The Beach Club at Bimini on Virgin Voyages, what it is really like and how to plan the day properly
The Beach Club at Bimini is one of the most talked-about parts of a Virgin Voyages Caribbean sailing, and for good reason. It feels like an extension of the ship rather than a standard port stop, which is exactly why people sometimes misunderstand how it works. They assume everything is included, everyone wants the same vibe, and there is one correct way to do the day. There is not.
As an award-winning, Gold Virgin Voyages First Mate, I help Sailors plan accurately, budget properly, and avoid the small assumptions that turn into avoidable disappointment. From experience, Bimini can be one of the best parts of the sailing if you know what is included, what still costs extra, where the energy sits, and how to shape the day around your own style rather than somebody else’s.
Clear planning beats assumptions every time. This guide explains what The Beach Club at Bimini is, what you can expect once you get there, what is included, what is not, when cabanas make sense, when to stay at the pool versus the beach, and how to make the day fit the rest of your voyage. If you want that planned properly, speak to Daniel.
What is The Beach Club at Bimini on Virgin Voyages?
The Beach Club at Bimini is Virgin Voyages’ exclusive beach club experience in the Bahamas. It is designed to feel like a private extension of the voyage, with an adults-only atmosphere, a large lagoon-style pool, beach access, food included as part of the day, and a rhythm that can shift from laid-back in the morning to more energetic later on.
That is why it helps to stop thinking of it as just another cruise line beach stop. It is not simply a patch of sand with a few loungers. It is part beach day, part pool day, part social scene, and part reset. Some Sailors spend the whole day there. Others use it as a base before heading off on a Shore Thing. Both approaches can work well.
If you are comparing the feel of the day with other premium add-ons or cabin upgrades, it is also worth reading Splash of Romance, RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters, and Shake for Champagne. They all shape how the overall voyage feels, but in very different ways.
If you want to know whether Bimini will feel like the highlight of your sailing or just one part of a bigger itinerary, message Daniel on WhatsApp. It is easier to get this right before you book than after.
What is included at The Beach Club at Bimini?
This is the most important starting point. Entry to The Beach Club at Bimini is included for Virgin Voyages Sailors on itineraries that call there. There is no separate day-pass style fee to get in. The frequent tram transport between the ship and the club is included too, and the food served at the club is included as part of the day. Basic WiFi access continues there as well, which is useful if you like staying connected without thinking about it.
That included structure is one of the reasons Bimini feels different from many cruise beach days. You are not spending the morning deciding whether it is worth paying to enter the place where the company wants you to be. You can simply go. Once you are there, the planning conversation becomes less about access and more about how you want to use the time.
| Included at Bimini | What it means in practice | Daniel’s planning take |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to The Beach Club | You do not pay a separate access fee for the club itself. | This is a big reason the port day feels smooth and easy. |
| Tram transport | Getting between ship and club is straightforward and frequent. | You do not need to overthink the timing. Going later or heading back earlier is easy. |
| Food at the club | You can eat on site without treating lunch as an extra purchase. | This helps keep the day relaxed and stops the port spend creeping up unnecessarily. |
| WiFi access | You can still message, check details, and stay online. | Useful if you are coordinating with friends or checking on-board plans for later. |
| Adults-only atmosphere | The vibe stays aligned with the rest of the voyage. | For many people, this is part of the real value, even though it is not a line item on a bill. |
If you are trying to understand how that fits within the wider fare, pair this with What’s Included on Virgin Voyages?, Included versus not included, and the real cruise cost breakdown. Those pages are how you stop a bargain-looking sailing turning into a poorly budgeted one.
What still costs extra at Bimini?
This is where the usual confusion appears. While entry, food, tram transport and the wider club experience are included, premium drinks are not. You still pay for alcoholic drinks and other premium beverages in the same way you do on board, using The Band tied to your account. If you have Bar Tab, that matters here, because it can be used for eligible drinks at The Beach Club at Bimini too.
Reserved cabanas are another area where many people assume too much. They are not the same as standard included seating or loungers. If you want that extra private space, it needs to be treated as a premium add-on rather than an automatic part of the beach day. That does not mean everyone needs one. In fact, a lot of Sailors do not.
The simple Bimini budgeting rule is this. Included does not mean all-day unlimited luxury at no further cost. It means the core day is already strong without forcing you to spend more. Extras should only be added if they genuinely improve the experience for the way you travel.
