Photo: Virgin Voyages
01of 11The Virgin Voyages Beach Club at BiminiVirgin VoyagesThoughbillionaire businessmanSir Richard Branson’s cruise line, Virgin Voyages, has yet to take its maiden voyage, it has plenty in place for when it’s allowed to start welcoming its first guests.The adults-only cruise company recently put the finishing touches on the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini,their exclusive destination on the island of Bimini, near the Bahamas. Every Caribbean-bound Virgin Voyages sailing will make a stop at the beach club and allow guests to disembark for a day of sunbathing, swimming and partying — and PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the luxurious destination.
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The Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini
Virgin Voyages
Thoughbillionaire businessmanSir Richard Branson’s cruise line, Virgin Voyages, has yet to take its maiden voyage, it has plenty in place for when it’s allowed to start welcoming its first guests.
The adults-only cruise company recently put the finishing touches on the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini,their exclusive destination on the island of Bimini, near the Bahamas. Every Caribbean-bound Virgin Voyages sailing will make a stop at the beach club and allow guests to disembark for a day of sunbathing, swimming and partying — and PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the luxurious destination.
02of 11The Luxe LocationVirgin VoyagesBimini is the closest Caribbean island to the United States, about 50 miles east of Miami. Only seven miles long, the island is known for its uncrowded white-sand beaches (the populationis less than 2,000 people) and water activities, like snorkeling and big game fishing. It was also a favorite vacation destination of author Ernest Hemingway, who described it as, “like the end of the world.”
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The Luxe Location
Bimini is the closest Caribbean island to the United States, about 50 miles east of Miami. Only seven miles long, the island is known for its uncrowded white-sand beaches (the populationis less than 2,000 people) and water activities, like snorkeling and big game fishing. It was also a favorite vacation destination of author Ernest Hemingway, who described it as, “like the end of the world.”
03of 11Splash ZonesVirgin VoyagesA lagoon-style pool centers the VV Beach Club. Hammock groves and ample beach loungers are dotted across the property, and both beachside and poolside cabanas will be available for rent.
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Splash Zones
A lagoon-style pool centers the VV Beach Club. Hammock groves and ample beach loungers are dotted across the property, and both beachside and poolside cabanas will be available for rent.
04of 11Local EatsVirgin VoyagesEach Virgin Voyages sailing is all-inclusive, and all the food and drinks at the VV Beach Club will be complimentary as well. Locally sourced ingredients inspired the items on the menu, including conch and mango salad, banana leaf-wrapped queen snapper, Bahamian rum cake and more.
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Local Eats
Each Virgin Voyages sailing is all-inclusive, and all the food and drinks at the VV Beach Club will be complimentary as well. Locally sourced ingredients inspired the items on the menu, including conch and mango salad, banana leaf-wrapped queen snapper, Bahamian rum cake and more.
05of 11Never Go ThirstyVirgin VoyagesThere are six different bars scattered across the property, prepped to serve up cocktails and more. Hanging chairs allows guests to dip their toes in the water while they sip on their drinks.
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Never Go Thirsty
There are six different bars scattered across the property, prepped to serve up cocktails and more. Hanging chairs allows guests to dip their toes in the water while they sip on their drinks.
06of 11Intentional DesignVirgin VoyagesThe VV Beach Club was designed with Miami-based architects EOA, Inc. using natural and sustainable materials in subtle earth tones.“We wanted the beach club to be very natural and honest to its surroundings,” Dee Cooper, the Senior Vice President of Design for Virgin Voyages, said in a press release. “That’s why we’ve used materials like local limestone and created landscapes out of the natural plant life on the island, to complement the existing ecology.”
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Intentional Design
The VV Beach Club was designed with Miami-based architects EOA, Inc. using natural and sustainable materials in subtle earth tones.
“We wanted the beach club to be very natural and honest to its surroundings,” Dee Cooper, the Senior Vice President of Design for Virgin Voyages, said in a press release. “That’s why we’ve used materials like local limestone and created landscapes out of the natural plant life on the island, to complement the existing ecology.”
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Something for Everyone
The club was also designed to entertain guests from day to night, and give them several options depending on their desired activity level.
08of 11For the High RollersVirgin VoyagesGuests staying in the more luxurious RockStar Quarters on board the ship will also get VIP treatment at the beach club with access to a dedicated bar, complimentary food service, an outdoor terrace lounge, sun loungers and beach cabanas.
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For the High Rollers
Guests staying in the more luxurious RockStar Quarters on board the ship will also get VIP treatment at the beach club with access to a dedicated bar, complimentary food service, an outdoor terrace lounge, sun loungers and beach cabanas.
09of 11The Perfect PlaylistVirgin VoyagesMusic is central to the Virgin Voyages experience, and each afternoon a DJ will lead a pool and flotilla party.Grammy-Award-winning artist and producer Mark Ronson has been named the founding DJ, and will be one of the first music makers to perform at the club.At dusk, guests will be invited to a beach bonfire, where there will be more mellow, acoustic performances to round out the day.
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The Perfect Playlist
Music is central to the Virgin Voyages experience, and each afternoon a DJ will lead a pool and flotilla party.
Grammy-Award-winning artist and producer Mark Ronson has been named the founding DJ, and will be one of the first music makers to perform at the club.
At dusk, guests will be invited to a beach bonfire, where there will be more mellow, acoustic performances to round out the day.
10of 11The World OutsideVirgin VoyagesThose who choose to leave the VV Beach Club will have the opportunity to explore Bimini and all its opportunities for adventure.Boating and snorkeling are popular activities, as is wreck diving for those really looking to go off the beaten path. A shipwrecked vessel called the SS Sapona is located just a few miles off the coast of the southern part of the island.
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The World Outside
Those who choose to leave the VV Beach Club will have the opportunity to explore Bimini and all its opportunities for adventure.
Boating and snorkeling are popular activities, as is wreck diving for those really looking to go off the beaten path. A shipwrecked vessel called the SS Sapona is located just a few miles off the coast of the southern part of the island.
11of 11The SailingsVirgin VoyagesVirgin Voyages' first ship,Scarlet Lady, was announced in January 2019. It was originally supposed to sail from Miami for the Caribbean starting on April 1, 2020, but will now officially set sail in September 2021, the company tells PEOPLE.In November 2019, the company announced thattheir second ship will be named “Valiant Lady,“and will sail three itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain, when cruising returns.Their third ship, “Resilient Lady,” was announced last month. It will have a home port of Piraeus (Athens), Greece, and will offer two, 7-night itineraries across the Mediterranean scheduled to begin July 1, 2022.
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The Sailings
Virgin Voyages' first ship,Scarlet Lady, was announced in January 2019. It was originally supposed to sail from Miami for the Caribbean starting on April 1, 2020, but will now officially set sail in September 2021, the company tells PEOPLE.
In November 2019, the company announced thattheir second ship will be named “Valiant Lady,“and will sail three itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain, when cruising returns.
Their third ship, “Resilient Lady,” was announced last month. It will have a home port of Piraeus (Athens), Greece, and will offer two, 7-night itineraries across the Mediterranean scheduled to begin July 1, 2022.
source: people.com
