It is a long story, but the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Boarder Control made the decision some time ago that ships like the Superfast cannot take "cruises to nowhere" without a crew that was 100% either US citizens or with visas from the USA to allow them to work in the United States.
As the Superfast was offering gambling cruises as part of the business model (in the early days of operations), those cruises did not call on a foreign port and were therefore in violation of US law according to DHS and CBP.
Even though the gambling cruises have been discontinued, RWBimini filed a lawsuit due to the opinion that this option needed to be available during the winter months when docking in Bimini may not be possible. RW Bimini lost the case.
The last sailing took place this week.
Although one poster on this board has constantly and chronically critical of this vessel, it was the only reasonably priced option for mere mortals to go over and enjoy the folks, food and gin clear waters of the Bimini chain.
It was only reasonably priced if you stayed aboard. It was even reasonable booking the deluxe staterooms below the bridge as your breakfast and dinner were included.
Taking a seaplane and staying at the Hilton will not be remotely reasonable from a cost perspective.
The Superfast employed quite a few folks aboard and dockside. The dockside personnel were either US citizens or green card holders.
She will be missed by many.
As the Superfast was offering gambling cruises as part of the business model (in the early days of operations), those cruises did not call on a foreign port and were therefore in violation of US law according to DHS and CBP.
Even though the gambling cruises have been discontinued, RWBimini filed a lawsuit due to the opinion that this option needed to be available during the winter months when docking in Bimini may not be possible. RW Bimini lost the case.
The last sailing took place this week.
Although one poster on this board has constantly and chronically critical of this vessel, it was the only reasonably priced option for mere mortals to go over and enjoy the folks, food and gin clear waters of the Bimini chain.
It was only reasonably priced if you stayed aboard. It was even reasonable booking the deluxe staterooms below the bridge as your breakfast and dinner were included.
Taking a seaplane and staying at the Hilton will not be remotely reasonable from a cost perspective.
The Superfast employed quite a few folks aboard and dockside. The dockside personnel were either US citizens or green card holders.
She will be missed by many.
