Trip log, day four. Bimini, The Bahamas.
4-Night Bahamian Fire and Sunset Soiree (Bahamian) from Miami, Florida
February 7, 2026
Your Day at a Glance (The Daily Schedule)
Scarlet Lady Deck Plan
Our final full day on the Scarlett lady. I woke up, looked outside; weather looks great. However… the wind seems to be an issue today. Emily headed off to the gym as usual.
Today, we are visiting in Bimini in the Bahamas, which is roughly due east of Fort Lauderdale kissing the southern edge of the Florida Straits.
This is one of those regular port of call for Virgin Voyages when sailing in the region and this serves as the cruise line’s quasi exclusive private offering. Bimini Beach Club, owned by Resorts World Bimini, is exclusive to sailors on days when a Virgin Voyages ship is in port.
We headed ashore a little after 8:00 a.m, boarding the tram to Bimini Beach Club which is about a 10-15 minute trip.
While the weather looks great in the photos, it was windy, and with the combination of air and water temperature resulted in a non-beach day for us. We wouldn’t have even been able to remove our sweatshirts.
It was however, a great morning for a Bahamian island walk.
The beach club is a nice little area that’s included in the price of the cruise and feels more like a cruise line’s private destination than an all-inclusive beach resort day pass offering across the Bahamas and Caribbean.
There is a beach with an abundance of loungers, a centrally located pool, two eating areas, rentable cabanas, and an area reserved for Rockstar level guests (who have an exclusive area).
Given the weather conditions and early morning arrival, there were plenty of available places to sit and enjoy the day. I’d be interested in hearing how it is around 11 o’clock in the middle of the summer.
As I mentioned, there are cabanas you can rent for the day, including a unique AirStream campsite area, which looked awesome.
Beach Eats had a promising menu. Guess what was on a few of the tables… It is NOT an isolated issue in The Bahamas.
After we had made our way around the beach club, we decided to head out. We hadn’t planned to spend the day ashore, as the weather didn’t seem conducive to water activities. However, considering the different time of year, with warmer water and air temperatures, this place feels like a promising spot to spend a sunny day.
We boarded the tram and headed back to the Fishermen’s Village tram stop. This is a popular spot if you’re looking to rent a golf cart to explore other parts of Bimini. It was amusing how many golf cart vendors were vying for customers, trying to undercut each other or offer “nicer” carts. Smart consumers can leverage the competitive nature of the vendors and likely get a great deal on a golf cart, provided they’re willing to negotiate.
As for the Fisherman’s Village located on the opposite side of the island as the beach club, it resulted in nearly no wind. It was actually gorgeous stroll along the marina.
There were a few spots open, but overall it was a quiet spot with very little foot traffic. There was an open air restaurant and bar that would be a good spot on a rainy day, and a few gift shops, but no really port shopping that you’d encounter at nearly any other port of call. In a way, it was refreshing not seeing the typical stores that overtake port shopping areas selling nearly identical items.
The Bimini Beach Club is the big draw for Sailors, and likely a close second, the casino.
Ultimately, today was going to be, a day to experience more of the onboard offerings, that we haven’t been able to check out previously in the cruise.
We got back on board a little before lunchtime, so we headed out to The Galley (deck 15 aft). Aside from me grabbing a bagel for breakfast the other day, we have not experienced the area for lunch or dinner service. Yes, this area is open for dinner!
One of the things that really caught my eye was the abundance of quick grab and go boxed offerings from salads and charcuterie, to sandwiches and dessert. Emily used the QR code to place an order for a glass of rose wine, and within about 10 minutes, it was brought right over to our table!
As for the other areas in The Galley, the food is a mix of quick service and made to order stations. On the surface it kinda gives vibes of Cabanas or Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods, but it is not a self-service buffet aside from the grab and go offerings.
Emily & I had salads, then I headed over to try the panini station. Both of which were winners. We grabbed a few desserts and just had a bit or so of each item.
