Still with me everyone???
Quick reminder - Me, DW, DS7 and DS5; fourth cruise for DW and I, second for both kids.
Before I go into the details of Day 2, I wanted to share a few tips for future cruisers:
1. We packed the kids clothes in gallon-size zipper bags - one back for each day, each child. This made storage in the room very easy and the kids could get dressed without any fuss (well no more than normal
)
2. Make sure to pack a power strip if you travel with electronics. Since it seems like Best Buy dumped their inventory in our suitcases
, we needed the extra plugs.
3. If you are in an inside room, consider getting some LED night lights. These helped everyone navigate the dark room.
4. The staterooms have TONS of storage available. After two tries, I still haven't run out of space. We put most of our suitcases under the bed along with the kids' booster seats for the car. The big bag went into the closet and held the dirty clothes each day.
Now on to Day 2 . . .
I awoke before the rest of the family (this is a familiar thread for this trip) and decided that I would go for some coffee. Before I forget, we brought some of those orange LED night light dots that plug in to help with the dark stateroom. They worked like a charm. I put one in the toilet bathroom, one behind the TV, the the last one in the power strip we brought (way too many electronics
).
I climbed the stairs up to deck 9 to fetch some coffee for DW and myself. I wanted to try the Cove Cafe, so I headed off to the front of the ship. Along the way, I snapped some pictures as we were pulling into Nassau. I know many people bash Nassau, but it is very pretty pulling into port.
Cove Cafe is fantastic. I got a couple of cappachinos and made my way back down to deck 2. By this time DW was awake but both kids were still snoozing away. We decided to skip the breakfast buffet and ordered room service. What a great way to start the day
! We had our tray of food within 15 minutes of ordering. The kids woke up to have breakfast waiting for them. They thought that was a real treat 
!
By the time we had finished our breakfast and packed our day bag, the ship was cleared. So we made our way down to deck 1 forward and walked out to get a taxi.
The weather was just fantastic all day. It was partly cloudy with temps in the lower 80's.
I had booked us a room at the Comfort Suites ($192 +tax). This hotel is right across the street from the Atlantis Resort and guests get full privileges. The taxi ride was pretty quick and cost us $16 + tip. The Comfort Suites is a nice hotel in its own right. DW and I commented that we would consider staying there if we ever came back to Nassau for a longer visit.
A walk across the street, and we were in the lobby of the Coral Towers building. We were directed out back to the resort grounds to a towel hut to get our wristbands and pool towels. The Comfort Suites gives each adult a room charge card and this must be shown to get wristbands. Only four wristbands per room. These bands must be worn as they are checked before you are allowed on any of the pools or waterslides.
All I can say about the Atlantis is that it is HUGE
!!
We set out through the "jungle" and across many rope bridges in search of the kiddie pools. On the way we got an upclose look at a hammerhead shark. That was pretty cool.
We found some chairs by the kid pool by the slides (near the Royal Towers I believe). The pool was nice for the kids (not too crowded, only about a 1 1/2 deep) but it was a bit cool for my tastes. There were some waterfalls emptying into the pool along with some watersprayers. There were some smaller slides for the younger kids as well. The boys had fun using their snorkle masks and playing catch. They were too small for the big slides, so it was up to DW and me to take 'em on. I tried all of them and they did not disappoint. A couple of them take you down below the surface of the shark pool (enclosed in a tube). That was pretty cool
.
After swiming for awhile, we wondered over to get some food. There is a casual outside burger stand by the slides that was pretty good. It was more expensive than eating a Mickey D's, but not over the top. Another nice feature is that many of the resturants are cashless. You can charge to your room (including Comfort Suites guests) or a credit card.
After lunch, we walked through the Dig. I think we went through backwards, but nobody cared. The fish were pretty cool. Strike that, they were awesome! We got to see all different types of fish, sharks, lobsters, jelly fish, rays, eels, etc.
Next on the agenda was some time swiming in one of the lagoons. It was very shallow which was perfect for the kids. The water was a bit cool, but tollerable. After a while, DS5 was done so I took him back to the Comfort Suites while DW stayed with DS7. We all met up after an hour or so and checked out to head back to the ship. Total cost at the Comfort Suites was $250 (this included lunch at Atlantis). Another taxi ride brought us back to the pier (same price as before). DW went off to do a bit of shopping and I took the boys back onto the ship.
After relaxing and wandering around the ship for a bit, we got ready for Pirate Night
. . .
Dinner was again in Parrot Cay and it was so neat to see everyone with their pirate bandanas on their heads. Dinner was good and the show was fun. We then dropped the kids off at the Lab so DW and I could explore Route 66.
Diversions is a nice place to have a drink and watch sports. Being native Detroiters, it was nice to see some hockey on TV. It was the AHL all-star game. Hey without the NHL and my beloved Red Wings, I'm in a serious need for my hockey fix.
We picked up the kids in time for the deck party. It was fun dancing and watching the show. I got a nice picture of Pirate Mickey when he saved the show. At this point, the kids wanted to go swimming. The Mickey Pool was still open at 11:00pm (I guess since the Goofy Pool was closed for the show). So while DW and I snacked on the buffet, the kids played in the bathwater temperature pool. It was very mild on deck as well (very nice night to stargaze).
After midnight, we dragged the kids out of the pool and made our way back to our cabin for the night. Castaway Cay would be waiting for us when we get up tomorrow . . .
