Bimini by boat
Ferry will connect Miami with island resort.
ResortsWorld Bimini is partnering with German ferry operator FRS Group to launch a ferry service between Miami and Bimini in The Bahamas, the companies announced thisweek.
The new service, to be run by the ferry operator’s FRS Caribbean division, will kick off Friday fromPortMiami for arrival in Bimini at the new pier at ResortsWorld Bimini, according to a joint news release.
FRS Caribbean plans to use the 170-foot vessel SanGwann on the route, which has amaximum capacity of 427 passengers and can reach speeds of up to 38 knots, or 44 mph, according to its website, frs-caribbean.com.
“We are thrilled to expand ourNorth American operations to include service from Miami to Bimini,” said Götz Becker, CEO of FRS Group, in a statement. “This beautiful island is considered one of the best Caribbean escapes for discerning travelers, andwe look forward to providing a relaxing and convenientway to visit.”
The SanGwann offers seating in economy and business class, and the ferry service is initially scheduled to operate Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays andWednesdays, an FRS reservations agent said Thursday.
One-way promotional fares start at $69.98, plus taxes, according to frs-caribbean.com.
The trip from Miami to Bimini will take about two hours and is scheduled to depart at 8 a.m. fromTerminalHat PortMiami. Returning, the ferry will leave Bimini at 6 p.m.
The new ferry service will offer South Floridians and visitors to the area “a quick, costeffectiveway to visit the island of Bimini,” said Edward Farrell, president of ResortsWorld Bimini. “Coupled with expanded air service to Bimini fromboth Miami and Fort Lauderdale, visitors to ResortsWorld Bimini nowhave two seamlessways to reach the island as quickly and as safely as possible.”
In June, the 750-acre beachfront resort propertywelcomed the opening of a 305-room Hilton hotel. It also is home to a casino, six restaurants, four pools, a spa and private marina.
ResortsWorld Bimini is operated by Malaysia’s GentingGroup, a multibillion-dollar casino and entertainment company known for its destination casinos around the globe.
Before launching the ferry service, Resorts World Bimini had operated a combination of day trips and multiday cruises fromPortMiami to Bimini with the 1,500-passenger Bimini SuperFast cruise-ferry ship, which ran fromsummer 2013 through early January this year. Resorts World Bimini had also attempted similar trips from Port Everglades in late 2014 but pulled out after only a fewweeks, saying itwanted to focus on its Miami operations.
A PortMiami spokesperson could not be reached Thursday for comment about the new ferry service.
For information or to book the FRS ferry, call 877-286-7220 or visit frs-caribbean.com.