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Any suggestions?

Find a tour from your cruiseship. Most tours and shoppes will be closed. A few restaurants and bars will be open, but not most. The Bahamas is a very christian country. Christmas is a very big deal

We just booked here, Do you know if your friends got things straightened out with their cc or if they figured out how it happened.Im nervous they will not take cash

 

I wonder if a visa gift card would do to pay my balance

 

Thanks

They will take cash at the front desk to pay for your passes.. just not on the property.. You shouldn't need any additional funds, since you get a $40 voucher for lunch and drinks.

Some cash cards don't work in the bahamas. You would have to check your specific card company.

We were just there Thursday. They sold out of passes. They honored ours because we prepaid using Resort for a Day but they ended up giving us a refund because there were no chairs or towels. We went back to the ship and spent the day on the Serenity deck.

This is the problem I've seen with 3rd party vendors who are not on site, (or even in the country). They don't have updated information.

During Spring Break many of the hotels sell out.

Just to add - water shoes cannot have any buckles, snap, clips or hard surfaces that may scratch the slides.

We have rooms booked (which we won't be using) at Atlantis at a discounted rate because of past visits and casino credits at Atlantis.

You should check to see if they are going to allow you to check in and get your bracelets before 3pm. Things have changed drastically since March 1.

If you want a free beach, cabbage beach on paradise island is nice & inexpensive cab ride. Last time we were there, there weren't any chairs or umbrellas, but there was an affordable restaurant with restrooms.

There is no restaurant or restrooms on the beach, the closest is at Atlantis Marina Village, about a 10 minute walk from the beach.

We will be arriving in Nassau one week from today on Oasis. Our group of 7 has made arrangements to visit Atlantis for our short port day of 7-2. We will need to get to Atlantis on our own. What is the easiest way to do this and how much time should we allow to return to the boat before its 2 pm departure. I'm very very nervous about being late for the boat and not having a guarantee of being waited on because we didn't book this tour through the cruise lines. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Not sure what arrangements you have made, but Atlantis no longer sells passes to non-guests. As a cruiser, you must make arrangements thru the cruiseship to be guaranteed access. (cruisers can show their ID's at the front desk to purchase passes, but they are not guaranteed, still first come first served.

Comfort Suites no longer give access earlier than 3pm check in.

As for travel, you can grab a taxi shuttle from outside the dock for $4pp. You'll need to be in a cab by 1pm to be back to the ship ontime (you are expected 30 minutes before departure.

Hi... I was wondering if we can buy Atlantis day pass in lobby or have to purchase in advance? Thanks

New information from Atlantis states that day passes will no longer be available on the property. Only guests of the Atlantis and those who purchase through the cruise ships will be allowed access.

So far, we have not heard any news about Comfort suites.

I am going to the Bahamas in May and was wondering about Duty Free. I have a full day in Nassau and that is where I plan to shop. I was wondering if it is actually worth it with the designer brands like Gucci and Cartier or is it just a slight discount that won't make or break you? Also how do I know if the store is Duty Free or not? I hate looking like one of those clueless tourists. Also what shops should I definitely make a note to visit or avoid. I do want to see the straw market. I understand some people do not like the atmosphere of haggling but I love it.

With the new VAT tax in place, it may not make any sense at all.

You must contact At&t and ask them to add international service to your plan or your phone won't work regardless of the price.

Unless you pay for a "package", calls are 2.99 per minute, $.50 for txt. Data will cost you a fortune without a paid package. I think data starts at $20 for a lite package.

Let me just add. Phone service, in general, is not dependable in the bahamas. Service goes down on a regular basis, sometimes for minutes, sometimes, hours or even days. So have a back up plan.

This years spring break starts Feb 28 and runs to April 10

Most schools start Mar 6

There are 5 of us getting into Nassau on Presidents Day. We would like to have dinner at Carmines.. Do we need reservations and how much is it for a cab from the port to Paradise Island? Is it difficult getting a cab after dinner from Paradise Island back to the port? Thank you in advance!

You should make reservations. If they are open (they close on rotation and sometimes close without notice), they are usually quite busy and those without reservation can end up waiting more than an hour. They tend to favor Atlantis guests as well, so a reservation would be helpful.

A cab will cost $4 pp from the dock using the shuttle vans. Otherwise, the rate is $11 for 2 ppl and $3 for ea. add'l person. With $1 for the toll and a tip. Shouldn't have a problem getting a cab.. just walk a short way to the Coral tower entrance.

