Why should I book an excursion to Atlantis?

[birdlgs]

This is our first cruise ever and we know nothing!! LOL!

All my husband and I want to do is walk around Atlantis, go to the casino and grab some lunch. So we need to book an excursion to do this? We are first time cruisers and ppl are scaring us saying we shouldn't leave the ship without booking an excursion. However we do NOT want to go to the pool or the beach so why should we book it? The other thing is the excursion is only 2.5 hours and we are in port for about 9 hours!!

We are cruising on the Carnival Pride leaving next Sunday-YIPPEE!!:)

Any suggestions for us would be greatly appreciated!!

[BIG_Steve]

This is our first cruise ever and we know nothing!! LOL!

All my husband and I want to do is walk around Atlantis, go to the casino and grab some lunch. So we need to book an excursion to do this? We are first time cruisers and ppl are scaring us saying we shouldn't leave the ship without booking an excursion. However we do NOT want to go to the pool or the beach so why should we book it? The other thing is the excursion is only 2.5 hours and we are in port for about 9 hours!!

We are cruising on the Carnival Pride leaving next Sunday-YIPPEE!!:)

Any suggestions for us would be greatly appreciated!!

 

No, you most certainly do not need an excursion to do the things you want. A shared cab to Atlantis is 4 or 5 bucks. No wait for a cab to take you back either.

[Hstergo]

no need to pay for an excurrsion if you want to try something a little different take a water taxi its like 2 bucks more but a lot more fun

[Starbright7966]

What can u do/see for free? Dig?

[BIG_Steve]

What can u do/see for free? Dig?

 

At Atlantis all you can do for free is spend money ;) You can shop, eat, play in the casino. You won't have access to the dig, water-park, beach or Aquarium.

[jbanana1]

We didn't purchase or do any excursions on our first cruise on the Fantasy in 08. It went to Progresso and Cozumel. Didn't want to spend an hour or more on a bus ride each way to see the ruins in Progresso and in Cozumel we just went to Paradise Beach on our own. We mainly went on that cruise for the ship experience.

 

We did purchase the Atlantis waterpark (thru majestic tours not Carnival) on our Fascination cruise this June. The kids and I love waterparks and I've always wanted to go to Atlantis. If you don't want to do the waterpark but decide when you get there you are interested in the aquarium, you should be able to get tickets for it upon arrival, it's just the waterpark that sells out.

 

The other members of our family took a taxi tour of Nasau and enjoyed it. Plenty of taxis at the pier.

[tracyanns]

U don't need to book an excursion if you plan on staying in the casino or the marina area...there really isn't anything to do there for free but walk around those areas. You can eat but only inside or at the marina area...

 

A cab is $ 4 pp each way plus tip...

 

Not sure I would eat there, Nassau has some awesome little places to eat and no where near as touristy and expensive as those places at Atlantis...get some real Bahamian food while you're off the ship...

[SeaJay7707]

I think we are going to be on the same cruise -- departing 8/14/11 from Baltimore?? I am thinking the same thing as you...I can't justify spending the money that Carnival charges to get over to the Atlantis when we're not even in port that long! I don't want to take a slow, guided tour of the property. All I want to do is be able to get in, take some pictures, look around, and get out! I talked to someone who just returned from a cruise stop in Nassau and he suggested to SKIP the carnival excursion, take a water taxi to the Atlantis, and then if you feel like it, go straight to the casino and purchase a day pass for $39pp. He said the Atlantis is HEAVILY guarded and that you can't see much of the resort without purchasing the day pass. Also, my brother just got back from the Atlantis a few weeks ago (he spent close to $150 buying the Carnival excursion) and said food is RIDICULOUSLY priced...so try to get a good breakfast in before you go...that's what we're going to do!!

[SeaJay7707]

Oh...and be careful because if you are on the same cruise we are (Carnival Pride departing on 8/14,) I think we are only in port for SIX hours...from 7am-1pm last I checked. So make sure you get back to the ship in time, lol!!!!!!!!!!

