Harborside Resort Helpful Hints

[andysnovel]

Let me write this stuff down while it is still fresh in my head lol Just came back from resort.
1) Sandra’s Taxi, family run business, to and from Nass Airport, reliable and least expensive, Tugger recommended them a few years back to me, they are great.
2) Harborside has daily trips to supermarket, 10am, $10 per person
3) Sodas and Water is cheaper in Harborside Sundries Shop than at poolside bar.
4) laundry detergent is very reasonably priced at sundries shop.
5) Shuttle buses run from 8am thru 2am daily from Harborside to Coral Towers, Royal towers and The Cove. Once you are at these locations, there are free shuttle buses between these 3 resorts, so you do not have to go back to Harborside,
6) make sure you visit a towel booth, show them your Harborside room key and they will give each member of your party a bracelet you will keep on for your entire vacation. They seemed a lot more vigilant about checking Id this trip.
7) if you have young kids with you, book a Dolphins encounter online, cheaper than paying at Dolphin Cay, the whole family loved it, not cheap, but worth it. Sandra’s Taxi will take you to Ardastra Gardens, wonder flamingo show for the kids and parrot feeding,kids loved it. For the adults in the group ask Sandra to add Rum factory tour and Rum cake bakery.
8) Carmine’s, Margaritaville, Murray’s Deli and Harborside The Point(not breakfast), good places to Eat with young kids, reasonably priced for Atlantis, kids menu.

 

[Smithsingeneva]

Let me write this stuff down while it is still fresh in my head lol Just came back from resort.
1) Sandra’s Taxi, family run business, to and from Nass Airport, reliable and least expensive, Tugger recommended them a few years back to me, they are great.
2) Harborside has daily trips to supermarket, 10am, $10 per person
3) Sodas and Water is cheaper in Harborside Sundries Shop than at poolside bar.
4) laundry detergent is very reasonably priced at sundries shop.
5) Shuttle buses run from 8am thru 2am daily from Harborside to Coral Towers, Royal towers and The Cove. Once you are at these locations, there are free shuttle buses between these 3 resorts, so you do not have to go back to Harborside,
6) make sure you visit a towel booth, show them your Harborside room key and they will give each member of your party a bracelet you will keep on for your entire vacation. They seemed a lot more vigilant about checking Id this trip.
7) if you have young kids with you, book a Dolphins encounter online, cheaper than paying at Dolphin Cay, the whole family loved it, not cheap, but worth it. Sandra’s Taxi will take you to Ardastra Gardens, wonder flamingo show for the kids and parrot feeding,kids loved it. For the adults in the group ask Sandra to add Rum factory tour and Rum cake bakery.
8) Carmine’s, Margaritaville, Murray’s Deli and Harborside The Point(not breakfast), good places to Eat with young kids, reasonably priced for Atlantis, kids menu.

Thanks! Just arrived last night for our first trip to Harborside.

 

[Sea Six]

1) not least expensive, the rates are fixed. There are many good options, even Town cars.
6) you don't need to wear the same bracelet the whole time. You can get a new one any time you want.

 

[2disneydads]

Are there limitations on what I can bring through customs for meals? Can I pick frozen meat that we would eat over the week? Can I bring any produce, like specialty produce? I don't want to be forced to leave good food at the airport. Thank you.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[andysnovel]

Are there limitations on what I can bring through customs for meals? Can I pick frozen meat that we would eat over the week? Can I bring any produce, like specialty produce? I don't want to be forced to leave good food at the airport. Thank you.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Going to Bahamas, everything is screened by TSA, double check with TSA website, my son brought in cold cuts, cheese etc without an issue. From what I read, you can’t bring produce or meats out of the Bahamas, things are screened by Bahamas Authority, when you are leaving the country. I don’t remember anything being screened after we landed in the Bahamas during passport process. Arrive 3 hours before boarding time at Nass Airport, multiple step process before you are allowed to go to your boarding gate and fly back home.

 

[andysnovel]

1) not least expensive, the rates are fixed. There are many good options, even Town cars.
6) you don't need to wear the same bracelet the whole time. You can get a new one any time you want.

I received an email from Harborside suggesting all kinds of transportation, town cars, to vans, stretch limos etc, from and to airport,they were all more expensive than Sandra’s My first trip to Harborside charged me $85 each way plus tolls etc and this was 4 yrs ago. Sandra includes tolls etc in her quote. Yes you can get a bracelet everyday, but why wait on long lines And be stopped every so often and have tp produce room card. I am referring to high season when there cruise ship crowds and peak hotel season. The bracelet is hospital quality and is water and shower proof.

