Kira

Hi,<BR>I am looking to book a cruise on Explorer. I know it stays in Nassau for several hours and we would like to go to Atlantis. How far is the port from the resort? We will have only 5 hours there. Also, will we be able to get into Atlantis? They probably do not allow vistiors to the beach. IS there a paid admission to get in? How much? IS it worth it for 4-5 hours?<BR>Also, in St.Juan where we've been several times and did pretty extensive sightseeing, where is the best place to go to the beach? What hotel? Appreciate any information and also any opinion of people who cruised Eastern Caribbean on Explorer recently.

joyce

Atlantis is about 10-15 minutes by boat or 20 minutes by taxi from the Port. My husband and I enjoyed touring Atlantis especially the Aquarium.<BR>Unless it has changed (we went 3 years ago) there was not a charge either to walk through the hotel or use the beach.<BR>As to San Juan, the El San Juan has a nice beach. The Hilton's is small, but nice.

John

Kira - we were on the Explorer in October and you're in for a treat - a great ship and crew. In Nassau we took a taxi to the Marriott on Paradise Island which is right next door to the Atlantis. The Marriott will let you use their pool, changing facilities and beach for FREE! If you want a beach chair, you'll have to tip the pool boy - about $4 per person and he'll throw in a hotel towel. Have the taxi driver let you off just to the right of the hotel and there's a path that leads around back of the hotel to the beach - you'll see a lot of people doing this.<BR><BR>After a few hours, simply walk next door to the Atlantis, in the Casino entrance, over to the desk area and straight back to a set of stairs, go down them and out the back to the acquariums and gardens. No one will bother you. We had a drink at one of the outside bars and enjoyed the scenery - after that, we went inside and went thru the shops - they're all there - Prado, Armani, etc. Fun to look.<BR><BR>In San Juan, we simply walked north to the visitors building where they have a lot of top-shelf street vendors set up. Then to town to Senor Frogs for souveniers, lunch at the hard rock and back to the ship. Not enough time for the rain forest according to those on our ship that tried - basically a bus ride over and then back.<BR><BR>We really enjoyed Labadee (if they're still going there - some trouble with the natives a few months ago). We rented the waverunners and had a blast.<BR><BR>Took my oldest daughter scuba diving in St. Thomas at Coki Beach - resort course, no certification needed - $70 apiece and they picked you up at the ship. Otherwise, great shopping!<BR><BR>Email me if you have any other questions.

Gail

I have been to the Atlantis several times and there is NO Marriott next door. The Sheraton is next door and it is closed for renovations. You can surely see the hotel and casino, but the sometimes check for resort ID as soon as you leave the inside of the buildings. The Atlantis used to provide a tour for $25 a person. This does not entitle you to use the pools or the water slides. The aquariums and the Dig are incredible and the grounds are a sight to behold. One option would be to book a room at the Comfort Suites across the street from the Atlantis. If you have a room there, you are enttitled to full use of the Atlantis facilities.

John

Gail - Hopefully you're just confused and not trying to purposely mislead Kira. As I stated, I was just there in October, at the Marriott, RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE ATLANTIS! Here is the website for the Marriott: http://www.marriott.com/vacationclub/dpp/PropertyPage.asp?MarshaCode=PIDVI<BR><BR>Anybody else out there remember being at the Marriott, RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE ATLANTIS, with the peach colored towels, the outdoor pool with the steps going down to the shower off area and then down to the beach? <BR><BR>Kira - trust me. I know what I'm talking about. By the way, you can still pay $25 apiece to do what we did for free. And the Comfort Suites does have priviledges at the Atlantis for their pools and water slides, but the room costs about $160 and remember, Kira is only there for five hours.