Too many people at Atlantis?

[Steelers0854]

We are going to Nassau in January on the Wonder. I looked and 3 other ships will be in port with us that day Carnival Valor (3000 pax), Carnival Elation (2100 pax), and RCL Enchantment of the Seas (2000 pax). I know that the Atlantis excursions can be expensive (and I know there are ways we can do it on our own but for this stop we prefer the insurance that comes with the cruiseline excursion), and I don't want to spend all that money to get there and have long lines and subpar service.

Anyone that's been there with multiple ships in port can you comment and how many ships, or pax, starts to overwhelm the place? I'm guessing mid January will be a slower season for the actual hotel.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Nvrgrowup]

We did Atlantis in mid August through DCL. There were three cruise ships in port other than us. Atlantis was crowded with long lines for the waterslides.Needless to say our ds16 was very disappointed. We ate the lunch provided, quick walk through the aquarium and back on the bus. We were back on the boat before 2pm and the bus was full. Atlantis is pretty but for the money we spent it was not worth it.

 

[abja09]

I agree with pp. We went in March and it was so crowded my kids rode one water slide and almost had to fight to get tubes for the lazy river. It was terrible. I would not spend the money.

 

[hanscarlet]

I've heard it's extremely crowded and therefore not worth the money. If you really want to go then perhaps check out the discounted options, non DCL, that are available so at least you won't feel like you got hosed on the $ if it's too crowded. I have never done it nor am interested however I have heard there are discounts at the Comfort Inn, perhaps look into that?

 

[Dug720]

Don't forget that Atlantis is a resort and there are people actually staying there - so you're not just dealing with the cruise ships.

Personally I don't get the appeal - I'd rather either stay on the ship or do a snorkel excursion where I can be out in nature than in some man-made thing where there used to be a beautiful beach (I remember going there when that area WAS just a nice beach - family to one side, adult to the other - so I know how it was.)

 

[Sytrace]

We were in Nassau this past Saturday with a total of 5 cruise ships in port ( Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, RC Majesty of the Seas, and Aida Cruiseline and of course Disney Dream.

We did not go to Atlantis (this time)but have gone a couple of times in the past with DCL and stayed quite awhile. We went in December one year and June a couple of times. I cannot remember how many cruise ships were in, but it definitely was not horrible and we did not feel overly stressed out with the crowds. It is a huge resort area, with many entrance points and water attractions. As well as the DIG and the beach right there.

That being said, the traffic in town and around the port was insane. Crowds of people (both native and tourists) really added some spice to this time we were in Nassau. We got off the ship briefly to check out some stores an then headed back on board.

As to whether it is worth it? To us it was fine and we got our money out of the DCL Atlantis excursion. It IS expensive, but we were really pleased overall with it.

 

[cruisehopeful]

It was very expensive and very crowded when we went. It was worth to us to do it once since we had been wanting to go there for some time. It was far less expensive to visit via DCL than to book a trip to go there from the states. It had by far the best lazy river we've ever been on. We loved the lazy river, didn't care for anything else and won't go again. I have no regrets about going there on the one visit, though.

 

[Steelers0854]

Thank you all for the detailed responses. Gonna have to wait and see exactly how much it will be when the excursions open up and make a game time decision then.