Nassau/Paradise Island Access?

[pokeypoke]

Would someone please tell me if the ferry going to PI is wheelchair accessible? Also, how far is the ferry from where the cruise ships dock and once on PI, how far is it to Atlantis? Is it easy to do without taking a taxi? I will be using my manual wheelchair and someone will be pushing me.

 

Thanks

[kyriecat]

The ferry that they had 2 years ago was not accessible if you need to roll on. The dock isn't too far from the cruise ship dock - I'd estimate a little over 1/4 mile. It's definitely too far to walk to Paradise Is from the dock plus traffic is awful and no sidewalks. Mom and I took a taxi over, but it was really hard to find one that wasn't a van. She can transfer from her wheelchair into a car but cannot climb stairs. I think someone had posted about a wheelchair access taxi in Nassau a few weeks ago but the search function doesn't seem to be working right now.

[megr1125]

they aren't WC accessible...heck, they're barely able bodied accessible! they pack em in, and it's hard to get on them!

 

hopefully i can find a van cab with a WC lift (i thinki there is ONE) that can take us......

[kyriecat]

Search function is up again so I found the previous thread on Nassau accessiblilty and wheelchair taxis.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1061351&highlight=nassau

[megr1125]

thanks!

[pokeypoke]

Thanks everyone for the information and thanks for the link:). I did not realize how un-accessible Nassau is but, if there's a will, there is a way.

[Quampapetet]

Atlantis itself is accessible at least! So, once you get there, getting around won't be a problem.

[kyriecat]

Atlantis itself is accessible at least! So, once you get there, getting around won't be a problem.

That's true but we had trouble finding the elevators. It's been a couple of years, but it seems like one of them was hidden in an alcove right next to the kitchen doors to one of the restaurants. I remember having to ask an employee about the elevator to the aquarium area. It seems like we also had problems finding HC accessible bathrooms around the restaurants.

 

If you are feeling VERY adventurous and have a relatively fit assitant, my mom and I did part of the Historic Nassau Walking Tour from the Frommer's guide book. If you google FROMMER'S NASSAU WALKING TOUR it should be the first thing that comes up. There is a link at the bottom of the Frommer's page to a map with numbers to correspond with the descriptions. The first four stops on the tour are fairly easy to get to since they are close to the pier, after that, all bets are off! There are a few sidewalks, but mostly in poor condition. Once you get away from the dock, traffic does clear up so we were able to use the street when the sidewalk was too cracked/blocked to be useful. Also, once you get away from the dock, the streets are very hilly!!! The Queen's Staircase location shown on the map (#6) is the bottom of the staircase. It's interesting to see the trees growing out of the walls. The map shows to climb the staircase to get to the fort. Obviously that didn't happen! Some locals were very kind and gave us directions on how to get to the fort using some streets through a residential area, but the roads are all uphill and there were a few dogs. There were a couple who just barked at us from their yard but three of them were extremely interested in mom's wheelchair and circled us, sniffing. They didn't make any aggessive moves, but I don't really like dogs to begin with so it was a little intimidating for me. The fort is not accessible inside but I left mom by some shopping kiosks and went in for some pictures. The fort is at the top of a hill and provides a fabulous view of the island and harbor. We skipped stops 12 & 13 on the map and went from 11 to 16 to head back to the pier. The description says the tour should take a couple of hours, but I think we took more like 3 or 4 hours because we had to find alternate routes and take a few rest breaks (me). I only recommend trying this if you have someone who is fit enough to push you up several hills. Be aware of traffic and your surroundings at all times. The roads are narrow and some drivers are crazy! We were there a couple of years ago and never felt in danger of being robbed, but that might have changed due to current economic conditions. This is NOT an easy stroll - it takes some determination and strength. However, I wanted my mom to see some of the Nassau sights so we did.

 

BTW, we did not find any HC accessible bathrooms along this route so that could present a problem. There are some restaurants along Bay Street (like Hard Rock Cafe) that claimed their bathrooms were accessible, but not really. The stalls weren't wide enough to allow a person and the wheelchair to be in there at the same time and still close the door. Hopefully that has changed!

 

We were in Nassau from 10A-11P so we did the walking tour first thing then went through some of the shops (most aren't accessbile) along Bay Street. We went back to the ship for a couple of hours to rest (I needed a break and a shower after those hills!). We caught a taxi to Atlantis around 4:30 and had dinner then wandered around the casino and aquarium before returning to the ship.

[pokeypoke]

Thanks for the info on the walking tour. That might be something we would consider, seeing how Woody is pretty fit, we both are semi-adventurous and my chair is VERY light-weight. The only reason we would like to go to Atlantis is to see the aquarium and maybe pump a few $ into the slot machines. I have no interest in the waterpark, pool or beach area. But I am curious as to how much of the aquarium you can see if you do not have a day pass? Is paying $110 pp for a day pass worth it if you are not going to be using the pools, beach or waterpark?

