Hello! My fiance & I are going on a cruise May 30th for our Honeymoon. One of the stops is Nassau Bahamas. We've been torn between paying for the day excursion or just doing the day on our own and I have been reading around and I'm finding a lot of different answers. Basically we would like to visit Atlantis- the aquarium and the casino. And we would like to go to the beach. Can you do this all at Atlantis? And how much does it cost? Or can you not do the beach? If not is there a close beach? We are just looking to save money! Thanks! 

Hehe, I'm waiting for an answer to your post as I'd like to know the answer to this question as well. I too have heard various suggestions on what to do such as just purchasing the excursion through Carnival or going directly through a hotel in Nassau that offers a competitively priced Atlantis all day pass type of thing.

I'll be checking for an answer, hopefully from someone who has done both (or even another option).

Congratulations by the way! We're traveling for our 1st anniversary after getting married on a Carnival cruise last September.

we'll be cruising in less than a month and i'm also wondering about just hanging around in nassau?????/  bar hopping, beach hopping, a little shopping and a little food intake....where to go what to do....any ideas and or suggestions?????  from any one????  thanks.................

Hogrider thought i  would jump in  and give you some ideals Atantlis is must just if you only just walk around also Senros frogs bar last may 08  we had a great time plus you need to enjoy the water  i just know you well have a wonderful time on the ship This va boy and an his wife enjoys everything about Nassas

My daughter and I just returned from Nassau & Key West on the Fascination.  It was GREAT!  To answer your question, yes you can do everything on your own.  The Atlantis is a MUST to see.  You can take a taxi for $4 per person (1 way) to Paradise Island.  There is a lot you can see on your own, but I would suggest taking their tour because you will get to see the underground aquariums and the whole property.  It costs $35 per person, but it is well worth it!  There is also a public beach within walking distance from the Atlantis.  Oh, word of advise, if you are trying to save money don't go to the Atlantis if you are hungry!  They have several restaurants, but they are VERY expensive ( bacon cheeseburger was $20 no fries or drink!)  Also, make sure you visit Senior Frogs and the Straw Market.  Hope this helps and have a GREAT time.

We went last year do not book through carnival it is very expensive and cheaper to go on your own. Atlantis has package deals there for the same things. Catch a $3 water taxi to Atlantis and go to the casino and buy the deals. I will post the prices the hotel emailed me later

My husband and I were there in Sept and had a wonderful time.  We did the excursion to the Atlantis dig and Aquarium - I think it was $40 per person, but so worth it.  They take you over to Paradise Island on the water taxi ($3 on your own)(price included in excursion).  You pass the home of Nicholas Cage, I am a huge fan.  Then you walk the Dig and Aquarium about 2 hours - but very interesting.  They walk you through the hotel and casino, very beautiful and alot to see.  After the tour we walked to the public beach next door (the tour does not include the Atlantis beach).  You can buy a coconut for $20 and get free drinks all day, choice of alcohol or non.  The water was rough that day but we had a blast.  I brought the coconut home and cooked with it and talked over the dinner about the trip.  This day was the best of the own cruise. 

PS it was our 1st anniversary and a great way to celebrate.

 PSS When you are done at Paradise Island the water taxi brings you back to the boat - it runs every 15 mins.

Have a great time!! 

Hello,

     I will be taking my second cruise for my birthday this May and I found that you may tend to do both depending on the amount of time that you will be at your temporary destination. Me and my children enjoyed a relaxing yet fun filled day (5 hours....lol)  in Cozumel, Mexico beautiful beach for the beach party excursion, all you can eat, drink and play and then had almost 5 more hours to go once the excursion had ended and we paroosed the Island within walking distance of the ship. I found that at both ports most of the highlights were at least 20 to 30 minutes away from where the ships were docked. I have a terrible sense of direction and would not trust my own judgement in this foreign land. So I suggest having a good map, guide and be very mindful of your time on the Island. You will become engrossed in all of the sites and activities.

Chestus,

The excursion you are talking about...is it called Discover Atlantis & Historical Harbor Cruise?  I was looking at that one and after reading your post, I'm considering booking that tour.  Just wanted to be sure it's the same excursion.  How far is the walk from the water taxi pier to the resort?

 Thanx

I think that is the name - it was great.  Your tour group meets outside the boat, the wlak to the water taxi is about 5 mins - the ride to Atlantis is about 10 mins, you pass famous homes like Nicholas Cage.  You then walk about 15 mins through the town to Atlantis.  You tour the casino (gorgeous glass artwork), then through the dig and on to the aquarium - lasts about 2 1/2 hrs.  After the tour we went to the public beach about a 5 min walk (next to Atlantis).  We bought a coconut for $20 and we got unlimited drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol) for the rest of the day. 

The price of the tour includes the taxi ride so when you are done you get back on and come back to the boat.  They run every 15 mins, again another 10 mins back.  Doing your shopping in Nassau as Paradise Island is very expensive.  Brought the coconut back home and cooked with it.  It was great fun and pretty cheap for the day.

We did this same cruise in October 08 and we will be cruising again on May 30 with you.  The best place you will see is Half Moon Cay it was wonderful...  We went on the excursion to Atlantis last cruise and it was a great place but we will not do it again.  The ocean was very rough and from what I could find out it is always like that there.  We are going to just stay around Nassua and vist the stores and the straw market again.  I think there is a public beach past the straw market we may try to visit.    See you in May...

We were in Nassau in January and we did some shopping, and drinking at Senor Frogs right there. Then we got a taxi to go over to the Atlantis. We've been to Nassau 3 other times, so we know all about it. There are ways to do things yourself there without buying excursions through Carnival. It's just your own preference.

We were in Nassau two weeks ago.

 We took a cab directly out of the custom bulding, it cost us 40$ and he took us for a 2 hours tour, we saw Fort Fincastle, Atlantis (free part), the Flea Market, public beaches, etc.

 The driver, Freddy, was really great and gave us a lot of information about Nassau.  

Last time I went to Nassau we got off the ship and looked around downtown for a little while, then took a $2-3 taxi to atlantis and looked around (for free).  After Atlantis...walked a couple blocks to Cabbage Beach and bought a Bahama Mama in a coconut for $10 (but i drank for 4 hours on that $10)!!!!  Took a $2-3 taxi back to the downtown area and went back to the ship!  We were there overnight so we ended up getting back off and going to Senor Frogs that night for a little party hardy!!!  I am leaving to go there again this Saturday and I plan on doing the exact same thing!!!!