By DANA SMITH
Tribune Staff Reporter
dsmith@ tribunemedia.net
AFTER safety setbacks kept the Resorts World Bimini SuperFast in the port of Miami for two weeks, the vessel was cleared to take 500 guests to Bimini for its inaugural trip Saturday morning.
Guests on board the 10-storey ship enjoyed several restaurants, bars, and a casino, while on a two-and-a-half hour journey to the Bahamas, which is to continue daily until it is increased to twice daily in August.
The ship can hold up to 1,600 guests, with prices starting at $49 per person, round trip, with added costs if guests want to stay in one of the ship’s 244 cabins. The goal, according to Resorts World officials, is to turn Bimini into a year-round destination for tourists.
Government officials here share the same goal and expect the Bimini SuperFast and Resorts World Bimini casino to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the island, over the coming years.
However, the ship’s first journey on Saturday was not trouble-free as delays reportedly associated with customs and immigration allowed guests little more than 30 minutes to explore Bimini before the return trip to Miami.
Also contributing to the short 30 minutes, a lack of a suitable jetty for the SuperFast forced guests to board smaller ferries to be shuttled to Bimini.
Genting Americas President, Colin Au, noted this lack contributed to the long process of taking guests from the ship to Bimini. He also suggested this lack of a jetty, in conjunction with rough weather, will inhibit plans for the ship to operate year-round.
“There is something we cannot do that is of course with nature,” he said. “We really, dearly love to build a jetty here. As you can see today, we were coming on tenders - that obviously takes a long time - and, by October, nature will turn against us; being winter, the waves will be 3 to 9 feet and obviously we can’t arrive on this beautiful island.”
However, addressing the press inside Resort World Bimini’s Sabor Restaurant, Mr Au noted Resorts World is “prepared to do more.”
He said: “We really appreciate being welcomed here. There will be a lot of benefits for Biminites... We are in the process of getting a private jet that will bring people all the way from Mexico City and New York City directly into Bimini. And, we’re going to start sea plane services – every hour on the hour – from Miami to this beautiful island and also at night.
“And, of course, we hope also, given the permission to build a jetty, that we can do year-round (SuperFast trips) and we can then intend to build maybe a few hundred rooms and continue to improve the tourism infrastructure.”
Over the next 12 to 16 months, Mr Au said, Resorts World will do “a lot” to improve the economy in Bimini.
Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe was on board the Bimini SuperFast for the inaugural trip and spoke to The Tribune about the importance of such an initiative for Bimini’s economy.
“This is a giant step towards economic sustainability that we’re hoping to achieve for all the islands of the Bahamas,” he said.
“Genting is a major corporation... all of its plans for the future will allow us to cause for the sustained growth of tourism on a daily basis – if we’re able to ensure 1,000 people or 500 people are arriving here and are able to contribute to the economy.”
Taking into consideration the number of guests expected to arrive in Bimini and the anticipation of local entrepreneurship and a boom in local businesses, the Bimini MP said: “We believe it’s going to contribute almost $400 million to this island, over a period of time – that’s the focus. It’s going to be tremendous because of the growth you’re going to see over the next several years and we’re hoping within a ten-year period, it reaches that high mark.”
Comments
PhillipDodge 11 years, 3 months ago
What a beautiful ship! I am getting booked right now! Just as Bahamians enjoy the boost to the economy, I enjoy the fact that I can get out of Miami for a fast and luxurious trip to an exotic play land and be back at work the next day. This new full service experience is going to go over big and greatly increase tourism and fun for all.
concernedcitizen 11 years, 3 months ago
enjoy your half an hour on land after your 3 hour boat ride ,,really 2 and 1/2 hours to go 45 miles is not such a fast ferry ,,they better get the seaplanes going ,,this ol red boat thing has been a joke ,,,
JoeBruce 11 years, 3 months ago
WOW, what a great ship!!!!
I just went on the cruise. It was more fun than any of my last trips to Las Vegas. This place is AMAZING. They have REAL craps tables. I actually won!
The gambling on board was also pretty cool. The ship has six excellent restaurants. We got a cabin for only $25. I will go back again and again
WardKelly 11 years, 3 months ago
On an impulse I booked an all day cruise and I was very pleased. The staff was so great they made me feel like a celebrity. The whole trip was very reasonably priced. I never had that much fun at HardRock. Next weekend me and the buds plan to stay at one of Resort World Bimini’s villas.
thomas 11 years, 3 months ago
Great advertisement. You have to be on the payroll already.
