Should I get off the boat at Bimini next week??

[bmswart3]

I am booked on Horizon starting sunday 15th, and I've read different things about Bimini. Some say it isn't worth it, some say everything is closed anyway. Has anyone actually been there on a recent cruise and have an opinion? I was considering getting off the boat with my family and renting a golf cart for the day to explore the island. Is it worth it? Or should I just hang out on the boat and consider it another day of relaxation? THanks 

[firefly333]

I was there on a gambling ship, not much there. Like one restaurant. If you like lots of beaches this pristine island for you. 

[jimbo5544]

6 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I was there on a gambling ship, not much there. Like one restaurant. If you like lots of beaches this pristine island for you. 

agree on the beaches but they had pricey tags to get in.  Going downtown would be another reason.  

[bmswart3]

26 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

agree on the beaches but they had pricey tags to get in.  Going downtown would be another reason.  

I read on another post that everything is closed for COVID, so I didn't know if it was even worth trying to go downtown. 

[80sGal]

Just in Bimini on the 8/1 Horizon.  We were not impressed at all.  All golf carts were sold out from what we were told and maybe those would have given us more to see.  Took a taxi into the town for 10 bucks each way (5 pp) and spent 15 minutes at an overcrowded market area with most t-shirts and small souvenirs (nothing fancy) then walked over to the beach.  The beach was pretty but there was lots of uncleared seaweed in many areas.  Lots of people in the water nonetheless and a few places had been cleared for umbrellas.  Took taxi to Resort World (another 10 bucks) and spent a few minutes in the very small casino.  Then took the tram back to the ship.  Our overall impression was that while the water was beautiful, the island doesn't offer much to see.  We were on and off the ship within 2 or 2.5 hours.   Next time, we'll stay on the ship.  

[ColeThornton]

Get off the SHIP, stretch your legs, take some pics, contribute a few much needed dollars in to the local economy, add it to your "been there, done that" checklist.  🙂

[EngIceDave]

I have stayed at the Hilton there (nice place). Tiny casino that is not 24/7....closed during the day

 

It's a postage stamp on an island, period

 

Any shopping is the usual trinkets.

 

It's worth getting off and a quick tour and head back on, but not much more unless you're into diving and snorkeling.

[EngIceDave]

Wait, you can get good conch fritters....that's worth seeking out. There is a little "village" across street from Hilton, and in there is an infinity pool and bar, that bar has good fritters....then I'd head back on

[EngIceDave]

Fritters HERE ---> https://www.google.com/maps/place/25°45'01.9"N+79°16'53.2"W/@25.7505324,-79.2825171,377m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x89278c1e853e0031:0x23127e6831bca34b!2sBimini,+The+Bahamas!3b1!8m2!3d24.6415325!4d-79.8506226!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d25.7505302!4d-79.2814492

 

THAT WORK?

[Anung Un Rama]

Sailing there in late Sept with my 70+ old parents.  We're looking at getting the chair/umbrella beach excursion offered through Carnival (like $70 per couple I think).  I was curious what other amenities (bathrooms, food, drinks, etc) are in the area of this excursion?  There's little to no information on Bimini since it's such a new stop.

 

I'd hate to treat this as a ship day since we already have Freeport which is just ugh

[mondello]

I am wondering if Bimini is just be used as an additional port option during the restart and other ports being closed. OR, if anyone has plans to start developing to cater to more visitors in the future? A lot of cruisers are happy with a nice beach day: cold drinks, good food, and chairs/umbrella.

[Essiesmom]

Bimini was/is intended to be a major port for Virgin Voyages.  That’s why they built a pier large enough for cruise ships.  Currently it is both a port call and embarkation port for the Crystal Serenity cruises in the Bahamas.  EM

[jimbo5544]

6 hours ago, bmswart3 said:

I read on another post that everything is closed for COVID, so I didn't know if it was even worth trying to go downtown. 

That may well be so.  We were going to take a taxi into town and were advised it was a waste of time.  I did not ask why.  The real point here is Bimini s a cruise port is in its infancy.  It has wonderful waters surrounding it and may well build into a nice stop.  It is not there now hwever. 

[BlerkOne]

I would definitely exit the ship. I saw something about swim with sharks which would interest me. In any event, the island will likely have overwhelming development over the next few years. Then you can say you preferred it in the good old days. I know I feel that way with a number of the Caribbean islands.

[mac21902]

5 hours ago, 80sGal said:

Just in Bimini on the 8/1 Horizon.  We were not impressed at all.  All golf carts were sold out from what we were told and maybe those would have given us more to see.  Took a taxi into the town for 10 bucks each way (5 pp) and spent 15 minutes at an overcrowded market area with most t-shirts and small souvenirs (nothing fancy) then walked over to the beach.  The beach was pretty but there was lots of uncleared seaweed in many areas.  Lots of people in the water nonetheless and a few places had been cleared for umbrellas.  Took taxi to Resort World (another 10 bucks) and spent a few minutes in the very small casino.  Then took the tram back to the ship.  Our overall impression was that while the water was beautiful, the island doesn't offer much to see.  We were on and off the ship within 2 or 2.5 hours.   Next time, we'll stay on the ship.  

