Back from Bermuda!

[Vic The Parrot]

Hi everyone


Just got back Monday morning from my Bermuda/Canada cruise.

All I can say is WOW!!

I'll be elaborating further later on in a short write-up on the Celebrity board. Let you know when it's ready.




vic


:-D

[Tatka]

I am glad you liked your cruise!:)

Was it on Zenith or Horizon?

I love Celebrity and really wish one of these ships will start sailing Bermuda from Boston.(or maybe HAl can work something out)

Of course NCL Majesty is an option but with 108 sq. ft. cabins :eek: and infirior service it's not an option for our family of 3.

[sail7seas]

Hi Vic....Welcome Back. Glad you had a good time.


When you post your comments, would you cc them over here so we can read them also? I try very hard to notvisit the Celebrity Board but would enjoy reading what you have to say.

Thanks if you think you can do that.

[RuthC]

Welcome home, Vic. Glad you had a good time---I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts.

My first-ever cruise was to Bermuda on the old ss Statendam, way back when. Got me hooked but good!

[Vic The Parrot]

It's ready ......


Thanks for your help Walt!



:-D

[sail7seas]

Where is it, Vic?

[HeatherInFlorida]

I just looked for it on the Celebrity boards and I don't see it there either. I was going to link it. Vic, where is it????:D

[Ziggy7]

its here :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=97272

[Vic The Parrot]

Thanks Ziggy


I was starting to think that S7S needs a stronger pair of binoculars........



heeheehee


:-D


just kidding S7S , luv ya

[sail7seas]

Thanks for the Link, Ziggy.


Great Review, Vic.
Happy you had such a good time.

We cruised seven days roundtrip from New York to Bermuda on Zenith about 4 years ago. Happy to hear they have kept Zenthy in good shape.

[Ziggy7]

Thanks Ziggy


I was starting to think that S7S needs a stronger pair of binoculars........



heeheehee


:-D


just kidding S7S , luv yahehehe I loaned her mine hehehehe

[sail7seas]

'preciate it, Ziggy :)


http://domania.us/DaveEdwards/SmileyRevolving.gif

[HeatherInFlorida]

Well, I couldn't find it either ... so there;) !!!

:D .... and I'm off in a cloud of sunshine.................

[Lisa63]

Welcome home, Vic and thanks for the review. What were the ports of call on this cruise?

An aside:
Of course NCL Majesty is an option but with 108 sq. ft. cabins :eek: and infirior service it's not an option for our family of 3.Norwegian Majesty has many cabins that are larger than 108 square feet (although it's true that standard cabins are this smaller size). There are lots of cabins that are 145 square feet as well as a number of suites. The 145-square foot cabin was just fine for our family of 3. And for us, service was far from inferior. Many of the crew have been with the ship for a long time and their pride in the ship certainly shows. We've been on the ship a couple of times and found the dining room service to be better than that in the Caronia Restaurant on QE2. I understand your concerns, but I wouldn't rule it out. JMHO.

P.S. If HAL did Boston to Bermuda route in the summer, I'd still be among the first to sign up. :)

[sail7seas]

[QUOTE]
P.S. If HAL did Boston to Bermuda route in the summer, I'd still be among the first to sign up. :)[QUOTE]

__________________


Me tooooo!!!! I'd be second in line; right behind you.



(Thanks, Heather. :) )

[RuthC]

O-O-O-O-O!!! Me three! Boston to Bermuda sounds divine!
Maybe even a back-to-back!

[Vic The Parrot]

Me 4!!!


Well, not from Boston. LOL

On reading this, I'm starting to think why HAL gave up the NY/Bermuda run. Look at it this way, eventually even X will
stop when they finally get rid of the Zenith and Horizon.

It's bound to happen. And after that, what will we have?
Seems like Carnival failed on that, don't see any more ads for them doing Bermuda. (And I won't go on Carnival anyway)
NCL .. they seem ok. Celebrity is the closest to HAL as far as luxe is concerned. Cunard won't be going back because thier newest tub is too damn big to squeeze into the Great Sound!

