Atlantis Aquaventure: RCI or Day Pass?

[LindaD22]

This is offered as a shore excursion for $205 pp. Atlantis also has day passes available for $95 pp. The ship’s excursion includes transportation, so I’m leaning towards that. But the description states it’s only for 5 hours (if you stay longer, you’re responsible for your way back to the ship) and we’re in port from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. It also doesn’t make mention of beach access, which worries me. Does anyone have experience with the shore excursion at Aquaventure? Thank you for your help!

[mjkacmom]

If Atlantis is only charging $95, forget the excursion. We’ve done it both ways, whatever was cheaper, super easy to get a taxi both ways, about $5 a person. Beach is included. 

[LindaD22]

1 minute ago, mjkacmom said:

If Atlantis is only charging $95, forget the excursion. We’ve done it both ways, whatever was cheaper, super easy to get a taxi both ways, about $5 a person. Beach is included. 

Thank you, that’s so helpful! Never been to Nassau before and I didn’t know how easy/expensive it was to get a taxi. 

[mjkacmom]

1 minute ago, LindaD22 said:

Thank you, that’s so helpful! Never been to Nassau before and I didn’t know how easy/expensive it was to get a taxi. 

I think when we did the excursion through NCL they just put us in the taxi vans lines up, and we took a cab back, cabs are lined up at the pier and very much want your business, 15 minute ride to Atlantis.

[smokeybandit]

Just know what the taxi fare is before you leave (fixed rate). Bahamas taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging.

[LindaD22]

3 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Just know what the taxi fare is before you leave (fixed rate). Bahamas taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging.

Good to know, I appreciate the tip

[CaptainBazz]

As @mjkacmom says, take a cab, short ride to Atlantis and not expensive. Gives you much more time at the resort which is a great place to spend the day. We have been there for multiple vacations. Just confirm the price before you get in the cab to go. 

[pasodancer]

Wish we did the Atlantis version versus RCI........We got to Atlantis early, but the waterpark didn't open until 10am.  Then at 1 pm a nasty storm came through and we had to exit the water park.  We wound up taking a taxi back to the ship rather than wait for the RCI excursion mini bus.  

[taglovestocruise]

4 hours ago, LindaD22 said:

Good to know, I appreciate the tip

There is also a water taxi as soon as you walk out the terminal, I remember it also about $5. If you take the water taxi there is a ten minute walk through a shopping area that has free wifi at starbucks. 

[LindaD22]

7 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

There is also a water taxi as soon as you walk out the terminal, I remember it also about $5. If you take the water taxi there is a ten minute walk through a shopping area that has free wifi at starbucks. 

okay, taking notes on the water taxi! I did not know about that as an option, thank you 

[taglovestocruise]

28 minutes ago, LindaD22 said:

okay, taking notes on the water taxi! I did not know about that as an option, thank you 

Water taxi about 20 minutes as they do a really crappy " verbal tour" along the way. Land taxi drops you off right at the Hotel/Casino entrance.

Edited December 10, 2022 by taglovestocruise

[mjkacmom]

The water taxi also waits until it’s full before heading over to Atlantis.

[LeeW]

Typically they let you take one of three buses back to the ship, leaving roughly on the hour.  If you miss it you wait an hour. 

 

The big key is when the water park opens - 10, versus when your ship arrives.  They walk you from the bus/taxi area through the hotel to the other end of the water park to process in and spend quite a bit of time touring you through the area. 

 

Either buy direct or through a local hotel day room (depends on how many people if this is a good option).  See the Nassau board for how this works.

Edited December 10, 2022 by LeeW
clarity

[mjkacmom]

17 hours ago, LeeW said:

Typically they let you take one of three buses back to the ship, leaving roughly on the hour.  If you miss it you wait an hour. 

 

The big key is when the water park opens - 10, versus when your ship arrives.  They walk you from the bus/taxi area through the hotel to the other end of the water park to process in and spend quite a bit of time touring you through the area. 