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 3 months ago
That's the same thing I was thinking...maybe they handed out prizes for people to post how great the ride was
DapphneG 11 years, 3 months ago
My boyfriend and I used to go to the Hardrock Casino in Hollywood, FL because we like to gamble and we live only 10 minutes away. But we won’t waste our time or our money there any more. First of all, we didn’t really like it. I thought it was kinda cheesy but it was close by. But I read about the new SuperFast and from now on we’re going to make regular getaways to Bimini World Resort/Casino on the SuperFast. The prices are so reasonable, too, at $49.00 per person. As soon as we pass the mile limit for gambling, it’s ON!
JoeBruce 11 years, 3 months ago
I wanted to take the first trip on Saturday to inaugurate the ship and be one of the first people to experience the Resorts World Bimini ferry and casino.
I use to go on the Discovery cruises to nowhere, but they don't seem to compare with the luxury boat that Genting bought. There is no good place to gamble in Florida. We only have the indian casinos or the parimutuels. With the Bimini casino only 45 miles away and only $49 to get there, I don't think many Floridians will be going to Vegas anymore.
LisaBraun 11 years, 3 months ago
Hurry up people and book your trip. This deal seems too good to be true - but it is true.
Only $49 for a round trip ticket to Bimini on the superfast ferry.
The ship and the resort have REAL dealers. Not the electronic machines like they have at Magic City casino. There are water views from the gaming tables - it's VERY cool.
I've been going to Atlantic City and Vegas for many years but I don't think I will ever go back. Bimini has all I need, and more.
PaPaRoy 11 years, 3 months ago
I thought I was too old to get out for a good time. But, boy, did I ever! My granddaughter took me on the SuperFast to Bimini. Wow! She got a cabin for me on board ‘cause, after all, I need my rest. But guess what? Their good-looking staff and the hot action at their on-board casino kept me going for the entire trip! I can’t believe it! I’ve been on cruises before but this SuperFast is sleek and fast, just like my first wife. Anyway, we had a grand time. I lost $350 but the savings on their great prices made up for it. I’m booking a weekend at the World Resort Casino in Bimini for my 77th birthday in August. Casino Miami and HardRock will not see me again. I’ll be in Bimini! P.S. If you’re over 60 it should be mandatory that you book your getaway. http://www.rwbimini.com/
LouiseFoote 11 years, 3 months ago
I went on my very first cruise on board the SuperFast. M y boyfriend took me on the SuperFast to Bimini for my birthday. He likes to gamble and the gambling started at the 3-mile mark off the coast. The on-board casino is unbelievable. His birthday is in September and we plan to go again. I love a good time and from now we’ll have plenty of good times at Resort World Bimini.
Envirotech 11 years, 3 months ago
The casino at the Resorts World Bimini property is in finest in the Caribbean, by far, and it beats many of the Las Vegas casinos. I just went and never wanted to leave the casino. There were water views from the gaming tables and slots. It was very cool.
I can even gamble on the fast ferry on the way to and from the island. I will never go to the indian casino or the parimutuels again. They are sleazy in comparison to the Bimini resort, and ship.
CarolJones 11 years, 3 months ago
The parimutuel casinos they have in Miami are disgusting. I don’t trust their machines. I hear that Magic City was once owned by “friends” of the miami mob. They should be excluded from the casino business.
CarolJones 11 years, 2 months ago
I just got back from the Bimini superfast ferry to Bimini and stayed at the Resorts World Bimini hotel. I had a great time and there was even a place for my kids to be supervised while I did some gambling. The casino was immaculate, well designed and very comfortable. I actually won more money on the boat ride over to Bimini than I did on the island. The boat has two separate casinos and the casino on the island overlook the marina. Everywhere I gambled I had a water view - it was a very relaxing. It was much better than anything I have seen in Miami. I'll never go back to a parimutuel or indian casino again.
SoManyShills 11 years, 2 months ago
I love how Genting has people spamming every single article about this ship with positive reviews. Check out Yelp. The really long, negative reviews have been flagged while the decent and positive reviews are all up. Great job guys.
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