anon

You're right Cultural, I did group them all together and should not have. I should have included the word "majority." But what are your thoughts on them (the majority) having lower standards with regards to accommodations? <BR><BR>You also then should not lump the typical American in with your father-in-law.

Cultural

So true, anon.<BR>I don't want to lump the 'typical American' in with my father in law.<BR>That wouldn't be a kind thing, and he doesn't represent the norm.<BR><BR>You are also correct about accomodations in Europe. This is one area in which the US (along with the Peninsula, Mandarin and Aman chains in particular, in SE Asia) clearly sets the world standard.<BR>I have generally been very disappointed with what are deemed the best Euro hotels. With a few exceptions. But in general, Euro bathrooms and beds are usually disappointing.<BR>But the newer hotels are catching up with world standards. The redone Four Seasons George V in Paris is extremely well done. I love the Mandarin Oriental in Munich. Rome is disappointing across the board. London has several world class hotels, but they're pricier than the best NYC hotels. <BR>I would also acknowledge that some travellers feel the best hotels in the West lack history, character, charm. I won't argue that point (in most all cases). But I don't value those characteristics as much in a hotel. Just my opinion though.

linda

"Culture"<BR> What do you mean by "cruise lizard?" I've been to some of the finest resorts in the Caribbean and traveled all over the world, yet I still enjoy a yearly cruise. There are all sorts of cruises people enjoy, it does not mean they aren't cultured! It is one way to avoid hurricanes, skip driving, party late and not worry about crime.Also an excellent family/extended family vacation. I go for the ship and amenities, not the short port excursions, except to do a little snorkel and beach trip.Maybe you don't have enough money to enjoy first-rate lines or accomodations?

Anon.

Linda: Don't kid yourself. Crime can happen on cruise ships. I remember a story about a year or so ago where a daughter was found missing from the ship and was never returned. They blamed the staff for her kidnapping and possible rape and murder. Don't know what came of the story after that though.

Cultural

No offense intended Linda, it's not my term. But many cruisers, I'd bet most cruisers, never actually get a real flavor for the cultures of the places they visit. It's quick in, quick out, guided tour of touristy things, scheduled restaurants, etc.<BR>Obviously there's a huge market for this type of travel because it's no fuss, all inclusive.<BR>But you simply cannot experience a culture by dropping into port for a few hours.<BR>Go spend a week living in a hill town in Tuscany, after having taken a couple cruises which stop at Portofino, Pompeii, Napoli, etc.<BR>The experience is entirely different. Much more rich and meaningful (if that matters to you).<BR><BR>It's a little like foreign travellers visiting the US. They often want to see Disney World and Las Vegas. Then they go home and report on what the US is like. Huh? <BR>Tourist guided port stops are no more representative of the cultures of most countries than the Disney/LV thing IMO.<BR>But not everyone cares whether they experience a new culture. They just want to be able to say they went to Italy, France, Spain, etc.

tom

Cultural - I don't always want to be an anthropologist when on vacation. There are times when I do want to really get a feel for the local culture. But there are times - like when I went to the Altantis for a long weekend this winter - when I just want to relax, do some swimming, a little gambling, etc. Atlantis fit the bill. I have to disagree with the posts that completely bash Atlantis - It's not my favorite place but I found it enjoyable and would not hesitate to go back for a long weekend. I had an excellent corner room in the Royal Tower - very spacious, nicely furnished, very clean, and with two balconies. I thought that the grounds were very nice (not as lush in some areas - too much cement - but it is huge and with all of the waterslides and pools, probably not realistic to expect it to be as well-manicured as smaller deluxe properties). I also thought that the dig was excellent. Restaurants were 2 for 3 - very good dinner at Villa D'este (very tender osso bucco), not so good at Fathoms. Further, I found that the Bahamians were courteous and had no service problems.

