A day trip to "Atlantis" on Paradise Island

My wife and I plan to visit "Atlantis" on our next cruise to Nassau.. What
is the best way to get there from the cruise ship terminals and what is
worthwhile seeing while we are there? I have seen postings about the
Aquarium costing $25.00. Is this just one of the tours? Is it possible to
enjoy seeing things without taking the tour?

Thanks for any input

joycenbruce

Ferry to P.I. leaves from cruise dock every 1/2 hour or so. Costs $6
R/T. They end about 5:30-6 pm. Then its taxi for $17 one way!!! When
we went in the evening (we were staying at the RIU next door) the
entire aquarium was free as was the "dig". During the day they were
checking and allowing guests only. However you can roam outside and see
shark lagoon and such for free. I wouldnt pay $25.00 to see it but it
was nice for free. The shops are nice and the luxury yachts in the
marina are a sight to see.

I have been to Nassau several times. On our last cruise in September we
were looking for something 'new' to do and since we never went to see
the Atlantis we booked it thru the shore excursions on board the ship. I
feel it was well worth it. If you decide to go over on your own you will
not have access to the dig/aquariums. You will need to take a water taxi
over to the Paradise Island terminal. We were issued bracelets and had
to show them when entering the dig and grounds. Without the bracelets
you will be limited to the casino areas only. At the end of the tour the
guide pointed us to a path that led to a public beach near the Atlantis
if anyone wanted to swim. The pools and private beach is off
limits...only hotel guests have access. IMO it was a well worth booking
the excursion!

Len...

"Ebbtide" wrote:

My wife and I plan to visit "Atlantis" on our next cruise to Nassau.. What
is the best way to get there from the cruise ship terminals and what is
worthwhile seeing while we are there? I have seen postings about the
Aquarium costing $25.00. Is this just one of the tours? Is it possible to
enjoy seeing things without taking the tour?

We weren't coming from the cruise ship docks, but we took a taxi to
the base of the bridge and then walked over. You get a nice view of
the harbor, and if you are lucky you will see Chalks seaplane take off
or land starting right under the bridge. The bridge is a toll bridge
for automobiles including taxis. There is a little ferry under the
bridge. The jitney buses don't go over the bridge but you might be
able to get one of those going down Bay Street (which is the one
closest to the water. They are about $1.00 They only run during the
day.

The Aquarium is quite extensive. If you get a map of Paradise Island
it will usually have a coupon for reduced admission on it. We went to
Atlantis to see the Dig (which is what they call the aquarium) and I
thought it was worth it, but I like aquaria. You can wander the
grounds, and go into the casino etc without going to the aquarium, and
you can also eat in one of the restaurants like The Cafe at the Great
Hall of Waters that has part of the aquarium around it, if you happen
to be there at the right time. We were there about 10:30 and they had
finished breakfast and wouldn't start lunch for about an hour.
http://www12.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/2d94f/#TL


grandma Rosalie

Ebbtide wrote:
My wife and I plan to visit "Atlantis" on our next cruise to Nassau.. What
is the best way to get there from the cruise ship terminals and what is
worthwhile seeing while we are there? I have seen postings about the
Aquarium costing $25.00. Is this just one of the tours? Is it possible to
enjoy seeing things without taking the tour?

Thanks for any input

joycenbruce


The easier way is take a taxi. $4 per person one way when we were there
in Oct 2005. We got the cab by the pier and there were a lot of cabs in
front of the hotel to go back to the ship. The ferry is $3 one way but
it is a walk from the ferry terminal to Atlantis.
As a non-hotel guest, you can walk around the hotel, shops and casino.
You will not be able to go near the pools.
Have fun.

Thanks for all your responses. You have been very helpful...



"Ebbtide" wrote in message
news
My wife and I plan to visit "Atlantis" on our next cruise to Nassau.. What
is the best way to get there from the cruise ship terminals and what is
worthwhile seeing while we are there? I have seen postings about the
Aquarium costing $25.00. Is this just one of the tours? Is it possible to
enjoy seeing things without taking the tour?

Thanks for any input

joycenbruce

(Len C.) wrote:

I have been to Nassau several times. On our last cruise in September we
were looking for something 'new' to do and since we never went to see
the Atlantis we booked it thru the shore excursions on board the ship. I
feel it was well worth it. If you decide to go over on your own you will
not have access to the dig/aquariums. You will need to take a water taxi
over to the Paradise Island terminal. We were issued bracelets and had
to show them when entering the dig and grounds. Without the bracelets
you will be limited to the casino areas only.

You can buy the wristbands that admit you to the Dig and Grounds in
the casino

At the end of the tour the
guide pointed us to a path that led to a public beach near the Atlantis
if anyone wanted to swim. The pools and private beach is off
limits...only hotel guests have access. IMO it was a well worth booking
the excursion!

Len...

grandma Rosalie

Sounda BORING!
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
(Len C.) wrote:

I have been to Nassau several times. On our last cruise in September we
were looking for something 'new' to do and since we never went to see
the Atlantis we booked it thru the shore excursions on board the ship. I
feel it was well worth it. If you decide to go over on your own you will
not have access to the dig/aquariums. You will need to take a water taxi
over to the Paradise Island terminal. We were issued bracelets and had
to show them when entering the dig and grounds. Without the bracelets
you will be limited to the casino areas only.

You can buy the wristbands that admit you to the Dig and Grounds in
the casino

At the end of the tour the
guide pointed us to a path that led to a public beach near the Atlantis
if anyone wanted to swim. The pools and private beach is off
limits...only hotel guests have access. IMO it was a well worth booking
the excursion!

Len...

grandma Rosalie

The problem is that the people paying big $ to stay at the Atlantis have no
more interest in having you wandering around "their" hotel and using "their"
facilities than you would having people off the street wandering around
"your" cruise ship.

So management wisely restricts visitor access and to certain areas and puts
on a healthy charge for other areas (except they are happy to take your
money in their casino and upscale restaurant).

That's the reality of the situation.



"Ebbtide" wrote in message
news
My wife and I plan to visit "Atlantis" on our next cruise to Nassau.. What
is the best way to get there from the cruise ship terminals and what is
worthwhile seeing while we are there? I have seen postings about the
Aquarium costing $25.00. Is this just one of the tours? Is it possible to
enjoy seeing things without taking the tour?

Thanks for any input

joycenbruce

When we did our last cruise that stopped in Nassau we considered
booking a "night" at Quality Inn (or was it Comfort Inn) on P.I.
splitting the costs with another couple. That room came with full
access to Atlantis, including the pools.
That was two years ago, but I doubt if things changed.