First time HA cruisers. June 3, 2012 Veendam to Bermuda

[Alicat62]

This is our first time on a HA cruise. It is a monumental year for us as my husband and I both turn 50 and it is our 7th wedding anniversary on 06/04. It has been great to get info from past cruisers. I think we made a good decision this time.
Anyone else cruising on that ship? Any advice from past cruisers? We've never been to Bermuda so we have no idea of what to expect.
I'm curious to see what this post brings!

[djg541]

Having been to Bermuda several times I can say this about the island nation.
Its a very clean island in general. The people are well educated and civil with British traditions. A proud people not to be treated condicendingly.
All homes are well maintained and proudly so. The English garden tradition is evident everywhere.
One tip about cabs.....DONT slam the doors upon entering or exiting. It drives the cabbies wild. Autos are very expensive to buy and maintain there,so they dont tolerate what they consider as abuse.
Be sure to hit the Swizzle Inn...home of the rum swizzle. be careful as to how many you have. they go down so easllly you dont realize the potency.
Costs in general are expensive so be prepared.
St George is a must see town. Low key and charming. Hamilton is the business center. Also clean and well run, but a busy port.
If you golf, your in heaven, but be prepared for the fees.
If your gong in June,it will be busy with tourists as that begins their peak season. families and kids will be everywhere.
Dont count on abundant sun every day. The weather is changeable,but in June,generally comfortably warm and somewhat humid, but rain may occur from time to time.
I hope you have a great trip!

[seadrifter]

Another bit of useful info regarding traveling around the islands of Bermuda is that the buses and ferries are very convenient. The ferry from Hamilton to West End is a nice short ride; to St. George a longer trip but well worth it. Or there are buses that go to St. George and the original Swizzle Inn is on the way. As previously said, try the rum swizzle:).

[jtl513]

Since you are docked three nights in the same place, this cruise is much more about the island than about the ship. I suggest that you do a lot of reading on the Ports of Call - Bermuda forum where you will find advice from cruisers on all lines, and not just HAL:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

[zookiebird]

Keep in mind that they drive on the LEFT side of the road so be extra careful crossing the streets. Also, its tempting but don't rent the mopeds.

[Alicat62]

Wow! I love the Internet! Such good advice so far! I will certainly check out the scenes as suggested....and then some!

[StartrainDD]

Thanks for joining. We are on the sailing before you and will endevor to leave the ship in great shape.

Just one comment on Bermuda - we had a wonderful time a few years ago but were jealous of the HAL passengers docked right in Hamilton; now we will be one of them!;) DJG is absolutely correct; but keep in mind that you don't NEED to spend much in Bermuda. We bought the transit passes (which I believe are $35 each for four days) and that will get you anywhere on the island. The buses and ferries are very convenient. I am sure the locals would appreciate if you can avoid long trips during their "Rush hour," but if you can't, that is okay too - just be prepared to stand!

Other than the transit passes, I don't think we spent $50 on the island. We shared a light lunch once when we were in St. Georges, and purchased a few trinkets and beverages.

We're very happy to be going back and being docked in Hamilton.

[tr6ski]

We have been on about 20 cruises and this will be our ninth time to Bermuda.I guess you can say it is one of our favorite destinations. We were on the veendam 2 years ago, It is a relaxing cruise ,no surfing or rock climbing walls. the best part is being docked in Hamilton, close to busses,cabs and shopping. the people are very friendly,the beaches are beautiful the weather is great. St. georges is not as crowded as it used to be since no ships dock there any longer but is nice to walk around town and down the side streets through the golf course to fort catherine. Horseshoe bay is very popular if you go there walk to the left along the beach to the rocks, small beaches and pools not to many people,and by the way we are sailing on June 3rd as well, drop us a line

[scottamiller]

Keep in mind that they drive on the LEFT side of the road so be extra careful crossing the streets. Also, its tempting but don't rent the mopeds.

