During a cruise in May I will have one day on Nassau/Paradise Island. Does anyone know of any tour company or any other method to get access to the Atlantis pool/lagoon/beach resort area? There does not seem to be an option to just pay a resort fee for a day. I'm sure they're trying to keep the crowds down for their guests, but if there's a way to spend my day there I'd really like to.

Well I don't know about access to the water based portions, but we did this to get access. We too were there on a cruise, and we hailed a cab by the docks to take us to Atlantis. The cabbie, a very nice chap, told us that he would take us to the cheap end of the complex (to me it seemed like the south end, the lower cost rooms area) and let us out. Then he said just walk in like you are staying there, then just start walking through the complex over to the main towers where the casino and the aquariam are, and no one will stop you. We walked all over, went down by the beaches, walked around the grounds, even walked right through the aquariam (that usually charges as I recall $10 or so to walk in). We were never asked if we were guests or asked about our status. In fact, the staff appeared to assume that we belonged there. We then took a water taxi back to the docks. At dinner that night a couple at our table told about buying an excursion from the ship that cost like $40 a head to go to Atlantis to get to walk around for awhile and go to the aquariam. We spent like $10 for the cab ride and I think it was about the same for the water taxi back....worked for us.

I think that's really shabby for cruise ship people to stroll through and/or use Atlantis facilities without permission! Guests staying at the Atlantis pay a pretty penny for the privilege, and the place shouldn't be abused by "passersby". HOW RUDE!!!<BR>If you really want a vacation to Atlantis, save your money like the rest of us, and take one.

K, if you do go to the Atlantis, and I highly recommend it, the place is amazing. YOu might try a room for the day at Comfort Suites, which will give you access to the Atlantis and all the things to do and see and that way you have a room to go back to for shower or changing for dinner or whatever.<BR><BR>I know there are people who cruise through the property, but the staff there is trying to make sure if you are using the amenities, you are a guest. Guests wear wrist bands and if you are not wearing one when asked you are escorted off the property.<BR><BR>The property at the Atlantis is amazing and worth a trip over, to see, and of course there are some great restaurants and the casino.<BR><BR>Have a great time.

Thanks for all the advice. I am, of course, looking for a legitimate way to experience Atlantis and thus asked if there were any authorized tour companies, resort fee option, etc. I think I like the Comfort Suites idea. Splitting a room cost 4 ways would be a reasonable expense. I have been to the public areas of the property and the casino before and knew if I ever returned I wanted to enjoy the water features section.

K,<BR> Call now and reserve the room at the Comfort Suites. They fill up fast because of the access to ATlantis. Splitting the room cost four ways would be cheaper than any excursion the ship would offer, and you would have FULL access to all the Atlantis' facilities.

How are the accomodations at the Comfort Suites? What does a deluxe continental breakfast consist of? How is the pool area and restaurant on-site? Do they have refridgerators in the rooms? How far a walk is it to Atlantis? Any other comments would be appreciated. We plan on bringing our 2 sons (ages 6 and 10) to Paradise Island in July and are looking into the Comfort Suites since it is reasonably priced and includes access to Atlantis.....they will love the water slides! What suggestions do you have for evening entertainment with 2 children? Any other comments appreciated!

Unfortunately I have no advice on restaurants or children's activities, but the hotel website might answer some of your questions. Go to www.choicecaribbean.com, click on the Comfort Suites icon and then on the Paradise Island listing.

I vote for the Capn Bob approach, and in fact, typed essentially the same idea but didn't post it. When I stayed there they gave us plastic bracelets to wear on our wrists. None of us (a party of 9) ever wore the bracelet, and no one said a word to us about it the entire week we were there. Atlantis is not a private club or anything and you have as much right to walk around there as anybody else. Like the Capn said, if you look like you belong no one will say a word. The entry at Beach Towers is a good idea.<BR><BR>The bottom line is that they won't hesitate to take your money, and you have just as much right NOT to part with it.<BR><BR>

I'm not too sure this is a correct statement.<BR>"Atlantis is not a private club or anything and you have as much right to walk around there as anybody else."<BR>Actually, most resorts are private and you DONT have the "right" to anything. A resort is not public property at all, in some cases the beach may be, and I'm not sure of this particular resort situation. I do know you are very mistaken in your thinking for most resorts. You are a "guest", in using the restaurants, pools, etc. You dont want to pay?, dont use them. That is the resorts right. Reserve space for their "invited", (read: paying) guests.

