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CET Atlantis Paradise Island 2019

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by JFO, Jan 21, 2019.

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  1. JFO

    JFO I sleep in unlocked cars

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    It’s been a while since this trip has been discussed here, so I would like to start a thread to share info on this trip for 2019. A couple weeks ago my wife and I (both CET Diamonds) were just about ready to book this offer for the first time during our kids Spring Break in March, only to learn the offer is blacked out for most of March. We made alternate plans for Spring Break this year, but we will probably try for Atlantis again in June. We’d like to share some of the research we have done so far:

    Note that from the older reports and threads, we have seen extreme posts from "this offer is a total rip-off!" to "no planning required, just open up your wallet and take it as it goes!" I completely respect both of those extremes. This is in no way a free vacation, but appears to be a partially discounted one in a place people report as a nice vacation spot. I would like to really focus more on specific attractions / excursions / restaurants, etc. that can be done while on this trip. For example, current menus with current prices would be great if anyone can share them (the Atlantis hotel posts their restaurant menus without prices, what a pain) and any discounts people might find on attractions/excursions.

    The very first thing I want to share is the USA State Department Travel Advisory for The Bahamas at:

    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/the-bahamas-travel-advisory.html

    Our State Department rates The Bahamas as "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution", the same level as France, Germany, and Mexico. This is on a scale where Canada and England are "Level 1", while Syria and Iraq are "Level 4", so there is not much to Level 2. When I read the details, one thing that screams is what the f*** is the matter with their tourism department, as they advertise their country as a family friendly destination, but they don't regulate the water skiing operators who have committed sexual assaults against children! Well, the two important items from this advisory I found are (1) avoid the non-tourist areas of Nassau, and (2) avoid attractions/excursions that aren't regulated. The safest approach would be to let the hotel schedule transportation from and to the airport and then just stay at the hotel the whole trip. But there should be some safe attractions in the tourist areas outside the hotel.

    With the Travel Advisory aside, here are some of the other notes I took I thought worth sharing:

    - You won’t need a passport to go to The Bahamas, but you will certainly need one to return to the USA!
    - Peak months for this offer are Feb, Mar, April, July, August, November and December. Offers are slightly better for non-peak months.
    - Blackout dates for this offer in 2019: Mar 8-23, Apr 15-27, May 23-26, June 29-July 6, Nov 27-30, Dec 26-Jan 2
    - With the Diamond offer, the hotel still charges a total of $264 per room for the 4 nights for mandatory resort fees, mandatory gratuities, and taxes.
    - If there are more than 2 people in a room on this offer, there will be an additional charge of $50 per additional person per night.
    - The Beach Tower rooms I am told will have a coffee maker and a fridge. (Not sure if that’s a thermo-cooler or a real mini-fridge)
    - Wi-Fi is free with the mandatory gratuity
    - Airport fees for returning to the USA are around $107.33 per person. While this is generally included in quoted airfare costs, it is generally extra for those using reward travel.
    - The hotel offers a bus from and to the airport at $35 per person round trip, and a town car at $211 round trip. I understand there are less expensive taxi companies that will give a stop at a grocery store on the way.
    - The cheapest hotel meal plan is $80/day/person, which comes to over $100/day/person after mandatory gratuities and tax. Reports are this is a bad value.
    - Most of the restaurants at the hotel are very expensive, but there are reports their pool restaurant is reasonable and popular. There are also reports that there are reasonably priced and popular restaurants walking distance from the hotel and in the tourist areas, including a very popular Dunkin Donuts just outside the hotel.
    - For 2019, they are devaluing the Diamond offer by removing the "Casino Experience Pass", which had a one person Dolphin Encounter, a round of Golf, and a couple free cocktails.

    And here is a list I put together of VMB threads and trip reports I found:
    (If I missed any, please respond with additional links)

    notfromconcentrate thread from July 2018
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/what-to-know-about-comp-atlantis-stay-with-tr-platinum.153487/

    TrueBrew report from Apr 2018
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/atlantis-bahamas.148808/#post-1600196

    Ulose report from Sep 2017
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/atlantis-bahamas-and-visit-to-bahia-mar.145069/

    makuk report from Aug 2017
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/currently-at-atlantis-bahamas-on-a-7-star-trip.143951/

    Iceicecool report from July 2016
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/atlantis-7-stars-cet-july-18-22.133314/

    rycelover report from June 2016
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/rycelover-invades-the-atlantis.132027/

    charliepeete report from March 2016
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/atlantis.129839/

    Ezzy711 report from March 2016:
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/atlantis-my-impression.129786/

    And of course, link to the offer:
    https://www.caesars.com/total-rewards/tr-partners/atlantis-paradise-island
    (At the time of this posting showing the 2018 offer, but the 2019 offer is pretty close.)

