Any recent Bimini experiences?

[BroadwayGirl]

Seeing a lot of mixed things online about what is included and not included when doing "a sunny day at beach 360" which is 64.99 a couple. This is the only excursion other than the overpriced "cabanas" showing up for Bimini right now on the Pride sailing I'm on.   I've seen so many comments about if the pools are included or not in the Sunny Beach excursion...folks have had both experiences from all the reviews I've found.  Carnival doesn't even list the "Beach Club" one for 39.99 a person anymore on their Bimini port page that people have mentioned from early sailings that potentially distinguished access.    Interested in burning some OBC so opting out of the "free beach" experience this time. 

[matymil]

Also interested in hearing experiences
 

[nina_930]

I love that you put cabanas in quotes!  LOL.  Those are not proper cabanas.  I debated getting one because there was nothing else and decided against it.  Way too much money and not even complete shade.

[BroadwayGirl]

1 minute ago, nina_930 said:

I love that you put cabanas in quotes!  LOL.  Those are not proper cabanas.  I debated getting one because there was nothing else and decided against it.  Way too much money and not even complete shade.

Exactly. Let’s call it what it is!  I’d rather have my 64.99 umbrella for two. We just want to be able to use the pool too so hopefully some other Pride cruisers can let us know if offerings update or they find more out on board

[matymil]

Ive heard that theres basically nothing by the port. Is there anything to see or maybe any stores nearby if you just wanted to get off the ship for like 45mins?

[CentralNY1]

1 hour ago, matymil said:

Ive heard that theres basically nothing by the port. Is there anything to see or maybe any stores nearby if you just wanted to get off the ship for like 45mins?

We were just there on Wednesday on the Magic. There is absolutely nothing near the port. We rented a golf cart for the day and explored the entire island.  There are many pristine and quiet beaches to stop at and a small straw market area. Had a wonderful day. Do not be fooled by the taxis that will "take you into town" for $5 a person. They will only bring you to that small straw market. To anyone looking for a beach dont spend the money on the Resorts World beach...save a bunch of money and rent the golf cart and drive as far as you can go on the only road and you'll find a perfect beach. 

[cruisehappyinJune]

5 minutes ago, CentralNY1 said:

We were just there on Wednesday on the Magic. There is absolutely nothing near the port. We rented a golf cart for the day and explored the entire island.  There are many pristine and quiet beaches to stop at and a small straw market area. Had a wonderful day. Do not be fooled by the taxis that will "take you into town" for $5 a person. They will only bring you to that small straw market. To anyone looking for a beach dont spend the money on the Resorts World beach...save a bunch of money and rent the golf cart and drive as far as you can go on the only road and you'll find a perfect beach. 

Did you reserve a golf cart in advance or just walk off the ship and find a rental?

[matymil]

6 minutes ago, CentralNY1 said:

We were just there on Wednesday on the Magic. There is absolutely nothing near the port. We rented a golf cart for the day and explored the entire island.  There are many pristine and quiet beaches to stop at and a small straw market area. Had a wonderful day. Do not be fooled by the taxis that will "take you into town" for $5 a person. They will only bring you to that small straw market. To anyone looking for a beach dont spend the money on the Resorts World beach...save a bunch of money and rent the golf cart and drive as far as you can go on the only road and you'll find a perfect beach. 

Awesome thanks for the feedback. Since we have a little one we will stay on the ship then.

[barbatkins]

32 minutes ago, CentralNY1 said:

We were just there on Wednesday on the Magic. There is absolutely nothing near the port. We rented a golf cart for the day and explored the entire island.  There are many pristine and quiet beaches to stop at and a small straw market area. Had a wonderful day. Do not be fooled by the taxis that will "take you into town" for $5 a person. They will only bring you to that small straw market. To anyone looking for a beach dont spend the money on the Resorts World beach...save a bunch of money and rent the golf cart and drive as far as you can go on the only road and you'll find a perfect beach. 

Was there a casino at the Resorts World?  How far from the port area?

[Sailin_Pirate]

From my reading the beach for the excursion is one of the stops for the free tram.

 

If you don't want that stuff go free 🙂

 

You're paying $65/couple for what is listed below

What’s Included:

• A welcome drink (Bahama Mama or non-alcoholic beverages).
• Two beach chairs and an umbrella.

[hurricane0226]

49 minutes ago, Sailin_Pirate said:

From my reading the beach for the excursion is one of the stops for the free tram.

