Ohhh I am so smart :) - Budget trip

[kandj]

No really, I am!

We are cruising in feb to the Bahamas - yeah! I was so stressed about the cost of the shore excursions so I figured a way around the ungodly ship prices!

My family of 5 wanted to do the Dolphin Experience and Atlantis and here is what I've discovered:

Dolphin: If you book online through the actual place that does this in Freeport - the cost is half of what you pay on board! I think the company name is Unexso. I googled it.

Atlantis: We wanted to spend the day at Atlantis on the beach, in the aquarium, the dig, the waterslides... it just sounded wonderful. The cost for my family however would have been around $250 for the beach, marina and lunch. I booked a room through orbitz at the Comfort Suites across the street from the Atlantis. Comfort Suite guests are allowed free access to all the Atlantis amenities. Plus we get a room to change and shower in after the beach and before the aquarium or if the kids just get tired we don't have to head back to the boat. The cost for this $146.25.

My total savings:
Dolphin Experience $267
Atlantis $100

More money for the shops! YEAH!

Kerry

 

[Cruise]

Hi Kerry,

It sounds like you've come up with some good ways to save money. However, you might want to check with the Comfort Suites regarding the occupancy limits on the room you booked. Obviously, sleeping space isn't a problem since you won't be staying the night, however, there have been reports that you'll only get wristbands (used for access to Atlantis waterslides, etc.) for the max occupancy of the room you're in. From what I understand, this is usually 4 people.

Again - sounds like a good idea.. but you might want to double check before departure to avoid disappointment if one person won't be able to use the watersports at Atlantis.

Good luck,
Julie

 

[my3kids]

Yep, the wrist bands are likely going to be a problem. Everyone here reports that with 5 people, you have to book 2 rooms to get the fifth arm band. No arm band, no pools at Atlantis. Maybe you'll have better luck....let us know.

 

[RellingTwin]

KandJ, how old is your youngest? I have heard that kids under a certain age (maybe 10??) do not have to have wrist bands. I hope I am right.
I have also booked things "on my own" via the internet. Big savings (more money for pictures, drinks, and spa )

 

[CruisinKate]

I've heard about booking your own excursions and saving money. Sounds like a great idea. One thing I did hear tho was that if you don't make it to the island because of weather, you still may be charged for the excursions, where as if you go through Disney, you aren't charged.. Does anyone have any experience with this? And if so, which excursion was it. It probably is on a case by case basis, since it is all through individual places. . . .

Kate

 

[RellingTwin]

Kate, last year I booked a snorkel trip on Grand Cayman and Cozumel. WELL...The hurricaine came a long and our ports changed. I had asked both companies BEFORE making the reservation what their cancell policy was. Both Captain Marvins and Eagel Ray Divers said the same thing. If the ship is unable to make the port for ANY reason, we will not be charged. I e-mailed both companies from the ship when I learned we would not be going to the Western Ports and explained the situation.They did not give me any problems. That is why I plan to use them on my Oct. cruise.
Now...if your ship gets to the port and you just do not show up, that is a different story . I am sure you would be charged.

 

[vcasey]

I would absolutely ALWAYS double check but as a travel agent I have found that most places do have a policy in place that if the ship does not make it to port they will not charge you. Also many will do their best to reschedule should the ship's itinerary change and you arrive at port a different day.

Best advice... always check around about the companies reputation and this board is a great site for that.

 

[kandj]

Thanks for the heads up on the wristbands! I will double check tomorrow. The kids are 13, 5 and 4 so hopefully we wont have a problem.

I am so excited! We are leaving in 2 weeks! Yeah!

Kerry

 

[mldnhr5]

I went to the dolphin website and it is a bit cheaper. This is our first disney cruise. Does the 3 night Wonder cruise dock on Grand Bahama? Or doesn't matter?

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have heard that the day-rooms at Atlantis, at about $150.00 will get you up to five wristbands?

 

[NejTheLion]

Make sure you don't assume that by going outside of Disney on an excursion you're getting a deal. I was working under that impression, so I've been pricing things outside of Disney to make some comparisons. I didn't consider the fact that Disney may get some kind of group discount.

We're looking at doing the new Dolphin/Stingray excursion at Anguilla (via St. Maarten) and after adding up the costs of the actual program, taxis, and ferry rides, for the three of us, Disney only cost $27 more - less than $10 per person! And the Disney excursion also included lunch. In our opinion, the extra $27 is worth it to not have to worry about the transportation or anything else.

We're also looking at the 5-Star St. John excursion on the Leylon Sneed. With Disney, that excursion costs $45 (as of the most recent navigator I could find online) and the charter company thatowns the Leylon Sneed charges $54 according to their website. Yes, you could just rent a car or take a taxi and go to St. John on your own and have THAT be cheaper than going through Disney, but we'd prefer to sail over. More fun!

 

[kandj]

Okay maybe I am not so smart after all...

I called the Comfort Suites and they did say 4 to a room for wristbands. I have to book another room to get an additional band. Then I called Atlantis to see if they would make an exception - nope. I also asked about Day Rooms - she had no idea what I was talking about. Has anyone else heard of Day Rooms and who do you have to know to get one?

Any ideas???

Kerry

 

[kandj]

Okay maybe I am not so smart after all...

I called the Comfort Suites and they did say 4 to a room for wristbands. I have to book another room to get an additional band. Then I called Atlantis to see if they would make an exception - nope. I also asked about Day Rooms - she had no idea what I was talking about. Has anyone else heard of Day Rooms and who do you have to know to get one?

Any ideas???

Kerry

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The Atlantis Resort does not want to publicize the availability of day rooms. So they will even feign ignorance when asked about them via any means other than face-to-face.

 

[kandj]

Thank you! I have cancelled my reservation at CS and will take my chances with getting a day room at atlantis. I think we will be fine since we will be there during the week and in Feb. You guys are great!

Kerry