 

[2disneydads]

Thank you for the information. I would not be looking to bring anything back home - I don't want to deal with trying to bring food into the US. I want to bring some supplies that might be unavailable or expensive in Nassau. We travel with a bag of sundries and kitchen equipment, but usually not food itself. We have a good bag to use to bring frozen meat.

 

[andysnovel]

A few more hints:
Coral Tower Shuttle—-lazy river, shops and restaurants in Village, Carmine’s, Murray’s, Burger Shack, Starbucks, Ben and Jerry’s, Pizza Place etc live music at night and parade during high season.
Royal Tower Shuttle—- The Dig(huge long Aquarium),rapid river, Aquaadventure Park, Pyramid Tower Slide, Beaches etc.
Cove Tower—-Dolphin Cay—-Dolphin encounters
You can walk inside from Coral Tower thru Casino and come out to Royal Tower.
Coral Tower is connected to Beach Tower, free movie theatre, Comedy Club, Chop Stix, upscale Chinese Rest., library with free internet access thru desktops.

 

[buzglyd]

Going to Bahamas, everything is screened by TSA, double check with TSA website, my son brought in cold cuts, cheese etc without an issue. From what I read, you can’t bring produce or meats out of the Bahamas, things are screened by Bahamas Authority, when you are leaving the country. I don’t remember anything being screened after we landed in the Bahamas during passport process. Arrive 3 hours before boarding time at Nass Airport, multiple step process before you are allowed to go to your boarding gate and fly back home.

Did you clear US Customs in the Bahamas prior to your flight to the US? I seem to remember it this way the last time I was there 8 years ago. It was nice because when we got to Houston, we didn't have to go through Customs and Immigration.

 

[Sea Six]

I received an email from Harborside suggesting all kinds of transportation, town cars, to vans, stretch limos etc, from and to airport,they were all more expensive than Sandra’s My first trip to Harborside charged me $85 each way plus tolls etc and this was 4 yrs ago. Sandra includes tolls etc in her quote. Yes you can get a bracelet everyday, but why wait on long lines And be stopped every so often and have tp produce room card. I am referring to high season when there cruise ship crowds and peak hotel season. The bracelet is hospital quality and is water and shower proof.

Get your wrist band at the Harborside pool, no lines there. As for the ride, of course the town cars cost more, but all the taxi cabs are at the same fixed rate.

 

[Smithsingeneva]

Are there limitations on what I can bring through customs for meals? Can I pick frozen meat that we would eat over the week? Can I bring any produce, like specialty produce? I don't want to be forced to leave good food at the airport. Thank you.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I do not believe you can bring produce from the US to the Bahamas. Of course, you may not get caught, but I would research it.

 

[andysnovel]

Did you clear US Customs in the Bahamas prior to your flight to the US? I seem to remember it this way the last time I was there 8 years ago. It was nice because when we got to Houston, we didn't have to go through Customs and Immigration.

Exactly, when we got back to Florida, we just exited airport, that is why you allow 3 hours before flight to go through the whole customs process in Bahamas.

 

[andysnovel]

Get your wrist band at the Harborside pool, no lines there. As for the ride, of course the town cars cost more, but all the taxi cabs are at the same fixed rate.

Unfortunately while we were there, they advised us they no longer gave out wristbands at pool, we had to go inside Atlantis to get them, an FYI. We were picked up in a mini van, $100 rountrip, they were there waiting for us, when we arrived and picked us up on time when we left for airport, Sandra’s is reliable,friendly... what can I say???

 

[Sea Six]

Unfortunately while we were there, they advised us they no longer gave out wristbands at pool, we had to go inside Atlantis to get them, an FYI. We were picked up in a mini van, $100 rountrip, they were there waiting for us, when we arrived and picked us up on time when we left for airport, Sandra’s is reliable,friendly... what can I say???

I've never had a problem getting a ride in either direction. The drivers are all nice - they work for tips, not just the ride. We have been using a service recommended by the front desk, who is a relative of a check-in clerk, and we get a Suburban, Cadillac, or Town car for just a bit over the taxi fare, like you describe. Some of those taxis are really junky, and the drivers don't even use the AC. All I'm saying is these rides are hit or miss, no matter who you use. There is nothing magical about any one of them. That's bad news you can't get a wristband at the pool anymore. We usually ride the van to the Cove, walk through the building and there is a towel hut that's never too crowded by the Baths pool.

