Bimini and the Bimini Beach Club
A beautiful Sunday morning greeted us at the dock at Bimini, Bahamas, our very first “Port of Call”. Unlike many cruise companies, Virgin Voyages does not own its own Bahamas resort. Instead, it rents the already existing Hilton developed Bimini Beach Club for exclusive use when one of its cruise ships calls on Bimini. Virgin Voyages provides a constant shuttle service from the ship to the club and back so it’s easy to visit the club and enjoy as much time a you might want at the beach before heading back to the ship.
After a bite of breakfast and with bathing suit and beach towel in hand it’s off on the shuttle to the Beach Club. The setting and facility is simply amazing. A beautiful white sand beach stretches out in front of hundreds of umbrella shaded lounge chairs while two fresh water swimming pools sit nearby with music provided by a DJ and a collection of female and male “mermaids” complete with fish tails play among the guests. Not far away are a number of cabanas that mix all sorts of tropical cocktails for thirsty sun lovers. So a swim in the warm Caribbean water is up first with a margarita in hand. Then to the swimming pool to party in fresh water with dozens of pool-mates and our floaties while attempting to keep time to the music.
I attempted but failed to limit my time in the sun and ended up with a mild case of sun burn. Oh well, the price one pays to hang out at the beach, eh? So, back to the ship to clean up, shower and dress for the somewhat delayed Sail Away Party.
Sail Away Party – Bimini Style
Because we were unable to have the typical Miami departure Sail Away Party we had one while leaving Bimini. What a production Virgin Voyages puts on! Just before 6 pm recorded music started at the pool, the champagne glasses got passed out to all, and an MC took the mike and started introducing the dancers while the crowd either looked on while consuming their free champagne or participated by dancing in the pool. Shortly thereafter the MC introduced the band that had entered the stage and, with another glass of champagne in hand, the party picked up another notch. Now it was time for a few of the guests to dance in the pool fully dressed and the champagne, of course, continued to flow.
By now the margarita I enjoyed while swimming in the Carabean and the multiple glasses of champagne had done their damage (along with a bit too much beach club sun) so it was time for me to call it a day. For those “stronger” than I the party continued deep into the night if one was so inclined.
Now to cross the Atlantic
That evening, while I found my cabin early after pizza and beer (yes, more alchohol), the Valiant Lady headed out on the Atlantic Ocean towards the European Continent for those eight “sea days” I was so unnecessarily worried about.
We’ll eventually arrive at Lisbon, then Cadiz, and then Palma for a day stop at each port before the cruise eventually ends at Barcelona. As you probably have figured by now, I’ve made tentative plans at each of these stops.