HAL to Bermuda?

[westboroatty]

Has HAL ever sailed from the East Coast of the USA to Bermuda as a destination? I scoured HAL's website. As close to Bermuda as they seem to get is a calling in Bermuda on a transatlantic repositioning cruise.

I'd live to go to Bermuda. Did HAL ever sail to Bermuda? Do they have any intention to do so in the future?

Rick

[capnjoe]

Yes I believe 1994 on the Statendam we went to Bermuda and E. caribbean on a 10 day cruise, was excellent!

[middle-aged mom]

Hi Rick:

I know that HAL have recently gone to Bermuda on full ship charters, but that is rare. I believe it's been quite a while since Bermuda was a regular stop for HAL.

(Non-sequitur: I was born in Bermuda and spent the first four years of my life there, but it's been thirty years since my last visit. It would be great fun to return there on a HAL ship:) ).

Karin

[sail7seas]

Not for many years. Many of us on the East Coast would love it.

My dream is for HAL to alternate seven day cruises for spring, summer, early fall with one week going from Boston to Bermuda roundtrip. The alternating week, I'd love for them to do Canada/New England, roundtrip Boston to Boston.

We'd be the first to book that as back-to-backs.

[jtl513]

You can sail to Bermuda on RCCL. From Apr through Sep next year the have four or five 5-day cruises per month out of Norfolk, Baltimore, or Bayonne.

OP, what's your avatar, and what's the significance, if any? I see RR tracks, and a building I guess is a station, but it looks like there's a screen of some kinnd over the whole scene.

[sail7seas]

YOU can, but I can't. :)

It's only HAL for me. :D

NCL also sails from Boston to Bermuda.... or did through this summer. Can't say for sure about next year.

[PRINSENDAM]

Hi Rick:




(Non-sequitur: I was born in Bermuda and spent the first four years of my life there, but it's been thirty years since my last visit. It would be great fun to return there on a HAL ship:) ).

Karin


Hi Karin,

THIRTY YEARS! You will loose your Onion status!!!!

;)

Stephen
(Somerset Bridge Bye)

[sail7seas]

STEPHEN....... HELLO.

We've missed you. How good to 'hear from you'.

Hope you and Ruth are fine and have been busy enjoying the ships!

[rkacruiser]

My first cruise, which was on Rotterdam V, was an 11 day Caribbean cruise from New York whose first stop was Bermuda. (This was in 1970.) So, other than our good neighbors to the North, Canada, Bermuda became my second foreign country that I visited. I, too, wish they would bring back an East Coast/Bermuda itinerary.

[middle-aged mom]

Hi Karin,

THIRTY YEARS! You will loose your Onion status!!!!

;)

Stephen
(Somerset Bridge Bye)

You're right, Stephen, I don't deserve my Onion status. Don't follow the cricket scores:( . We were on Whale Island near Somerset Bridge, Sandys Parish.

Karin

[Krazy Kruizers]

We loved when we cruised to Bermuda -- but it wasn't on HAL -- We did those cruises on Princess and NCL -- and they were great!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL sometimes stops there once a year on a repositioning cruise.

From what I understand Bermuda will be having fewer cruise ships stop there in thed future.

The downtown area has had many shops close the last couple of years.

Many ships are too large to even be able to dock in Hamilton.

[bermuda triangle]

HAL used to sail from the East Coast to Bermuda. HAL stopped in the 1990s. The last was a Canada/New England cruise with a stop in Bermuda was the last one. The last HAL trip to Bermuda I was on was in the 90s (see signature below), it was on the Westerdam II, and left from NYC Bermuda (Hamilton and St. George), St. Thomas, Antigua and Puerto Rico.

Check transatlantic cruises with a stop at Ireland Island. It is one of the islands that compose Bermuda.

It is a shame, I wish HAL would cruise to Bermuda again, as a regular stop, as it is my favorite island.

Cheers!

Laura

[helenp2]

Actually the very last Noordam cruise before it does a Spring transatlantic is a private charter out of NYC to Bermuda. Stampin' Up people usually charter one of the HAL ships every yr for their top performers.

