shore excursions vs on your own
 

MY husband and I are cruising RCCL in Feburary to the Bahamas. We want to visit the Atlantis Resort. There is a shore excursion which includes a harbor tour and entrance to the Dig at Atlantis. Has anyone done this? Would we better off taking a taxi on our own and exploring. Also, does the Altantis allow entrance if you are not a hotel guest?

If I am not mistaken?? there is a $25 per person day use charge.

You need to pay to use the Atlantis facilities. They issue wrist bands to keep out the riff-raff.

When I was in the Bahamas a few years ago, we stayed at a hotel across the street, but passes to Atlantis were included in our package.

Cheers!

We' ll be cruising to the Bahamas over the New Year in just a few weeks. (can't wait!). Am I to understand that people who are not staying at Atlantis cannot come onto the property? What if you just want to have a look and maybe a meal?? I'd really like to see the place, but do not want to use their beach/pool/etc.

Just got back from a cruise with a stop over at Nassau. My in-laws visited Paradise Island and Atlantis. Water taxi round trip was $6.00 from the Cruise ship pier. They toured the resort and casino. They welcome your money in the casino -- said it was pretty nice. Could not use the facilities, though. Evidently they found out during their tour that Michael Jackson has a 10-room suite there that rents out for $2,500 per day with a 4-day minimum. ((b))

Found this on the travelchannel.com web site:

Nassau's port has room for 11 cruise ships at once, so don't expect an intimate experience. If you can blow a few bucks, skip the shopping and head for the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. You can buy a day pass ($25 for adults, $19 for children 4-12, free for under 4) to take advantage of the 14 acres of pools, lagoons and water slides. There's also a casino at the hotel. Disney and Royal Caribbean have special arrangements with the Atlantis.

I don't believe you can get a day pass for the Atlantis for $25 per adult - I think that gets you a tour of the Digs and acquariums and the grounds. I understand they do sell day rooms, but at a much higher rate. The Comfort Suites accross the street has day rooms for around $160 with full priviledges to Atlantis.

Peter

I was in Nassau a few months ago. While my friends and I passed on touring Atlantis, we paid a bus driver $1 each (6 of us total) and he drove us to the island, and all around Nassau. It was very interesting. We saw many locals, bought Spanish limes from some kids and even met the bus driver's wife! It was great! Our private tour guide and private bus for $1! (plus a tip, of course)

You can visit the Atlantis Resort on your own. Take a cab.

There is NO charge to walk around the hotel, shopping area and casino. You can eat in the restaurants but only 2 were open when I was there. The rest opened only for dinner.

There is a charge around $25.00 to go through "The Dig".

You cannot get out around the pool area. To use the pool many people book a room for the day or the Comfort Inn which includes Atlantis. The charge is a lot more than $25.00.