Accessible Transportation to Atlantis

[raindropsalways]

Thanks Vicki.

[raindropsalways]

Last March I created a lot of hostility because I questioned some of the postings. I am truly sorry if offended anyone because I know that everyone is trying to help. In this particular case, opinions and even some stated as facts were totally wrong and have probably caused some to miss a wonderful and very simple trip. For this reason, I am begging each and everyone to advise when a statement is their opinion and their logic and only state facts when they are really facts.

 

 

A couple examples of previously statements that were totally wrong:

 

The water taxi is in no way accessible, sorry. It is a huge step/jump into the boat and a big climb out of the boat. You have to be pretty mobile to get in and out of the boat. It isn't like in the U.S. where most water taxis would use real docks and ramps to get into boats. (I also wouldn't recommend them for other reasons, but they are definitely not accessible anyway.)

 

The ferry is fully accessible to a small scooter and a reasonable size person. Two young men loaded the scooters last. One man picked up Ruth and carried her on. I was able to walk on, however, an attendant assisted me.

 

Atlantis is not as close as you might think. It's a few miles away over a big bridge and through some scary streets. Get a ride!

 

Atlantis is only two miles going over the bridge. There are not any scary streets on Paradise Island and only the one area of East Bay Street is bad, one cannot ride on the sidewalks and must use caution in the street. The incline on the bridge is not bad (I do not know the incline degree.)

 

 

Our trip:

 

We left the ship with two fully charged sets of batteries (running on one plus a spare) and to conserve power, we never drive at full speed. It is just a short jaunt to the Ferry. The young men assisted us on the ferry and loaded the scooters. Upon arrival at Paradise Island, they assisted us off the ferry and lifted our scooters out.

 

From the ferry dock we scooted to the Coral Towers. The road / sidewalk on Paradise Island is great and in a very desirable neighborhood! We did not purchase a tour of Atlantis. Instead we wandered as far as we could without getting stopped. Going through the Casino, you can access out-door park like areas for a short distance.

 

Before leaving Atlantis, we spent approximately 45 minutes in the casino charging the set of batteries we were driving on. Lost my slot allowance in their penny machines or we might have stayed longer.

 

We elected to return via the Mackey Street bridge so that we could make a stop at Potters Cay. On a different thread, it was suggest that everybody avoid Potters Cay because of the questionable people. Well, we got there too late to enjoy snooping around the fish vendors but we did wander in a ways. I was concerned about the lack of sidewalks, but felt safe around the people. There appeared to be a number of nicely dressed families coming from Church for lunch. Also, there were some young adults enjoying a beer or cocktail. The buildings are definitely not fancy, but apparently suitable for their purpose.

 

Continuing back to the ship, the sidewalk between the bridges and a little further west was not doable. We basically rode in the street facing the on-coming traffic.

 

Shortly before we got back to the ship, I did change my batteries. I am the heavy weight and it does require a bit more power getting me around. I do believe that I could have made it to my cabin, however I do not like to put any more stress on the batteries than necessary.

 

We found the adventure to be very easy and a lovely trip. Also, we felt that we got to see more in depth than if we took a taxi and saved a minimum of $50 each by taking the ferry and scooting back. I would recommend anyone using a small scooter go to and from Atlantis on the ferry. If you have a companion, follow our path by taking the ferry one way.

 

Specifications / facts/ map:

 

[CT Cruise Lover]

Thanks for Gerard's info Vicki! I just emailed him. We will be on Norwegian Jewel Thanksgiving week and are planning on renting a scooter for my husband. I was concerned that we wouldn't be able to take if off the ship. Thanks again!

[Quampapetet]

I am begging each and everyone to advise when a statement is their opinion and their logic and only state facts when they are really facts.

 

 

A couple examples of previously statements that were totally wrong:

 

 

 

The ferry is fully accessible to a small scooter and a reasonable size person. Two young men loaded the scooters last. One man picked up Ruth and carried her on. I was able to walk on, however, an attendant assisted me.

 

 

That's great that you are mobile enough and had high enough water tables to get into the ferry and that the ferry ppl were actually NICE and helpful, but that's not always going to be the case. Not everybody who uses a scooter (or a wheelchair part-time) or even walks can get into those ferries. And the men who run them are not always nice/helpful to load a scooter, much less help a person on/off the ferry. Hopefully this means things are changing now and not that you just were there on a good day!

 

Somebody who is full-time in a wheelchair may not be able to get on the ferry at all (depending on what they're able to/used to doing for a transfer, such as crawl around using their arms [i have a friend who does that].)