[Harry1954]

Not for many years. Many of us on the East Coast would love it.

My dream is for HAL to alternate seven day cruises for spring, summer, early fall with one week going from Boston to Bermuda roundtrip. The alternating week, I'd love for them to do Canada/New England, roundtrip Boston to Boston.

We'd be the first to book that as back-to-backs.


... and we would be right behind you booking
harry

[sail7seas]

We have visited Bermuda many times on land trips but the only time we cruised to Bermuda was roundtrip from New York on Celebrity's Zenith.

It wasn't a great cruise. Good but not great.

HAL would do it far better IMO. :)

[LoveMyBoxer]

Boy do I wish HAL would sail to Bermuda. We have sailed to Bermuda on Princess, Celebrity, RCCL and NCL. Unfortunately, now we only have NCL going there. Although RCCL still goes, it is a much shorter cruise, spending fewer days there. We are booked on NCL Dream next year from Boston, only because we dearly miss Bermuda. The down side is that we do not care for the NCL freestyle. The upside -- no formal wear to pack and much less clothes to pack. We know what to expect and are only looking forward to Bermuda.

[CarolineInToronto]

Actually the very last Noordam cruise before it does a Spring transatlantic is a private charter out of NYC to Bermuda. Stampin' Up people usually charter one of the HAL ships every yr for their top performers.

Helenp2 is right... I'll be on the ship so you can count on a full review from me when I get back :) I do so love my HAL ships!

Caroline in Toronto

[Cruising Illini]

Stephen -- About a week ago I sent a piece of memorabilia from the Vistafjord to Australia == hope you receive when you return eventually.
Elinor and Bob

[sail7seas]

Full charters can pretty much go where they want.

HAL has not had an 'open to the public' itinerary to Bermuda for a very long time.

Enjoy. Hope you have a great time on the beautiful Noordam.

[PRINSENDAM]

Stephen -- About a week ago I sent a piece of memorabilia from the Vistafjord to Australia == hope you receive when you return eventually.
Elinor and Bob

Hi Elinor & Bob,

Many, many thanks! Yes, arrived safely. I'm just getting ready to post a card back to you!

Wonderful brochure. Did you look at those prices? They charge just about the same today as they did in 1976/77!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was fun sailing with you in VENDAM.

Best

Stephen & Ruth

[helenp2]

Noordam sailing on 3/29 (private charter) is only 7 nts. So Bermuda is a logical choice out of NYC. Sounds like a great cruise.

[sail7seas]

That should be a wonderful cruise......enjoy. Who is running the charter?

[middle-aged mom]

Noordam sailing on 3/29 (private charter) is only 7 nts. So Bermuda is a logical choice out of NYC. Sounds like a great cruise.

That should be a wonderful cruise......enjoy. Who is running the charter?

The scrapbooking organization known as "Stampin' Up". They reward their best salespeople with an annual charter cruise. :)

Karin

[sail7seas]

Thanks, Karin.


:) I think I'll take up scrapbooking. :)

[kryos]

YOU can, but I can't. :)

It's only HAL for me. :D

NCL also sails from Boston to Bermuda.... or did through this summer. Can't say for sure about next year.

Both NCL and RCCL sails to Bermuda right here from Philly every spring and summer. My problem is that I won't pay 200% single supplements, and I won't go on NCL (with their freestyle dining) if I am traveling alone.

So, no Bermuda for me.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

Noordam sailing on 3/29 (private charter) is only 7 nts. So Bermuda is a logical choice out of NYC. Sounds like a great cruise.
Is it a charter that anyone can book? Like through the organization running it?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[ookpik]

Noordam sailing on 3/29 (private charter) is only 7 nts. So Bermuda is a logical choice out of NYC. Sounds like a great cruise.
In the 70's and early 80's the Statendam,Veendam and Volendam sailed
weekly from New York. Veendam and Volendam docked in tandem along
Front Street,with Statendam at St Georges then changing over to Hamilton.These were the old ships..the new ones are too big to pass thro'
Town Cut and too big even for Hamilton.
When I first lived in Bermuda,I was in a house right on the harbour route,
the Veen dam used to sound her whistle every Monday morning as she
passed us (out on the terrace eating cornflakes):D

[RSGS315]

The former Volendam, Veendam and Statendam sailed from New York to Bermuda during the 70's and early 80's. When Holland America moved their corporate offices from New York to Seattle they discontinued the sailings.

