The Dominican Daze Itinerary is a 5-night cruise that begins in Miami, FL. It visits Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas with two sea days before bringing you back to Miami. Both the Scarlet Lady and the Valiant Lady sail this itinerary! In this article, we will discuss the experiences you can have off the cruise ship on the Dominican Daze sailing.
Miami, FL
Virgin Voyages has its own terminal in the Port of Miami, where it unites the energy of Miami with nautical nods to the history of sailing. All Virgin Voyages sailings from the United States are from Miami, FL. There is plenty to do in Miami, FL, from visiting the world-renowned shores of Miami Beach, immersing yourself in Wynwood Art Scene, learning about different cultures, attending a sporting event, and beyond.
Miami Fun
- Visit Bayside Marketplace (approximately 3 miles from the Port)
- Bayside Marketplace is a 2-story shopping center with restaurants and plenty of boat rides you can buy tickets for
- Watch a Miami Heat Game (approximately 3 miles from the Port)
- Miami's Basketball Team
- Wynwood Art District (approximately 4 miles from the Port)
- Wynwood could be described as an outdoor museum displaying art from well-known street artists while hosting breweries, shops, and places to grab a bite
- Watch a Miami Marlins Game (approximately 5 miles from the Port)
- Miami's Baseball Team
- Eat at Brickell (approximately 6 miles from the Port)
- Brickell is Miami's financial center filled with fancy rooftop bars and Michelin Star Restaurants
- Visit South Beach (approximately 7 miles from the Port)
- Miami's famous beach home to shops, art deco, nightlife, and outdoor cafes
However, you need to leave yourself plenty of time to explore Miami - I recommend exploring after your cruise unless you have a day or more before your cruise. Miami is a fun place to visit with tons to do, but it is also known for its traffic. Even if something is 3 - 7 miles away, it could take 30 minutes or more to get there. It is essential to keep this in mind when traveling to the port.
Another word of caution is if there is a lot of rain on or before your departure day, the Port of Miami Tunnel may close, leaving only one way to enter the port, increasing traffic and the time it will take to get on board. It happened to us, and it took 2 hours to get 10 miles down the road.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is my "fatherland"😂, the land my father was born in. Moreover, Puerto Plata is located on the Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic at the base of the Cordillera Mountains. The direct translation of the name, Puerto Plata, is Port of Silver - attributed to the silver clouds that line the mountain tops of the city.
In Puerto Plata, you will have the opportunity to explore the city streets and immerse yourself in the culture, or take it easy and have a nice relaxing day on the snow-white shores of the Dominican Republic!
Puerto Plata Fun
- Taino Bay (within the Port itself)
- Taino Bay is a cruise port with restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, a resort-style swimming pool, and poolside entertainment - perfect for a relaxing day
- Umbrella Street (less than 1 mile from the Port)
- This street is adorned by 178 umbrellas from above and is home to cafes, shops, a chocolate museum, and a cigar museum
- The Cable Car Puerto Plata (about 1 mile from the Port)
- This Cable Car ride takes you up half a mile to the top of Loma Isabel de Torres Mountain, where a statue of "Christ the Redeemer" welcomes you with open arms
- 16th-Century Fortaleza San Felipe (about 1 mile from the Port)
- One of the oldest European structures in the Caribbean and the only remaining remnant of the 16th century in Puerto Plata - there is lots of history to learn at this fort
- Playa Dorada (about 5.5 miles from the Port)
- Enjoy the white beaches of Playa Dorada, known for its clear water and plentitude of restaurants
- Coconut Cove Beach (about 17 miles from the Port)
- You will take an off-roading adventure through the countryside to the beach for a nice day out in the sun
- Waterfalls of Damajagua and Off-Road Adventure (about 20 miles from the Port)
- On this adventure, you will take an off-road buggy, hike up a mountain, and jump off a waterfall
Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas
Beach Club at Bimini is Virgin Voyages' exclusive beach club in Bimini, Bahamas. This Beach Club has private beach access, two resort-style pools, a DJ booth, a "restaurant," you can compare it to The Galley, beach and pool loungers, and lots of fun surprises! This beach club is a resort-like experience with a full day of fun! You can also book an excursion and explore the islands’ incredible biodiversity.
Beach Club at Bimini Fun
- Honeymoon Harbor's Stingray Adventure (you will need to take a boat to get here)
- At Honeymoon Harbor, you will get the chance to swim with the stingrays
- Bimini Heritage and Cultural Tour (North Bimini Island Tour)
- You will be taken on an open-air tram tour through North Bimini, visiting popular and historical sites
- Scuba Diving Tours (Different Locations)
- You need to be certified to partake in these excursions, but they have a Two-Tank Scuba Dive and a Great Hammerhead Safari and Scuba Dive
- The Beach Club
- Once you disembark the vessel, you will walk to a tram stop where an open-air tram will take you to the Beach Club. In this journey, you see that you are technically in Resorts World, and Virgin Voyages either rents or owns the Beach Club portion. Once you arrive, you catch a glimpse of the ocean on the far end. Before the sand/beach area, you will find a relaxation pool to the left and a "party" pool to the right, map pictured above.
The "party" pool has a DJ booth, and the relaxation pool has a bar. At some point at the "party" pool, they bring out funky, unique inflatables for their floaty pool parties. It was my favorite part as they had rainbows, old house phones, a yacht, and many other different shape inflatables. There are plenty of seating options and even private cabanas for rent at this private beach club experience!
Both sides of the Beach Club have Beach Eats, where you can enjoy food. They offer the same Caribbean menu, and you do not have to pay as it is Virgin's private beach club. However, you will still need to purchase alcoholic beverages as you would on the boat. The Beach Club is a great time whether you want to relax, party, or a little bit of both! The Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, epitomizes laid-back island vibes.
Why cruise with Virgin Voyages?
Embarking on a Virgin Voyages cruise is an unforgettable journey, offering a perfect collision of relaxation and fun. With awe-inspiring shows crafted by the world’s most-talked-about producers and directors, every moment onboard promises excitement. Indulge in menus curated by Michelin star chefs at specialty main dining rooms, ensuring a culinary experience like no other. Stay active with group fitness classes, including HIIT sessions, followed by a refreshing visit to Gym & Tonic, one of the onboard juice bars.
From relaxed casual vibes to a shipload of opportunities and experiences, a Virgin Voyages cruise sets the bar high, spoiling you with its all-inclusive mentality and focus on luxury. Whether it is your first cruise or not, Virgin Voyages guarantees an unparalleled experience!
Check out my other Virgin Voyages blog posts!
Why Sail on Virgin Voyages Cruise Ships: A Review - Embark on a journey of luxury and adventure with Virgin Voyages - an adult-only cruise line setting new standards at sea. Learn more here!
Your Guide to Dining on Virgin Voyages Cruise Ships - Do you love food? Are you a foodie? Check out this blog to learn about the different food items you can enjoy on a Virgin Voyages cruise!
Disembarkation Day
Sailing with Virgin Voyages is an amazing experience regardless of the itinerary! So, if you decide to go on a Dominican Daze Cruise or a Fire & Sunset Soirées, you will have an unforgettable time! Ready to go on your exclusively adult cruise vacation of your dreams?
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