On April 1, 2026 I sailed to the Bahamas with my 3 children, and booked a room at the Comfort Inn solely for access to the Atlantis. We travelled the week prior to Easter Sunday during spring break, so all of the hotels/waterparks were going to be very crowded. We were sailing from NYC, so our ship was in port from 1 pm - 8:30 pm. Based on the fact that I anticipated Baha Mar/Margaritaville would also be quite packed, I decided to try the comfort inn hack, even knowing the current regulations state that people will not get access to their rooms/Atlantis pass prior to 3 pm. If you are considering visiting the Atlantis, I'd strongly encourage you to research the current status of the Atlantis (there's a site I don't think we can mention here that has a forum dedicated to the Atlantis, and there I learned about construction which isn't a big deal if you are visiting the Atlantis on a day pass, and waterslide closures, which are a much bigger problem.) On the day we visited (the Wed before Easter Sunday) 3 waterslides were closed, leading to even longer lines on the operational slides during the busiest waterpark hours (prior to 5 pm). There are signs near the towel stands listing waterslide closures, so you can plan your day. I called the comfort inn when we docked at 1 pm to ask if my 3 minor children needed ID, and before answering the question they sternly reminded me that they do not release rooms prior to 3 pm. Please note that everyone, including minor children, are required to present ID for check in. I had read reviews encouraging people to arrive early to fill out the paperwork because the desk can get slammed at 3 pm, and some people had experienced long lines. The ship docked at 1 pm, and disembarkation from the ship had long lines from 1-1:45 pm. My kids didn't seem to be in a rush to leave and I was worried about them getting cranky if we had to sit around at the comfort inn for a long time, so I decided to see what would happen if we arrived a bit before 3 pm. We arrived at the comfort inn at 2:30 pm. Our "room" wasn't ready, but I enthusiastically told the check in clerk we only needed access to the Atlantis and to please take their time making up the room. He nodded, and filled out the paperwork, issuing us a small card that we could use to check in at the Atlantis. We were checked in by 2:40 pm and headed off to the Atlantis. Please note there is a back exit to the comfort inn, which lets you walk towards the Atlantis in air conditioning. The Atlantis emailed me the following information when I asked about their check in procedures: You need to proceed to the Atlantis Adventures Desk, located in the lower lobby of the Royal Tower, to pick up your wristbands for waterpark entry. Guests who are staying at Comfort Suites will need to show a form of ID to check in at the Atlantis to have access to extra amenities on the resort property. Please note that a government‑issued photo ID is required for check‑in for guests who are 18 years and older. A screen shot of your passport or driver's license is also acceptable. The Comfort Suites Desk is open from 3pm until 4:30pm. The latest time to check in at the Comfort Suites Desk would be 4:30pm. For those of you who are not on a cruise, please note you also have access to the Atlantis on the day of check out. On the morning of check out, please note the Aquaventure Desk opens at 8:30 AM. Guests must check in before 11:00 AM and present the orange card provided by Comfort Suites, along with a valid ID for all guests aged 18 and older. Aquaventure Waterpark Hours November – February: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM March and October: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM April – September: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM We walked to the check in desk, and there was no line. We were checked in and ready to start exploring the Atlantis by 2:50 pm. The check in desk for the comfort suites is located right next to the Dig. Since I knew the waterpark lines would be at their worst earlier in our visit, we began by visiting the Dig, and then proceeded to the Rapid River (note there is usually not a line to enter the rapid river). Along the way we passed a slide and asked people who just finished how long the line was, and they told me a half hour. My kids took one look at the waterslide line and told me they weren't waiting that long. Fortunately, they were very happy with the Dig and the Rapid River until the waterslide lines died down. There were no empty lounge chairs by the rapid river entrance when we reached there at 3:15 pm. I wasn't concerned since I knew this was likely to be a short term problem, since the 4 cruise ships from Florida had all aboards ranging from 3:30 pm - 5 pm. Within 15 minutes I was able to secure a single lounge chair and a half hour later I had chairs for all four of us in a row. We visited on April 1st, which was the first day the waterpark was scheduled to remain open until 7 pm. Lines for the waterslides thinned out by 5 pm, and there were no lines at 6. My children greatly enjoyed walking around the grounds to the Atlantis, visiting the dig and the predator tunnel, riding the rapid river and riding the waterslides once the lines died down. My kids ate at Shake Shack, which had airport level prices and normal Shake Shack quality. Theres also a pizzeria in the Marina that is recommended for large family style pizzas, along with an ice cream shop. Our room cost 430 in total (there is 50 per person resort fee for all guests over age 11). We had a lovely day, but this solidified my feeling that I will only purchase an Atlantis day pass or use a comfort in hack on a cruise from NYC, since NYC based cruises arrive in Nassau late like 1pm and leave late around 8 or 9. If my ship was in port from 8 am - 4 pm and I'd paid 200 per person for the all day access pass sold by the Atlantis (it's less for the kids) and spent a half hour on line for the waterslides and couldn't find a beach lounger during the hours I was in port I'd be pretty aggravated. Fortunately most of our visit took place when the crowds were more manageable at the Atlantis and we were able to have a lovely visit. I'm not sure the comfort inn hack or an Atlantis day pass are worth it for a port visit from Florida, but I only visited during spring break when crowds were very high. Please also note you are responsible for your own transportation to the Atlantis, There are many shared cabs outside the cruise terminal, and right in front of the Atlantis. Just confirm the price before getting into the cab (it should be $7 per person. Please take cash because they may not accept credit cards. And there was a fee for crossing a bridge, which I think might have been 2 or 3 dollars).