5 hours at Atlantis - itinerary?

[ladybub101]

We are booked for a Royal Caribbean excursion to the Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis and will have 5 hours total, arriving at 1:00 p.m.  We are travelling with 6 teens, whose main focus will be the waterslides.  I understand there is a lengthy intro lecture once we arrive?  Can we bypass that and sneak away?  Will we miss out on anything important?  Do you have tips on what to do first, or what order to do the slides, to save time?  We would like to see the Dig as well if we have time.

[mjkacmom]

When? We’ve done it twice, but got there at 9 am, grabbed some loungers and a locker (might not be available). You will want to go to the unlazy River (forget what it’s called) and try to get a tube, it will take you to some slides (definitely study a map). Lines will probably be long. What time does the ship leave? Definitely ditch the tour as soon as you get there, save the digs for the end. Slides and pools close at either 5 or 6. If your ship leaves later, just take a cab back ($5 pp).

[ladybub101]

It is showing that the slides and pools close at 5:00 but other attractions close at 6:00.  The all aboard is 7:30 p.m.

[mjkacmom]

I would definitely give yourself an hour to get back with bridge traffic, I don’t think the aquarium closes, just that security leaves at 6.