Princess Cruises has started calling at Bimini in the Bahamas. Caribbean Journal reported on November 9, 2026 that the 4,300-guest Star Princess made its inaugural call on November 6, docking in North Bimini as the final stop on a seven-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale. The line plans further Bimini calls in 2027. This report sets out what has been published about the first visit, the 2027 sailings and the shore options, and what travellers should confirm before choosing a cruise on the strength of one port.
The first call
According to Caribbean Journal, Star Princess had nine hours in port. The ship left Fort Lauderdale on October 31 and called at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, then Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk, with a day at sea before reaching Bimini. The article describes the call as the start of the line’s regular visits to the island rather than a one-off.
Bimini is the westernmost island group in the Bahamas and sits close to the Florida coast, which makes it a natural last stop on a cruise that returns to Fort Lauderdale. It has a small population and a quiet, low-rise feel compared with larger cruise ports. North Bimini, where the ship docked, is the island’s main settlement.
Upcoming Bimini calls
The report lists two 2027 sailings, both on Star Princess, which is the second ship in Princess’s Sphere Class and debuted in October 2025:
- January 14, 2027: part of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale that departs January 9. That itinerary is scheduled to visit Grand Turk and Amber Cove, then spend consecutive days in Bimini and at Celebration Key.
- March 26, 2027: part of a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale departing March 20. Bimini falls near the end of the week, with the ship returning to Fort Lauderdale the following morning.
The article cautions that sailings on the same ship can have different Bahamian stops, so travellers should check the day-by-day port list for the exact departure date before booking. That advice is worth following, since cruise itineraries can be revised.
What there is to do ashore
The cruise pier leads directly onto North Bimini, so passengers do not need a tender boat. Caribbean Journal lists these shore options:
- Swimming at Radio Beach, a beach on the island.
- Exploring Alice Town, the island’s main settlement.
- A snorkelling excursion over the Sapona wreck, which lasts about one hour and 45 minutes.
- A 2.5-hour open-air tram tour with a focus on Bahamian culture.
- Resorts World Bimini, which offers tram transport from the pier and access to its beach and pools, with or without lunch.
The Sapona is a concrete-hulled ship that lies in shallow water off Bimini, and it is a well-known snorkelling site. If you plan to snorkel, check the conditions and the operator’s safety briefing, and read our guide to snorkelling safety and reef etiquette.
Why this matters beyond cruise passengers
The Caribbean’s cruise sector has been growing faster than overnight tourism. Our recent report on Caribbean stayover growth slowing as cruise visits hit a record shows the same pattern at regional level. A new call at a small island like Bimini is part of that trend: cruise lines add smaller ports to diversify itineraries and to offer something different from the busiest harbours.
For land-based travellers considering the area, the news is also a reminder that a port can feel very different on days when a ship is in. A visit to Alice Town or the beaches with 4,000 extra people around is not the same as a quiet weekday. If you are staying at a resort on or near Bimini, ask about expected ship days and any effect on beaches and restaurants.
Practical points before you book a cruise
- Check the exact itinerary. Ports can change due to weather, operational reasons or schedule revisions. The itinerary listed on the line’s own site on your sailing date is the one that counts.
- Look at the time in port. Nine hours at Bimini on the first call is generous compared with some ports, but arrival and departure times vary.
- Price the shore excursions. Compare ship-booked and independent tours. Our guide to booking excursions through the desk or an independent operator applies on land and on shore days. Ship tours generally come with a guarantee that the ship will wait if the tour runs late, which is not the case with every independent booking.
- Check documents. Entry rules for the Bahamas and for your return to the United States depend on your citizenship. Read our report on the Bahamas digital arrival card pilot for the latest on arrival procedures, and check which rules apply to cruise passengers.
- Consider insurance. Cruise and hurricane season risks differ from resort stays. See how travel insurance works for a resort trip for the basics.
What is not yet known
The report does not give fares, onboard programming for Bimini days or any commitment about 2028 sailings. It also does not say how many additional calls will follow the January and March dates. Anyone planning around Bimini should confirm the stop on the line’s own itinerary page for their sailing, since a ship’s port list can change.
Source: Caribbean Journal, November 9, 2026. Dates and itineraries are as reported there and are subject to change by the cruise line.