The base rate at Comfort Suites is for 2 adults. You can add up to 2 add'l persons to the reservation for a total of 4 per room. Add'l fees apply to added people ($40 per adult). There are taxes, fees, gratuities and VAT applied as well. (see CS website)

All guest my appear at the front desk for check in. They will be given a card to be taken to Atlantis to get their wristbands (they are not given out at Comfort Suites). Each guest will get their wristband attached by Atlantis staff. You don't get the wristbands to put on yourself or share. You are only given bands for each PAID guests.

Atlantis is cashless, so take a credit card.

We have been to Nassau about 6 times on cruises. We have never been to Atlantis/ Paradise Island. This April we are again cruising to Nassau, but the people we are cruising with have said there are a lot of things to do at Alantis that are free and that there is no need to get any passes.

 

Is there?

The ONLY thing you can do for free (well not really free) is the Casino and the small shoppes in the old towers (not the towers in the advertisement, the 40 year old towers).

Security stops you from entering if you don't have a paid pass.

You can wander around the marina village, which is an outdoor section adjacent to the Atlantis property. Not a part of the hotel property.

There are shops and some restuarants here, as well as a pizza place, ice cream parlor.

Unless you want to gamble, there's no need to go to Atlantis if you aren't paying for a pass.

We will be in Nassau in two weeks and our group of 11 would like to go to a nice clean beach where we can rent a couple of chairs, swim, buy drinks, buy Bahamian cuisine and have a nice relaxing time.

 

**** There is only one public beach that has these things - Junkanoo Beach. It's located just outside of town, less than a 10 minute walk from the cruise port. There are hotel beaches, that are quite nice, but you have to pay for a day pass to enter and use their beach, chairs, bars and grill etc. Melia, Breezes, RIU, Sandals and Hilton all have day passes. There's plenty of good information on these boards regarding these passes.

 

 

I'm following this thread and I'm a bit confused. Is it hard to discern public beach from private? Where can we go that would suit our needs?

 

Public beaches are just that.. a strip of natural beach that is not maintained, and with no security or lifeguards. Usually there are no other amenities either. No restrooms, concessions etc. Public beaches are not always safe as there is no security, and out of the way beaches are oftentimes the sight of robberies. Some public beaches are Cabbage Beach, Sanders Beach, Goodmans Bay and Sandyport beach. There is also a public entrance to Cable Beach (no access to hotel beaches and amenities).

 

Private beaches are in front of hotels, condos and private homes. Most require day passes. You cannot walk thru a property to get to the beach without trespassing. The law states that all beaches are public to the high water mark, the trick is getting to (and staying on) that part of the beach without trespassing.

 

 

Thank you

Hope this helps.

We will be in Nassau with Royal Caribbean next month. Ship will dock at 1:00 pm. We are considering booking the Atlantis-Discover Atlantis Tour through RCI. It is a 2 1/2 hour tour starting at 2 pm. The reviews on the RCI website are not that great, but then there are only 6 reviews. I wish RCI had videos for their excursions like Princess. It is difficult to figure out what you get for your money or maybe I am missing something.

The Discover Atlantis tour consists of transportation to and from Atlantis and a tour of the Atlantis DIGS and Predator Lagoon. (the aquarium and shark tubes). It does not allow access to the grounds, beach, lagoons, pools or waterpark. The pass purchased at Atlantis is $45 pp and the round trip cab would cost you $8pp.

We will only be in port from 7am-2pm in April (almost not even worth stopping - not sure why they have such a short day?)

 

My question is this: we have friends that are staying at the Atlantis for the week for spring break. If we want to visit them, can we just go or do we have to have passes for the day? Or can they make guest arrangements with the front desk or something?

 

It is not worth the cost for passes for such a short day. I don't want to go w/o passes though and be turned away, then have nothing to do for the day.

 

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

Thanks!

Christie

During the daytime you will NOT be allowed on the property without a day pass. The casino and marina village (which is located outside the main property) are open to the public. You could meet there, but you won't be allowed in the lobbies, or on the grounds.

In the evening, you can access the property, although the pools, beaches and venues outdoors are closed at 5pm in winter/ 6:30 in the spring.

