Anyone been to Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas?

[Zeze]

Our MSC will dock there fourth of July 11a - 7:30p. I have two kids - 6 and 8.

This is my first time on a cruise and first time in Nassau.

1. What is the scene like once you dock? Can you do stuff right there from the docking and walk to a beach? I have a feeling the beaches are all owned by resorts. Okay google map shows the dock is an absolute s***-show.
2. What's the best way to spend the 8 hours~? If we were to check out the Atlantis hotel, do you have to pay for sightseeing? How far is it? How do you get there - can you just grab a taxi or it must be pre-arranged?
3. Currently I'm looking at 'Sail and Snorkel Cruise' excursion (1-4:30p), but not sure if this is the best way to spend time in Nassau. We want to check out that famous hotel.

 

[Zeze]

Nvm I found some answers.

1. Just take the taxi waiting in line for you when you dock. Go to the Alantis thingy.
2. Do the Alantis thingy because that's what we want to do. Stupid expensive for a day pass, jesus.
3. Not worth it. See #2.

 

[Exterous]

Unasked for advice: if they have specialty restaurants it's worth considering. Better quality food, service, and table space (although we haven't done a MSC cruise)

Your ship might arrive early so you might be able to beat the crowds and get off the ship early. If the shop has an external camera you can watch on the TV it can help you there

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Holy hell! $610 for the family for a day pass!

 

[Jeeebus]

Atlantis will be very crowded on cruise days as you and everyone else on 5 other ships in port will have the same idea of heading there. Personally, I think Atlantis is a bit run-down and over-crowded, but it is no doubt a tourist icon if you're visiting Nassau. Personally, I'd check out Baha Mar (cluster of hotels including the Grand Hyatt) that also has a waterpark, is much less crowded, and is much newer. Day passes will probably be the equivalent. Depending on how many people in your group, you should check out hotel prices for the day (at either Atlantis or one of the Baha Mar hotels). They're probably equivalent to just getting day passes for everyone, whereas the hotel room includes access to the water park. Hell, even if it's a hundred bucks more, you get a room that you can shower/change in or retreat to for an hour from the sun.

 

[Zeze]

I personally don't have much expectations, but yes it is THE reason to go there, so I guess we have to go there.

I have heard it's run down as well. I mean I remember the fancy TV commercials when it opened... 26 years ago.

 

[purbeast0]

I have stayed there twice. The first time was just my wife and I. I believe that was in 2012. The second time I went when our son was 3. The second time was back in like 2018.

It's fun but it is just so fucking overpriced and super touristy. I'm talking like $30 for a pizza. I remember some restaurants were pretty decent though, but it's nearly impossible to just find something cheap to eat.

It was also just super crowded, but I will say it's pretty spaced out so it never felt like gross crowded, other than certain pools that I avoided.

The crowd there is what you would expect for the most part. It's mainly fat Americans who think they are in America while they are there and feel they are entitled to everything. The aquarium is pretty damn cool. That is definitely worth checking out. Also walking around the docks and seeing the yachts and super yachts is also cool. There are some shops that you can get some cheaper snacks/food at if you walk past the docks. There was a Dunkin Donuts there last time I went and a liquor store over there where I'd stock up so I could walk around with my own drinks instead of paying for overpriced drinks.

Generally speaking though, I try to steer clear of cruise ship destinations, and if I'm at a place where cruise ships come in every few days, there are certain places I know to avoid on cruise days. And the Atlantis definitely falls into that category where I would avoid if it is a cruise day.

All that said, I do not plan on ever going back there again. I can't even imagine how expensive it is now a days. I also cannot imagine how crowded it is going to be over a holiday weekend lol. I personally would much rather do a boat snorkel tour than go to the Atlantis. But that may also be since I've been there before. I'm also not sure where else you are docking which may be another place to do a snorkel tour.

EDIT:

LOL @ the prices for the day passes holy shit lol. You honestly may see if a hotel room is cheaper and that will give you passes for everyone who stays in the hotel. Obviously you won't be staying there but something to consider and check out. I'd think they would maybe have to have a way around this though as it seems obvious to try and circumvent the prices of day passes.

And yes, it definitely felt run down last time I went. The first time I stayed in the Royal Towers which was decent but the Casino and stuff was nice, although felt a bit dated. But the second time we stayed in one of the lower end places and it def felt more run down. But that wasn't a huge deal as we weren't even in the hotel too often.

 

[Wreckem]

Atlantis isn’t that great. It’s not that well maintained post Covid. I’m being generous when I say it’s not that great. And it’s horribly overpriced for everything.

I’d suggest Baha Bay at Baha Mar. It’s a couple years old. And you should be able to book directly with Baha Bay and not get up charged by the cruise line.

That said depending the day it could be either busy or packed like sardines as there are anywhere from 4-8 ships on Nassau most days.

 

[MrSquished]

Went on my first and probably last Cruise back in like 2009. We stopped in the Bahamas and every excursion was the Atlantis or something. We said fuck that shit and went into town and rented a cabbie for a day.

We saw some of the historical sites in the city and then went for a drive along the coast and stopped at a local restaurant, Right on the water which was pretty good.

That's why I swore off cruises at least in the Caribbean style of cruising. You barely get enough time to do anything offshore and they steer you towards these overpriced tourist trap crap.

 

[Zeze]

I can't wait to join you guys to say "see? it's not good, don't go" to future vacationers.

 

[sdifox]

We need a Yes Nik picture