 

Either buy direct or through a local hotel day room (depends on how many people if this is a good option).  See the Nassau board for how this works.

If you book through the ship definitely ditch the tour and just get a map. You will want to grab a couple of chairs and get a locker before everything is full. The pools open at 10 I believe, slides at 11.

[Pellaz]

On 12/10/2022 at 5:08 PM, LeeW said:

Either buy direct or through a local hotel day room (depends on how many people if this is a good option).  See the Nassau board for how this works.

 

The "Comfort Suites hack" is still the best option for a large group (3 or 4 people, and at certain times, maybe even 2).  

Basically, you book a room at Comfort Suites Paradise Island for the day in advance.  The rate, when adding people, will typically be much less than the cruise line excursion prices and can be less than day passes for a group.

Take a taxi to the hotel. 

Check in. 

Get pink cards for Aquaventure access. 

Optionally, check out.  (The hotel is used to this process.)   

Walk up the short hill to the Atlantis Coral Tower entrance.  Last time I was there, you'd get your wristbands over at the Beach Tower. 

Enjoy the day!    Grab a taxi back at your leisure.  

 

Guests at CSPI enjoy the same access at Atlantis that people staying at the Atlantis resort there do, excepting the Mandala Spa...but including the 4-lane lap pool.   

I have NO idea why we CSPI folks get the access, but it's a great perk which I discovered right here on CruiseCritic.  (I've stayed at CSPI for several nights in a row, 6 years in a row aside from COVID.  It's become an annual tradition.)

 

17 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

If you book through the ship definitely ditch the tour and just get a map. You will want to grab a couple of chairs and get a locker before everything is full. The pools open at 10 I believe, slides at 11.

Pools and slides at the Mayan Temple open at 10 am.  The Current (River Rapids) and the Power Tower slides open at around, or maybe a little before, 11 am.   I'd sneak over that way at around 10:45.

After the time change, now  all Aquaventure pools close at 5 pm.  The lap pool closes at 7 pm.  The "secret" hot tub above the Mayan Temple pool (near the exit from the Jungle Slide) doesn't appear to close at all.   😄  

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by Pellaz

[Trikster27]

On 12/12/2022 at 4:14 AM, Pellaz said:

 

The "Comfort Suites hack" is still the best option for a large group (3 or 4 people, and at certain times, maybe even 2).  

Basically, you book a room at Comfort Suites Paradise Island for the day in advance.  The rate, when adding people, will typically be much less than the cruise line excursion prices and can be less than day passes for a group.

Take a taxi to the hotel. 

Check in. 

Get pink cards for Aquaventure access. 

Optionally, check out.  (The hotel is used to this process.)   

Walk up the short hill to the Atlantis Coral Tower entrance.  Last time I was there, you'd get your wristbands over at the Beach Tower. 

Enjoy the day!    Grab a taxi back at your leisure.  

 

Guests at CSPI enjoy the same access at Atlantis that people staying at the Atlantis resort there do, excepting the Mandala Spa...but including the 4-lane lap pool.   

I have NO idea why we CSPI folks get the access, but it's a great perk which I discovered right here on CruiseCritic.  (I've stayed at CSPI for several nights in a row, 6 years in a row aside from COVID.  It's become an annual tradition.)

 

Pools and slides at the Mayan Temple open at 10 am.  The Current (River Rapids) and the Power Tower slides open at around, or maybe a little before, 11 am.   I'd sneak over that way at around 10:45.

After the time change, now  all Aquaventure pools close at 5 pm.  The lap pool closes at 7 pm.  The "secret" hot tub above the Mayan Temple pool (near the exit from the Jungle Slide) doesn't appear to close at all.   😄  

 

 
 

to use the Comfort Suites Hack - you book the room for the NIGHT before your port day? They won’t consider you a no-show if you don’t check in that day?