    So given all that, if anyone has any additional tips, or advice for anything related to this offer, please share. And if anyone here is planning to head there June time frame, please message me!
     
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  2. tearfromred

    tearfromred Low-Roller

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    Thanks for posting. Saved me the time of calling to book May 24-26th when I match to Diamond next month!
     
  3. FABismonte

    FABismonte Tell my wife I am "about even."

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  4. JFO

    JFO I sleep in unlocked cars

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    Thanks FAB, great report!

    (By the way, I am also planning to take the family to Lake Tahoe, but for Spring Break as opposed to CNY, that was our alternate plan as Atlantis was blacked out that week.)

    If any VMB members have Trip Reports on other sites, or if anyone finds any trip reports on other sites that are really informative, please post those links on this thread.

    ---

    Moving on, the link for the offer has finally been updated for 2019:

    https://www.caesars.com/total-rewards/tr-partners/atlantis-paradise-island

    And there is new verbiage added to the fine print:

    If you accept this offer and do not show any rated casino play, the Atlantis may charge you for some or all of your upfront complimentaries including rooms, food & drink, limos, etc. Any upfront complimentaries will be applied to your preferred player account. Additional complimentaries may be available once all upfront complimentaries have been earned.

    This was concerning, so I immediately called them on this. They told me the minimum expectation is simply 4 hours of casino play over the course of the trip. There is no requirement for coin-in, average bet size, loss, theo, or anything like that. There is also no guarantee there will be any charges if this is not met, it appears they just want to make sure people don't take the "free" rooms and free play and then stiff them on casino play. To me it seems very reasonable, but if anyone learns anything else on this please let us know.
     
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  5. JFO

    JFO I sleep in unlocked cars

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    I got a recommendation from user @miniwhale to that Cheryl's Taxi was good for getting too and from the airport, as well as for Island excursions.

    Any other suggestions or recommendations? Haven't seen any new Atlantis Trip Reports on this board since the new 2019 changes.
     
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  6. CheeseHog

    CheeseHog Low-Roller

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    We are in the planning stages right now for October. No blackout times then. Laurel is conditional Diamond until 01/30/2020 so now or never. We found out we can also get buy2/get2 At Baha Mar with her Sapphire Boyd status so talking 8 nights. We have stayed on Cable Beach many times and always rent a car the whole time we are there. Laurel refuses to ride a jitney and we also have our favorite restaurants that we go to.

    Jeff
     
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  7. MCann

    MCann I can't complain, but sometimes I still do...

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    Excellent post! I just officially made diamond yesterday when my hotel points came in from my trip last week and have been planning for a while to try this trip for Christmas, just for a little bit different experience, understanding it's not going to be 'free' but was waiting for diamond tier status before booking so I could get the extra day and the free play platinum doesn't get. Perfect timing!
     
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  8. phantomfj

    phantomfj High-Roller

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    Is that not smack dab in the middle of their hurricane season?
     
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  9. CheeseHog

    CheeseHog Low-Roller

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    Absolutely.... We live on the edge.... Actually we roll the dice this time of the year for that "extra" trip. Been going to Florida lately, but need to use our passports since we paid for them!!!

    Jeff
     
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  10. MCann

    MCann I can't complain, but sometimes I still do...

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    Lol I LIVE in Florida, so it's a wash for me! I'm just trying to go in December because I have little family and they're all spread out, so I have no other plans for Christmas, figured Bahamas and gambling is an ok plan!
     
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  11. JFO

    JFO I sleep in unlocked cars

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    We used to take our kids out of school to Disney World / Orlando late September year after year from pre-school through elementary school. The parks were at their lowest capacity of the year, the "bounce back" offers were incredible for that time of year. We would normally get a short afternoon shower that would clear out the parks, but we always had ponchos and after the showers lines would be short everywhere. We never had a trip interrupted by a hurricane, but I guess it could happen.
     
  12. JFO

    JFO I sleep in unlocked cars

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    Found this link regarding standardized taxi prices in the Bahamas.

    http://www.bahamas-travel.info/taxi_fares.htm

    Looks like to get from Nassau to the Bahamas is $27 for the first 2 people, +$3 per additional person, +$1 Bridge Toll + $1 for each large luggage. The "Taxi and Tour" companies charge more, but they have larger and probably more comfortable vehicles. We will probably try a taxi, I just hope they aren't Volkswagon Bug taxis.... Need to know what grocery store to stop at on the way to the hotel.
     
