Would you recommend the Disney Discover Atlantis Tour, or do you think we're better off going over on our own? The Disney tour is pricey for just walking around, but if its more convenient then I'd understand. Suggestions and ideas appreciated!
You'll save some money going on your own (take a shuttle van from the cruise terminal for $4/person plus tip), as the in-person price is lower than the Disney price. You'll also get over there faster, assuming you get off the ship bright and early. But you're not going to save tons of money. You have to get a ticket to walk around Atlantis and see the aquarium and so forth during the day, and that ticket (last I checked) is $42 for adults and $33 for children (4-12). Disney's price is $61.50 for adults and $40.75 for children. So overall, you don't save much, since Disney's includes transportation, but you have to pay for your own if you go independent. Let's say there are three of you and you tip the driver $2 each way:
Independent: ($4 x 3 + $2 (tip)) x 2 + $42 x 2 + $33 = $145
Disney: $61.50 x 2 + $40.75 = $163.75
For other combinations of people, it's a similar difference.
Keep in mind that for most people, the Atlantis Dig (aquarium) and predator lagoons are about 1-2 hours tops. They're really unique and nicely designed, but it's not a whole day trip. We walked at our own pace through the Dig while on a trip to go to Aquaventure and spent a grand total of about 40 minutes.
Personally, I'd go independent and hire a driver, so you could visit Atlantis, go to the Cloisters, see other parts of Nassau, head over to Ardastra, etc. We did exactly that on a recent trip, and it was great. That's even more expensive, since the driver is about $50/hour, but you get to see a lot more. You can pack in a lot of sightseeing in 3-4 hours with a private driver.