 

curious because I had looked this up - Atlantis Day pass would be almost $500 where as a room at the CS (literally just for the Atlantis tickets) is $400. We have a 5 and 2 yr old so are mostly interested in just the aquariums and maybe a pool/splash pad at Atlantis. Trying to find the best/most economical way to do this! Any advice/suggestions/tips and tricks are welcome and appreciated!

[mjkacmom]

34 minutes ago, Trikster27 said:

 
 

to use the Comfort Suites Hack - you book the room for the NIGHT before your port day? They won’t consider you a no-show if you don’t check in that day?

 

curious because I had looked this up - Atlantis Day pass would be almost $500 where as a room at the CS (literally just for the Atlantis tickets) is $400. We have a 5 and 2 yr old so are mostly interested in just the aquariums and maybe a pool/splash pad at Atlantis. Trying to find the best/most economical way to do this! Any advice/suggestions/tips and tricks are welcome and appreciated!

It’s been reported that the CS hack is no more (and when it was you booked for the day you were there, not the night before). We’ve done Atlantis twice, and left kids under 8 on the ship with grandparents, it’s really cool but not much for little ones for the price tag. 

[Candleonwater]

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

It’s been reported that the CS hack is no more (and when it was you booked for the day you were there, not the night before). We’ve done Atlantis twice, and left kids under 8 on the ship with grandparents, it’s really cool but not much for little ones for the price tag. 

Comfort Suites still shows this "As a guest at Comfort Suites Paradise Island, not only will you enjoy a Free Full American Buffet Breakfast every day, but you will have full access to Atlantis AQUAVENTURE and its exclusive facilities, including swimming pools, private beach, magnificent waterscapes, river rides, water slides, health spa, tennis courts, golf, Kids Camp, movie theatre, casino, and more! As an added bonus, you'll also have signing privileges at Atlantis, Paradise Island's many restaurants and lounges, making it a breeze to enjoy great food and tropical drinks at any time during your stay. "

 

I agree with those who have said to forget the ships excursion.  If a day pass is offered either directly through Atlantis, or through one of the local excursion companies, take it. Usually a significant savings (but not always), and so easy to get there. Easy to get your wristband when you get over to Atlantis. For our upcoming cruise, booking a day pass directly through Atlantis was MORE expensive than booking through RCL. The local companies didn't have any day passes, they said there are times when they aren't allowed to sell them, and spring break is one of those times.

[Pellaz]

3 hours ago, Trikster27 said:

 to use the Comfort Suites Hack - you book the room for the NIGHT before your port day? They won’t consider you a no-show if you don’t check in that day?

 

No, you book it for the night after your arrival, and when you arrive, you are basically a very early arrival.  

I said "in advance" because according to several reports, they no longer offer the Atlantis passes for bookings made the same day as arrival.  

 

3 hours ago, Trikster27 said:

curious because I had looked this up - Atlantis Day pass would be almost $500 where as a room at the CS (literally just for the Atlantis tickets) is $400. We have a 5 and 2 yr old so are mostly interested in just the aquariums and maybe a pool/splash pad at Atlantis. Trying to find the best/most economical way to do this! Any advice/suggestions/tips and tricks are welcome and appreciated!

 

Since there are persistent rumors that the "Comfort Suites hack" (for cruisers to book) might have been dropped, I'd suggest calling the hotel directly and checking with them before committing. 

On the bright side, you would still be able to cancel a hotel booking there with no penalty, per the property's normal "advance warning" policy, if you did have to cancel.  

Edited March 26, 2023 by Pellaz

[Trikster27]

5 minutes ago, Pellaz said:

 

No, you book it for the night after your arrival, and when you arrive, you are basically a very early arrival.  

I said "in advance" because according to several reports, they no longer offer the Atlantis passes for bookings made the same day as arrival.  

 

Since there are persistent rumors that the "Comfort Suites hack" (for cruisers to book it) might have been dropped, I'd suggest calling the hotel directly and checking with them before committing. 

