Tracy's Running Journal

Nassau - Atlantis

Today was our day in Nassau. I knew we’d be ashore at 9:45 am because I read my trusty Navigator.

I got up first, showered and then woke the rest of the family. I did not want to be late because I was planning on doing an excursion on my own and I was very nervous about the whole ordeal.

After everyone was dressed, we went up to deck 9 just to check out Nassau. It was windy, really windy. So windy that it just about blew you around, Check this out:

We decided to rally the troops and head toward Beach Blanket for breakfast. Steve is a huge omelet fan and they have a nice omelet station. Unfortunately, Steve did not notice the omelet station until he already piled his food on his plate. You know Steve, he will not waste. You eat what you take. We ate on the deck outside so we could see the ship pulling into port. It was so pretty. Sitting there on the deck of the ship.

After we ate, we went to our room and found out that we got FE gifts. The FE gifts totally excited Elise. You would think she won the lottery. She was in heaven over simple little gadgets and candy.

After all of that, we went down to deck 1. We waited only like 2 minutes and they opened the doors. It was only us and one other family that were the first to leave the ship. We turned around and there was nobody behind us. I guess there are some stragglers.

We walked over to the traditional Bahamas sign and offered to take a family shot of the other family. They said, sure and then kindly offered to take one of our family.

Steve was snapping away. Me, I was on a mission to get to Atlantis.

As soon as we got to door of the market, we had people bugging us to do tours of Nassau, hair braiding, etc, etc. I told them I was not interested, but I was interested in a cab to Atlantis. He says, Ok stand over there while I try to get more people. Another family came along, interested in a cab. He says, OK lets go. The other family looked at one another and said, do you have cash? No, do you have cash? NO! They left the ship without cash. So the husband had to go back to the ship to get cash.

We waited a few more minutes for nobody to come along and the cabbie finally took us to the back area and pulled the car up. I remember asking repeatably $4 per person right? He’d say, Yes. I asked if he could drop us off at Comfort Suites. He said, sure. Steve gave the guy $20. I thought that was a fair price.

OK, I will try to explain the excursion I booked on our own. I read lots and lots of reviews of booking a room at the Comfort Suites. The CS gives you full access to Atlantis. I just went to the CS web-site and booked a room. I know AAA gives a discount, but I am not a AAA member.

When we first got to the CS there was a line at check in, but we only waited a few minutes. When we checked in we told the clerk we were checking in and out at the same time, we just wanted access to Atlantis. She said, no problem. The total for the bill including all the taxes and fees came to $275. Add the RT cab fee $40 = $315 if I would have booked through Disney the rate would have been $670 ($180 for 10 years and older and $130 for Elise). Total savings = $355. It was very easy to do, so I recommend booking a room at CS if you really want to try Atlantis.

The clerk gave us a card that we needed to give to a towel station at Atlantis to get our bracelets. She then directed us to Atlantis. Atlantis was easy to find, but the water park was a different story. Holy cow! Is that place HUGE. When we first walked in the door to Atlantis, it reminded me of Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. You know how they have all those fancy shops. We walked and asked for directions and walked some more and asked for more directions. A marathon later, we finally found the water park.

We got our bracelets and towels and grabbed a couple chairs near the pool. The kids took off like a flash of light. All I heard was Ashley saying, Mom, if you need me I’ll be over here on this water slide! Elise said, I’ll be with Ashley. I agreed to get the locker and we would all meet back at the lounge chairs.

I walked over to rent a locker. Lockers were $5 for a small locker. Now, if you buy or rent anything at Atlantis, it is credit ONLY, forget cash, cash will do you no good in Atlantis. There, another tip!

I rented the locker and went over to Steve, we caught up with the kids. Steve said they went down like 3 times while waiting for me. We went down the slide where you go through the shark tunnel. My tube decided to stop in the middle of the tunnel right where it says, “Do not stop here!” Yeah, I was freaking. Finally I made it down and decided not to go again. Next we decided to try the “Not-so-lazy-river” The lazy river is by far the best part of Atlantis. We loved it, the kids loved it. It has rapids and it is huge, It probably takes 30 minutes to circle the entire river.

Next, the kids wanted to go on some water slides. Elise wanted to race Daddy down one slide. I said I would race Ashley when I got there, it was the wedgie slide. I wanted to chicken out so bad. Steve watched Elise and let her get a head start and then he pushed off. Elise WON!!!! Ok, I can do this, I said to myself. He said, “go” and I did not think about it, I pushed and went down the slide. I am not sure who won, but I had a massive wedgie and said, I would not do it again.

The kids went down many little slides. After swimming for a while, we went back to the chairs to reapply some more sunscreen. Then the kids were hungry. I walked back to the locker to get some cash and then to counter to buy the kids a hot dog meal when I realized they do not take cash there either. Back to the locker again for a credit card. Finally I got a hot dog, fries, and a drink all for the low price of $7. Ashley wanted her own meal and told her she could share with her sister. Steve and I decided to wait to eat until we got back on the ship.

After our lunch break, we went down a few more slides and another spin on the lazy river (love the lazy river). There is a water slide just like Crush and Gusher at TL, if you like Crush and Gusher. Elise freaked when she heard Ashley and I scream and she chickened out so Steve could not ride either.

Around 2 pm we decided to take a walk around Atlantis. Lots of pics.

We also decided to check out the ocean and it was rough. Really rough. The wind was whipping the beach sand around. One kid went in the water. I was shocked the Dad allowed it. The life guards did not allow it. The blew the whistle and told the Dad no swimming today.

We walked back to the chairs and I was water parked out. I was ready to get back to the Wonder. Elise insisted on a few more slides. Steve took her for a few more while Ashley and I rested. Ashley was starting to look pink on her shoulders so, when they got back, we were all ready to leave. We turned in the locker key and departed Atlantis. Not without many taking pictures.

When we finally exited Atlantis there was sign for taxis. We stood there and one pulled up. We told him we were going back to the cruise ships. He said, ok. I again asked the rate. He said $4 per person. We hopped in and he drove like a maniac. I thought we would not make it back in one piece. I asked him where the rum cake factory was and he did not respond. We some how managed to get to the Wonder in one piece and Steve paid the guy $20.

We made it back to the boat in one piece and I just about passed out in bed. You’ll know more about what happens next in the next installment because I am tired.

Up next........ Day 2 part 2