What is THE best way to get from the RCCL port in Nassau to Atlantis?

[bingosmama23]

I'm seeing a lot of forums about this but some of the answers are as old as 2009... what is the best way to get from the port to Atlantis resort and back?

[mjkacmom]

Taxi.

[jean87510]

Ferry theh walk.

[mjkacmom]

17 hours ago, jean87510 said:

Ferry theh walk.

Same price as land taxi, but you have to wait for it to fill. A taxi takes you right to Atlantis.

[jean87510]

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

Same price as land taxi, but you have to wait for it to fill. A taxi takes you right to Atlantis.

We have had this discussion.  We were quoted a higher price then you.  So no, in our experience, the taxi was much higher than the ferry.

People should know there is more than one option.  Quite a few YouTube videos and online travel blogs agree with me.

[mjkacmom]

2 hours ago, jean87510 said:

We have had this discussion.  We were quoted a higher price then you.  So no, in our experience, the taxi was much higher than the ferry.

People should know there is more than one option.  Quite a few YouTube videos and online travel blogs agree with me.

We are a family of 7, were always charged $5 each, never any waiting. Did you offer to share the taxi? Taxi is definitely faster and there is no walking, water taxi is good if you aren’t in a hurry and don’t mind walking, we wanted to get to Atlantis asap and grab loungers/lockers.

[bingosmama23]

On 3/27/2024 at 3:08 PM, jean87510 said:

Ferry theh walk.

On 3/28/2024 at 8:37 AM, mjkacmom said:

Same price as land taxi, but you have to wait for it to fill. A taxi takes you right to Atlantis.

 

Thanks to you both!

 

I think it's good to know that there are pros and cons to both options, regardless of price.

 

I have seen that it's $5 per person for the Ferry, and it's a 15 minute ride (30 minutes round trip, which is why it runs on the half hour). I imagine the taxis run independently so pricing may vary from fare to fare and one could get a price for a taxi that is significantly higher than they would pay for the same party size on the Ferry, while pricing with another taxi service may be more comparable in affordability.

 

At the end of the day, it sounds to me like the taxi is more direct and on-call, while it may be a bit more expensive. I think this would be a preferable option for parties that have small children, multigenerational travel parties who have grands who would benefit from being dropped directly at the resort, parties with individuals who are cognitively or physically limited and/or disabled, and people who want to be on their own schedule more-so than having to plan their morning/afternoon around the half hour schedule of the ferry.

 

The ferry sounds to be more reliable with regards to affordability and is a more novelty option, while requiring a bit more legwork (literally) and some wait time for passengers. This could also be a preferable option for someone who doesn't like the traffic patterns/driver behaviors on the island. I was just there with a friend who has serious anxiety about driving, we did the Jeep excursion and she didn't end up getting to drive because we were paired up with another couple (fun fact, you don't get your own jeep if you're a party of 2), and we almost forewent the excursion altogether because her anxiety was running very high not being in control of the vehicle knowing the traffic of the island like she does from visits in the past.

 

Thanks again and please let me know if either of you have any additional pros/cons to offer on each option so I and future cruisers can make a truly informed decision for their day at Nassau!

[jean87510]

On 3/30/2024 at 1:47 AM, bingosmama23 said:

 

Thanks to you both!

 

I think it's good to know that there are pros and cons to both options, regardless of price.

 

I have seen that it's $5 per person for the Ferry, and it's a 15 minute ride (30 minutes round trip, which is why it runs on the half hour). I imagine the taxis run independently so pricing may vary from fare to fare and one could get a price for a taxi that is significantly higher than they would pay for the same party size on the Ferry, while pricing with another taxi service may be more comparable in affordability.

 

At the end of the day, it sounds to me like the taxi is more direct and on-call, while it may be a bit more expensive. I think this would be a preferable option for parties that have small children, multigenerational travel parties who have grands who would benefit from being dropped directly at the resort, parties with individuals who are cognitively or physically limited and/or disabled, and people who want to be on their own schedule more-so than having to plan their morning/afternoon around the half hour schedule of the ferry.

 

The ferry sounds to be more reliable with regards to affordability and is a more novelty option, while requiring a bit more legwork (literally) and some wait time for passengers. This could also be a preferable option for someone who doesn't like the traffic patterns/driver behaviors on the island. I was just there with a friend who has serious anxiety about driving, we did the Jeep excursion and she didn't end up getting to drive because we were paired up with another couple (fun fact, you don't get your own jeep if you're a party of 2), and we almost forewent the excursion altogether because her anxiety was running very high not being in control of the vehicle knowing the traffic of the island like she does from visits in the past.

 

Thanks again and please let me know if either of you have any additional pros/cons to offer on each option so I and future cruisers can make a truly informed decision for their day at Nassau!

I am not a fan of the Nassau taxis.  You can negotiate at times but not often as they get way too many people willing to pay their price.  Had one once that tried to charge $45 for 1 mile.It was a bad neighborhood so we couldn't walk.  If one is able bodied and doesn't mind a walk, the ferry has a set price.  At the Atlantis there is a lot of walking around anyway if you want to explore so one should be prepared.  

[mjkacmom]

29 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

I am not a fan of the Nassau taxis.  You can negotiate at times but not often as they get way too many people willing to pay their price.  Had one once that tried to charge $45 for 1 mile.It was a bad neighborhood so we couldn't walk.  If one is able bodied and doesn't mind a walk, the ferry has a set price.  At the Atlantis there is a lot of walking around anyway if you want to explore so one should be prepared.  

Maybe it’s because we always got into taxis right at the port, and returned in taxis we got into at resorts, but during the 8 times we’ve used them, no issues. One was really fantastic going to Cable beach, talked the whole time about the area, it was a bonus tour. 

[mafig]

We've done both.  We always take the taxi now.

The boat....well, you have to wait for it to fill up.   And fill up means squishing people in really tightly....all the while sitting in the hot sun.

Our boat broke down on the way there.  One recently sunk.  

 

Plus you are dropped off a ways from Atlantis.  You have to then walk there, uphill.  (Downhill on the way back...LOL)

[Axel44]

We usually go to Atlantis or Baha Mar. The Ferry to Atlantis is pretty cheap, $7 I think and a solo taxi is around $20. A group taxi is around $10. We've never had an issue with either. Take the taxi

if you are in a rush though. the ferry can take a while to fill up.

[bingosmama23]

52 minutes ago, Axel44 said:

We usually go to Atlantis or Baha Mar. The Ferry to Atlantis is pretty cheap, $7 I think and a solo taxi is around $20. A group taxi is around $10. We've never had an issue with either. Take the taxi

if you are in a rush though. the ferry can take a while to fill up.

would you mind telling me the biggest differences between baha mar and atlantis? BM doesn't advertise as many "adult friendly" options, it's just going to be myself and my sister (28 and 22, respectively)... but I don't love the idea of not booking our excursion through RCCL 😕 

[Axel44]

No problem. We usually just go to Atlantis or Baha Mar for the casino. So, I can only speak to that. When we were last there, the Baha Mar casino had a lot less people there than the Atlantis and had large banks of their slot machines inoperable. The cab ride is a bit longer to Baha Mar but, it goes right by the "Fish Fry" area which is a group of local seafood restaurants. We definitely prefer the Atlantis as it is livelier and closer to the port. We've even walked to the Atlantis from the cruise port before, but it is only a 10 min cab ride. We always leave a 2hr buffer for returning to the ship as to not become a "runner".