Danny

I love it. Keep up the thread folks. So far in this thread the Bahamas, primarily the Atlantis but also the Our Lucaya resort on GBI, have been thorougly bashed, so have Americans, British and most other European nationalities, as have most people that go on cruises. What culture you that are criticizing almost everyone have. I wish I were as sophisticated and cultural as you. Sadly, I just go on vacations and try to enjoy them and the places where I am, and have been doing that for 30 years. Atlantis is not on the top of any list I would recommend to people but it certainly is not the crude place referred to here by some. I actually have my own amateur web site devoted to GBI and having traveled to both New Providence and GBI often for more than 21 years get a good chuckle reading some of the insulting statements made about the Bahamian people in this thread. In my own opinion they are among the most friendly people I've ever met in my life. There are the ten percenters everywhere and Bahamians are no different than virtually every island in the Caribbean (and I know where the Bahamas are so don't need a geography lesson), where service is generally very slow. In both Jamaica and Curacao I could have died of thirst waiting to get a drink almost everywhere I went. It's the way things are unless you want to vacation someplace like the Ocean Club, where room rates start at $450/night. Probably less than 10 percent of all vacationers can afford that type of luxury and I'm not one of them. So, we end up in a nice resort like Our Lucaya, or Royal Oasis, on GBI, or one of the ones on Cable Beach and don't worry about people that tell horror stories loaded with what I suspect to be highly exaggerated tales of doom. Now I guess I'll just sit back, relax, and enjoy the incoming rounds as a result of this post.<BR><BR>Danny<BR><BR>Oh yeah, we love Vegas too!

linda

I did not say that- I agree with you about not experiencing the culture. I just enjoy having breakfast/dinner with the ocean view, exercising with a view, etc. BTW- I spent over 3 months touring Europe including extended stays in S France, England and germany.

Randi

Hi Everyone,<BR>I was simply trying to make a dollar for dollar comparison about Atlantis. This really turned into a cultural bash fest. My original post said nothing against the Bahamians, I did have a problem about the bartenders and there lewd behavior towards female guests but that is again an Atlantis Management problem. I still do not understand the attraction to Atlantis Resort since it does not reach my level of expectation. It has nothing to do with mothering issues, cultural issues or if cruises are for losers. I just think the place S**KS!

Danny

Actually Randi, I agree with you about the Atlantis. I think it's built solely for the jetsetters and their prices and treatment of "non-high rollers" stinks. My posting wasn't directed at your initial posting but at those that are more "cultural" than the rest of us and seem to automatically assume they are better than most and have bashed most of the rest of the Western world in their postings. <BR><BR>Danny

Randi

Hi Danny,<BR>I understand theres a lot of people with a lot of issues that have their own agends to deal with. Its funny how a simple statement seems to open up all kinds of "wounds" ie: not enough money,mothering, class and status. I have travelled thru Europe, caribbean and the US met all kinds of people and stayed in all kinds of places(ultra class to red roof inn) and as a result of my experiences I can honestly say Atlantis S==ks (IMO)

Alex

Hey Randi.<BR>After reading all these posts, I'm not sure of where you stand in your opinion of Atlantis.<BR>Do you think it:<BR>A) S--KS<BR>B) S--KS<BR>C) S--KS<BR>or<BR>D) Is a weak reinterpretation of Las Vegas?

Regis

My final answer is that the Atlantis sucks.<BR>It's an overblown tacky resort that should be called Cheeselantis. The appeal boggles my mind but I don't care because it keeps those uneducated tourists away from the true gems in the region.

Trashy

I am a trashy type of person and I love Atlantis. I can smoke in the pool, let my kids run wild. Those fights over beach chairs remind me of the Jerry Springer show and you know how much I love that. I say bring on the trash, loud kids, lewd comments and the smokers. Vegas in the Bahamas, all we need now is some strippers!

Chris

Randi,<BR>I've also been to Biras and Cap and after those resorts the Atlantis is going to be an enormous disappointment. <BR>The Atlantis is awful and is a Las Vegas for kids. Yuck.

B. Line

It's not the resort that s**ks. The aquariums and grounds are spectacular and for a resort of that size it runs like a fine tuned machine. True, it's Vegas in the Caribbean (or close enough) but the problem lies not with the resort - it's with the people who go to the resort. Overweight, loud Americans who live in trailers but think they know what "class" is are ruining most places throughout the world, and poor Atlantis is just another victim.

Proud American

Or those loud obnoxious, disgustingly ugly Europeans who think they're the greatest being on this earth but are really nothing more than low class scum. Now they're the worst.

B. Line

See what I mean? I give you the previous poster - Exhibit A.

Yummy

Down with Atlantis, may it be swallowed into the sea. Good riddance! B.line, I concur and I am a proud American.

Tara

Dear B Line,<BR>You're absolutely right but I also believe that when you build enormous monstrocities such as the Atlantis, it is inevitable that service is lacking, food is unimpressive and the ambiance is zero. <BR>That's why I don't visit any islands that are overpopulated with high rises and tourist traps. There are plenty of upscale boutique hotels and resorts that cater to singles, families and kids. <BR>We took our kids to Bitter End Yacht Club and Little Dix on Virgin Gorda and they loved it far more than Atlantis.<BR>