A ship shuttling passengers to the westernmost point of the Bahamas could open any day now, representatives from Bimini SuperFast said Friday.

The ship will transport as many as 1,500 passengers to Bimini and back twice daily, and offer gambling and food. Genting christened the Bimini SuperFast Friday and had planned to send invited passengers to Bimini.

The resort in North Bimini opened — along with a new casino at the former Bimini Bay Resort — but the ship is still docked, awaiting clearance from the Coast Guard. Bimini SuperFast officials had expected to be open to the public by Monday.

At Friday’s christening, Genting Group Chairman KT Lim noted that the endeavor will create 800 jobs: 100 at PortMiami, 300 on the ship and 400 in Bimini. He also said the port will receive $60 million annually in fees.

Resorts World Bimini President Dana Leibovitz said Genting converted a 12-year-old, 32-ton ship that had been used to ferry automobiles across the Adriatic Sea.

Resorts World Bimini vice president Mitchell Schlesinger said the night cruise will have a party atmosphere, with dancing and “big-name” DJs on the upper deck, dancing under the stars as the ship cruises along. Because night club patrons can be quite loyal to their favorite DJ, Schlesinger hopes to set up a rotating schedule of performers. It will be called “Club Bimini.”

The day trip will leave at 9 a.m. daily and return at 7 p.m. The party cruise is from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Overnight packages will be available.

Cost is $49 and the Resorts World Bimini web site (RWBimini.com) and phone lines (888-930-8688) have opened. Officials also noted that passengers need either a passport or a government-issued ID and a birth certificate.

This is an excerpt from South Florida Sun Sentinel as it appeared on July 2, 2013. For updates or to read the current version of this post in its entirety, please click here.

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