[ureout]

I will be visiting the Bahamas on a day stop from a cruise...does anyone have any info. on visiting the Atlantis Hotel...interested in aquarium and water park. Are there other points of interest to see on the island

[tkret]

Originally Posted by ureout

I will be visiting the Bahamas on a day stop from a cruise...does anyone have any info. on visiting the Atlantis Hotel...interested in aquarium and water park. Are there other points of interest to see on the island

Did you check the "Shore Excursions" for your cruise date on the cruise line's website? Some of the cruise lines offer a one-day excursion to Atlantis. Transportation and use of hotel facilities are included.

[BowleesCreekYachtClub]

I believe part of the aquarium is free and you need a pass for the rest - available at the hotel. The cruise ship tour always works but is never the cheapest. You can take a taxi from the cruise ship over the bridge to Paradise Island and the Atlantis Hotel. Our favorite way is to take the water taxi to Paradise Island and walk throught the marina to the hotel - the boats can be quite spectacular ranging from some exquisite antiques to the latest technology. When you get off the cruise ship you will see people pushing the regular taxi and water taxi services - with the water taxi you might have to wait 10 minutes while they fill up the boat - if the weather is not good then take the regular taxi. We were there last year at Christmas and the Atlantis was beautifully decorated for the season. Have a good time.

[rosie13]

The Atlantis water park is fabulous and the aquarium is really nice too. I would bypass the water taxi and head right over to the hotel via automobile taxi. The water taxi takes awhile and requires a pretty good walk from the water taxi drop off over to the marine and hotel. The marine is nice to see, but the water park and aquarium are really the main attractions. You really have to see it all to believe it.

I stayed on the Atlantis grounds but met people who were just visiting for the day. I think it was at least $100 pp per day to use the water park. You might be able to visit the Atlantis website and get details.

I would bypass the Nassau altogether and at least go see Atlantis. There isn't much in downtown Nassau, just trinkets for sale.

[ladylake1]

We also have taken the water taxi to Atlantis. You need a pass/ticket to see the complete aquarium. There was also a topless beach on Paradise Island so beware if you are walking and offended or have children.

[tkret]

that is an excellent suggestion! And, you are quite right about the cruise ship price can be pretty steep on an excursion like this.

[2newyorkers]

Our favorite place in Nassau is Edys ice cream across from the straw market!

[dadspet]

We did the full Atlantis tour from the cruise ship in Dec. it was $119 for everything. I did a fair amount of checking prior to book it from the ship and couldn't find it any cheaper or even as cheap. We wanted to use the water park / slides that were included in the price but it turns out it was to windy and we didn't want to get wet and then have to face the chill. The Hotel pools and grounds are wonderful. Unless you want to do the water park you can get admission for about half that I believe. There were lots of hotel people checking everyplace to make sure you had the full access bands. I understand the full access pass was going up right after we left???

[vitacr]

We were there in December - it used to be free but now they charge $39 each & it's not worth it for a couple of hours. They have hotel guards all over inside & outside, so you can't see much of the aquarium or beach. The hotel is nice & the casino. You have to factor in your taxi fare over. There isn't much else on Paradise Island. On the mainland the "Straw market" was scattered all throughout the harbor street - they were waiting for a new building to be built for the straw market. If you've never been there you might want to take one of the tours. It's a very colorful place. Have fun.