Ginnie

[sagiv666]

Has HAL ever sailed from the East Coast of the USA to Bermuda as a destination? I scoured HAL's website. As close to Bermuda as they seem to get is a calling in Bermuda on a transatlantic repositioning cruise.

I'd live to go to Bermuda. Did HAL ever sail to Bermuda? Do they have any intention to do so in the future?

Rick

Years ago, my first wife worked as an accountant for HAL when they were based in New York City, where we lived. Because of this, we were given a free cruise once every year, and our most frequent destination was Bermuda. We would leave New York on a Sunday, arrive in Bermuda Tuesday, leave Bermuda Thursday, then arrive back in New York Saturday. We loved Bermuda, and the HAL ship we cruised on was our floating hotel for the three deays we were there.
About twenty-three years ago, HAL had asked Bermuda if they could berth their newest cruiseship, the "Nieu Amsterdam" in Hamilton, and they were refused. Eventually, Bermuda changed its mind, but it was too late -- HAL moved its offices to Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.
Today, they are best known for their Alaska tours. In September, we cruised there aboard the "Radiance of the Seas" (Royal Caribbean International), and the leadership agreed that HAL was the top cruising line in that area.
HAL does have destinations throughout the world. In 2002, my thrid wife and I had our honeymooon on the "Maasdam" and we cruised the Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and their private port in the Bahamas) out of Fort Lauderdale Florida.
As much as I love HAL, these days we look for the cruiseline offering the cruise we desire at the best prices. We also have gotten hooked on balcony cabins, and I have read that Royal Caribbean has more of these
ghan any other fleet. Our Alaska cruise suggested this to be true, although the ships which are being built now also offer mopre outside cabins, including balconies.
As far as their amenities and their service, HAL can't be beat. I remember getting my "cruising legs" on HAL every year my first wife worked there -- and I remember my honeymoon five years ago. Apparently, their Bermuda cruises were very successful, and I am sure they are still offering them.
We wish you happy cruising, and for me, when you get to Bermuda (whatever line you choose), give the island and HAL (should you cruise with them) my love.:)

[westboroatty]

OP, what's your avatar, and what's the significance, if any? I see RR tracks, and a building I guess is a station, but it looks like there's a screen of some kinnd over the whole scene.

I'm new to cruising, but I love to ride trains. I dont have any shots of us standing at the rail of a ship. The avatar is a shot out the rear window of Amtrak Train #449, the Mass. stub train feeding the Lakeshore Ltd (with service between New York Penn Station and Chicago, Ill.) My wife, daughter and I rode the train from Worcester, MA to Fullerton, CA last year for Thanksgiving. In the photo, the train had just left the station at Springfield, MA. If you wish to read all about this trip, click here (http://webpages.charter.net/rmgreen/Transcon_in_Coach.htm).

I guess Amtrak is like a sea day on a cruise ship, except with very few onboard activities (unless you brought them yourself) and mediocre food.

Rick

[sail7seas]

.
About twenty-three years ago, HAL had asked Bermuda if they could berth their newest cruiseship, the "Nieu Amsterdam" in Hamilton, and they were refused. Eventually, Bermuda changed its mind, but it was too late -- HAL moved its offices to Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.
Today, they are best known for their Alaska tours. In September, we cruised there aboard the "Radiance of the Seas" (Royal Caribbean International), and the leadership agreed that HAL was the top cruising line in that area.

As much as I love HAL, these days we look for the cruiseline offering the cruise we desire at the best prices. We also have gotten hooked on balcony cabins, and I have read that Royal Caribbean has more of these
ghan any other fleet. Our Alaska cruise suggested this to be true, although the ships which are being built now also offer mopre outside cabins, including balconies.