Although the outside temperature was climbing and the wind died down, there was more we wanted to experience onboard. We grabbed our books from the stateroom and headed to The Dock (deck 7, aft) – an open lounge area overlooking the stern.
We spent a few hours here talking, reading and enjoying a some of the different spritzes on the menu.
Between the Dockhouse and The Dock, there was a selection of light bites, and more grab and go containers from The Galley and in the Pizza Place. We did not try any, but here are some of the offerings.
Speaking of the Pizza Place, it was now or never to try a fresh pizza. Even with a light crowd, there was a solid 20-minute wait after I ordered. This is not a high volume or quick bite offering, but the pizza, for the most part was good. The margarita pizza was a winner, and while the special of the day (chicken pesto) had high potential, it was prepared with too much olive oil resulting in a soupy mess.
It’d be great if they just offered a slice, even cold in a grab and go container or just stack a few boxes up in a window. That pizza from the hallway was still good, so why not make it an official grab and go offering? Aside from the lack of instant gratification, credit to them for individually made to order pizzas for each guest.
Right outside the pizza shop is the ice cream shop, and even when there is a modest line, it moves pretty fast, ’cause it’s simple process. Ice cream served in a cup or cone, and the best part no transaction necessary as it is included in the cruise fare. Frankly, it was absolutely delicious. This could be dangerous on longer cruises. We don’t ever partake in the ‘all you can eat’ soft serve on other cruise lines, but could see ourselves grabbing some of this quality ice cream on longer sailings (which we have coming up at the end of January).
One thing we did, just because we had the Blue Extras (loyalty level) benefit, was that we sent off a bag of laundry, which was a free loyalty perk. The Scarlet Lady does NOT have a self-service laundry so if you are packing light, your only option is to send it off. The bag is pretty big comparatively. The service did require that we document everything you put in the bag for accountability. Once it was ready, we used the stateroom tablet to request a pickup and we went on with our day.
They folded everything and the clothes were clean and fresh. Now, for $55 out of pocket for a bag of laundry is steep, but given the lack of a self service option your other option is to pack more clothes. However, Disney is a rare bird in the industry with the self service launderettes. As a loyalty perk, it’s awesome! We will definitely be using this in the future!
We also finished our stateroom puzzle (there were several missing pieces) and returned it to The Social Club.
This afternoon, a Nintendo Switch was setup on one of The Social Club’s TVs with a good guest turnout.
Before dinner, we stopped in at On the Rocks (deck 6, midship) for drinks. The band was just starting to setup and in the evening there is live music in an area with a lot of space to spread out.
Tonight, we were heading back to Lucky Lotus (Razzle Dazzle deck 5, aft). In the evening, Razzle Dazzle becomes a Scarlet Lady exclusive known as Lucky Lotus – offering an evening in the East as a modern Chinese eatery.
Unfortunately, the lighting was not conducive for photography. So, please accept my apologies for the terrible photos, but.. It is what it is in this case.
Overall, the food was indeed flavorful as advertised and a nice venue change from brunch at Razzle Dazzle.
Tonight’s big event was Rock-ehokie, featuring a 90’s-ish setlist. It was more of a live concert with the karaoke coming in the form of the sing along with the lyrics scrolling scrolling on the large screens behind the stage. We loved this. I would say this was our favorite offering of the voyage. Who knew the lyrics to Nirvana’s “Nevermind?”
And afterwards, we called it a night at the very late hour of 9 o’clock so that we could pack up most of our luggage.
Scarlet Lady Trip Log Day 5: 4-Night Bahamian Virgin Voyages Cruise – Bimini – February 8, 2026
Trip log, day five. Debarkation Day in Miami.
4-Night Bahamian Fire and Sunset Soiree (Bahamian) from Miami, Florida
February 8, 2026
Our final hours onboard started with a lovely view of the Miami skyline, and easily the most picturesque ports in Florida. It’s worth stepping outside early in the morning to take in the view.