[tracyanns]

I think we are going to be on the same cruise -- departing 8/14/11 from Baltimore?? I am thinking the same thing as you...I can't justify spending the money that Carnival charges to get over to the Atlantis when we're not even in port that long! I don't want to take a slow, guided tour of the property. All I want to do is be able to get in, take some pictures, look around, and get out! I talked to someone who just returned from a cruise stop in Nassau and he suggested to SKIP the carnival excursion, take a water taxi to the Atlantis, and then if you feel like it, go straight to the casino and purchase a day pass for $39pp. He said the Atlantis is HEAVILY guarded and that you can't see much of the resort without purchasing the day pass. Also, my brother just got back from the Atlantis a few weeks ago (he spent close to $150 buying the Carnival excursion) and said food is RIDICULOUSLY priced...so try to get a good breakfast in before you go...that's what we're going to do!!

 

I hear people talk about the prices of food at Atlantis a lot and I don't find it any more expensive to eat here than any other resort type place such as Disney World or any other amusement park for that matter. We were there last year and it cost us $45 plus tip for lunch for 2...seems like a lot but the portions were huge and the food was excellent...so don't let that be your deciding factor...now I believe the shopping to be a bit over the top there...:rolleyes:

[birdlgs]

Sorry SeaJay but we are sailing this Sunday the 7th so we will wave at you as we get off the ship!! Have a wonderful time!

[CapsR1]

Having stayed at the Atlantis a couple of times since it opened, I will tell you to SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DO NOT EAT THERE.

 

Not only is the food ridiculously expensive, but it is fair at best. Plus, they add a 15% gratuity onto everything just like you are staying at the resort.

 

They are many decent restaurants to eat in Nassau that are not cheap, but not a total rip off like Atlantis.

[SeaJay7707]

Ahhh you are lucky!!!! I don't know if I will make it through the next 12 days!!!! Have a GREAT time!!!

[BIG_Steve]

I hear people talk about the prices of food at Atlantis a lot and I don't find it any more expensive to eat here than any other resort type place such as Disney World or any other amusement park for that matter. We were there last year and it cost us $45 plus tip for lunch for 2...seems like a lot but the portions were huge and the food was excellent...so don't let that be your deciding factor...now I believe the shopping to be a bit over the top there...:rolleyes:

 

18 months ago we had lunch at the place inside the casino. Two large and tasty burgers with soft drinks came to around 24 bucks. I don't recall if that was including the tip. At a resort on vacation, you won't find anything cheaper.

[carhopsrock]

maybe things have changed in a year and a half...last time I was in Nassau we took a water taxi to Atlantis and walked right into the aquarium...didnt see anyone guarding it...spent an hour or so just looking around...maybe we were lucky?

[scubagirrl]

Security has tightened at Atlantis for those without a pass. You no longer can "wander" the Royal towers lobby and are retricted to the casino, the shoppes in the corridor and marina village.

 

Security will move you along if you enter thru royal towers without going to the desk to get your pass.

 

There is security at the entrance to the DIGS area all day long as well as into the evening. No more viewing the glass windows at the Great Hall of waters Cafe.

 

I'm sure some people have been fortunate to have gotten past while security was not at their post, but i wouldn't count on it.

[ka4ren]

U don't need to book an excursion if you plan on staying in the casino or the marina area...there really isn't anything to do there for free but walk around those areas. You can eat but only inside or at the marina area...

 

A cab is $ 4 pp each way plus tip...

 

Not sure I would eat there, Nassau has some awesome little places to eat and no where near as touristy and expensive as those places at Atlantis...get some real Bahamian food while you're off the ship...

