Like I said the aquarium is spread out over the resort and the resort is huge. We all met in Wavebands and received a wristband and sticker for our shirts. The wristband gives you access to Atlantis and the aquarium tour. The sticker was for when we went off the ship we were to line up behind the CM holding the sign with the same picture as our sticker. (Different excursions had different stickers.) Then we follow the CM off the pier to the main street in Nassau where we boarded buses. The buses held about 20 people each, maybe more, there are 2 seats on one side and 1 on the other and there's another seat that comes up and folds down so you can have 4 across in one row.
I don't know how many people did this tour but I'd say there was at least 4-5 buses. After a short ride thru Nassau you go across the bridge to Paradise Island. Where the bus drops you off is where you will go to get back to the ship. The buses will wait until it is full or on the 1/2 hour to return to the ship. When you leave the Atlantis resort there will be plenty of cabs waiting to take you back to the ship. If you want to take a cab you will have to pay for this. The return bus trip is included.
You go on your guided tour of the Aquarium and when that is finished the guide tells you where everything is around the resort. You are free to walk around and explore as much as you want. You are just not allowed to use the pools etc. Also they had small stands around the resort selling drinks and snacks but I only saw a sign that said room charges only. You might want to bring along a drink for everyone as we did. They sell bottled water in Wavebands before you leave or right before you exit the ship.
We walked around the large lagoon area and over to the beach and across the roped bridge etc. You can spend as much time as you'd like to looking around or in the casino or you also can go back thru the aquarium if you'd like to see something again. Just keep the wristband you got on the ship on and visible at all times and your guide will remind you of this during the tour.
When you are ready to return to the ship you walk back to the where the bus dropped you off and get on a bus. Then on the 1/2 hour or when it's full the bus will return to the pier. There are shops and places to get a bite to eat by the buses such as quizno's, but I heard it cost $15 for a sub. Keep your wristbands on til you get off the bus. Remember you will need a KTTW card and photo ID (for adults) for everyone leaving the ship.
This excursion had 2 times, the first at 11am and then 1pm. The return buses started at 1pm so if you go at 11 you cannot get a bus to return until after 1pm. If you go at 11 am as we did, I doubt that you will be ready to return before 1 pm. The last bus back to the pier was around 4:30 and after that you would need to take a cab.
That's more info than you asked for but hopefully this makes it clearer to you and anyone else.