 

If you don't want that stuff go free 🙂

 

You're paying $65/couple for what is listed below

What’s Included:

• A welcome drink (Bahama Mama or non-alcoholic beverages).
• Two beach chairs and an umbrella.

We did the 65 dollar deal, what a rip off, could have gone on the free tram to the same beach

and got a chair and umbrella that was empty, no one was checking wrist band or anything,.

[EngIceDave]

I haven't been there in a couple years and I seriously doubt the place added any real additional acreage....LOL

 

It is a small, SMALL island. Look it up on Google Maps

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bimini,+The+Bahamas/@25.7379095,-79.298383,13144m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89278c1e853e0031:0x23127e6831bca34b!8m2!3d24.6415325!4d-79.8506226

 

That whole eastern side in like mangrove....it's wetland

 

It's a tiny island. A ship of people swamps it. The Hilton hotel is nice. The casino is tiny and closed during the day. It's essentially one road. 

 

I'd get off, search for some conch fritters and would go back on board believing my mission accomplished on Bimini.

 

Love conch fritters

[Razor_Poke]

Any good snorkeling spots to be found even if we need to rent a golf cart to get there?

[EngIceDave]

1 minute ago, Razor_Poke said:

Any good snorkeling spots to be found even if we need to rent a golf cart to get there?

There are some wade off spots, but a lot will depend on tide.

 

I'd consult a local guide

[lolaletu]

20 hours ago, cruisehappyinJune said:

Did you reserve a golf cart in advance or just walk off the ship and find a rental?

We will be in Bimini in about two weeks.  There seems to be a lot of Golf Cart rentals.  Can you give me an idea about the price for a rental for half a day - nobody seems to be giving out prices on their website.  Thanks.

[renza]

Some pictures of Bimini a week and a half ago. Many jellyfish. U can just take free tram to beach and u do not have to buy loungers or anything. 

[renza]

49 minutes ago, lolaletu said:

We will be in Bimini in about two weeks.  There seems to be a lot of Golf Cart rentals.  Can you give me an idea about the price for a rental for half a day - nobody seems to be giving out prices on their website.  Thanks.

$65 for the day

[CentralNY1]

23 hours ago, cruisehappyinJune said:

Did you reserve a golf cart in advance or just walk off the ship and find a rental?

Walked to the end of the long pier and a guy was renting them right there. Asking $60 for the whole day and negotiated to $50. Didnt even take my name or anything. 

[CentralNY1]

Just wanted to add that there is a small bar that sells juices and frozen drinks at the back of the straw market. By far the best Pina Colada I've ever had!

[vintagegarage]

Start here, and scroll down to Day 5 if you are only interested in Bimini.:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2785688-carnival-magic-august-7-2021/page/3/

 

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

On 8/28/2021 at 9:33 PM, CentralNY1 said:

Walked to the end of the long pier and a guy was renting them right there. Asking $60 for the whole day and negotiated to $50. Didnt even take my name or anything. 

Someone else mentioned that in a different thread a couple weeks back, and you saying it again made me think it through: the island isn't big enough to steal it, and if you wreck it it will be very obvious to all the locals.  So this almost makes sense.

[Lee Cruiser]

Does anyone know if you can get a day pass at the Hilton Resorts World? Can you get chair and umbrella rentals anywhere else without doing the $65 cruise package?

[EngIceDave]

3 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Someone else mentioned that in a different thread a couple weeks back, and you saying it again made me think it through: the island isn't big enough to steal it, and if you wreck it it will be very obvious to all the locals.  So this almost makes sense.

That was my thought "Where ya gonna take it?"

 

 

[BroadwayGirl]

33 minutes ago, Lee Cruiser said:

Does anyone know if you can get a day pass at the Hilton Resorts World? Can you get chair and umbrella rentals anywhere else without doing the $65 cruise package?

I found a day room there but that was crazy expensive. No day passes that I’ve seen. I was looking too. 

[TXgalSAM]

On 8/29/2021 at 9:16 AM, vintagegarage said:

Start here, and scroll down to Day 5 if you are only interested in Bimini.:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2785688-carnival-magic-august-7-2021/page/3/

 

 

Your pics for Bimini, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay were fantastic!  I was on that cruise but now I feel like I really missed some things.  Thanks for encouraging me to step out more on my next cruise. 🙂