 

When the water is low, it would be pretty hard for a scooter to be loaded on/off the ferry, especially if the ferry ppl are unhelpful like they can be. Also, it depends on where the ferry has to dock, as sometimes there's a large gap between the ferry and the dock.

 

It can be hard enough for an able-bodied person to get on/off the ferry depending on the conditions, so it can be very hard to impossible for a disabled person to get on/off it, with or without a medical device like a scooter.

 

I'm glad you were able to get on and you actually got helpful ppl, but do know that isn't always the case and what I said previously still stands. The ferry is not accessible. If you can do stairs, big steps up and down, and take big strides well, plus find someone to help you get the scooters aboard (if the ferry allows it at that moment), then you may be able to "make" the boat "accessible to you", but it is not an accessible boat.

[raindropsalways]

I fully agree with you that many may not be able to get on the ferry. But it is not my place to say who can and who cannot. So I am encouraging people to try. It is a beautiful world and it is up to the individual to see what they can. I provided details (scooter type / weights) so that others would know what worked.

 

 

Before we boarded the ferry, we asked the ferry crew if it would be possible to cross on the ferry. Just a simple respect and courtesy that resulted in a willingness to assist us.

 

 

Once again, I would recommend that if you have a small scooter, take the ferry to Atlantis. As far as the return, read my previous posting to determine if the bridge would work for you.

 

 

Betty

[raindropsalways]

The ferry in Nassau is not a monstrosity contraption, it is a simple boat used to transport people across Nassau Harbor. If you can take the conventional or standard tender (not one of the roll-on types), you can take the ferry. It is as simple as that. Sure, you may require assistance getting in the ferry, same as the tender, and your scooter will have to be lifted on. Actually, I feel it is easier to get on the ferry than a tender because you do not have the steps going down the gang plank, only the step into the ferry.

 

 

I cannot explain why I was misquoted. I just do not understand why anybody would modify anything said by another and post it as a quote; especially when that person specifically requested “only state facts.”

 

 

Enough has been said, look at things from a positive point of view.

 

 

Betty

[Paul&Kathy]

Betty, your post and positive attitude are brilliant, as always. We had been wondering about scooting to Atlantis as the distance looked well within capabilities (Paul now has a spare battery for his Luggie so can do about 12-15 miles between the two, far more than I can walk to keep up with him). Did you notice whether the Atlantis bridge has good sidewalks too ? If so that would cut out the East Bay Street area.

 

Encouraged by you we might try it the other way round when we visit in 3 weeks time - scoot over Atlantis Bridge, visit Atlantis grounds and maybe leave him in the casino while I visit the public beach there - unless you can get the scooter anywhere near the beaches on Paradise Island ? Then depending on condition of my feet by then either scoot back the same way or take a land taxi back (only because I think the ferry is a good distance from Atlantis ?). Presume a land taxi will take his scooter, it folds up to the size of a medium suitcase ? We have scooted over the big bridge from port of Miami into town with no problem (when the Miami taxis refused to take us - but that's another story) so unless the incline of the Nassua bridges is more than that it shoudl be fine.

 

How did you get on at Adastral Gardens - is it within scooting distance ? Accessible ? Not that we can do both this trip but useful to know for next time.

[raindropsalways]

Kathy – It is nice to hear from you again. I'll attempt to catch up on everything.

 

 

Atlantis: Yes, the Atlantis bridge does have sidewalks and the ferry dock is near the Atlantis bridge on Paradise Island. See map with my original post.

 

 

Adastral Gardens: See my post

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1505838

 

 

Marseilles: We found a private handicap taxi. She does not speak or write English, so I would write my message in English and use Google or Babel Fish, translate the message into French and email both versions to her. Her responses were always at the bottom of my email. Her email address is: allauchhanditaxi@free.fr We were very pleased with her service.

 

 

Roatan: We recently used Rony Tours for two separate trips. He was very good.

 

 

Miami: If you ever want to scoot over the bridge from the port, it is doable. At the foot of the bridge on the port side, there is not any curb cutout. When the weather was dry, we cut across the grass into a parking lot. When it rained, we had to lift the scooters onto the street.

 

 

On our Concordia cruise we got caught in the midst of the Public Works strikes in Marseilles and Naples. The streets both places were filled with trash. And we did not get into Tunis, however we saw everything in La Goulette.

 

 

In the spring Ruth and I are taking Maasdam repositioning cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal. At present we plan to see all the port towns on our own.

 

 

Betty

[raindropsalways]

Pictures from our trip to Atlantis: