Cruise to Bermuda?

[going to see the world]

We did that same cruise and it was WONDERFUL!

 

The problem with Carnival and Bermuda is that NCL, RCCL and X had the prime days at Dockyard. Carnival had the "left-over" days, which did not coincide with leaving on weekends. NCL had made a deal with Bermuda way back when, wherein Bermuda "promised" that they would consider letting them keep the casinos open. After NCL signed the deal, Bermuda said that they could not do it, since their people were opposed. NCL and the other lines now take two days sailing there or two days sailing back to make-up for the lost revenue.

 

Wow...I didn't know any of this :o

[cruisenanny]

We did that same cruise and it was WONDERFUL!

 

The problem with Carnival and Bermuda is that NCL, RCCL and X had the prime days at Dockyard. Carnival had the "left-over" days, which did not coincide with leaving on weekends. NCL had made a deal with Bermuda way back when, wherein Bermuda "promised" that they would consider letting them keep the casinos open. After NCL signed the deal, Bermuda said that they could not do it, since their people were opposed. NCL and the other lines now take two days sailing there or two days sailing back to make-up for the lost revenue.

 

I didn't know that NCL detail either! How stupid for NCL to sign a contract on a promise, unless they were willing to live with the worst case scenario all along.

Supposedly there are STILL talks with the Bermudian govt regarding this issue as more lines shorten their season and/or pull out entirely.

The dockyard location is THE WORST and it is such a shame Hamilton is loosing HAL, hoping they work it out for 2014.

CCL's 8 day cruise itinerary made being stuck out at the dockyard a bit more palatable, the 5,6 & 7 days on the other 3 lines just isn't doing it for me anymore.:(

[going to see the world]

I hope something gets figured out, I want to cruise there! haha :)

I do NOT fly. :o

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Yes, but NCL is SMART! They know that the Bermuda run is always a sell-out! Bermuda is a "funny" island! Although their major income is insurance, they rely heavily on tourism. It takes years to get anything done. Unless a small cruise ship is sent there, they will NEVER expand the opening to St. George's or Hamilton. It took a long time just to add the second berth at Dockyard. The problem there is that they want their cake and eat it too! LOL. They want the tourist money but they don't want the tourists. It has taken them two years to finally get the buses to run semi-decently from the Dockyard. We LOVE Bermuda and try to sail or fly there at least once a year. However, they need to make some adjustments if they want the almighty $$$.

[cruisenanny]

Yes, but NCL is SMART! They know that the Bermuda run is always a sell-out! Bermuda is a "funny" island! Although their major income is insurance, they rely heavily on tourism. It takes years to get anything done. Unless a small cruise ship is sent there, they will NEVER expand the opening to St. George's or Hamilton. It took a long time just to add the second berth at Dockyard. The problem there is that they want their cake and eat it too! LOL. They want the tourist money but they don't want the tourists. It has taken them two years to finally get the buses to run semi-decently from the Dockyard. We LOVE Bermuda and try to sail or fly there at least once a year. However, they need to make some adjustments if they want the almighty $$$.

 

Yep I agree with most of that for sure.

The runs sell out AND the prices are higher than most other itineraries, BUT the lines are still not able to realize the same revenue as cheaper itineraries because their hands are tied while in Bermuda.

I don't see how Bermuda will thrive in the same way if cruise ships no longer call there. They will have to give in at some point, but will dig in their heels for as long as they possibly can. JMHO

If they don't court back a small ship for Hamilton, this will be our 10th & probably last cruise to Bermuda. We have always talked about flying there & just laying on the beach for a week, where do you stay when you fly in?

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Yep I agree with most of that for sure.

The runs sell out AND the prices are higher than most other itineraries, BUT the lines are still not able to realize the same revenue as cheaper itineraries because their hands are tied while in Bermuda.