If drinks are part of your beach day, read What is a Virgin Voyages Bar Tab, the drinks budget guide, Do drinks packages exist?, and How much do drinks cost?. Those pages matter as much for Bimini as they do for the ship.
How do you get to The Beach Club at Bimini from the ship?
Getting there is intentionally easy. Virgin Voyages runs free and frequent tram transport between the ship and the club, which keeps the day flexible. You do not need to treat the port stop like a one-shot transfer where, once you are there, you are locked in. That changes the feel of the day quite a lot.
From experience, that flexibility is one of the most underrated parts of Bimini. You can go early for the quieter feel, head back to the ship if you want a break, or time your day around a Shore Thing without the whole thing becoming logistically heavy. It is one of the reasons I tell people not to overcomplicate this port before they have even seen it.
If you are deciding between staying at the club all day or combining it with an excursion, my Shore Things guide is the best companion page to read next.
Pool or beach, which suits you better?
This is where the day becomes personal. Some Sailors head straight for the lagoon-style pool and stay around the social energy, the music, and the easier access to the bars. Others prefer the beach side of the club, where the pace can feel calmer and the whole day leans more towards unwind than party.
Neither approach is more correct. The Bimini mistake people make is trying to force the day into a single identity. It is not only a pool party and it is not only a quiet beach retreat. The atmosphere can shift across the day, and where you sit changes what the stop feels like.
| Area | Best for | What it feels like | Daniel’s planning take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoon-style pool | Sailors who want a more social, lively day | More energy, more movement, easier bar access, more shared atmosphere | Best if you like a beach club feel rather than a pure beach day. |
| Beach area | Sailors who want a more relaxed reset | More space, more sea focus, more traditional beach energy | Better if you want the stop to feel like downtime rather than a scene. |
| Moving between both | Sailors who do not want to overcommit | Flexible, easy, and often the smartest way to use the stop | Usually the best first-time strategy, especially if you are not sure what mood you will be in. |
If your wider trip is already heavy on late nights and social energy, you may want Bimini to feel more like a reset. If your voyage is laid-back overall, you may want Bimini to be where you dial the energy up. That is why I always put this stop in the context of the whole itinerary, not just the port itself.
Are cabanas at Bimini worth it?
Sometimes yes, often no. This is one of those upgrades that people assume they need because the photos look great, but the real answer depends on the group, the weather, the amount of time you will actually spend anchored there, and whether you really want a private base or just think you should.
A cabana makes more sense if you are a group that values a dedicated spot, wants that extra layer of shade and convenience, and knows you will use it properly. It makes less sense if you are a couple who likes drifting between pool, beach and bars, or if you are already the kind of travellers who barely stay still for long.
My honest take is simple. A cabana is not the measure of whether you have “done Bimini right”. Many Sailors have an excellent day without one. If you are tempted, make sure you want the function, not just the idea.
This is also where suite choices and add-ons interact with the equation. If you are already layering in premium touches elsewhere, compare the value of a Bimini cabana with Splash of Romance, RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters, and the loyalty scheme guide. Sometimes the better value sits somewhere else entirely.
If you are trying to decide between cabana spend, cabin spend, Shore Things or Bar Tab, I can help you compare what actually improves your trip rather than what just sounds glamorous on paper.
Food and drinks at Bimini, what to expect
The good news is that lunch does not need to become a planning problem. Food at the club is included, which is one of the reasons the stop feels easy. You can settle in and enjoy the day without mentally separating “the beach bit” from “the food bill bit”.
Drinks are where the budget question returns. Premium beverages are extra, just like they are on board, and your Band handles the spend. If you have prepaid Bar Tab, this is one of the best examples of where it earns its keep because Bimini drinks can be part of that wider drinks plan rather than an unexpected extra.
If you want to avoid underbudgeting, make sure this page sits alongside the Bar Tab guide, what gets used first on board, Sailor Loot, and what happens if Sailor Loot runs out. Bimini is where people often realise too late that port days still sit inside the same wider spend picture.
If you like a proper beach day cocktail or two, Bimini is exactly why realistic drinks planning matters. It is much easier to enjoy it when you have already decided what the day is allowed to cost.