Sigh .... does HAL actually these boards?
Maybe if we spoke up, they'll put a ship on that fabulous run.



And by the way, I would love to sail from Boston.
I keep hearing about the scenery as the ships sail past the waterfront, on the way to the ocean.


Gives me an idea for a neat summer vaca .... Boston to Bermuda.
Stay pre-cruise. Catch a game at Fenway. Cmon Sail, twist my arm!


:-D

[RuthC]

Rhode Island---and all of New England, for that matter---have a lot to recommend them for pre-cruise in Boston. There's a lot of history in each state. Arguably the first skirmish of the Revolution was in R.I. and there are events to commemorate it every year, culminating in a re-enactment of the burning of the Gaspee.

Don't need to go to Fenway for a good baseball game---there's a triple-A Red Sox team in R.I.---cheaper, can easily move around, can even talk to the players in the dugout and get autographs!

Convinced? Try a NE/Canada cruise if HAL won't start Boston-Bermuda runs.

(Oh, and it costs a lot less to visit R.I. than Massachusetts!)

[jima53]

Hey Ruth
Agree with you about R.I. Lots of family in the North Kingston, Warren,Wickford area. Love the area. Too bad its so far for us southern folks to visit more often.

Jim in Jacksonville

[Vic The Parrot]

Keep twisting


I am thinking of visiting Newport next year. This 1 day visit didn't do anything for me, and I'd like to come back and see the other things that town has to offer.

I'll keep you posted

[Vic The Parrot]

Was kinda wondering, how far is Boston from RI?

If I do Newport, might as well drive up.

[Vic The Parrot]

Welcome home, Vic and thanks for the review. What were the ports of call on this cruise?





Hi Lisa


Just realized I never answered your question.......

Sorry about that, got involved in a few things.
Anyway, the ship stopped at Bermuda, Halifax, and Newport.


It's a strange itinerary, but served it's purpose well!


catch you later!


:-D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi Vic - found the thread or at least this one which took me over to Celebrity. Great review.

Wish HAL would do a cruise that included Bermuda and a couple ports in New England.

[dakrewser]

Was kinda wondering, how far is Boston from RI?

If I do Newport, might as well drive up.
Newport to Boston might be an hour and a half, or less depending on which way you go.

-dave

[RuthC]

An hour and a half? Maybe if you walk!

Seriously, depending on traffic, and the starting point in R.I. figure an hour. The bus is supposed to be 55 minutes from Providence to Boston, but there are a couple of stops.
Newport to Boston will be a bit longer because it isn't all interstate. Westerly (the furthest point away) to Boston would be about that hour and a half.

Let's put it this way---once in a while my husband used to ask "want to go to New Hampshire for dinner?" It was do-able. Boston isn't nearly that far.

[sail7seas]

Depends day of the week/time of day, but following 'rules of the road', you should definitely be able to go Newport to Boston 1.5 hours.


Now Pawtucket baseball games may certainly be fun.....but there is ONLY ONE FENWAY PARK!!!

Vic......come on to Boston. It is such a fantastic city. So walkable. Something for everyone. Wonderful museums. World Class dining. World Champion Red Sox AND New England Patriots. Fabulous shopping. Great Hotels. SOOO much history. Such friendly people and do not forget.........Boston Clam Chowda!!! :)

[Vic The Parrot]

Thanks everyone!


I appreciate all your info. Judging my schedule, it's possible
to squeeze in a sailing from Boston. If I do the Majesty, I should be able to pack light at least.

Have a 'small' car! LOL


Guess I'll be occupied this weekend shopping around.
Thanks again!

[dakrewser]

An hour and a half? Maybe if you walk!

I was figuring half an hour just to get from one end of the island to the other :)

Heck, 40 years ago we occasionally drove to Canada for breakfast!