I see your point, and maybe you're right about that. But, in any case, I fail to see anything wrong with K going to Atlantis and having a look around. I've done it and so have countless others. If they eat in a restaurant or have a drink at a bar they'll be paying just like everybody else. It's not like he/she's going to sponge food from an all-inclusive resort or jump a fence to get a free ride on something.

Classic case of people trying to get somethin for nothin.....

"A free ride on something" - that would be the water slides. No?<BR>We are paying guests at Atlantis, and want to meet up the friends that will be stopping off from a cruise ship. Certainly, there can be no problem with them visiting us, going out to lunch, walking the grounds, or visiting the beach. But can we all sit by the pools together, or float the lazy river? What about the casino? I can't imagine they'd be turned away from turning over their cash!

No, not really. Pray tell why should anybody pay Atlantis for the right to look at their property?<BR><BR>If K wanted to eat in one of Atlantis' restaurants during his stopover that would be o.k., wouldn't it? Why then is it not o.k. to just look around?<BR><BR>Besides, even if they get caught what's the worst that'll happen? Life imprisonment? Not likely.

x: I agree, it does seem that one should be allowed to walk around and check a place out. I am not trying to start an arguement here, but please see it maybe from the "paying" guest point of view, as well as the hotels: how does one then stop people from using the hotels other resources; loungers, beach chairs, etc. Again, I am not speaking directly to this particular resort; I mean resorts in general. However, because the Atlantis resort is such a spectacular resort and a big draw, people want to go "see" it. This is obviously a problem in a certain way for the hotel, they have a huge number of guests, plus all the people who want to see it. How can they control the crowds? Would you yourself be very pleased that you cant get a pool lounger when the people all using them are people who have decided to come for the day to "check it out", and you have paid for the "right" to use the facilities by paying for a room to stay there? Because many people do arrive at the resort expecting to be able to use it and its facilities as if it was a "public" outdoor playground. And it certainly is not that. Just trying to present the other side of the coin. I think that this occurs much more frequently at this resort than any other, almost anywhere else people would be understanding that they are not staying at a resort and dont have the "right" to use its facilites. Of course, I dont mean the restaurant, bar or casino. I mean the general facilities. Again, just expressing an opinion, hopefully not appearing argumentative!

Have stayed at the Atlantis several times. The ALWAYS checked our bracelets to get on the slides. They sometimes checked bracelets to get into The Dig. At times there were guards outside various extis of the building who wouldn't let anyone without a bracelet or room key out onto the grounds.

I agree with Gail. We have stayed at Atlantis and they DO spot check. You don't know where or when,but they know when the cruise ships hit port.If you don't have the proof you are a guest, your access will be limited, if not escorted off.

Gail & Ron: Thank heaven!!<BR>I will be a "paying guest" at Atlantis this Spring. Mind you, it's taken me 6 months to PAY for this vacation.<BR>It would really tick me off if non-paying browsers were using the slides, chaise lounges, lazy river, etc.<BR>Sorry, folks, I think you're tacky to try to take advantage of "seeing Atlantis". Go to the casino, have a drink in the bar, and hit the road.

Atlantis is not to be missed.<BR>We were on a cruise in Jan. the options for touring were with the Cruise Company excursion which included transport (water ferry) over and back and "guided" i.e. annotated tour of Atlantis and the Aquariums. Then access to beach and towel and lounger. <BR>The other way is to do it on your own. Cab over, pay for entrance (allows access to resort, pools, Aquarium, and beach (beaches are public domain, access is the key).<BR>The Aquarium is one of the most fantastic I have seen. 2 great tanks filled with jelly fish. Fantastic shark tank. They even have fresh water fish (piranha).<BR>However you go, don't miss it!!!!

Re: the Comfort Inn Suites, it is the best bargain on the island. The rooms are fine and the breakfast is free!! Now, the breakfast is basically cereal, toast, danish, juice and coffee, but you can't beat the price. The CI Suites is right across the street from the Atlantis and you show you room key and get a wrist band for the Atlantis.<BR><BR>It is also next to Anthony's Carribean Grill, the most reasonable place to eat on the island.<BR>