I don't see how Bermuda will thrive in the same way if cruise ships no longer call there. They will have to give in at some point, but will dig in their heels for as long as they possibly can. JMHO

If they don't court back a small ship for Hamilton, our days of cruising to Bermuda are probably over. We have always talked about flying there & just laying on the beach for a week, where do you stay when you fly in?

 

Well now you've asked for trouble! LOL. We stay at the Reefs. It is the most amazing place on the planet! Here is a view from our balcony:

 

 

Here is our Son in the jacuzzi in one of the two balconies:

 

Here are my guys in the infinity pool:

 

And here is a shot of the beach:

[hannibal54]

Princess Cruise has a 4 day Bermuda cruise in October out of NYC.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Princess Cruise has a 4 day Bermuda cruise in October out of NYC.

 

It's called a "sample" cruise. You spend one day there, which is NOT enough time to even see anything on the Island. It's a good alternative to a cruise to nowhere and get the feel for the Island.

[cruisenanny]

Oh WOW! Gorgeous pics, I know right where it is! We stopped in there once a few years back to get some brochures, along with a few other places on the South shore beaches.

I've never really priced it out, but seems like it would be so expensive.

Thanks for sharing the pics!!

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Oh WOW! Gorgeous pics, I know right where it is! We stopped in there once a few years back to get some brochures, along with a few other places on the South shore beaches.

I've never really priced it out, but seems like it would be so expensive.

Thanks for sharing the pics!!

 

YW, but actually it wasn't that bad --- for Bermuda! We stayed 7 days with breakfast, tea time and dinner it was less than $3000.00 for the three of us. We did get great airfare via Jet Blue, $99 each way. If you call the Hotel directly, you get better prices than the ones online.

[cruisenanny]

YW, but actually it wasn't that bad --- for Bermuda! We stayed 7 days with breakfast, tea time and dinner it was less than $3000.00 for the three of us. We did get great airfare via Jet Blue, $99 each way. If you call the Hotel directly, you get better prices than the ones online.

 

Oh, that's really not that bad! (would still be a bit of a splurge for us, but doable) So the room price included your meals, or you paid separately?

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Oh, that's really not that bad! (would still be a bit of a splurge for us, but doable) So the room price included your meals, or you paid separately?

 

It included breakfast, tea (which had mini sandwiches @ around 4 pm) and dinner. We did rent a moped and DH brought wine from a grocery store! Also, after dinner, there was a live band that played and it was really good for dancing! There is a bus stop right by the entrance to the Hotel which made it very convenient.

 

P.S. forgot to say that this was a Pointe Suite, so they do have other rooms that are cheaper!

[cruisenanny]

It included breakfast, tea (which had mini sandwiches @ around 4 pm) and dinner. We did rent a moped and DH brought wine from a grocery store! Also, after dinner, there was a live band that played and it was really good for dancing! There is a bus stop right by the entrance to the Hotel which made it very convenient.

 

P.S. forgot to say that this was a Pointe Suite, so they do have other rooms that are cheaper!

 

Thanks, that's some great info, much appreciated. We usually get 2 scooters and BLAST all over the island for the short time we are there. Could probably do fine with just one if our home base was already on the South shore, so that's a few hundred saved..

How did you enjoy your 2x on the Veendam?

[djcass4199]

Does anyone know if any of the lines go to Bermuda leaving out of Charleston, SC? DW and I live in GA and we only want to drive to ports and not fly.

[golfadj]

Would like to go back to Bermuda on a cruise but only if we get three days there.

 

Hoppefully one of the cruise lines will have that for next year.

[AnitaVacation]

I'll be going NYC to Bermuda 2x this year (ncl)...once in September with my DH and then again in October with the girls.....(this will be my 5th & 6th trip there)

 

I love Bermuda.....and yes, must have atleast 3 days in port...

 

Our first two trips to Bermuda, we docked in St George....that was fabulous...miss that...Dockyard is okay...not too bad to just hop on the ferry over to St G....or Hamilton to grab a bus....