Rick
Quick reminder - Me, DW, DS7 and DS5; fourth cruise for DW and I, second for both kids.
Before I go into the details of Day 2, I wanted to share a few tips for future cruisers:
1. We packed the kids clothes in gallon-size zipper bags - one back for each day, each child. This made storage in the room very easy and the kids could get dressed without any fuss (well no more than normal
)2. Make sure to pack a power strip if you travel with electronics. Since it seems like Best Buy dumped their inventory in our suitcases
, we needed the extra plugs.3. If you are in an inside room, consider getting some LED night lights. These helped everyone navigate the dark room.
4. The staterooms have TONS of storage available. After two tries, I still haven't run out of space. We put most of our suitcases under the bed along with the kids' booster seats for the car. The big bag went into the closet and held the dirty clothes each day.
Now on to Day 2 . . .
I awoke before the rest of the family (this is a familiar thread for this trip) and decided that I would go for some coffee. Before I forget, we brought some of those orange LED night light dots that plug in to help with the dark stateroom. They worked like a charm. I put one in the toilet bathroom, one behind the TV, the the last one in the power strip we brought (way too many electronics
).I climbed the stairs up to deck 9 to fetch some coffee for DW and myself. I wanted to try the Cove Cafe, so I headed off to the front of the ship. Along the way, I snapped some pictures as we were pulling into Nassau. I know many people bash Nassau, but it is very pretty pulling into port.
Cove Cafe is fantastic. I got a couple of cappachinos and made my way back down to deck 2. By this time DW was awake but both kids were still snoozing away. We decided to skip the breakfast buffet and ordered room service. What a great way to start the day
! We had our tray of food within 15 minutes of ordering. The kids woke up to have breakfast waiting for them. They thought that was a real treat !By the time we had finished our breakfast and packed our day bag, the ship was cleared. So we made our way down to deck 1 forward and walked out to get a taxi.
The weather was just fantastic all day. It was partly cloudy with temps in the lower 80's.
I had booked us a room at the Comfort Suites ($192 +tax). This hotel is right across the street from the Atlantis Resort and guests get full privileges. The taxi ride was pretty quick and cost us $16 + tip. The Comfort Suites is a nice hotel in its own right. DW and I commented that we would consider staying there if we ever came back to Nassau for a longer visit.
A walk across the street, and we were in the lobby of the Coral Towers building. We were directed out back to the resort grounds to a towel hut to get our wristbands and pool towels. The Comfort Suites gives each adult a room charge card and this must be shown to get wristbands. Only four wristbands per room. These bands must be worn as they are checked before you are allowed on any of the pools or waterslides.
All I can say about the Atlantis is that it is HUGE
!!We set out through the "jungle" and across many rope bridges in search of the kiddie pools. On the way we got an upclose look at a hammerhead shark. That was pretty cool.
We found some chairs by the kid pool by the slides (near the Royal Towers I believe). The pool was nice for the kids (not too crowded, only about a 1 1/2 deep) but it was a bit cool for my tastes. There were some waterfalls emptying into the pool along with some watersprayers. There were some smaller slides for the younger kids as well. The boys had fun using their snorkle masks and playing catch. They were too small for the big slides, so it was up to DW and me to take 'em on. I tried all of them and they did not disappoint. A couple of them take you down below the surface of the shark pool (enclosed in a tube). That was pretty cool
.After swiming for awhile, we wondered over to get some food. There is a casual outside burger stand by the slides that was pretty good. It was more expensive than eating a Mickey D's, but not over the top. Another nice feature is that many of the resturants are cashless. You can charge to your room (including Comfort Suites guests) or a credit card.
After lunch, we walked through the Dig. I think we went through backwards, but nobody cared. The fish were pretty cool. Strike that, they were awesome! We got to see all different types of fish, sharks, lobsters, jelly fish, rays, eels, etc.
Next on the agenda was some time swiming in one of the lagoons. It was very shallow which was perfect for the kids. The water was a bit cool, but tollerable. After a while, DS5 was done so I took him back to the Comfort Suites while DW stayed with DS7. We all met up after an hour or so and checked out to head back to the ship. Total cost at the Comfort Suites was $250 (this included lunch at Atlantis). Another taxi ride brought us back to the pier (same price as before). DW went off to do a bit of shopping and I took the boys back onto the ship.
After relaxing and wandering around the ship for a bit, we got ready for Pirate Night
. . .Dinner was again in Parrot Cay and it was so neat to see everyone with their pirate bandanas on their heads. Dinner was good and the show was fun. We then dropped the kids off at the Lab so DW and I could explore Route 66.
Diversions is a nice place to have a drink and watch sports. Being native Detroiters, it was nice to see some hockey on TV. It was the AHL all-star game. Hey without the NHL and my beloved Red Wings, I'm in a serious need for my hockey fix.
We picked up the kids in time for the deck party. It was fun dancing and watching the show. I got a nice picture of Pirate Mickey when he saved the show. At this point, the kids wanted to go swimming. The Mickey Pool was still open at 11:00pm (I guess since the Goofy Pool was closed for the show). So while DW and I snacked on the buffet, the kids played in the bathwater temperature pool. It was very mild on deck as well (very nice night to stargaze).
After midnight, we dragged the kids out of the pool and made our way back to our cabin for the night. Castaway Cay would be waiting for us when we get up tomorrow . . .
Rick