If you remember on Embarkation Day, check-in wasn’t until the afternoon for all guests, which allows a later debarkation time on the final morning. The gangway opens early, but you have until around 10:30 to leave the ship.
Depending on how you choose to enjoy your cruise, this affords a less rushed final night which I never enjoy, not because the cruise is coming to an end, but the looming final packing up and debarkation process a conga line with fellow passengers. With a later all ashore time, this created a perfect window of time early in the morning for a casual disembarkation experience.
You are not required to, but there was an option to recycle the Band. We opted to keep ours and just removed the portion with the RFID and kept the bracelet. I’m not really a bracelet wearing guy, but, you know, it’s a nice little nautical look which currently looks cool on my desk.
While we were not in a rush to get off, it was Super Bowl Sunday, and we did book the Brightline for the 9 o’clock hour departure back to Orlando.
Ultimately, we debarked a little after 7:30, and let me tell you, it was the perfect time as there were very few others leaving around this time compared to when we’ve queued up in a long line for express walk off. This morning, it was almost like a ghost ship, even outside at waiting for our rideshare it was quiet in the pickup area.
I did not do any research on the cruise line or the ship prior to boarding and this was intentional. When heading out on a new ship or cruise line, I prefer to go in without any preconceived expectations and figure it out as I go. I can do this because my wife, on the other hand, does the research and planning. For example, she took care of the dining reservations. If we do anything in port, she usually plans that as well. The main reason I choose to do it this way is to compare and contrast what I know from past cruises, which allows me to have a more in the moment impression of the experience.
Before we get into the cost, I want to point out that in October 2025, the gratuity policy changed to a daily per sailor line item on your folio which can also be pre-paid. Below is the FAQ on the current policy:
Are there additional tips for purchases on board?
Nope — once your service gratuity is covered, that’s it.
We keep things refreshingly simple: there’s no need to tip for drinks, dining, or spa treatments during your voyage. Your service gratuity supports the entire Crew, so you can focus on enjoying every moment — without reaching for your wallet after every order.
It’s all part of our promise to make your holiday feel effortlessly inclusive.
What is Virgin Voyages’ service gratuities policy?
Starting October 7, 2025, To support our incredible Crew — the ones who deliver unforgettable memories from morning lattes to laundry service — we automatically apply a daily service gratuity of $22 USD per Sailor to your onboard folio.
Prefer to take care of it in advance? Pre-pay before the voyage begins and pay just $20 USD per night.
No need to tip on board — ever.
Unlike other cruise lines, we don’t add extra gratuities to drinks, spa services, or dining experiences during your voyage. That daily service gratuity is all you’ll ever be asked to contribute — and it supports the entire Crew who bring the Virgin Voyages magic to life.
Regarding the cost of this cruise, we initially booked an Insider stateroom, but later upgraded to a Sea Terrace. We paid $1354 ($169pp per night), and the rate was basically what DCL calls an IGT rate – it was non-refundable, allowed no changes, etc, then, Emily put in a bid which was accepted for an upgrade to Sea Terrace for $205 total. That brings the cost of the 4-night cruise $1559 for 2 adults, which breaks down to $195 per person per day. This included all dining, gratuities and internet for both of us.
There’s no really direct comparable sailing, as Disney Cruise Line does not sail from PortMiami. However, it is fair to compare to sailings at nearby Port Everglades. For example, the closest sail dats would be the February 2nd Disney Dream or the February 5th Disney Destiny 4-Night Bahamian cruise from Fort Lauderdale. Below is a table showing the 2 Disney Cruise sailings with the Scarlet Lady sailing with price we booked and the upgrade price for a verandah compared to opening day pricing for 2 adults aboard the respective Dream and Destiny 4-night Bahamian Cruises.
| Sail Date | Ship | Inside | Verandah |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/2/26 | Disney Dream | $2211 (276/ppd) | $2579 (322/ppd) |
| 2/4/26 | Scarlet Lady | $1354 (169/ppd) | $1559 (195/ppd) |
| 2/5/26 | Disney Destiny | $2305 (288/ppd) | $2801 (350/ppd) |
The Destiny would have been a closer itinerary comparison with a port of call and a private destination while the comparable in price option on the Dream but that was only going to Nassau, but did have Florida Resident Rates for Inside and Verandah that were actually about the same per person per day (although does not include gratuities or internet). Now, the really difference on this cruise is the stop in Key West which Disney pulled from their itineraries following the local referendum that was later preempted by the State of Florida.
