One port that many sailors on Virgin Voyages itineraries is Bimini, Bahamas. Instead of a traditional port stop where you wander through town, Virgin Voyages guests get access to their private beach club experience known as the Beach Club at Bimini.
It is essentially a beach day designed just for Virgin sailors while the ship is docked. Getting there is easy in theory. A free tram runs between the cruise port and the beach club throughout the day. In reality, when everyone gets off the ship at the same time, it can take a little patience.
Getting to the Beach Club
When we arrived at the tram pickup area, the line was already pretty long. One thing we quickly realized is that the transportation on the island is not only used for cruise guests. There are also boats coming in from Florida that bring visitors directly to Bimini. Some of the same transportation on the island is used to move those passengers and their luggage as well, which can make trams a little limited and can slow the line down.
Because of that, a lot of people decided not to wait. I really don’t blame them either, it was pretty hot out there. Some Sailors walked to another tram stop farther down the road and others rented golf carts. The tram itself is free, so if you do not feel like walking or can’t, it is worth waiting. Eventually we boarded and made our way over.
What Makes the Beach Club Unique
The Beach Club at Bimini is reserved exclusively for Virgin Voyages sailors while the ship is docked. That means the entire space is filled only with people from your cruise. One of the nice perks is that your bar tab and WiFi transfer over to the beach club, so anything you purchased on the ship can still be used while you are there. It makes the whole experience feel like an extension of the ship.
Once you arrive, the setup is very nice. There is a large pool area with lounge chairs and floaties set out for guests and a beautiful stretch of beach with warm turquoise water. There are also bars, hammocks, cabanas, and daybeds available around the property. The water felt really nice.
Finding a Seat Can Take a Minute
One thing we noticed pretty quickly was that finding a seat could be a little tricky. A lot of people were holding chairs with towels or bags even when they were not actively using them. That meant walking around for a bit before we were able to find somewhere to settle in. Once you do grab a spot though, it becomes a really nice beach day.
There are plenty of lounge chairs around the pool and beach areas, along with cabanas and daybeds that can be rented. There are also some hammocks on the property, which ended up being one of my favorite parts. I’m a sucker for a hammock.
The Overall Vibe
The energy at the beach club is lively. There is a DJ playing music throughout the day and the Virgin Voyages Happenings Cast is out there making sure everyone is having a good time. At times it definitely leans more toward beach party than quiet island escape.
You will see people dancing in the pool, relaxing with drinks, or floating in the ocean. At the same time, if you walk a little farther down the beach it becomes quieter and more relaxed.
Food, Drinks, and Amenities
Lunch is included at the beach club and there are bars. We actually did not end up eating while we were there, but there were plenty of picnic tables set up where guests could sit down and enjoy lunch.
From what we saw, the setup makes it easy to grab something and take a break from the sun. There are also gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options available along with soda and water included. The drinks from the bars tasted a little watered down to us, but we chalked that up to the bartenders constantly making drinks for a large crowd all day long.
The beach club also has lockers available if you need somewhere to store belongings while you swim. There are showers as well, which makes it easy to rinse off the sand before heading back to the ship or if you want to go explore the rest of the island.
Exploring Beyond the Beach Club
Many people stay at the beach club for the entire day, but there are other things to do around Bimini as well. Excursions are available and we even saw some people getting massages right on the beach. You can also rent golf carts if you want to explore more of the island.
If that is something you want to do, the first tram stop near the cruise port is the place where you will find many of the rentals and souvenir stands. One thing we noticed quickly is that cash is king around the island, so it is helpful to have some on hand. We did not get a chance to explore much beyond the beach club this time, but that is definitely something I would want to do if I go back.
Heading Back to the Ship
When you are ready to head back, just wait outside the beach club entrance and the tram will come by to pick you up and take you back to the cruise port. The trams run continuously throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
The Beach Club at Bimini is one of those cruise stops that feels easy. You step off the ship, hop on a tram, and suddenly you are spending the day at a beach club with warm water, music, and food.
It is less about exploring a destination and more about enjoying a laid back beach day with a bit of a party vibe mixed in. If I return, I would love to spend a little more time exploring the island itself. Bimini is small but full of character and we really only experienced the beach club.
Still, enjoying warm Bahamian water and relaxing in a hammock is not a bad way to spend a cruise port day.