As far as their amenities and their service, HAL can't be beat. I remember getting my "cruising legs" on HAL every year my first wife worked there -- and I remember my honeymoon five years ago. Apparently, their Bermuda cruises were very successful, and I am sure they are still offering them.
We wish you happy cruising, and for me, when you get to Bermuda (whatever line you choose), give the island and HAL (should you cruise with them) my love.:)


HAL once had their offices in Vancouver? I thought when they moved from New York, Seattle became their headquarters with no intervening other location.

HAL does not have Bermuda as a destination. It has been years since they did the roundtrip from New York itineraries to Bermuda. Wish they'd resume but even better have them sail from Boston. :)

They have a few stops scheduled there for a day in port as part of repositioning cruises and charters.

[sail7seas]

Does anyone recall Prinsendam telling us the "S" class ships could dock in Bermuda? I thought he said they would 'fit'.

[GayleArc]

Sail, Yes the S ships do fit in Bermuds (Hamilton). We were aboard the old,
at that time new, Statendam for its inagural sailing out of NY and docked
right on Front St. I have video of the tugs greeting us with the spray,right in front of the Princess Hotel.

[helenp2]

Is it a charter that anyone can book? Like through the organization running it?

Blue skies ...

--rita


Rita, I believe the entire ship is booked by Stampin Up. I do know that the founder of Stampin Up does donate a few cabins to her favorite charities and they in turn usually conduct "silent" auctions. Had 4 friends who won 2 cabins last yr on the Zuiderdam's charter to the Panama Canal. They had a great time and said they would go with this group again anytime.

BTW, I also have some friends who sailed out of Phila to Bermuda and said it was just horrible. Traditionally the cruise lines put their smallest & OLDEST ships in offbeat ports like Balt & Phila and they always sell them out. So what happens is lack of public space in both lounges and pool deck. Ships usually are ready to be scrapped or very old and in need of a major overhaul.
So, as much as I would love to sail from Phila I would probably pass no matter what the price or the destination.

[GrammyPL]

We will be stoping in Bermuda on our Prinsendam - 50 Day Grand Mediterranean & Black Sea Cruise out of Ft Laud and returning either to NY or Fort Laud. (March 11, 2009 cruise) Penny

[sail7seas]

That's just a regular one day in port though, isn't it, Penny? The ship isn't overnighting or staying a few days, is it?

That will be a wonderful cruise you're taking, I'm sure.

[GrammyPL]

Sail - Yes it is just a one day and it doesn't say yet where it is stopping. Penny

[peaches from georgia]

Not for many years. Many of us on the East Coast would love it.

My dream is for HAL to alternate seven day cruises for spring, summer, early fall with one week going from Boston to Bermuda roundtrip. The alternating week, I'd love for them to do Canada/New England, roundtrip Boston to Boston.

We'd be the first to book that as back-to-backs.


My memory may be failing, but in a number of previous threads about Bermuda I know when all of the other posters, including me, were wanting HAL to sail to Bermuda because we loved it so much, I remember you always said you found Bermuda boring and not a favorite place to go. I remember because it surprised me. Have you been back on a land vacation and changed your mind? :confused:

[sail7seas]

No, Peaches.

I got older.

I'm not looking for the same things now I looked for 20 years ago.

Like many people, through the years here on the board, my perspective has changed about a number of things, places and people.

[jjb415]

Since we're talking about Bermuda here, I don't think that it has been mentioned in this thread that 2007 is the last season for docking in Hamilton by most cruise ships. St. George will still be a port of call, but, most ships visiting Bermuda are now larger and will dock at the King's Warf Dockyards, an big-ship port that is a bus or ferry ride away from Hamilton.

Here is a link for those interested in the Hamilton discussion:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=10816340#post10816340

We docked in Hamilton as our only port of call on our Maasdam 1997 Trans-Atlantic sailing and recently aboard the Azamara Journey we docked in both St. George and Hamilton.

Bermuda is such a lovely place to visit and I would love to see Holland America offer more sailings there in the summer months, however, Alaska seems to generate a bit more interest with passengers these days.

Happy Sailing Everyone :)

[mamaofami]

We spent our honeymoon in Bermuda, many moons ago. We went motorbike riding all over the island and there was virtually no traffic. Went back there on a cruise some 17 years ago and tried the same thing. We rode to the Castle Harbor. Traffic was incredible. I was scared to death and rode on the back of the motorbike holding on for dear life. I was so scared that I took a taxi back to the ship while DH rode the bike back.

