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Harborside again...sightseeing and island culture?

Whirl

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Hey all,

Everyone has been so helpful with questions and planning. It is really appreciated...

So what I am trying to get my arms around is : What do people do? What is there to see and do away from the resort, or does everyone just hang out at the resort the whole time?

We usually like to get out and eat at local spots and get a feel for the true ( less touristy) island life, culture and people....?

What tours or destinations or restaurants do you suggest away from the resort, if any?

Is there anything appropriate or especially interesting for very young children ( 4 and 22 month old twins)?

I heard the beach at atlantis is a little rough...any calmer beaches elsewhere that you would recommend for tots?

Thanks!

Cheryl
 
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pointsjunkie

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they have the lagoon at the atlantis that is very calm.they have a new water feature for the kids that is incredible. my kids (22& 25) wanted to go on it. the kids will be very happy playing there. harborside also has a kids pool.

go on line and look for excursions. my daughter found some,
 

tomandrobin

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When we are on vacation, we are definately the tourist type travelers. Harborside has been the exception so far.

Between all of the different pools, the beach, activities, etc we don't feel the need to leave the resort. We just got back with a group of 12. Not one time did anyone (kids) say there were bored. That in itself is an amazin feat with 4 teenages and 3 young adults.

We do take the ferry into Nassau, usually mid-week. But that is it for leaving the property.

The beach over by the Cove is much better for younger kids. Its suppose to be for Cove guests only, but never had a problem. There are alot of zero entry pools and shallow pools for toddlers. There also several kid pools/play areas too.
 

pointsjunkie

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the beach and pool by the cove is open to all guests, past those cabana type things is the start of the coves private pool and beach. there is a guard at all points so one cannot get past.

we ate at the cove one night and the private pool area was open to walk through. they have white lounge chairs. pool is just as nice as all the pools at the atlantis,no different.
 

mariawolf

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Just curious whether with a party of 12 you had trouble getting bracelets for all--last time we were there and had more than 5 of us getting them at a time they wanted to make sure we had two rooms==I know when we bought we were told 10 was OK but has been sounding lately like 9 is it==at least based on some posts here.
I know when we were there last time they only had plates/glasses for 8 between the two rooms in the two bedroom lockoff.
 

tomandrobin

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Just curious whether with a party of 12 you had trouble getting bracelets for all--last time we were there and had more than 5 of us getting them at a time they wanted to make sure we had two rooms==I know when we bought we were told 10 was OK but has been sounding lately like 9 is it==at least based on some posts here.
I know when we were there last time they only had plates/glasses for 8 between the two rooms in the two bedroom lockoff.

We had three rooms......a two bedroom l/o, and 2 one bedroom premiums. So there was never an issue with bracelets or towels, just reservations for a party of 12.
 

SDKath

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Wow! Those are goregous pictures. Living on the Pacific Ocean, that water looks as calm as bath water (and I bet just as warm)!

Katherine
 

pointsjunkie

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it usually is pretty calm except when we were there in may, there was a riptide alert so i wouldn't let my kids in the water. but it was beautiful.
 

clsmit

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Anyone ever been to Bahama Hand Prints (www.bahamahandprints.com) to watch them silk screen fabric and buy pretty fabric? It looks like an interesting trip and a good way to buy souveniers for Gram the Quilter.
 

Whirl

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Atlantis Beach .....


Cove Beach.....
]

wow, thanks. I guess a picture really is worth a thousand words.

Yikes, Atlantis beach is pretty crowded!

Hope we can get into the cove beach....much more our speed!

Thanks for the info EVERYONE and taking the time to reply!
 

saluki

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That picture was taken the day the Cruise ships came in to port. The rest of the week the beach crowd was 1/2 that many or even less.

How many days a week do the cruise ships typically dock there? I assume this varies depending on the season?
 

tomandrobin

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Honestly, I didn't pay alot of attention to how many and often the cruise ships were in port. I know Friday was a crazy day. We went to Nassau on Tuesday morning and I there were three cruise ships in port that day.
 

Whirl

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That picture was taken the day the Cruise ships came in to port. The rest of the week the beach crowd was 1/2 that many or even less.



That's a relief....hope it isn't more than a couple days a week! Thanks again.
 

arlene22

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If you are interested in Bahamian culture, I highly recommend the People to People program that is run by the Ministry of Tourism. They will match you up with a local family with similar interests to yours, and you will see Nassau through the eyes of a native. The family we were matched up with invited us to their home for a wonderful dinner consisting of all native Bahamian dishes. It was the highlight of our trip. There is no cost to participate, although we did bring a gift to our hostess.
 

tomandrobin

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If you are interested in Bahamian culture, I highly recommend the People to People program that is run by the Ministry of Tourism. They will match you up with a local family with similar interests to yours, and you will see Nassau through the eyes of a native. The family we were matched up with invited us to their home for a wonderful dinner consisting of all native Bahamian dishes. It was the highlight of our trip. There is no cost to participate, although we did bring a gift to our hostess.

