Why Choose NCL for Bermuda??

[SunTravels]

I am looking into sailing to Bermuda and want to know the Pros and cons of sailing there with NCL. I would also like to generally know anything that might help me know more about the line.

Thanks

[SailorsMate]

Don't know which ship you were going to try, or from where- I went in 2004 from NY on the Crown- Found it to be very enjoyable- I had a suite- very spacious and confortable. For Bermuda, the itinerary is key- The Crown makes three stops- ideal for sightseeing and getting to the beaches. I also enjoyed the food on the Crown- found it to be superior in some respects to the Dawn, especially the baked goods. Also good was the "dine ashore" voucher- We ate at the Carriage House and it was excellent. Hope this info helped.

[Dolphins]

We also took the Crown out of New York in September. We appreciated the three ports in Bermuda, balcony cabin and freestyle dining in the Seven Seas dining room was superb.

[smoothdancer]

Sailorsmate,

Could you tell me a little more about the suite. Considering an upgrade to the owners suite on the crown.

[BeachBumMama]

I've done the Majesty that docks in St. George for the days in Bermuda. Easy to get around the island with ferry and bus passes. It was like having a hotel at the port. Both are older, smaller ships compared to some mega ships out there. Won't find them on a grand scale, but the Majesty is one of my favorite ships now, Bermuda a favorite island. My most relaxing cruise ever.

[EileenN]

Check the itinerary on the Dawn for 2006 on the NCL website for Dawn Destinations for Bermuda. It has added a very interesting sail to Bermuda and Bahamas for a 7 day cruise. I would imagine it will be very popular for a nice change. It shows dates that should be pre-hurricane season. I repeat "should be".

[e.durban]

See the member Reviews section for more complete reports on the Crown. We loved it last Sept.

[shay1]

I've done the Majesty that docks in St. George for the days in Bermuda. Easy to get around the island with ferry and bus passes. It was like having a hotel at the port. Both are older, smaller ships compared to some mega ships out there. Won't find them on a grand scale, but the Majesty is one of my favorite ships now, Bermuda a favorite island. My most relaxing cruise ever.

Hello,

 

We are thinking about a cruise in May to Bermuda and I am researching NCL Majesty.

 

Any information you can give me on this ship and any tips for getting around in Bermuda would be appreciated. This will be our first time to Bermuda.

 

We love to snorkel and would be interested in any information you might have on this as well.

 

Have a great day.

[jsaadat]

Sun,

 

With the exception of a few choppy nights to and from Bermuda, I have heard only good things about the NCL sailings. The most important thing about Bermuda cruise is that you have the 2 most expensive items in Bermuda taken care of for you, FOOD and LODGING. If you have never been there its not a hot balmy tropical port, but I will say there is plenty to do and outside of an operating room, its one of the cleanest places in the world.

[regal2]

boston black falcon terminal is easy to get to and

cost $12 aday verses $24 at new york.

the m/s norweigan majesty docks at quiet st. george

for 4 days and for $25 3-day pass you can travel to

any part of bermuda on the busses and ferries.

you can schedule your dinner around your return from

a day in bermuda.

tobacco bay which is a 1/2 hour walk from the ship is

a great place to swim and snorkel.

get a road map from the tourist info. center located

across from white horse tavern and plan your own trip.

[driker2]

Sailorsmate,

Could you tell me a little more about the suite. Considering an upgrade to the owners suite on the crown.

 

We sailed to Bermuda in June of 2004 on the Crown. Older, smaller ship, but still in good repair, providing a most enjoyable cruise experience. Less space and less to do than on the mega-ships, but that is a personal choice situation.

 

The crown has ten basically identical suites and four somewhat smaller suites, all on the same deck. You enter the large suite and the bathroom is on your right or left (varies). You then come into the bedroom and walk through a divider wall into the living room/dining room. Sofa and two chairs with coffee table. Dining room table with four chairs. The suite is generally very roomy. It has a wonderful walk-in (really walk-in) closet with terrific storage.

 

The veranda is accessed through a wide sliding door. On the large veranda, as I recall, were two deck chairs and a table with two chairs. The suites are named -- we were in the Sandringham. Nicely decorated, very comfortable. A first-rate suite experience. Our experience was much enhanced by Anshuman, our butler. The man is a gem!

 

Was there anything negative? Yes -- the bathroom. Marble, roomy, full-size tub/shower. So what was the problem. The room smelled a bit musty and it was a bit depressing in an otherwise positive and lovely suite.

