Bermuda

The kids are giving me a cruise to Bermuda for my Birthday :). I have only sailed on Carnival and they are not going :( . My choice out of NY is Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is one better than the other or is there one you would never go on or definately go on?

Just came back from Bermuda on the Miracle and I know the Pride also goes there.

The kids are giving me a cruise to Bermuda for my Birthday :). I have only sailed on Carnival and they are not going :( . My choice out of NY is Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is one better than the other or is there one you would never go on or definately go on?

When are you planning to cruise? There is also HAL and Celebrity going there.

When are you looking to go? I thought HAL (Veendam from NYC) and Celebrity (Summit from Cape Liberty) also did Bermuda runs. I would say go with whichever stays docked in Bermuda the longest :D (even if you have to get an interior cabin). Docking at Hamilton rather than at the Dockyard would be a plus too.

We are going on Glory from Norfolk in just over three weeks. We will only be in Bermuda around 28 hours (Wednesday 8 am to Thursday noon).

Pride (from Baltimore) has sailings to Bermuda in October and November 2011 and April 2012. Enchantment of the Seas also goes to Bermuda from Baltimore.

We will probably go in April or May 2012. Thanks for all the responses. I did not check Celebrity. I would appreciate any other information. I have wanted to go to Bermuda for over 30 years!!!

Did Bermuda in June 2010 on NCl out of NY. Wonderful cruise!!!!

Loved Bermuda--bought the bus/ ferry pass IMO great way to see the island.

I just returned from Bermuda on the Fantasy and have some suggestions....

1) make sure you get more than one day in port.;

2) don't go to Bermuda on Sunday.

3) there is more to do in Hamilton than the Dockyard. The dockyards are lovely but are still being developed for ships and are on the edge of the island. There are fewer shops and restaurants there.

4) tourist can't rent cars and scooters are deemed "dangerous". Transportation can be iffy. Personally I recommend ship sponsored excursions.

We had a wonderful cruise with NCL to Bermuda last summer. Here's the thing about Bermuda, it doesn't matter which side of the island you go to it's all beautiful. ;)

Bermuda is one of the most beautiful places on earth in my opinion. The dockyard side is quiet and although undeveloped it's very English and at a slower pace. The coves are fantastic for snorkeling on this side of the island also.

I I recommend ship sponsored excursions.

My suggestion, buy a multi-day transportation pass, use the buses and ferry to go just about anywhere you want on your own. This is one island that's easy to do on your own. Been there three times and each has brought new found fun places to roam.

Been to Bermuda 20+ times both by ship and air. As others have stated, Bermuda is a very easy island to navigate around witht he buses and ferries. If you are comfortable on a moped, it is the best way to get around and there are so many private out of the way beaches to discover. We have done all three stops, St. George's, Hamilton and Dockyard.

We will probably go in April or May 2012. Thanks for all the responses. I did not check Celebrity. I would appreciate any other information. I have wanted to go to Bermuda for over 30 years!!!

Just a note if you're a beach person.......April/May is not beach weather there.

. I have only sailed on Carnival and they are not going :( . My choice out of NY is Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is one better than the other or is there one you would never go on or definately go on?

To answer your question, RCCL has a significantly better product than NCL.

Remember though that RCCL does NOT sail out of New York, but rather Cape Liberty in New Jersey.

Docking at Hamilton rather than at the Dockyard would be a plus too.

Cruise ships can no longer dock in Hamilton. For one thing, they're just about all too big to fit there. For another, Hamilton started allowing only yachts to dock there several years back-- I don't believe that change was ever rescinded.

To the OP: I'm sure you would enjoy ANY ship going to Bermuda! I've been on all the major cruise lines, and they're all terrific! Remember that none of them would be able to have their casinos or stores open while in port, and you stay in port for a few days.

Avoid prime hurricane season... or you may wind up in Canada instead (it's happened before!). Also, the Atlantic tends to be rougher than the Caribbean, so be prepared with seasick meds (I recommend meclizine, aka Bonine). Also, since Bermuda is not tropical, avoid going early or late in the cruising season in order to get the best weather.

And DON'T rent a moped-- every cruise has had its share of scare stories where pax have been in moped accidents. The streets are narrow, twisty-turny roads where traffic drives on the left, in British style. It can get very confusing and downright dangerous!

The kids are giving me a cruise to Bermuda for my Birthday :). I have only sailed on Carnival and they are not going :( . My choice out of NY is Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is one better than the other or is there one you would never go on or definately go on?

well, rccl is better than ncl, but it is also more expensive.

rccl also only does 5 night trips, so you only get a little less than 2 days in.

i believe i would put up with ncl's inadequacies to spend more time in bermuda.

the best months to go there is july and august, and, unfortunately, carnival has not offered that itinerary in 8 years during those months. and avoid going there in september at all costs!

To answer your question, RCCL has a significantly better product than NCL.

 

Remember though that RCCL does NOT sail out of New York, but rather Cape Liberty in New Jersey.

all ships sail out of ny harbor.