What is your concern with renting a moped? :confused: I had planned to do so as I am travelling solo on the 4/29 Veendam sailing and thought it would be an excellent way to explore at my own pace.

[madelinerose]

What is your concern with renting a moped? :confused: I had planned to do so as I am travelling solo on the 4/29 Veendam sailing and thought it would be an excellent way to explore at my own pace.

Tourists are known to have some pretty nasty accidents. However, if you've ever driven a motorcycle, and are used to turnabouts, you will have no problem. We rent a moped when we visit Bermuda, DH drives, I sit on the back. The cruise line will attempt to discourage your scooter rental. ;)

[madelinerose]

...,and by the way we are sailing on June 3rd as well, drop us a line

The OP started a Roll Call. Click here: ;)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1567188

[Alicat62]

Sorry, I don't quite know how to "drop a line" through this posted thread....this site is not as easy as it seems. But let me introduce myself, my name is Alison and my Husband is John. We live in New Hyde Park, about 40 minutes from NYC.

[Miata6]

Unless you love the sound of mopeds, get a cabin on the port side so when you're docked in Hamilton, you'll be able to sleep. :)

[we're sailing away....]

Unless you love the sound of mopeds, get a cabin on the port side so when you're docked in Hamilton, you'll be able to sleep. :)
Or a inside one ...

[Alicat62]

Unless you love the sound of mopeds, get a cabin on the port side so when you're docked in Hamilton, you'll be able to sleep. :)

Yes, we have a port side cabin! Yeah!

[madelinerose]

Sorry, I don't quite know how to "drop a line" through this posted thread.....

Hi Alicat...I quoted tr6ski and posted the link to your Roll Call so tr6ski could begin a dialogue with you on your Roll Call. There is no way to "drop a line" here. Hope this helps. ;)

[djg541]

What is your concern with renting a moped? :confused: I had planned to do so as I am travelling solo on the 4/29 Veendam sailing and thought it would be an excellent way to explore at my own pace.

The local term for victims of moped accidents ( usually tourists) in Bermuda is "Road Rash"...typical British undertstatement for your appearance if you should go down riding one. As most tend to wear shorts and short sleeved shirts,an accident can leave you with peeled skin that takes many weeks to heal. I saw several obvious cases each time Ive been there.
Roads are clean and well maintained,but they are narrow by our standards and safety berms are non existant. Many roads are lined with stone walls with no margin for error. And local trucks and commercial vehicles dont give you any quarter if your on a moped. Your on your own.
The buses and ferries are your best bet. Cabs are fine, but expensive.
Think hard before renting a moped. "Road Rash" could be the least of your problems if something goes wrong.

[madelinerose]

The local term for victims of moped accidents ( usually tourists) in Bermuda is "Road Rash"...

Road rash is pretty much a universal term for abrasions caused by falling off a bicycle, motorized bike, skateboard, inline skates, etc. ;)

[tr6ski]

hello again, we are as lost as you on this site. We too are in our 50's my name is Ron and my wife's name is Jeanne. We live in Clifton NJ. about 15 minutes to NYC, that's with no traffic,nice not having to fly. cut the lawn in the morning and your on vacation in the afternoon

[charleysmom]

Bermuda is wonderful. Very relaxing and incredibly civilized. We loved the Houses of the Rich and Famous boat tour.

I think those of you that are confused are probably in search of roll calls (that's where you 'meet' people on your same cruise). Go back to the main forum menu, click roll call, click HAL, then click your ship's name and scroll through or search for your sail date.

Have fun!

Ann

[madelinerose]

hello again, we are as lost as you on this site.

Hi. If you go back to Post #11 and click on the link, it will take you to the Roll Call for your cruise and you will be able to chat with Alicat, who's on the same cruise, there. Other Cruise Critic posters may eventually join your Roll Call and you will get to virtually "meet" other members who will be on your cruise. Hope this helps. ;)

[mushroom]

A Bermuda bus driver told us that the locals refer to moped drivers as "Organ Doners". Scary!