Fort Lauderdale Cruise, Miami Transfer

Admiral Tours Miami runs this Bimini day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, with round-trip transfer from Miami included.

Overview

This is a full-day Bahamas trip built around a ferry crossing: a coach picks travellers up at select Miami-area hotels in the early morning and runs to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, where the boat to Bimini departs from Terminal 21 at 1850 Eller Drive. The whole package runs about 11 hours door to door, and the listing gives a start time of 05:00. Around six of those hours are spent on Bimini itself, with the rest given over to sailing, check-in and the return immigration process.

On the island, the base package covers the ferry landing and facility fees, transport within the Resorts World Bimini grounds to the casino and restaurants, and beach access. The listing is clear that the Hilton Beach Club day pass is not part of the fare and can be bought separately, and several reviewers back that up, some praising the Hilton pools. Water sports, reef snorkeling, dolphin swims, jet skis and parasailing are all optional activities available at your own expense.

It suits travellers who want a taste of the Bahamas without booking a hotel, and who can handle a very long day. Reviewers repeatedly describe the logistics as the hardest part: early starts, immigration lines on return, and sometimes rough seas. Anyone prone to seasickness should plan medication, since more than one recent guest reported a bumpy crossing.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup, MiamiRound-trip transfer from select Miami-area hotels is included. Reviewers report pickups scheduled in the very early morning, sometimes before dawn, so confirm the exact time on the booking page.
2. Port Everglades check-inThe vehicle runs to Port Everglades, 1850 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale, Terminal 21. Travellers check in for the ferry and clear departure formalities here.
3. Ferry to BiminiThe high-speed ferry crosses to Bimini. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board, and island excursions can be booked during the sailing.
4. Bimini, about 6 hoursTime on the island runs about 6 hours per the listing. Ground transport within Resorts World Bimini to the casino and restaurants is included, along with beach access. The Hilton Beach Club day pass is an extra fee, as are water sports and other optional activities.
5. Return ferrySail back to Fort Lauderdale. Reviewers mention the ride can be rough when weather is bad, and that US immigration on arrival can involve long waits.
6. Transfer back to MiamiThe coach returns travellers to the Miami pickup area. The activity ends at the meeting point, and several reviewers describe getting home very late, past midnight.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, drawn from the listing and from what multiple travellers reported after taking this exact trip.

• Bring a passport. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel, and passport details for every participant must be given at booking. One reviewer reported being turned away after relying on a birth certificate, so treat the passport rule as firm. The health visa for day-trip passengers is no longer required.
• Budget for food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are not included. Plan to spend accordingly on the day.
• Plan for seasickness. Motion-sickness tablets are a sensible precaution for anyone sensitive to swells.
• Expect a long day. Reviewers consistently flag the logistics: very early hotel pickup, waits at the terminal, and long immigration lines on return, with some arriving home in the small hours. The listing's own figure is about 11 hours, so plan nothing else for that day and expect to be tired.
• Buy the beach pass early. The Hilton Beach Club day pass is not included in the fare. One reviewer reported access could not be purchased on a day a cruise ship with exclusive beach rights was docked, so it pays to sort out beach arrangements as early as possible. Pools at the Hilton drew positive comments from those who had the pass.
• Group size and pace. The tour runs with a maximum of 100 travellers, so expect crowds at check-in and at immigration rather than a small-group feel. Optional excursions are sold on the island, and one reviewer reported little direction on arrival, so it helps to know what you want to do before you land.

Common issues. The recurring complaints are logistical. Several travellers reported late or confusing pickups, difficulty reaching the operator by phone before departure, and waits of two hours or more at US immigration on the return. The listing confirms the day can run long, and poor weather can force cancellation, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered. The ferry is subcontracted to Balearia Caribbean according to one reviewer, and delays on the sailing were reported by the same guest. Rough seas bothered multiple reviewers, and one traveller was unable to buy beach access on a day a cruise ship held exclusive rights to the sand. Food and drink prices on board and on the island were called expensive by more than one guest. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are, and the full fare does not include the Hilton day pass.

Before The Ferry