My suggestion, buy a multi-day transportation pass, use the buses and ferry to go just about anywhere you want on your own. This is one island that's easy to do on your own. Been there three times and each has brought new found fun places to roam.

completely agree. you can get anywhere you want, when you want! it's as great as using the subway on nyc!

Great replies. One of the reasons we are going in May is the difference in price. Also my husband has started getting rashes from the sun UGH. So we will go to the beach but not sunbathe. Thanks to everyone for your help.

HAL, if the timing permits. HAL doesn't sail to Bermuda year round, but when they do, they have the best docking location and timing in Bermuda.

OP - RCCL Explorer does sail out of Bayonne & is a lot easier than NYC, also cheaper to park there, if you need to do so. I believe Celebrity sails out of Bayonne as well.

Ships absolutely DO dock in Hamilton & a great bet for the most time in port is HAL Veendam, which docks in Hamilton for FOUR days & three nights. Prices are very reasonable for April/May sailings & Hamilton is a much better location than the dockyard, which is where most ships need to dock due to size.

If you do find yourself home based at the dockyard, a scooter rental is your best bet for getting around (and a whole lot of fun, too). If you ride in the states then you will be fine to ride in Bermuda. If you aren't an experienced rider then it may not be such a great idea for safety reasons. Then a much cheaper/safer option is the ferry/bus pass.

Whatever you decide, Bermuda is an incredibly beautiful island & I bet you will fall in love!

OP - RCCL Explorer does sail out of Bayonne & is a lot easier than NYC, also cheaper to park there, if you need to do so. I believe Celebrity sails out of Bayonne as well.

 

Ships absolutely DO dock in Hamilton & a great bet for the most time in port is HAL Veendam, which docks in Hamilton for FOUR days & three nights. Prices are very reasonable for April/May sailings & Hamilton is a much better location than the dockyard, which is where most ships need to dock due to size.

 

If you do find yourself home based at the dockyard, a scooter rental is your best bet for getting around (and a whole lot of fun, too). If you ride in the states then you will be fine to ride in Bermuda. If you aren't an experienced rider then it may not be such a great idea for safety reasons. Then a much cheaper/safer option is the ferry/bus pass.

 

Whatever you decide, Bermuda is an incredibly beautiful island & I bet you will fall in love!

they are hardly scooters. they are move like motorcycles.

and every cruise i've been there, someone has been hurt.

I just returned from Bermuda on the Fantasy and have some suggestions....

Personally I recommend ship sponsored excursions.

Have to disagree with you on this.

We just spent 3 days in Bermuda and found it very easy to get around with bus/ferry pass and info from port of call.

We did a roll call group tour of St George and Blue Hill caves and worked out very well.

Spent another day at Horseshoe bay and than swizzle inn and saw no reason for ships tour.

In Hamilton tourist office gave us map and easy walking tour.

I agree that those mopeds looked more like motorcycles to me.

My tour van came upon a bike accident and was told that unless tourist know what they are doing...stay away from those bikes.

Have to disagree with you on this.

 

We just spent 3 days in Bermuda and found it very easy to get around with bus/ferry pass and info from port of call.

 

We did a roll call group tour of St George and Blue Hill caves and worked out very well.

 

Spent another day at Horseshoe bay and than swizzle inn and saw no reason for ships tour.

 

In Hamilton tourist office gave us map and easy walking tour.

No doubt that if one had 3 days that they could fully utilize the bus & ferry system.

I'm not saying that one *should* take the ship tours, just that the ship tours seemed the best option in my case of limited time.

OP - RCCL Explorer does sail out of Bayonne & is a lot easier than NYC, also cheaper to park there, if you need to do so. I believe Celebrity sails out of Bayonne as well.

 

Ships absolutely DO dock in Hamilton & a great bet for the most time in port is HAL Veendam, which docks in Hamilton for FOUR days & three nights. Prices are very reasonable for April/May sailings & Hamilton is a much better location than the dockyard, which is where most ships need to dock due to size.

 

If you do find yourself home based at the dockyard, a scooter rental is your best bet for getting around (and a whole lot of fun, too). If you ride in the states then you will be fine to ride in Bermuda. If you aren't an experienced rider then it may not be such a great idea for safety reasons. Then a much cheaper/safer option is the ferry/bus pass.

 

Whatever you decide, Bermuda is an incredibly beautiful island & I bet you will fall in love!

they are hardly scooters. they are move like motorcycles.

 

and every cruise i've been there, someone has been hurt.

They are similar to motorcycles except you do not have to manually shift them & they are much lighter than a motorcycle. (which has it's good & bad points). Please notice, I didn't recommend them for someone who isn't an experienced rider. The folks who are getting hurt are usually those that don't know how to ride in the first place. Not a good idea for them...

They are similar to motorcycles except you do not have to manually shift them & they are much lighter than a motorcycle. (which has it's good & bad points). Please notice, I didn't recommend them for someone who isn't an experienced rider. The folks who are getting hurt are usually those that don't know how to ride in the first place. Not a good idea for them...

i only object because you call it and insinuate it's a scooter rental.