Bermuda is a beautiful island.

[sail7seas]

Many moons ago, we also rented the bikes and the helmets. :D

We won't be doing that again any time soon. ;)

[Jade13]

I love Bermuda. One of my favorite hotels (anywhere in the World) is there. I wouldn't spend an entire week cruising there when it's not that far to fly.

We went Helmet diving and walked to the top of the Light House.

[peaches from georgia]

I love Bermuda. One of my favorite hotels (anywhere in the World) is there. I wouldn't spend an entire week cruising there when it's not that far to fly.

We went Helmet diving and walked to the top of the Light House.
It's really a great way to travel to Bermuda, Jade. From NYC a day and a half to get there and then you use the ship as your hotel. We have always docked at both Hamilton and St. George on our 3 cruises there and would not want to be at Kings Wharf. Best of both worlds- 3 days at sea and 4 in Bermuda.

[gooselace]

My first cruise, which was on Rotterdam V, was an 11 day Caribbean cruise from New York whose first stop was Bermuda. (This was in 1970.) So, other than our good neighbors to the North, Canada, Bermuda became my second foreign country that I visited. I, too, wish they would bring back an East Coast/Bermuda itinerary.

Gosh, that fills one of my memory gaps. I knew I'd sailed to Bermuda and, I think, on to the Bahamas, from New York back in that era and now I remember it was the old Rotterdam (loved that wood paneled library). My mother had signed us up for an Ericka Wilson needlepoint workshop on board - it was my very first cruise, not counting "day ferry cruises" across Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to Muskegon MI, a shortcut from Nebraska to the East.

Now does anyone remember what line sailed from San Juan and went to the Southern Caribbean, including Cartegena? Could it have been Costa? Do any ships still depart from San Juan?

If it weren't the middle of the night, I'd go dig up my mementos from the basement.

[gizmo]

BTW, I also have some friends who sailed out of Phila to Bermuda and said it was just horrible. Traditionally the cruise lines put their smallest & OLDEST ships in offbeat ports like Balt & Phila and they always sell them out. So what happens is lack of public space in both lounges and pool deck. Ships usually are ready to be scrapped or very old and in need of a major overhaul.
So, as much as I would love to sail from Phila I would probably pass no matter what the price or the destination.

Not always true. My brother sailed from Philly to Bermuda on a fairly new Carnival ship a few years ago. At the moment I can't remember the name but it was the one with all the urns.

I am not saying there are not old ships sailing from Philly or Balt because I know there are. Some ships that sail from these ports on a regular basis are older.

Hal had a couple of cruises on the Rotterdam out of Philly and Baltimore a couple of years ago. It was only a couple, but I believe they sailed full. They were not to Bermuda.

[helenp2]

Gizmo, You are correct. Carnival had one of their brand new ships sail from Phila. as well as RCL's Adventure of the Seas. And, I sailed on the Rotterdam out of Phila about 3 yrs ago. I think all 3 went out full. I know the Rotterdam sailed in March of that particular yr. and it was sold out by the previous Oct. So, yes occasionally there are some decent ships that utilize the Phila. port. But, the ships that sail from yr to yr out of this port are pretty sad and not what most HAL fans would consider sailing.

[sail7seas]

Now does anyone remember what line sailed from San Juan and went to the Southern Caribbean, including Cartegena? Could it have been Costa? Do any ships still depart from San Juan?

If it weren't the middle of the night, I'd go dig up my mementos from the basement.



We sailed on Ocean Princess (when she was new and still with Princess) from San Juan a number of years ago. We were back to back and the itineraries were wonderful but unfortunately, the ship was not.

We sailed from San Juan to the Panama Canal when Statendam was in her Inaugural Season. That was a fantastic cruise.

I believe Princess and Carnival still have ships sailing from San Juan. Aside from the fact some folks say the airfare is considerable, we think it a wonderfuk embarkation port. We love San Juan and did many land resort trips there long before we started cruising.