We saw that in one of the brochures, but didn't read it until the flight home. We were considering that for an upcoming trip.

We did a similar excursion in Mexico, and visited a Mayan family in thier home. It was such an eye opener, especially for our kids. It was a great experience and one we won't ever forget.
 

Whirl

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Great tip!

If you are interested in Bahamian culture, I highly recommend the People to People program that is run by the Ministry of Tourism. They will match you up with a local family with similar interests to yours, and you will see Nassau through the eyes of a native. The family we were matched up with invited us to their home for a wonderful dinner consisting of all native Bahamian dishes. It was the highlight of our trip. There is no cost to participate, although we did bring a gift to our hostess.


Now that is a great tip and a great cultural experience. What a neat program. I will check it out...I wonder if my kids are too young for that ( just the twins, not my 4 year old).
 

GrayFal

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http://www.bahamas.com//bahamas/experience/vendors.aspx?sectionid=24386&level=2

Carnival Celebration

Visits Grand Bahama Island every other Friday. Visits Nassau/Paradise Island on Tuesdays, Saturdays and occasionall...
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Carnival Elation

Visits Grand Bahama Island occasionally on Fridays. Visits Nassau/Paradise Island on Wednesdays, Fridays and S...
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Carnival Fascination

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island on Saturdays.
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Carnival Glory

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island on Fridays and Sundays.

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Carnival Legend

Visits Grand Bahama Island the last three Fridays in December.
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Carnival Liberty

Visits Grand Bahama Island every other Monday.
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Carnival Sensation

Visits Grand Bahama Island on Mondays. Visits Nassau/Paradise Island on Tuesdays and Fridays.
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Carnival Valor

Visits Grand Bahama Island occasionally on Thursdays. Visits Nassau/Paradise Island two Mondays per month.
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Celebrity Century

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island occasionally.
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Costa Fortuna

Visits Grand Bahama Island three Fridays in December.
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Costa Mediterranean

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island every 2nd Saturday − December through April.
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Disney Wonder

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island on Mondays and Fridays.
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Explorer of The Seas

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island two times per month − Saturday and Sunday.
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Jewel Of The Seas

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island on Saturdays and every other Sunday.
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MS Aida Aura

Scheduled to visit Nassau/Paradise Island on August 31, 2008.
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Navigator Of The Seas

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island three times per month − two Saturdays and one Sunday.
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Norwegian Dawn

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island occasionally.
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Norwegian Jewel

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island occasionally.
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Norwegian Spirit

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island occasionally.
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Radiance Of The Seas

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island three times per month − Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
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Regal Empress

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island every other day.
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Sovereign Of The Seas

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island three times per month − Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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Voyager of The Seas

Visits Nassau/Paradise Island two times per month − Tuesday and Saturday.
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JeffW

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Does anyone know if Atlantis allows early checkin (earlier that the listed 4pm)? When we were there a few hours ago, I think we got there at 1pm, and then said we couldn't check in yet. When they finally let is in 3:30pm-ish or so, it was to a room they were repairing, which I doubt was occupied or cleaned earlier that afternoon. They then moved us around to another empty room.

We're going down in October and if they've changed that policy, then I might try to get down there earlier. Otherwise, I'd probably go for a cheaper, late-afternoon arriving flight.

Jeff
 

tomandrobin

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Does anyone know if Atlantis allows early checkin (earlier that the listed 4pm)? When we were there a few hours ago, I think we got there at 1pm, and then said we couldn't check in yet. When they finally let is in 3:30pm-ish or so, it was to a room they were repairing, which I doubt was occupied or cleaned earlier that afternoon. They then moved us around to another empty room.

We're going down in October and if they've changed that policy, then I might try to get down there earlier. Otherwise, I'd probably go for a cheaper, late-afternoon arriving flight.

Jeff

Last year we arrived around 1pm and got both of our rooms right away.
 

JeffW

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Last year we arrived around 1pm and got both of our rooms right away.

Thanks.

Another question - has anyone done any non-Atlantis activities while staying at Harborside? My wife and I were already there, and I thought for at least part of one day, it might be interesting to done some sightseeing around Nassau, to at least see part of the island. My wife isn't big on walking, but if they had a bus tour that went around the island, maybe stopping at a few places, that could be interesting.

Jeff
 
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