Cruise to Bahamas-Should I book excursions or not??

[momof2inohio]

Well for years we have been talking about taking a cruise with the kids and we are finally doing it. We are doing a 5 night cruise to the Bahamas with stops at Nassau, Freeport and Key West.

We are leaving next week and we are still undecided about what we want to do when the ship docks. I wanted to do some excursions and I really wanted to do the Atlantis excursion but DH is not thrilled with the price. It would cost us around $500.00 for 5 hours at Atlantis including the waterpark.

I wouldn't mind getting a cab and going there ourselves but the only thing I am worried about is getting back to the ship in time. I know that with the cruise sponsored excursions they make sure each and every bus/shuttle is back in time and the ship wont leave till they are.

I have never been to the Bahamas but DH and I have been to Jamaica and I know there the cab drivers do not care much about getting you back in time!

Any advice? Also, is Atlantis even worth it?

I know we definately want to go to the beach and not just shop around and look at the shops.

[cybilx10]

I would stick with what the cruise liner has available to you. That way you arent missing the boat anytime. Plus go out on your own may not be that safe. Going in a group with other travelers is much better. My friends who go on cruises every year always stick with what the cruise line offers.

[nrpeace17]

Well for years we have been talking about taking a cruise with the kids and we are finally doing it. We are doing a 5 night cruise to the Bahamas with stops at Nassau, Freeport and Key West.

We are leaving next week and we are still undecided about what we want to do when the ship docks. I wanted to do some excursions and I really wanted to do the Atlantis excursion but DH is not thrilled with the price. It would cost us around $500.00 for 5 hours at Atlantis including the waterpark.

I wouldn't mind getting a cab and going there ourselves but the only thing I am worried about is getting back to the ship in time. I know that with the cruise sponsored excursions they make sure each and every bus/shuttle is back in time and the ship wont leave till they are.

I have never been to the Bahamas but DH and I have been to Jamaica and I know there the cab drivers do not care much about getting you back in time!

Any advice? Also, is Atlantis even worth it?

I know we definately want to go to the beach and not just shop around and look at the shops.

I have been on many cruises and booking excursions with the cruise lines is a big money waster IMO. They charge you twice the money (or more) to do what you can do on your own or with a private tour company or guide. We do the research, and do the excursions on our own, or book a tour guide/tour company if necessary. You don't get stuck being herded around with the masses, and you get a much better quality experience.

Atlantis really isn't my thing, it's just a fancy hotel, but it is very easy to get there on your own. $500 for that is way too much.

There are Islands like Jamaica where we get a local tour guide to take us around, and most times they are very reasonable. They are also reliable as to your time table.

Go to Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises - Cruise Critic, it is a great resource. You can go to the Port section and research your options and even find out how to get around by local transportation very inexpensively. We've done it. You can take a cab if you are more comfortable with that. You can also meet people online that will be on your particular cruise, if you'd like.

[tylerkarenmay]

I would suggest if you want some shops you will need to ask for bay street and the straw market. but there is alot to see. the Queens staircase is also good. it was cut from rock with slaves. Not sure hoewmuch time you have but everything there runs on Bahamian time, which is like a 30-60 minutes late. so just tell the taxi driver that you need to be back an hour earler then you should be fine.

[tylerkarenmay]

Ohh forgot if you want to sample Bahamian food go to potters cay it is under the bridge to Paradise Island, it is a fish market but you can get Conch salad and Conch fritters. I just love these.

[momof2inohio]

Thanks for the advice!!

The $500 for Atlantis includes the waterpark, lunch, beach use and transportation. The reason we would really like to go to Atlantis is because we are taking our 10 and 13 year old kids and they want to go to the waterpark and see the animals. I know they would be bored if we just took a tour around the Bahamas.

I wish would would have planned this out better. I like to plan and be organized but DH is the complete opposite and likes to do things on a whim.

I guess I will have to do a little more research.

[fungirl2727]

My family just did atlantis and had the time of our life. We do tons of cruise prob 2 a yr. If I was going to do anything on cruise go atlantis. The water park is the most amazing thing ever. I would also make sure get off the boat early make sure get tons time there. My dad got got our tickets from a hotel close by and saved like 600 bucks or so. Atlantis charges likes 200 bucks a ticket. If all you can go for 500 bucks to water park not bad. I think we still spent 100 each on ours and we did own traveling and food. My daughter and mom is going on that cruise in march. She is going 6 days though from charestion. My mom lives out of town so it is about the same price as getting a hotel near my house. So this will be my daughter 2nd to atlantis in 6 months.

[nrpeace17]

Thanks for the advice!!

The $500 for Atlantis includes the waterpark, lunch, beach use and transportation. The reason we would really like to go to Atlantis is because we are taking our 10 and 13 year old kids and they want to go to the waterpark and see the animals. I know they would be bored if we just took a tour around the Bahamas.

I wish would would have planned this out better. I like to plan and be organized but DH is the complete opposite and likes to do things on a whim.

I guess I will have to do a little more research.

It's all about what you and your family enjoy doing, so go for it!
Even if you choose the Atlantis Water Park, if there is a way to get it cheaper, you will be able to find out about it on Cruise Critic.

[Colinsgrandma]

I would book the excursions. It's fun to interact with the other passengers and sometimes you don't know where to go if you are on your own. We were on a excursion that didn't make it back to the ship on time so it does happen.

[frugalstafar]

I wouldn't do an excursion in every port because they are expensive but if there is one that looks really good then do it. We go in June and have booked the private oasis because it looks wonderful; we did do the glass bottom boat tour in Freeport years ago and would not recommend that one (small boat, ocean, sharks no fun). When we went to Nassau we got a cab and went to Atlantis and did our own tour, then went to the public beach which was ok but the locals will drive you nutty. Our friends booked a hotel room at one of the Nassua hotels and then they were able to use the beach there and the bathroom for like $200 for the day which is cheaper than the beach excursion.