Itinerary change from Nassau to Bimini

[love2rvcamp]

I have read that many ships are changing their destination from Nassau to Bimini, our cruise in May is one of them.  My question however is there are not any excursions showing up to be selected.  Is this normal or does it take a bit for them to show?  

[HEATH3913]

It takes a few days. It happened to me in February on a western Caribbean. They eventually showed up.

[sd63]

Bimini is a very small island and a newer port for carnival. Not much to do, mostly a beach destination. You can also rent a golf cart for $60 and tour the island on your own which is what we did.

[bguppies]

Our Septmber Sunshine cruise just got changed this morning.
After watching a few videos on you tube this morning I wouldn't expect many excursions to pop up.

A 7 mile long, 700 foot wide island won't have much to do.

But the fact of no Senor Frogs or Diamonds International (yet) is a 100% improvement over most other Caribbean or Bahamain ports.

The beaches look gorgeous.

Edited April 21, 2022 by bguppies
typos

[Bollycats]

17 minutes ago, bguppies said:

Our Septmber Sunshine cruise just got changed this morning.
After watching a few videos on you tube this morning I wouldn't expect many excursions to pop up.

A 7 mile long, 700 foot wide island won't have much to do.

But the fact of no Senor Frogs or Diamonds International (yet) is a 100% improvement over most other Caribbean or Bahamain ports.

The beaches look gorgeous.

This worries me because I'm on the Sunshine in October and we're already going to Half Moon Cay. I don't want two private island/beach days. I've been to Nassau several times and I still love it.

[bguppies]

They have been cancelling Half Moon Cay on quite a few  Sunshine cruises for Bimini. (but still going to Nassau.)

At least it appears that only one ship a day docks at Bimini. (unlike HMC and definitely Nassau.)

[ULCajunCruiser]

Yep, our August cruised just got moved.   Been to Nassau before so not greatly disappointed; however, sounding like Bimini is kind of a nothing to do port.   Any suggestions if we don't want to just lay out on a beach??

[bguppies]

From what I've been able to find so far, decent snokeling (some shipwrecks close to shore) and a casino there somewhere. (and a lot of gorgeous beaches)

Even staying on the ship docked solo, versus packed in Nassau harbor would be an improvement.

[Lee Cruiser]

Bimini is a great beach destination.  We have been to Nassau several times and don't care for it.  We stay on the ship there now.  Bimini would definitely be a positive change for us.

[bguppies]

Found a link on Carnival's site for their 14 excursion choices.

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/bimini

[Laplayaperson]

@bguppiesThank you for posting this question.  I came across your post under the roll calls as well as we follow on the Magic in June and actually are hoping to get this same notification for the Magic in June to be changed.  

 

Anyone have any idea of the likelihood of this happening? 

[ULCajunCruiser]

21 minutes ago, bguppies said:

Found a link on Carnival's site for their 14 excursion choices.

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/bimini

Thanks for the link!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We stay onboard at most ports anyway. We've been to Nassau perhaps 4 times since the restart, and had one a few months ago stop in Bimini. It was our first time there but, since we aren't beach people, we just stayed on the ship. Probably the first time we've been to a "new" port and intentionally skipped it. 

 

Tom

[csoud68]

Our bermuda cruise was rerouted to nassau, freeport and bimini..

 

Gonna make lemonade from lemons..

 

Bimini will be a nice change.. 

[joyandjerry]

Was in Nassau 30 March, pier a mess with construction. The workers said they are building a convention center, restaurants, etc. and it be a while until completion. Four ships were docked there, plus two private yachts.

Edited April 21, 2022 by joyandjerry
Add info

[cmukid87]

Bimini was a blast for us.  We rented a golf cart and explored the island.  We went into a couple of small, local shops.  We found a nice restaurant to dine at and got some drinks at another place.  I was so happy to be able to spend my money to help local businesses instead of a massive commercialized cruise port area where they couldn't care less about my $100 when there are 7k others willing to spend the same amount.

[reeinaz]

I swam with the sharks in Bimini. It was AMAZING!!!!

[keels81]

Bimini is a dream and I'm currently manifesting that my July stop on the Mardi Gras in Nassau gets moved to Bimini or back to San Juan.

[bstel]

14 hours ago, sd63 said:

Bimini is a very small island and a newer port for carnival. Not much to do, mostly a beach destination. You can also rent a golf cart for $60 and tour the island on your own which is what we did.

what is there to explore?  any caves, light houses...

[jerseygirlinAZ]

2 hours ago, keels81 said:

Bimini is a dream and I'm currently manifesting that my July stop on the Mardi Gras in Nassau gets moved to Bimini or back to San Juan.

 Same here!  We sail July 2.

[Dittos]

We just returned from HAL Rotterdam which had a last minute subsitution of Bimini instead of Half Moon Cay.  They said the power was out in Half Moon Cay.  We were happy to explore a new island.  Rented a golf cart for 6 people for $100 for the day.  Went to the beach and then drove down into Alice Town to find some local conch fritters.  Discovered a beautiful secluded beach down near Alice Town.  This morning, we were notified that our Carnival cruise on the Sunshine in October has been rerouted to Bimini instead of Nassau.  We are excited because now we have time to plan!  

 

[Laplayaperson]

Did everyone feel safe renting the golf cart?  We are a family of four and would love to explore but always worried when exploring in a new environment.

[dsnutz]

7 hours ago, Dittos said:

We were happy to explore a new island.  Rented a golf cart for 6 people for $100 for the day.  Went to the beach and then drove down into Alice Town to find some local conch fritters.  Discovered a beautiful secluded beach down near Alice Town.  This morning, we were notified that our Carnival cruise on the Sunshine in October has been rerouted to Bimini instead of Nassau.

 

This sounds awesome! Just got back from a MSC cruise with a stop at Nassau, as others have said, lots of construction. Did you rent the golf cart ahead of time or know if you can? We’re on Sunshine 7/28 with a group of 20 and this sounds right up our alley. Never before have I been more excited about a port change!

[Dittos]

No, we did not rent the golf cart before hand because the change happened the right before we were supposed to be in Half Moon Cay.  There are plenty of golf carts available from different vendors within walking distance to the pier.

[csoud68]

Our bermuda cruise was diverted to bimini, nassau and freeport.

 

Im warming up to the new schedule...bermuda is boring for me..pretty but boring..