Allure to Nassau, shortened hours in port!

[Knolmom]

As the Allure has been altering the time they have been spending on their calls to Nassau, it seems that I may have to revise my plan to visit the dig at Atlantis. I am wondering what time this part of Atlantis opens, and would there be time to see the aquarium and predator lagoon and return to the ship by 11:45 in the morning? The Allure has been altering the port times for a month now, with no advance warning. It is my understanding from people posting to cruise critic that the Allure has been shortening their visits by 1 and a half hours, only being in port from 7 AM until 12:30 PM. They are not announcing this to passengers in advance. As a matter of fact, they are denying it if you call and ask, but then as the ship leaves port in Fort Lauderdale Sunday night, they advise of the new hours, announce the cancelled shore excursions and leave you little to no time to make alternate plans for the day. Of course if you have spent money booking an independent Atlantis ecpxcursion or a day room or day pass to one of the all inclusives you are just out of luck. You won't even be able to have lunch. Just trying to explore my options for doing something during this brief port call . Does anyone have a time for the Dig or can someone suggest an alternative that would get me back by 11:45? It appears that this problem is being caused by the propulsion system on the ship, and it has been going on for some time. Apparently Royal has no idea when it will be repaired so they are reluctant to release any information, claiming only that the ship is moving slower and remaining mum on the abbreviated port calls.

[scubagirrl]

As the Allure has been altering the time they have been spending on their calls to Nassau, it seems that I may have to revise my plan to visit the dig at Atlantis. I am wondering what time this part of Atlantis opens, and would there be time to see the aquarium and predator lagoon and return to the ship by 11:45 in the morning? The Allure has been altering the port times for a month now, with no advance warning. It is my understanding from people posting to cruise critic that the Allure has been shortening their visits by 1 and a half hours, only being in port from 7 AM until 12:30 PM. They are not announcing this to passengers in advance. As a matter of fact, they are denying it if you call and ask, but then as the ship leaves port in Fort Lauderdale Sunday night, they advise of the new hours, announce the cancelled shore excursions and leave you little to no time to make alternate plans for the day. Of course if you have spent money booking an independent Atlantis ecpxcursion or a day room or day pass to one of the all inclusives you are just out of luck. You won't even be able to have lunch. Just trying to explore my options for doing something during this brief port call . Does anyone have a time for the Dig or can someone suggest an alternative that would get me back by 11:45? It appears that this problem is being caused by the propulsion system on the ship, and it has been going on for some time. Apparently Royal has no idea when it will be repaired so they are reluctant to release any information, claiming only that the ship is moving slower and remaining mum on the abbreviated port calls.

 

 

You asked this yesterday and got the answer.

Digs/Predator Lagoon opens at 9am (tickets available at the kiosk opens just before 9am. )

 

Since most everything in nassau opens at 9am, I'd look for something closer to port. Pirates Museum, shopping, Zoo, or the local beach.

[Knolmom]

Scuba girl, do you think it is possible to see the Atlantis exhibit in a relaxed way( I am a slow walker) and get back to the ship by taxi by 11:45? Can I presume there would be taxi's available at the entrance to Atlantis at 11:15 AM. Would you think that the zoo would be a better outing? Is it closer to the ship? Don't think I would be too interested in the straw market? Someone mentioned that there is frequently a venor's market set up at the pier. I would be able to do that with my scooter, but as I have not been to Nassau in 25 years, I would also like to see at least some of the island and see if there is anything there that I can remember. Stayed at Club Med and visited the Paradise Island Casino on my first vacation. Visited from a Carnival ship and went to Cable Beach during the day and the Cable Beach Casino show at night. Am I dating myself?

[scubagirrl]

Scuba girl, do you think it is possible to see the Atlantis exhibit in a relaxed way( I am a slow walker) and get back to the ship by taxi by 11:45? Can I presume there would be taxi's available at the entrance to Atlantis at 11:15 AM.