-dave

[RuthC]

Heck, 40 years ago we occasionally drove to Canada for breakfast!

-daveAnd how often did you ask a friend "wanna go to New York for a cuppa coffee?"
Again, so do-able here.

[dakrewser]

And how often did you ask a friend "wanna go to New York for a cuppa coffee?"
Again, so do-able here.
On the other hand, when we visited my aunt in Cranston she'd pack us a lunch for the 'long drive' back to Riverside!

And Westerly? That's an overnight trip, isn't it? :rolleyes:

-dave

[cruisinjudy]

We had a great mini suite on Norwegian Majesty. No balconies on that ship, but it had a bay window that we would sit in and watch the ocean.

[sail7seas]

cruisinjudy.....


That is a VERY attractive list of cruises you are looking forward to. Congratulations on some wonderful bookings. Happy cruising. :)

[cruisinjudy]

Hi Sail,
Thanks, but I do need to update it, after all, we already returned from the Westerdam! Great cruise. Now we leave for Hawaii in a few weeks.

[Vic The Parrot]

I don't know where to begin!


I was just over on the RCI board, and noticed a posting that Royal Carib is DISCONTINUING thier 1 week Bermuda service!

They'll be limiting visits to the island with 5-day cruises, giving thier passengers the LUXURY of staying there for a generous 34 hrs!

From what I gathered, it's a thing regarding losing revenue when the ship is docked in Hamilton, or St George for 3 days.
Hence they lose money in the casino, and in the shops.

I can't touch the aforementioned, so I'll just say IT'S THIER LOSS! And hopefully, another line will take up the newly available slot in port!


Hello ..... HAL


Build a small ship, one that can fit in Hamilton Harbour!




With absolute glee .....

'Bermuda' vic


:-)

[Vic The Parrot]

Your input, please......


I think it would be great if HAL dedicated a ship to do this.
Now with RCI leaving, and talk of the Horizon being sold, makes it an excellent opportunity for HAL to take the reigns on this.


Waddaya all think??


:-)

[boards]

Why would HAL want to do that and lose money too?

[Vic The Parrot]

If other lines (Celebrity) ARE making money, then why wouldn't HAL jump on the bandwagon?

[Roadwork]

I am all for Hal doing Bermuda cruises, but I don't think I would want to see a ship dedicated to Bermuda year round.
I would like to see NY, Philadelphia, Balitmore and Charleston be used as ports.

[Vic The Parrot]

Well, the ship doesn't have to sail year-round from NY.

I'm thinking of a smaller size vessel, like the Prinsendam, or the old "N" ships. Remember, Hamilton is a small port.
It'll take alot of grease to make the Vista ships fit through
the narrow channel into Hamilton Harbour.

If you remember the 'old' Westerdam, she was about 190 ft
shorter before HAL acquired her from Home Lines.
As the Homeric, she was specifically designed to sail to Bermuda.
And in the off season, went on Carib cruises from FL.

If HAL would have a ship of those dimensions, it could work to have Bermuda itineraries.

[peaches from georgia]

The Vista ships would be impossible, the Prisendam perfect, and the S ships could do it. If the Zenith and some of the others can get into Hamilton and St. George, then the smaller HAL ships could, too. The only place the Vistas could go would be the Dockyard and I'm not going there, so I hope HAL doesn't look at that as an option.

It's St. George that is such a problem to get into and where ships run aground. We love St. George and docking there and Hamilton is ideal.

I don't think many pax would want to cruise to Bermuda in the winter, which of course why cruiselines only go April-October. Bermuda is not a Caribbean island; it is in the Atlantic

[Vic The Parrot]

I think the S ships are a tad too big for 3 days in Hamilton.
There's about 80-90 ft more ship compared to the Zenith.

But, I could be wrong....

[Vic The Parrot]

My mistake ....

There's a difference of 38 feet between the two types of ships.
HALs 'S' class are the longer ships.