Parents Atlantis Crown Invitational

[Momma Bear]

Hi! We are going to the Bahamas next month for the Atlantis Crown Invitational. If anyone has ever been, do you have any suggestions for things we must do/see while we’re there? Also, did you attend the welcoming ceremonies? Our coach says this is optional. I’m wondering if we should plan on going or not. Thanks for any input!

 

[gymdoc]

Not sure if it is still true, but used to be you would get 4 Passes to Aquaventure if you stayed at the Comfort Suites. It is a lot cheaper than staying at Atlantis and is right next door. Day passes from Atlantis are usually $150 per person (might be cheaper for kids $80?)

Not sure how long you're staying but I'd highly recommend a day trip to Exumas to snorkel, feed the sharks, see the swimming pigs or the Iguana island. Majestic Tours is reputable, or your hotel can usually set you up with something

Ardastra Gardens was quick cute little excursion, they have a little flamingo show and you can feed the parrots

 

[gymgal]

We went several years ago and stayed right at Atlantis for the ease of it all. There is more than enough to do just staying onsite, unless you are going for an extended time. I think we were there 4 days total but really only had about 1.5 days of relax/enjoy time, between travel, training, competing, watching others compete, etc. We went to the welcome ceremony as a team and I would recommend it as it was a good start to the weekend. I honestly don't remember much from it. They had dancers, local music, etc. As for what to do at Atlantis, there is an aquarium. You can snorkel in a small reef, the main beach has watersports (you pay extra). Obviously the water park too, which is included in your stay, and just relaxing. The hotels and grounds are gorgeous. Definitely take some time to walk them, especially with the Holiday decorations. Oh - and there is a library where you can play games, borrow books, and get online for email - I am not sure how important that is now with our phones but a few years ago, using our phones internationally was very expensive. The library had a really cool book "tree" for the holidays too. Just a nice little feature that I just happened upon.

 

[Gymmom0403]

We went a few years ago. We stayed at Atlantis as it was just easier for getting around.
Do go to opening ceremonies. We never go at any meet but this one was amazing. Local music, dancing and just a lot of fun.
We went down the Wednesday before and stayed until Christmas Day. The gym meet honestly was a small blip on the radar of our trip . Gave us a good excuse to go.
The beach at Atlantis has a lot of people trading their goods, hair braiding and plenty to drink (alcoholic and non). Be prepared to say no or have plenty of cash on hand. They have some water sports you can do as well. We relaxed on the beach quite often. The water park is fun but when a cruise ship drops off it can get crowded. Do this on a day you have time to wait in lines
We went to the straw market in Nassau. Lots of fun looking at all the stuff being sold and my kids had fun checking it out Take the wAter ferry over.
We brought food in our suitcase — granola bars, chips etc. saved some money that way. We did have a taxi arranged to pick us up at the airport — and a stop at the grocery. Sandra’s taxi (‭1 (242) 525-9532‬). I’d look into it and set it up if possible. They also took us back to airport Christmas Day
Hmmm. It was an awesome trip. Enjoy the time there. Christmas decorations are amazing. There is a little shopping area right near the resort Lots of huge yachts park there and everything is all decorated
Food is pricy. Ask for a fridge and go to the grocery. It will save you a lot. Or walk just off property to restaurant and save the resort cost.

Enjoy!!!!

 

[Gymmom0403]

Oh and they have a movie theater on site with free movies. And a casino( we never went since kids aren’t allowed in).
WiFi is not included so make sure you know your international plan. I told my kids no need for phones since they wouldn’t connect to Internet. . They only used them for Pictures
We did do the dolphin adventure at the resort which was super fun

 

[Momma Bear]

Thanks for the information! Sounds like we should make time for the opening ceremonies. We were also thinking about packing snacks to bring to try to save some money. Definitely have heard the resort can get pricey. Thanks for the taxi number. I’ll check into that.

 

[Gymmom0403]

Here is website for Sandra’s taxi service. It was awesome. Had our name on a sign at the airport and grocery stop for bread peanut butter and jelly bottled water etc was awesome
http://www.sandrastaxibahamas.com/taxi-services.html

 

[BritBrat]

Our team will be at this meet as well! We've been to Atlantis many times for vacation, but this is our first time participating in a meet.

 

[Momma Bear]

Our team will be at this meet as well! We've been to Atlantis many times for vacation, but this is our first time participating in a meet.

Yay!! Good luck to your gymnast! I hope you have a wonderful time. I’m hoping for good weather!

 

[Mamabear123]

I would definitely recommend the opening ceremony. It was a lot of fun and music. The speeches got a little long, but overall was worth seeing. Not sure how many teams from your gym are going, but if you want to see multiple girls compete, you have to buy a weekend pass. It was $55; worth it for me because I could go watch any meet at any time. One meet pass is $25 if I remember correctly. Since so many people are there for the meet, you will always see girls in handstands at the pool. Lol.

 

[BritBrat]

Yay!! Good luck to your gymnast! I hope you have a wonderful time. I’m hoping for good weather!

Thank you! Good luck to your gymnast as well!

 

[BritBrat]

Hi! We are going to the Bahamas next month for the Atlantis Crown Invitational. Thanks for any input!

I actually have cheaper transportation information if you're interested.

 

[John]

I am interested!

 

[BritBrat]

Ground Transportation:
Natasha M.Newry
info@leisuretraveltours.com
Tour & Transportation Planner
Leisure Travel & Tours Ltd.
#10 Richhill House
Montgomery Street Palmdale
P.O. Box SS19057
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: 242-325-6848 Ext. 4024
Fax: 242-325-3223

Cost

Adults (12 and up): $28.22 roundtrip
Children (11 and younger): $14.11 roundtrip
Deadline date to schedule transportation : November 24, 2017

I contacted Sandra's taxi service and for 3 people it was $95 round trip.

 

[Ali'sMom]

The opening ceremony was definitely a whole bunch of fun!!!

If you like local food (conch, etc), walk to "under the bridge" - ask at the hotel and they will know where you mean. Be prepared with cash, as not many of these little places take credit cards.

We packed a lot of snacks also.

there is a margaritaville (with a pool) within walking distance if that is something you like.

Have a great time!

 

[gymgal]

there is a margaritaville (with a pool) within walking distance if that is something you like.

Have a great time!

is that Margaritaville new? I don't recall it for a few years ago. We like to go to each of their restaurants just to check out what they look like.

 

[Ali'sMom]

is that Margaritaville new? I don't recall it for a few years ago. We like to go to each of their restaurants just to check out what they look like.

Relatively. Maybe 4 years old? 3 years? It's by the Green Parrot if you know where that is.
If the weather is nice, it's a great place to be.

 

[Ali'sMom]

is that Margaritaville new? I don't recall it for a few years ago. We like to go to each of their restaurants just to check out what they look like.

I had to google, because I totally couldn't remember. It's been open just about 2 years. I was there for the first time in January of 2016.