Ultimately, I think it was money well spent as we had an enjoyable experience with Virgin Voyages on the Scarlet Lady.
Since we’ve started to branch out, we’ve sailed on Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, and now Virgin Voyages – all of which have been documented in trip reports. Each have been unique with a mix of comparable and different experiments from Disney Cruise Line. Travel experiences from the destination to the food are pretty much 100% subjective in nature, we all like what we like. What works for us may not work for you and I am not in any way saying one is better than the other. My goal here is to share my experience with you and if these non-DCL trip reports are not in your wheelhouse, I totally understand. I will say sailing on other lines, I have a new perspective from across the cruise industry and there are many areas where I feel Disney can do better – first and foremost the food, followed closely by itinerary diversity within established regions especially for someone like myself that sails to go places, not the ship as a destination. And who can forget, price?
Overall, I was really impressed with our experience on Scarlet Lady and left with a high opinion of Virgin Voyages brand. I don’t know how much of my satisfaction has to do with the origin story of the line which was molded by the expertise of former Disney Cruise Line leaders, or if it was just a result of sailing on a new to me ship with a totally different set of offerings geared to adults. There were numerous dining options available, but unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try them all. While there were what you’d consider main restaurants to choose from each night, there were also other options available just as lite bites or stations in The Galley. Literally my biggest gripe is the silliest thing, the speed at which it takes to grab a slice of pizza, but this is negated by the fact that I can grab a box of charcuterie.
Anyway, I enjoyed nearly every aspect of our four-night cruise, and I am I’m eager to go back on a longer voyage… Our friend and traveling buddy also has a daughter the same age as ours, and initially we were not sure if this cruise would be the right vibe for them. Welp, we booked another Virgin Voyages cruise, and we are planning on booking a 3rd and we will be taking our college age daughter on that one, as we both felt bad sharing our experience with her knowing she would have had a blast. Yes, the same kid who grew up with Disney Cruise Line and is also a Pearl Castaway Club member.
Would it work for a family? Absolutely not – because it’s not designed for children. However, for a family with young adult children, this is something worth considering. For our family dynamic, the Scarlet Lady offers the activities and events (yes, I know we did 2 puzzles on this cruise, but that is not uncommon for our family – remember the time we went to the MEGA in Cozumel to buy puzzles because we were bored onboard the Disney Treasure that cost us almost $10K for the 7n sailing) that have been lacking for our family as we tend to hang out with our daughter rather than only seeing her at dinner each night. The Scarlet Lady also offers plenty of public space to relax and unwind without the venue being taken over as an event space for an activity. There are outside and inside areas alike dedicated for this purpose. Please note, this is not necessarily criticism of one particular cruise line; venues are a premium onboard and every space needs to be utilized, I get that. However, there is becoming less and less public space dedicated to what cruising used to offer… relaxation. I will say, they had a variety of activities offered and many were well attended. It was refreshing to attend things that weren’t just trivia – the puzzle challenge was an absolute blast.
Although my sample size here is four nights, I think there’s a unique case here that Virgin Voyages is setting itself apart from the industry in a unique way. Maybe we were fortunate and the brochure/marketing matched the reality. If so, that is impressive if this is the standard experience. Anyway, Emily and I are looking forward to trying out a longer sailing on an itinerary that isn’t even offered by Disney Cruise Line, and another in the future with our daughter that is……
I hope you enjoyed this trip report and I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have!