[BeachBumMama]

Hello,

 

We are thinking about a cruise in May to Bermuda and I am researching NCL Majesty.

 

Any information you can give me on this ship and any tips for getting around in Bermuda would be appreciated. This will be our first time to Bermuda.

 

We love to snorkel and would be interested in any information you might have on this as well.

 

Have a great day.

 

First, as another poster stated as to why one should book with NCL to Bermuda, one of the main reasons is freestyle dining. While you're out and about Bermuda, you don't have to worry about getting back to the ship at a certain time for your 'traditional' dinner seating as on other cruiselines. Can get back and eat as early or late as you want.

 

They also have the 'dining ashore' program. You can get coupons to use for either lunch or dinner at certain restaurants on the island. We didn't get a chance to use ours while there, but will next time.

 

For shay1 - as for the ship, the NCL Majesty, it's important to know it isn't a large mega ship and be prepared for older and smaller. Some people don't do research then are disappointed because they thought it would be like the mega ships they see in the commercials. But older and smaller is not a bad thing, you just have to know to expect it.

 

This is one of my favorite cruises, and one of the reasons was the older and smaller Majesty. Very intimate, saw the same people all the time, easy to get to know the staff (which is one of the best at sea), we met many people on this ship and because of its size got to see them frequently as opposed to meeting someone once and never seeing them again because the ship was huge. I can assume the Crown is the same way due to its size also.

 

I've been on the Dawn, and though I love that ship also in a different way, I love the Majesty just as much.

 

I liked staying in the same place in St. George. Plan your days by getting around with bus and ferry passes to the other parts of the island. You can do Hamilton one day and the beaches there, or look at the bus schedules and routes and plan where you want to stop etc. for a day outing. Taxi's are expensive and though some like the scooters, I've heard of many accidents and personally I'm not brave enough to risk serious injury and ruin my vacation. Some roads are small, curvy, hilly, and you drive on the opposite side and many traffic circles. I was crossing the street and almost got hit because I looked the wrong way for oncoming traffic, can't trust myself on foot - lol - much less a scooter.

 

Great snorkeling at Tobacco Bay which is in St. George. A walk there takes you by several things on the way. And it's a walk, quite a hill to get there, but a very relaxing walk nonetheless. Hubby and I left one morning very early, walked up to the old hotel on the hill then back around the other side of the island, directly by the channel where ship goes through.

 

I scoured the boards hours at a time before we went and you'll be able to find all kinds of help. The Ports of call board and Bermuda thread will get you much info. Just keep going back or use the search feature for something specific.

 

Have fun!

[SunTravels]

Thanks So much for all the input.

 

Has anyone sailed another line to Bermuda as well as NCL?

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Hi,

 

We're kind of in the same boat - pardon the pun. We've been to Bermuda at least a dozen times and, we've sailed Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Carnival to Bermuda. My biggest disappointment was with Royal Caribbean - it was on Nordic Empress and this was several years ago...we just didn't care for the "forced" large tables (the dinning room only had tables for 8...smallers tables simply weren't there and even after asking for a table for 2 they could not accommodate our wishes). The other negative for the Nordic Empress...and I blame the cruise director for this...they scheduled the shows either during late sitting dinner (which we had...which meant we either had to go to the buffet which was convertered into a causal restaurant for dinner or miss the show) or sometimes the show was before late sitting and then there was nothing to do in the evenings other than the casino (at sea) or try to find something to do in Bermuda in the evening.

 

We would like to cruise to Bermuda this spring and, we're torn between trying NCL Dawn (we don't mind only one day in Bermuda since we've been there so often) or our other choice is giving RCCL another try and ssailing on Explorer of the Seas (which is a Voyager class ship with good reviews).

 

All the ships we've had positives (even the Nordic Empress...it's a pretty little ship and the staff was great) and all the ships had drawbacks. Overall, believe it or not, I would say my favorite was Carnival Pride when it sailed there a couple of years ago. Celebrity wins for food but, the ships are older and smaller.

 

I'm not sure if this information helps you but, enjoy Bermuda no matter which ship you select - it's a wonderful port of call! Very clean, very safe and very easy to get around. Enjoy!

[cruiserssandr]

We have sailed to Bermuda from Boston 7 times. We like staying in St George for the entire time. The buses and ferries are a great way to get around. Ridingn on the buses with Bermudians on their way home from work has always been a very interesting experience. They are very friendly and love talking about their island.