This!! We were on 8/1 and only stayed on the island for a total of 3 hours..... most of which was us trying to figure out which beach we paid for only to be kicked out of the one they originally told us to go to because we didn't have a wrist bands. I also paid $18 for ONE drink. They said Carnival was supposed to give us the wristbands but carnival said the beach was supposed too. The tram dropped us off at the wrong beach and we had to hike back. The beach had sting rays and jellyfish in the water which was okay for a pic but no one really wanted to swim long. Most asked for refunds like we did. I did speak with a family that had an amazing time. They had friends staying at the resort there. They rented a golf cart (you will see tons as it's the primary mode of transportation) for about $50 bucks and went to Radio Beach which they said was cheaper and way nicer than the beach we were at. I would suggest doing that. 

[ninjacat123]

49 minutes ago, mac21902 said:

This!! We were on 8/1 and only stayed on the island for a total of 3 hours..... most of which was us trying to figure out which beach we paid for only to be kicked out of the one they originally told us to go to because we didn't have a wrist bands. I also paid $18 for ONE drink. They said Carnival was supposed to give us the wristbands but carnival said the beach was supposed too. The tram dropped us off at the wrong beach and we had to hike back. The beach had sting rays and jellyfish in the water which was okay for a pic but no one really wanted to swim long. Most asked for refunds like we did. I did speak with a family that had an amazing time. They had friends staying at the resort there. They rented a golf cart (you will see tons as it's the primary mode of transportation) for about $50 bucks and went to Radio Beach which they said was cheaper and way nicer than the beach we were at. I would suggest doing that. 

What excursion did you book?  The 360 Beach for $64.99 per couple?  TIA!

[mac21902]

2 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

What excursion did you book?  The 360 Beach for $64.99 per couple?  TIA!

Yep, and received a refund as soon as I got back to the ship. 

[ninjacat123]

26 minutes ago, mac21902 said:

Yep, and received a refund as soon as I got back to the ship. 

Were there golf carts at the pier available for rental?  Thx!

[ninjacat123]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

I would definitely exit the ship. I saw something about swim with sharks which would interest me. In any event, the island will likely have overwhelming development over the next few years. Then you can say you preferred it in the good old days. I know I feel that way with a number of the Caribbean islands.

I just read a nightmarish review on Carnaval's site re: the swim with sharks.  Sounds really unorganized and dangerous because of very strong currents.

[BlerkOne]

1 minute ago, ninjacat123 said:

I just read a nightmarish review on Carnaval's site re: the swim with sharks.  Sounds really unorganized and dangerous because of very strong currents.

Ooooo. I'd still do it. I have a lot of experience and some confidence in my abilities. I'll have to look for the review even though I don't have any cruises with a Bimini port (currently).

[ninjacat123]

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

Ooooo. I'd still do it. I have a lot of experience and some confidence in my abilities. I'll have to look for the review even though I don't have any cruises with a Bimini port (currently).

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/bimini/reef-shark-snorkeling-adventure-402014?selectedVariant=MC20210904005402014202109081100

[BlerkOne]

6 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/bimini/reef-shark-snorkeling-adventure-402014?selectedVariant=MC20210904005402014202109081100

Thanks. I had found it.

 

I first noticed it here:

 

 

[ninjacat123]

@BlerkOne sounds like their experience was better.  The review on the Carnival site did say if they had got out in the morning, they would not have had the crazy currants.

I'm still up in the air about Bimini especially with the negative review of 360 Beach.  I will go off the ship but not sure what we will do.  Golf cart could be fun...

[BlerkOne]

12 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

@BlerkOne sounds like their experience was better.  The review on the Carnival site did say if they had got out in the morning, they would not have had the crazy currants.

I'm still up in the air about Bimini especially with the negative review of 360 Beach.  I will go off the ship but not sure what we will do.  Golf cart could be fun...

If I were going to do a golf cart, I would reserve one in advance. Looks like there are several choices for rental.

[Mike Dante]

FWIW, we were on the Horizon 7/18 sailing ( 1st ship to visit Bimini. ) We got off the ship(which is already docked in Resorts World) hopped on the tram to stop #3 which is Beach 360. No admission charge. We didn't inquire about chairs and umbrella but they were available to rent. This spot is the exact place that they are selling as an excursion for $64 per couple which nets you an umbrella 2 chairs and a watered down Bahama Mama.. We were more than happy to put out a towel on the sand to sit on, but spent the better part of 4 hrs in the water anyway. Some folks we knew from the ship paid for their spots and left early and gave us their chairs and we still didnt even use them. 

 

There is a restaurant right there along with bathroom. The food was costly. We got some wings and quesadillas with 2 cokes for like $50+ with tip. The water was phenomenal and the sand was soft and pure white. (better than Destin and if you've been there, you know what its like there. 

 

My vote, go check it out and make it a beach day. The tram was right there when we were ready to head back, as it swings around roughly every 20 minutes. 

Edited August 11, 2021 by Mike Dante
added pic