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  13. CheeseHog

    CheeseHog Low-Roller

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    We have taken a few taxi's in Nassau before getting a car....maybe you would wish to have a Volkswagen Bus taxi's..

    In any event, it is a short trip and looking out the window watching other peoples lives is most of the experience----- Jeff
    p.s. haven't been there since 2014---- and the grocery experience is another one to take in
     
  14. martinr

    martinr Rock Chalk Jayhawk

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    Took advantage of the Diamond perk to Atlantis early September last year. I have several favorite experiences from that trip. Firstly, use Cheryl's Taxi if at all possible. Most organized and courteous service as well as great vehicles. They will stop on the way from the airport at a grocery store for an extra 10.00 for up to 30 minutes. Make the reservations ahead. They do accept credit cards if you arrange in advance. Other taxis did not accept credit cards, if that's an issue fyi. At Atlantis, the Chinese restaurant was an unexpected surprise. Very good food and service. Murray's Deli was also a great find. Prices were decent there and again, food and service were great. Lukka Kairi restaurant/bar downtown is a good place to have a nice view of the cruise ships and to eat some good casual food. We enjoyed the Junkanoo parade at the shopping village at Atlantis that they had one night. It was a cool participation idea in the safe surroundings at Atlantis at the Marina. Took a cab to Baha Mar just for the experience. The casino is much larger than Atlantis and has more of the Vegas feel while being light and not very crowded. We ate dinner at Costa, a sort of Mexican restaurant. It was hard to find but well worth it. It had only been open for a few weeks when we were there and they didn't even have a sign to direct you there. It was in the Rosewood Hotel area, btw. Casino was not too tight and I liked the slots there better than Atlantis. Our food adventures were topped by going to Dune at The Ocean Club on Paradise Island. Right on the beach and we enjoyed the scenery and the meals. Overall, the CET program package was the reason for going to Nassau. Obviously, a real savings on the hotel. We lucked out and had very reasonable plane fares at that time. So, the out of pocket expenses were true resort-ish. The gambling was not anything to brag about. I would consider doing this again, if the plane fares were reasonable but, maybe at a different time of year, just for variety.
     
    First Time Staying on the South End. Will I Hear Southern Accents?
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  15. martinr

    martinr Rock Chalk Jayhawk

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    From my Atlantis trip...[​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    First Time Staying on the South End. Will I Hear Southern Accents?
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  16. john1516inny

    john1516inny High-Roller

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    love the pics, great shots!
     
  17. CheeseHog

    CheeseHog Low-Roller

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    Great pictures... hadn't been since 2014. We booked yesterday 4 days @ Atlantis (Diamond) and 4 nights @ Baha Mar (buy 2 get 2--- Saphirre Boyd) Plane was $1100 but may not have the chance to do it again. Lets hope any hurricane waits till we are gone (10/11 to 10/19)

    Jeff
     
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  18. martinr

    martinr Rock Chalk Jayhawk

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    Here's hoping you're right about the hurricanes. We wanted to go to Cafe Matise but when we were there we found out that they shut down during September for some reason. If we ever go back, I'd go when they're open. Heard it's very nice. Also, there are several restaurants at Baha Mar that are only accessible to their guests. I guess it's to keep the ********* out! Our cab driver told me something I wasn't aware of. He said that locals were not allowed to gamble in the casinos in Nassau. I never knew this, did you or anybody else?
     
    First Time Staying on the South End. Will I Hear Southern Accents?
  19. MCann

    MCann I can't complain, but sometimes I still do...

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    Just FYI, I just booked for Christmas, and if anyone else is wondering (like I was), December 26th is the first blackout day for new years, but they allowed me to book checkout on the 26th, so I'll be there for Christmas, and to my pleasant surprise, they booked me (Diamond 15k) in the Royal, so basically, they gave me the off-peak deal during a peak month. I'm pretty psyched about that because I was a little worried about The Beach not being connected to all the main stuff and afraid that was gonna feel like being at Rio where everything is just riiiiiight down the road, but not where you are lol
     
  20. CheeseHog

    CheeseHog Low-Roller

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    I know that locals are not allowed to gamble, but the "local ladies" were always in sight at the old casino @ Cable Beach before Baha Mar was built. That probably hasn't changed. Nice to know about the restaurants @ Baha Mar---- thanks

    Jeff
     
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