Aquarium passes are $45 pp. Beach Pass is $80. and access to pools and park start at $135. It's unlikely that same day passes will be available during spring break due to overcrowding.

Atlantis does not operate like a normal hotel. You won't even be allowed in the front door without a pass unless you are going to the casino. Security at every entrance and exit.

hi- we will be cruising on te Dream in March and I was wondering if we should buy Atlantis Aqua adventure day passes through the ship or an outside company? Does anyone have any advice? It will be my husband, 5 year old, 3 year old, 1 year old, and I. The ship seems more expensive but does provide transportation. Also the ship charges for 3 years old and over were the outside companies say they charge for 4 years old and over. Thanks for any feedback!

First off, march is spring break, so Atlantis will be a zoo. Passes may be sold out or blocked, so either purchase from the ship or Majestic tours.

Your children are likely too young for the aquapark. They need to be 48 inches to do any of the slides and the lazy river is closed. The Current (which is the fierce lazy river), is not very safe for children that are this age.

Check out renting a room at the Comfort Suites that is adjacent to Atlantis. It gives you full access to the beach and waterpark. I believe that you can have up to 5 per room. We just booked a room for four of us and it was $360 inc. taxes and fees for the day. You can get your wristbands starting at 7am and the room will be ready later. Cab ride is about $20 each way.

Comfort Suites allows only 4 to a room, which would mean they would need 3 rooms.

Wristbands are available from 8:30am - pools open at 9am/ slides open at 10am.

Cab is $4 per person.

Nassau is one of our stops on our cruise next April...coming with DH, DS10 and DD6. We'll only be in Nassau from 7am - 2pm (and we will not be off the ship as early as 7am). So looking for something kid-friendly to do. We are not big adventure seekers.

 

I don't know the logistics of where the ships docks to the close beaches. I've also heard great things about the Atlantis including an aquarium (but we have a big aquarium in our city so this is not a must).

 

What exactly is this tour? Is it worth the $65 / adult and $54 / child cost?

 

Or is it better to go ourselves (by cab?) and just wander around the resort? And if we go ourselves, I assume we could also add the beach in? As above, we won't have the entire day to do something longer.

The Discover Atlantis tour includes the DIGS aquarium and Predator Lagoon. It does NOT include the beach or any of the outdoor venues.

Without some level of pass, you cannot just wander around the resort. Security is everywhere. The only thing you can do without paying for entry is the casino and the small shops in the old tower (kids won't be allowed in the casino). The marina village is public, but it's not part of the Main Atlantis property. It's a courtyard outside the Coral Tower entrance.

DIGS opens at 9am. You would have to leave Atlantis by 1pm to be back onboard in time.

We are a family of 6 adults and 2 toddlers that will be in the Bahamas for a short period of time 6 -2:00 pm on the Allure in February 2015. We are considering taking a van on our own, over to the Atlantis, to tour the Digs. Does anyone know how much it costs for adults and children to visit the Digs and where do you purchase the tickets? We prefer touring on our own as then, we can leave and come back whenever we are ready. Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

You can purchase tickets in the casino or outside the main entrance. Tickets office opens at 8:30am.

Passes are $45 for adults/ $35 for kids 4-12 years old.

You can pick up the shuttle van at the port exit. $4 pp, plus $1 for toll for the vehicle. Plus tip.

Has anyone been to Arawak Cay recently? A review from December on Trip Advisor says it's no longer safe (this person had been there before apparently).

there was ONE incident between 2 locals a few weeks back. Hardly a big problem. More police presence these days.

We would also stop at the British Colonial Hilton for tea. Right near shopping area.

BCH doesn't do high tea any more. You can stop at their restaurant for a cup of tea, but it's not a big deal.

In the winter months, sunset is at 4:30/5pm.

The same boats that do the daytime snorkeling tours are the boats they use for sunset cruises. Since snorkeling boats don't come in until 4:30 or so, there' is no way to get them ready to reboard and in place for a sunset cruise.

It's pitch dark after 5pm.. and winter.

Makes me a bit nervous for our upcoming trip. We were hoping to visit BCH but now I don't know how safe that would be. I am hoping its "safer" in ?Nassau during daylight but I guess crime can happen any time any where.

BCH shouldn't be a problem. It's a very private property, and just steps from the wharf. You'll find heavy police presence in the area as well.

For the most part, these shootings are locals on locals - very personal. It's a shame they can't keep it "over the hill".