What are someplaces you have eaten

Gail:p

[mdepsmom]

I hear people talk about the prices of food at Atlantis a lot and I don't find it any more expensive to eat here than any other resort type place such as Disney World or any other amusement park for that matter. We were there last year and it cost us $45 plus tip for lunch for 2...seems like a lot but the portions were huge and the food was excellent...so don't let that be your deciding factor...now I believe the shopping to be a bit over the top there...:rolleyes:

 

I was at Atlantis last week while on the Majesty; we bought day passes on the ship to Aquaventure so we ate at Atlantis by the pool. I found their meal prices at the pool concessions to be mostly (see below for an exception) reasonably priced. I had a huge freshly grilled hamburger (which was excellent btw) and it came with a bag of chips and a drink, for $7.00. My son had a foot-long hot dog that came with a bag of chips and a drink, for $9.00. Those aren't exorbitant prices IMO for what we got, considering it IS Atlantis, after all.

 

However, later in the day my son wanted ice cream, so back to the concessions we went. We bought Ben & Jerry's ice cream bars - $7.00 apiece. :o

 

I can't speak to the prices of the restaurants inside the resort, but at least outside, the food (except for the ice cream bars) was reasonably priced.

[tracyanns]

What are someplaces you have eaten

Gail:p

 

What kind of food do you want...shacky little local joints or higher end dining in a more upscale environment?

[jbanana1]

We loved the burgers at the waterpark too! Price not too bad since it includes drink, and chips or fries (some stands have chips others have fries). Kids had the fries and they were good also.

[mommy2eee]

What kind of food do you want...shacky little local joints or higher end dining in a more upscale environment?

 

I would love some recommendations too! We are going to December. I think

some local joints...any recommendations about what they serve/what's good?

[tracyanns]

I would love some recommendations too! We are going to December. I think

some local joints...any recommendations about what they serve/what's good?

 

I can only recommend 4 places that I would go back to, of course there are a ton more on the island we just haven't gotten to them yet...

 

THe four that we went to that we enjoyed were Andros(the Fish Fry), The Poop Deck, Anthonys and Bimini(these 2 are in the Marina area of Atlantis...scubagirl would have to let you know if these are still open. She lives in the Bahamas so she can recommend more than I can...I can only go by the few that we have been to and enjoyed.

[scubagirrl]

I can only recommend 4 places that I would go back to, of course there are a ton more on the island we just haven't gotten to them yet...

 

THe four that we went to that we enjoyed were Andros(the Fish Fry), The Poop Deck, Anthonys and Bimini(these 2 are in the Marina area of Atlantis...scubagirl would have to let you know if these are still open. She lives in the Bahamas so she can recommend more than I can...I can only go by the few that we have been to and enjoyed.

 

 

If you want authentic local food, I wouldn't go to paradise Island. Noone prepares local food except maybe Columbus Tavern.

 

I would suggest going to the Fish Fry (Goldies, Oh Andros, Seafood Haven). Service is slow, but the food is delicious.

Here's a menu.. most places are pretty similar.

http://www.goldiesconchhousenassau.com/menu.html

 

if you are looking for something a little less "local".. the poop deck at Nassau Yacht Haven will do..

And if you want an outdoor "bar" spot with decent food, head to the green parrot. www.greenparrotbar.con

[Hi_Cees]

I will definitely have to give the Bahama cruise choices another looksie now that I realize I can wander around Atlantis. Sort of makes it a two for one on my list of things to do...lol.

 

I probably would want to view the aquariums and zip through the casino. Although the shark tube sounds like fun!!

[scubagirrl]

I will definitely have to give the Bahama cruise choices another looksie now that I realize I can wander around Atlantis. Sort of makes it a two for one on my list of things to do...lol.

 

I probably would want to view the aquariums and zip through the casino. Although the shark tube sounds like fun!!

 

You really can't wander around the Atlantis without paying for a pass.

The grounds are not open to the public.

 

You can enter and go directly to the casino, or the shopping hall, but that's about it. No more aquarium viewing from the great hall, and security will prevent you from going or seeing anything else.

 

Marina Village is on the exterior of Atlantis at the marina, that's open to the public,it's just a shopping mall with some eateries in an outdoor setting.

 

The aqauriums and shark tubes are $39pp/