How The Beach Club at Bimini compares with a traditional cruise beach stop
On many traditional cruise lines, a beach stop can feel transactional. You arrive, weigh up whether the private beach area is worth an extra fee, think about transport, think about food, then start deciding how many add-ons you are willing to tolerate before the day even begins. Bimini is better designed than that.
Because access, food and transport are built in, the day starts with less friction. The atmosphere is also more tightly aligned with the Virgin Voyages brand. Adults-only energy, better visual design, stronger social flow, and a day that feels connected to the voyage rather than bolted onto it. That is the real difference.
If you are comparing overall value rather than just this one stop, this page pairs well with Is Virgin Voyages worth it in 2026?, the all-inclusive comparison, and Cruise Only versus Daniel’s packages. Bimini is one of the port days that often changes how people judge the whole line.
How to plan your Bimini day properly
This is the framework I use with clients who want the day to feel easy rather than improvised.
- Decide whether Bimini is a reset day or an energy day. That one decision shapes everything else, including where you sit and how much you spend.
- Do not assume you need a cabana. Decide whether you want a base or just think you should have one.
- Plan your drinks before the port day arrives. Bimini is part of the voyage spend, not a separate universe.
- Use the tram flexibility. You do not need to overcommit. Going later or heading back earlier is easy.
- Fit Bimini into the bigger sailing rhythm. If you have already had several big nights, make this your calm day. If you want one social port day, this may be it.
- Compare it with the rest of your package of extras. Suite level, loyalty perks, Shore Things and add-ons all affect whether extra Bimini spend makes sense.
That bigger-picture approach is why I recommend reading this page alongside what you can do at 2am on Virgin Voyages, When is Scarlet Night?, Why solo travellers love Virgin Voyages, and the LGBT+ Sailors guide. Ports land differently depending on how the rest of the voyage feels.
If you want your Bimini day planned in the context of the whole sailing, send me your voyage details and I will help you build it properly.
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Disclaimer: Package supplied by Daniel’s Travel Inspiration, a principle of Independent Travel Experts, TTA: U9197, ATOL: T7400, registered office: St Andrews House. West Street, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6EB. Price includes all known mandatory charges. Some accommodations may apply additional mandatory resort or local fees payable directly. In Europe up to £10 per person per night, resort fees up to £60 per night payable in local currency; these will be confirmed prior to booking where applicable. Prices are from, subject to availability, and may change. Full T&Cs apply.
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FAQs: The Beach Club at Bimini on Virgin Voyages
Is The Beach Club at Bimini included on Virgin Voyages?
Yes. Entry to the club is included for Sailors on voyages that call there. The included experience also covers tram transport and food on site, which is why the day feels simpler than many traditional cruise beach stops.
Are drinks included at Bimini?
Premium drinks are not included just because you are at Bimini. They are charged to your onboard account using your Band, and Bar Tab can be useful here if you already have one in place.
Do you need a cabana at Bimini?
No. A cabana can be worthwhile for some groups, but many Sailors have an excellent day without one. It depends on whether you genuinely want the private base rather than simply liking the idea of it.
Is Bimini a party day on Virgin Voyages?
It can be, but it does not have to be. The pool area often carries more social energy, while the beach can feel much more relaxed. One of the strengths of Bimini is that the stop can be shaped around your mood.
How do you get from the ship to The Beach Club at Bimini?
Virgin Voyages provides free and frequent tram transport between the ship and the club, which keeps the day flexible and easy to manage.
Should I do a Shore Thing or stay at the club?
Both can work. If you want a simple, included beach club day, staying at the club is often ideal. If you want more activity or a specific Bimini experience, a Shore Thing may be the better fit. The right answer depends on what you want the port day to feel like.
Speak to Daniel before you build the wrong version of Bimini in your head
Bimini can be a highlight for the right reasons or a disappointment for the wrong ones. As an award-winning, Gold-Rated Virgin Voyages First Mate, I help you plan the stop in the context of your whole voyage, not as an isolated beach photo. That means looking at your cabin type, your drinks plan, your likely pace, your itinerary rhythm and the extras that genuinely matter to you.
If you want accurate planning, budget clarity and a better fit overall, speak to Daniel before you book. I will help you decide how Bimini should fit into your trip, and whether your money is better used there or somewhere else on the voyage.
Useful next reads: Guides hub · Bar Tab · Real cost · Shore Things · Gratuities · Referral bonus