 

You could do most of it in 2 hours (slowly). My only caveat is that if it's crowded, you sometimes have to wait to get up to the glass to see the exhibit. This would slow you down considerably. Taxi's are readily available, maybe a few minutes delay if there is a line.

 

Would you think that the zoo would be a better outing? Is it closer to the ship?

 

The zoo is closer to the ship, you could arrange a cab to come back and pick you up. Zoo is small. but not scooter friendly. www.ardastra.com

 

 

Don't think I would be too interested in the straw market?

 

Someone mentioned that there is frequently a venor's market set up at the pier.

 

Vendor markets are in festival place, but they are ramping up for renovations, so I don't know when it will close. THese vendors will be placed on the wharf. On weekends, the local artisans are set up on Bay Street as well. There are many small shops downtown near the pier as well.

I would be able to do that with my scooter, but as I have not been to Nassau in 25 years, I would also like to see at least some of the island and see if there is anything there that I can remember.

 

Neither downtown nor Paradise Island resemble what you saw back 25 years.

Of course the Historic buildings are still downtown. (Rawson Sq, queens staircase, government house etc) Paradise Island was taken over by Atlantis and most of it was knocked down. You can see the old Club Med Buildings from across the harbour. They are vacant and in disrepair.

 

Stayed at Club Med and visited the Paradise Island Casino on my first vacation.

 

I worked at Club Med back then.. so much fun .. that beautiful property is now a construction site. The casino is no longer there..

Visited from a Carnival ship and went to Cable Beach during the day and the Cable Beach Casino show at night. Am I dating myself?

 

Bahamar Construction has taken over most of Cable Beach, the casino is only open for slots.. no much going on.. no show anymore. This will be renovated as part of Bahamar. Opening Dec 2014

It might be fun for you to take a jitney (#10 bus) for a ride along west bay street to cable beach and back again. It's a beautiful and scenic ride and it's only $1.25.

Get off at the sheraton and have a daiquari at the Shack (ask the driver).. then hop back on and come back.

 

Takes about an hour round trip.

[CruisinCrow]

That stinks about the hours getting cut. 7-2 is already too short. :(

 

I think you will have time to see the Digs, even if you walk slow. I'd get off the ship around 8 - 8:15. By the time you get a taxi to Atlantis, you'll have a chance to see some of the lobby and casino (be sure to check out the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures).

 

At the aquarium, you can wait for a guided tour but we preferred to do it at our own pace. It's really not that big so 2 hours should be fine.

 

There are always taxis available at the Atlantis main entrance.

[Knolmom]

Thanks so much for your reply. I really look back on my trip to Club Med in 1987 as my first adult vacation" alone". I recall the swaying palms around that small exotic pool with the urns of flowers surrounding it; sitting on the beach under the palms and learning how to gamble and play table games from one of the guests who had a " how to" book. Sad that they did not save this beautiful spot. I guess time marches on.

I will try to go to Atlantis on my own with my walker and see how far I get into the aquarium/ lagoon area if we arrive at 9 AM. Mostly depends on the weather.

[mosul809]

Does that shortened nassua time also apply to oasis? We are supposed to be there from 7-2pm as well. Why wouldn't ship alert passengers of the change? Especially with all the excursions being booked .

[Knolmom]

The Oasis is fine. No shortened times in port, no propulsion problems. As a matter of fact, athe Allure's problems do not affect the Western Carib itinerary, just the Nassau, St Thomas St Martin stops. We have no idea why Royal Caribbean will not be open about this, so as to give passengers the opportunity to have a plan B, or at least not to have them spending a lot of money on private Atlantis passes, or private blue lagoon adventures, or day passes to the all inclusives. If you call and ask them about it, they will deny that there is a problem. People have called a few hours before boarding and were told nothing is wrong, and then were told after they boarded that the hours were changed. Many of us on cruise citric think it is unethical and unconscionable for Royal to behave in this matter, having little or no regard for their customer's cruise experience. Worse yet, although this has been all over cruise critic, it has not been picked up on their daily news brief or bi weekly newsworthy topics. 5000 cruisers affected. Really?