 

Last fall, we took the CCL Miracle there on an 8 night cruise....I would book it again in a heartbeat, however..............:rolleyes:

 

I hope the cruiselines can work something out....I fear for the future of cruises to Bermuda if they do not...........

[going to see the world]

It's called a "sample" cruise. You spend one day there, which is NOT enough time to even see anything on the Island. It's a good alternative to a cruise to nowhere and get the feel for the Island.

 

 

 

After looking, I've actually been debating on the cruise to nowhere Carnival has out of Norfolk in Oct, or the Princess sample cruise...the Princess cruise is only a couple of hundred more.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Thanks, that's some great info, much appreciated. We usually get 2 scooters and BLAST all over the island for the short time we are there. Could probably do fine with just one if our home base was already on the South shore, so that's a few hundred saved..

How did you enjoy your 2x on the Veendam?

 

We liked the Veendam and were thinking about doing it again this year. However, the prices went up since last year, and we were a little dissapointed in the second cruise we took on her. Even though she had just come out of dry dock, you could see that she was being neglected. We saw duct tape in a lot of places which should have been fixed with a couple of screws. We also had A/C issues. Overall though, it is a nice ship.

[NCTribeFan]

I loved my only HAL cruise (2 weeks on Zaandam to Hawaii from San Diego). I've been looking at their cruises ever since thinking they gave a good solo discount, but when I "fake" book, the prices come out to be about 180%. Since the base fare is high to start with, I haven't found anything I think I can really afford. Wonder if Celebrity's solo prices are lower.

 

I also can't sail in late summer, either, because of work deadlines (I'm a CPA so have those 9/15 and 10/15 deadlines to deal with besides 4/15).

 

I might have to think about one next May before kids are out of school. Maybe prices aren't too high then. But Bermuda cruises are always high (per night) compared to the Caribbean, aren't they? Guessing docking fees are exhorbitant! And lack of competition with high demand.

[going to see the world]

so...if I had to pick one, should I do the Bermuda Sampler (Princess) in October or wait for Carnival in April?? lol

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

so...if I had to pick one, should I do the Bermuda Sampler (Princess) in October or wait for Carnival in April?? lol

 

Have you been to Bermuda before? If not, personally, I would choose the Princess one. It will give you a little taste of Bermuda and have you wanting more! LOL. Also, I think with a "destination" it will be less of a "booze-cruise" feeling.

[going to see the world]

Have you been to Bermuda before? If not, personally, I would choose the Princess one. It will give you a little taste of Bermuda and have you wanting more! LOL. Also, I think with a "destination" it will be less of a "booze-cruise" feeling.

 

Nope! Not yet...looking to take my Mom (she has been there). It's less than $200.00 more! Definitely not bad price wise. :)

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Nope! Not yet...looking to take my Mom (she has been there). It's less than $200.00 more! Definitely not bad price wise. :)

 

Not a bad price difference at all. I would defitinely choose Princess! We were actually thinking of doing this one too. We'll see!

[cruisenanny]

We liked the Veendam and were thinking about doing it again this year. However, the prices went up since last year, and we were a little dissapointed in the second cruise we took on her. Even though she had just come out of dry dock, you could see that she was being neglected. We saw duct tape in a lot of places which should have been fixed with a couple of screws. We also had A/C issues. Overall though, it is a nice ship.

 

Ok Thanks! I have seen a lot of complaints regarding the a/c, ugh!

Our only other experience with HAL was 2x on the Noordam & EVERYTHING was just impeccable.. Well, we shall see!

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Ok Thanks! I have seen a lot of complaints regarding the a/c, ugh!

Our only other experience with HAL was 2x on the Noordam & EVERYTHING was just impeccable.. Well, we shall see!

 

LOVE the Noordam! Did a New Year's (7 days) and Christmas/New Years (14 days) from NY. The 14 day one had to be one of the BEST cruises we've ever taken!

 

The Veendam is not a bad ship, I think the problem is that they added all those lanai cabins, and people leave their doors open which minimizes the A/C to the rest of the ship.