[vickila]

Thanks for the info on the walking tour. That might be something we would consider, seeing how Woody is pretty fit, we both are semi-adventurous and my chair is VERY light-weight. The only reason we would like to go to Atlantis is to see the aquarium and maybe pump a few $ into the slot machines. I have no interest in the waterpark, pool or beach area. But I am curious as to how much of the aquarium you can see if you do not have a day pass? Is paying $110 pp for a day pass worth it if you are not going to be using the pools, beach or waterpark?

 

Pass for DIGS - aquarium is $45/pp -- obtained at front desk of Atlantis. Van operators charge $4/pp to go there -- no room in regular vans for a fold-up wheelchair or scooter as totally filled with seats - however #18 has a lift (inquire at cage) - he charges $40 each way -- but you get there!!!. Other vans might take you if possible. When we were there, it was chaos as many ships were in -- all limited in time.

 

Dig is totally accessible and worth it -- there are 2 to see -- one also in the back, but have to use special elevators to get to it -- however staff of hotel helpful in directing you. Aside from DIG, it's a gorgeous place, nice shops, expensive eating, and lots of slots. Without paying any extra money, there are beautiful fish just in the main lobby. Enjoyable. Vicki:)

[kyriecat]

Either we managed to sneak in or else they stopped charging because it was after 6 PM by the time we got there, but we didn't pay anything to get into the aquarium. We went through the ones inside and saw some of the outside ones. It was getting really dark by then so all we could see of the outside ones was the fish as they swam past the lights.

[Quampapetet]

That's true but we had trouble finding the elevators. It's been a couple of years, but it seems like one of them was hidden in an alcove right next to the kitchen doors to one of the restaurants. I remember having to ask an employee about the elevator to the aquarium area. It seems like we also had problems finding HC accessible bathrooms around the restaurants.

 

I think you're speaking of the elevators back by Market Place. That's not really hidden, just a little out of the way for going to the Digs. I haven't really taken the elevators there (we stay at the Harborside part of Atlantis, so I don't have a need to get up to the hotel rooms in the main buildings), so don't recall where they all are, but those might indeed be the closest ones to the Digs. Hmm, unless there are elevators closer to the entrance and you are speaking of the kitchen for the restaurant that used to be next to the Digs. I don't know - I can take the stairs there with my service dog's help.

 

But, the employees are really friendly and helpful, so asking where things are shouldn't be a problem.

[Quampapetet]

Dig is totally accessible and worth it -- there are 2 to see -- one also in the back, but have to use special elevators to get to it -- however staff of hotel helpful in directing you. Aside from DIG, it's a gorgeous place, nice shops, expensive eating, and lots of slots. Without paying any extra money, there are beautiful fish just in the main lobby. Enjoyable. Vicki:)

 

Yes, the Predator Lagoon, Reef, and Underwater Viewing Tunnel is a good one to check out! They are under the Lagoon Bar & Grill restaurant (if you drink, try a Junkanoo Rush!). The tunnel is glass to the sides and above you (rounded, like half a tube) and there are sharks swimming around and above you! Pretty neat to walk through. The other things there to look at through regular flat glass on a wall are neat, too.

[Quampapetet]

Either we managed to sneak in or else they stopped charging because it was after 6 PM by the time we got there, but we didn't pay anything to get into the aquarium. We went through the ones inside and saw some of the outside ones. It was getting really dark by then so all we could see of the outside ones was the fish as they swam past the lights.

 

Yeah, they don't charge ppl once it is dark. But it is nice to see them during the day, especially the giant manta rays, so if you like fish/aquatic life, it may be worth it to pay.

[vickila]

For accessible cab in Nassau - contact gerardlewis@hotmail.com -- of courteous taxis in Nassau. He has a ramped stationwagon type. Very good. Vicki:)

[pokeypoke]

For accessible cab in Nassau - contact gerardlewis@hotmail.com -- of courteous taxis in Nassau. He has a ramped stationwagon type. Very good. Vicki:)

 

I contacted the email link and unfortunately, it belongs to someone who lives in Canada:(.

[vickila]

I contacted the email link and unfortunately, it belongs to someone who lives in Canada:(.

 

Sorry about that -- it's gerardblewis@hotmail.com.

 

Using him again in November - still $40 for a ramped van to Atlantis -- would seat 4 or so plus scooter. He's polite, dependable and IT. He also does tours. Lovely person. Tell him NY Minute recommended you -- that should give him a chuckle. Enjoy. Vicki:)

[pokeypoke]

Thanks Vicki! I will tell him NY Minute gave her recommendation;).

[megr1125]

even though we had to cancel our cruise to the bahamas, i would put in another good word for gerard with courteous taxi.

 

very nice to deal with via email, fairly prompt in responding as well....usually within 1-2 days....generally later the day after i emailed him.

 

i would certainly try to use his services again in the future....we were looking forward to it, but things happen for a reason...now we have a couple longer cruises to different places...