On the bright side, you should still be able to cancel a hotel booking there with no penalty, per the property's "advance warning" guidelines, if you did have to cancel.  

CS website still lists it as an perk for booking with them - Atlantis tickets aren’t available for same day booking, but I would just book now at the cheapest room rate lol. Just wondering if anyone has “checked in/out” at the same time recently and been able to get the Atlantis perks. I had emailed them and they gave me a rate which was less than the Atlantis Day pass - BUT  their “quoted rate” was actually $40 more than if I just booked a room online for the dates of our “stay”.  Trying to find the best most economical way to do this (RC doesn’t offer this as an excursion either). 

[keishashadow]

49 minutes ago, Trikster27 said:

Just wondering if anyone has “checked in/out” at the same time recently and been able to get the Atlantis perks. I had emailed them and they gave me a rate which was less than the Atlantis Day pass - BUT  their “quoted rate” was actually $40 more than if I just booked a room online for the dates of our “stay”.  

Yes, have checked in & out at their front desk multiple times when cruising.  Not recently tho.
 

Note/you can’t charge back to the room in that case

 

make sure to bring a CC to Atlantis, most places didn’t accept cash our last visit.  Well, Except casino slots lol 

 

I’d book online, making sure to price out all the various discount rates. 
 

lastly, would email then & get written conf they are still offering the included day passes to Atlantis 

[Carlos A.]

From their webpage:
 

Comfort Suites Paradise Island – Hotel in Nassau with FREE Access to Atlantis AQUAVENTURE
Experience a fun-filled Caribbean vacation at our Comfort Suites® Paradise Island hotel in Nassau, Bahamas. During your stay, you'll also get to enjoy complimentary access to the facilities at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort next door — including Aquaventure water park*.
 
*Same day one-night bookings will not have access to Atlantis resort facilities and amenities. Advance booking is required. 

 

[Pellaz]

21 minutes ago, carlosalonsor said:

From their webpage:
 

Comfort Suites Paradise Island – Hotel in Nassau with FREE Access to Atlantis AQUAVENTURE
Experience a fun-filled Caribbean vacation at our Comfort Suites® Paradise Island hotel in Nassau, Bahamas. During your stay, you'll also get to enjoy complimentary access to the facilities at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort next door — including Aquaventure water park*.
 
*Same day one-night bookings will not have access to Atlantis resort facilities and amenities. Advance booking is required. 

 

Bingo!  

 

I think the concern now is whether they still do the ol "cruise passenger shuffle" whereby you can show up at 9 am, check in, check out, get your pink Atlantis access cards and walk up the hill to Atlantis.  I didn't make my usual 3-day trip to Atlantis last fall, so I can't say I witnessed it that recently.  The year before, yes.  

[jaredgold33]

On 3/26/2023 at 10:30 PM, Pellaz said:

 

Bingo!  

 

I think the concern now is whether they still do the ol "cruise passenger shuffle" whereby you can show up at 9 am, check in, check out, get your pink Atlantis access cards and walk up the hill to Atlantis.  I didn't make my usual 3-day trip to Atlantis last fall, so I can't say I witnessed it that recently.  The year before, yes.  

Has anyone recently done the Comfort Inn “hack” and gotten the Atlantis passes? I can book a room there with my Choice points so it would come out to be a lot cheaper than buying passes directly from RCI/Atlantis. Just want to confirm this still works before booking (and ideally don’t want to call the hotel and ask directly)

[smokeybandit]

33 minutes ago, jaredgold33 said:

Has anyone recently done the Comfort Inn “hack” and gotten the Atlantis passes? I can book a room there with my Choice points so it would come out to be a lot cheaper than buying passes directly from RCI/Atlantis. Just want to confirm this still works before booking (and ideally don’t want to call the hotel and ask directly)

One night stays no longer qualify for the passes.