

 

[keishashadow]

thanks sweetpee, breezes looked nice from pics I've seen. we usually do choice suites but cruise I booked will only allow max of 4 hours @ Atlantis, doesn't seem worth the hassle this time.

We got stuck in traffic once when out by Ardrasta Gardens, traffic seems heavy out that way. May just try BCH.

 

[cmyers2]

thanks sweetpee, breezes looked nice from pics I've seen. we usually do choice suites but cruise I booked will only allow max of 4 hours @ Atlantis, doesn't seem worth the hassle this time.

We got stuck in traffic once when out by Ardrasta Gardens, traffic seems heavy out that way. May just try BCH.

Is Ardrasta Gardens near Atlantis? We booked Atlantis through Comfort Inn and want to make sure we make it back to the ship on time. What time frame should we allow to make sure we don't miss the boat??!!

 

[keishashadow]

Is Ardrasta Gardens near Atlantis? We booked Atlantis through Comfort Inn and want to make sure we make it back to the ship on time. What time frame should we allow to make sure we don't miss the boat??!!

no, it's the other way on the island. jmho but drivers have more options to get back to ship from Atlantis. once we secure transportation back to ship from Atlantis (waiting for a shuttle to fill) has never taken us more than a half hour even in heavy traffic. Coming the opposite direction we got hung up twice. As I recall the drivers were able to backtrack around fort fincastle (sp) to save some time.

we always allow 1-1/2 hrs pre sailaway, don't want to be the ones running for the ship.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

FYI, I contacted BahaMar already. No day-passes for their pool facilities. But they invited me to come to their casino and eat in their restaurants. My friends and I are going to Sandals for the day instead.

Wow the Baha Mar looks amazing! We will have to check it out the next time we are in Nassau.

Just an FYI...Bahamar's opening has been delayed. Parts of it were supposed to open Friday 3/27, but they just announced a delay, probably until May.

Its a pretty bad situation for people booked there. Most of the resorts in Nassau will be 100% booked the week before Easter. I imagine that they'll refund airfare for people who can't be accommodated (Bahamar is an investment by China's export-import bank, which has pretty deep pockets), but it stinks to only let people know about it days ahead of time. I know at my office scheduling the time off for vacation is a hassle, so there are major non-financial components to screwing up peoples' vacations.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Let us know what you find out; we won't be there until later this year.

I'm back.

There is no signage on-site that day passe are only for cruisers, and I witnessed someone walk-up and get offered all the varieties of day-passes. It could be that a) this staffer didn't know/was ignoring the new rule or b) they are delaying implementing the rule because the opening of Bahamar has turned into something of a debacle. Its still not open and online rumors say it could be June or August.

So who knows what's really going on....I'd say this kind of thong is common in the Bahamas: management makes a rule, and staff implement it in their own good time.