Bahamas onshore excursions questions

[love disney]

Thanks for the advice everyone! After discussing it with the fiance it looks like we have decided to do the Atlantis Aquaventure (it looks fun and hopefully worth the price!) on our one day in Nassau and then just bring or rent masks, snorkels, and fins for our day at Castaway Cay. It sounds like you don't have to do a guided tour for the snorkeling there, correct? We figure we definitely want to snorkel, but it will be nice to do it at our pace and have plenty of time for relaxing too.

Thanks again for everyone's input...is it October yet?!?!? haha!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We have done the "other hotel" in Nassau. It's a Comfort Suites. It was cheap and very easy to do.

The Atlantis excursion for our family of 4 would have run us around $600. The Comfort Suites was $150 with taxes. They are sometimes more, sometimes less.

We took a taxi from the port to the Comfort Suites for a few dollars. We checked in and out at the same time. Then we walked over to Atlantis. We showed our receipt at the towel stand and they gave us wristbands.

Atlantis was great. The lazy river is unlike any I've ever been on and super fun. We spent all day there and loved it.

We caught a taxi back to the ship right in front of Atlantis.

I definitely recommend the Comfort Suites. Our cruise was surrounded by hurricanes and our itinerary was changed twice. We changed our reservation at CS twice within 48 hours of arrival. Then we cancelled it about 12 hours out without penalty when we looked at the weather and realized there was no way we would make it in. About two hours later the captain told us we would make it on a different day and we called them again. They gave us our orginal rate, no problem. Their customer service was excellent.

 

[disneygirl1]

As was said, yes it is near and safe. In fact, the big market is also the customs house. You cannot get back on the ship without passing though the market.

One other thing you may or may not want to check out is scooter rentals. There is a place right by the docks - 5 min walk away that rents them.

I have heard both good and bad about them. The bad being that they try and hit you up for any damages when you return it. I would think the simple solution is to take a picture of it first. Same thing you should do with a rental car.

I have never tried them, because I cruise single with my two kids (8 and 12) who are too young to ride a scooter by themselves. It may be something you want to look into though.

I know I would like to take one out for 2 hours or so and just see what there is to see.

-dave

thank you so much for your advice! I definitely think we just want to stroll the marketplace a bit and then get back on the ship... I would love to do the scooters that sounds so much fun... But I too am cruising with just my 10 year old.

 

[Phonedave]

thank you so much for your advice! I definitely think we just want to stroll the marketplace a bit and then get back on the ship... I would love to do the scooters that sounds so much fun... But I too am cruising with just my 10 year old.

You can put a 10 y/o on the back of your scooter (I can't put two kids on the back of mine )

Same thing happens with jet skis, kayaks, etc. Until my oldest is old enough to get her own, we have to just not do them.


Still, I would be a bit leery taking one of my kids somewhere on the back of a scooter. I know I can take care of myself, but my kids (especialy my youngest) seem to attract trouble.


-dave

 

[Phonedave]

Thanks for the advice everyone! After discussing it with the fiance it looks like we have decided to do the Atlantis Aquaventure (it looks fun and hopefully worth the price!) on our one day in Nassau and then just bring or rent masks, snorkels, and fins for our day at Castaway Cay. It sounds like you don't have to do a guided tour for the snorkeling there, correct? We figure we definitely want to snorkel, but it will be nice to do it at our pace and have plenty of time for relaxing too.

Thanks again for everyone's input...is it October yet?!?!? haha!

Exactly. There is a marked area for snorkeling, with lifeguards stationed on floats. If you did not bring your own, you pick you gear up at the shack, and then snorkel when you want. You can even snorkel, go do something else, and then snorkel again. Do try to go early before all the sand gets stirred up though.

-dave

 

[disneygirl1]

You can put a 10 y/o on the back of your scooter (I can't put two kids on the back of mine )

Same thing happens with jet skis, kayaks, etc. Until my oldest is old enough to get her own, we have to just not do them.


Still, I would be a bit leery taking one of my kids somewhere on the back of a scooter. I know I can take care of myself, but my kids (especialy my youngest) seem to attract trouble.


-dave

Yeah that probably wouldn't be safe or feasible with 2 kids huh?? :ROFLOL:

My DS has a scooter it only goes about 25 miles an hour but he loves that thing! Who am I kidding I love riding it too!!! :ROFLOL:

I just may have to look into these! Thanks Dave!

 

[WDWRLD]

We have done the "other hotel" in Nassau. It's a Comfort Suites. It was cheap and very easy to do.

The Atlantis excursion for our family of 4 would have run us around $600. The Comfort Suites was $150 with taxes. They are sometimes more, sometimes less.

We took a taxi from the port to the Comfort Suites for a few dollars. We checked in and out at the same time. Then we walked over to Atlantis. We showed our receipt at the towel stand and they gave us wristbands.

Atlantis was great. The lazy river is unlike any I've ever been on and super fun. We spent all day there and loved it.

We caught a taxi back to the ship right in front of Atlantis.

I definitely recommend the Comfort Suites. Our cruise was surrounded by hurricanes and our itinerary was changed twice. We changed our reservation at CS twice within 48 hours of arrival. Then we cancelled it about 12 hours out without penalty when we looked at the weather and realized there was no way we would make it in. About two hours later the captain told us we would make it on a different day and we called them again. They gave us our orginal rate, no problem. Their customer service was excellent.

Hey, had heard of this before and have been trying to find out the name of the hotel and this was it, however when I checked for a room on July 2nd for 1 night it was $314 and 82 bucks for tax which totaled $396.00. I had read before about it only running $150 or so a night but at that rate its almost a break even for 2 adults and a child by the time you add in the taxi v/s just paying for the waterpark excursion which is like $430.00 or am I doing something wrong.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Hey, had heard of this before and have been trying to find out the name of the hotel and this was it, however when I checked for a room on July 2nd for 1 night it was $314 and 82 bucks for tax which totaled $396.00. I had read before about it only running $150 or so a night but at that rate its almost a break even for 2 adults and a child by the time you add in the taxi v/s just paying for the waterpark excursion which is like $430.00 or am I doing something wrong.

Probably not. I've seen the rates being really high there at times. I'm sure it has to do with time of year, how many ships are in the harbor, etc. We were there during hurricane season when the rates are lower.

They do fluctuate, so check it from time to time.

 

[WDWRLD]

Probably not. I've seen the rates being really high there at times. I'm sure it has to do with time of year, how many ships are in the harbor, etc. We were there during hurricane season when the rates are lower.

They do fluctuate, so check it from time to time.

Im sure the 4th of July weekend dosent help any either.....

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Im sure the 4th of July weekend dosent help any either.....

Ooh, ouch. No it wouldn't.

 

[ann0d]

I see Disney offers a Sea and See tour, anyone been on that? Is it worth the 55.00 dollar price tag?

 

[toolsnspools]

I'll be taking the Dream the week before Easter, and Aquaventure is sold out. I called 1-800-ATLANTIS and they will sell you tickets at the door. You just need to get a taxi to/from Atlantis. Prices were Adults (10+) $110, Kids $80. It's first come first serve if the water park hits capacity though. You can also book a night at Atlantis which guarantees you water park tickets. A room for 4 was $440.

We'll be taking the Island tour. It's my wife and kids first trip outside the US so I want to see a little more of Nassau than a hotel with a waterpark. Anyone have more info on the historic stuff on the island?