 

[Smithsingeneva]

Unfortunately while we were there, they advised us they no longer gave out wristbands at pool, we had to go inside Atlantis to get them, an FYI.

That's bad news you can't get a wristband at the pool anymore. We usually ride the van to the Cove, walk through the building and there is a towel hut that's never too crowded by the Baths pool.

I got wristbands at the pool yesterday.

 

[andysnovel]

I got wristbands at the pool yesterday.

I guess they “fixed” the problem lol.

 

[blondietink]

On our last visit to Harborside, I packed enough frozen bacon for 7 days, frozen chicken, frozen cold cuts, peanut butter, etc. and it arrived frozen. We left our house in NY at 4 am and arrived at Harborside at 4 pm. so as long as you pack it well, it will stay frozen. Then the grocery store stop I bought bread, eggs, drinks, chips, etc. Whatever the charge for the luggage is will be a whole lot less than buying food in the Bahamas. It is even more expensive than Hawaii. Also don't forget that there are no ovens or outdoor grills at Harborside, so plan your meals accordingly.

 

[HarborsideHappyGirl]

A few more hints:
Coral Tower Shuttle—-lazy river, shops and restaurants in Village, Carmine’s, Murray’s, Burger Shack, Starbucks, Ben and Jerry’s, Pizza Place etc live music at night and parade during high season.

Hey, Andy, can you please gie me a review of the condition of the Lazy River. When we were there (more than a year ago) only half of the jets were working and it was VERY lazy. Have they been repaired back to a fairly swift current?

Thanks!

 

[okwiater]

Hey, Andy, can you please gie me a review of the condition of the Lazy River. When we were there (more than a year ago) only half of the jets were working and it was VERY lazy. Have they been repaired back to a fairly swift current?

Thanks!

Lol. That’s pretty much a metaphor for the entire Atlantis resort. Only about half of it is working properly at any given time.

 

[andysnovel]

Lol. That’s pretty much a metaphor for the entire Atlantis resort. Only about half of it is working properly at any given time.

Actually, the lazy river was working very well, experienced pretty powerful currents, stronger than I remember on my last visit, not as powerful as rapid river ride, but enough to keep you moving along. Everything was working fine, my grandkids and son tested all the water slides and water park, one time we stayed in October and some of the things were closed, but never in high season.

 

[Smithsingeneva]

Hey, Andy, can you please gie me a review of the condition of the Lazy River. When we were there (more than a year ago) only half of the jets were working and it was VERY lazy. Have they been repaired back to a fairly swift current?

Thanks!

I was there March 10-17. It was my first visit to Harborside and Atlantis. I did read comments on other posts that The Current wasn’t as exciting as it had been in the past. We found the jets and the waves to be quite fun. I saw several people knocked from their floats when not paying attention or panicking.

There is also a Lazy River over by the Beach. We did not go on that as we were told it truly was lazy.

 

[okwiater]

Actually, the lazy river was working very well, experienced pretty powerful currents, stronger than I remember on my last visit, not as powerful as rapid river ride, but enough to keep you moving along. Everything was working fine, my grandkids and son tested all the water slides and water park, one time we stayed in October and some of the things were closed, but never in high season.

I’ve traveled there in high season many times. On all but one occasion, the conveyors to the water slide tower were broken. Several of the hot tubs around the water park are almost always broken/closed also. A lot of the aquarium glass is in terrible shape. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fun place to visit, but “well maintained” is not a descriptor I’d apply to the place.

 

[andysnovel]

I’ve traveled there in high season many times. On all but one occasion, the conveyors to the water slide tower were broken. Several of the hot tubs around the water park are almost always broken/closed also. A lot of the aquarium glass is in terrible shape. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fun place to visit, but “well maintained” is not a descriptor I’d apply to the place.

Everything was working great on our trip, maybe too well, that lazy river wasn’t so lazy after all lol

 

[HarborsideHappyGirl]

Everything was working great on our trip, maybe too well, that lazy river wasn’t so lazy after all lol

I'm glad to hear it. Sooooo many negative comments... I'm glad to hear something positive about Atlantis. Thank you.

 

[suzannesimon]

I think they shut down areas and pools depending on resort occupancy. We’ve been there in Oct, Thanksgiving and June. June was the only time the Lazy River and the whole resort was open. We always have a great time though.