[jwitt2]

I have sailed to Bermuda on the Cunard Princess, Song of America, QE2 and Horizon. Unfortunately, the only one still sailing is the QE2. Although it was a lovely ship, it and all of the new big ships dock or anchor at the West End far away from the action. I would suggest the smaller NCL ships or better yet the Zenith which docks in Hamilton. This is the best place to dock in my opinion because there is more to see from there. However I did hear that the downtown department stores which used to be right off the dock have now closed but their branches are located out near the West End dock. I have been on the NCL Majesty, not to Bermuda, and found it to be a nice ship.

[Diesel Dog]

I have done 2 cruises to Bermuda over the last 3 years, once on the Celebrity Horizon and the other on the Celebrity Zenith. Both were awesome. Smaller ships, and older as well, but Celebrity is top notch. I have never done an NCL cruise yet, so I cannot compare. Zenith and Horizon go to 2 ports, St. George and Hamilton, which is great. You can travel the whole island by cab in a couple of hours, and from Hamilton you are only a ferry ride from Kings Wharf. The ferry ride itself is very nice.

 

Of course since these 2 ships are smaller, you are limited with restaurants and they do have 2 formal nights. I do not care to dress up too much and that is why I am trying NCL this year. However, I would still go on one of those ships again to Bermuda.

 

As for snorkeling, if the person who asked the question is still interested please let me know and I will give you more details on where I like to snorkel in Bermuda.

[DroopySails]

Could someone familiar with Bermuda in various seasons give me a ballpark on swimming weather? How early and late in the year would you advise going there? How late into the fall does the water stay warm enough for swimming?

 

Many thanks.

[Jeanne S]

Could someone familiar with Bermuda in various seasons give me a ballpark on swimming weather? How early and late in the year would you advise going there? How late into the fall does the water stay warm enough for swimming?

 

Many thanks.

 

We have found the water to be warm for swimming up until abot Mid November. In April is very cold, starts warming up in May. May and October are the nicest months - just like southern Florida - subtropical climate.

 

Although you may have fine weather in the Summer, there is always the risk of insufferable hot humid days - you take a risk.

[Jeanne S]

I have done 2 cruises to Bermuda over the last 3 years, once on the Celebrity Horizon and the other on the Celebrity Zenith. Both were awesome. Smaller ships, and older as well, but Celebrity is top notch. I have never done an NCL cruise yet, so I cannot compare. Zenith and Horizon go to 2 ports, St. George and Hamilton, which is great. You can travel the whole island by cab in a couple of hours, and from Hamilton you are only a ferry ride from Kings Wharf. The ferry ride itself is very nice.

 

 

 

Of course since these 2 ships are smaller, you are limited with restaurants and they do have 2 formal nights. I do not care to dress up too much and that is why I am trying NCL this year. However, I would still go on one of those ships again to Bermuda.

 

As for snorkeling, if the person who asked the question is still interested please let me know and I will give you more details on where I like to snorkel in Bermuda.

 

Did you go on the Zenith in 2005? We went 8/2004 and loved it as well as the food. 10/2005 we sailed again and the food was not up to par. I had read this abot it and had hoed for the best as we had found it to be practically the best at sea but was dissapointed. We liked the itinery the best also.

[Jeanne S]

I have sailed to Bermuda on the Cunard Princess, Song of America, QE2 and Horizon. Unfortunately, the only one still sailing is the QE2. Although it was a lovely ship, it and all of the new big ships dock or anchor at the West End far away from the action. I would suggest the smaller NCL ships or better yet the Zenith which docks in Hamilton. This is the best place to dock in my opinion because there is more to see from there. However I did hear that the downtown department stores which used to be right off the dock have now closed but their branches are located out near the West End dock. I have been on the NCL Majesty, not to Bermuda, and found it to be a nice ship.

 

The QE2 has not sailed to Bermuda since 2003. We used to sail on it on its twice yearly runs to King's Wharf. What happended was QE2 was sent back to the Continent while the QM2 became the dominant transatlantic and Carribean Cunard vessel. Unfortunately it has no plans to visit KW according the Cunrad.

[Jeanne S]

Hello,

 

We are thinking about a cruise in May to Bermuda and I am researching NCL Majesty.

 

Any information you can give me on this ship and any tips for getting around in Bermuda would be appreciated. This will be our first time to Bermuda.

 

We love to snorkel and would be interested in any information you might have on this as well.

 

Have a great day.

 

The Bermuda forumn has lots of info - have been posting tips on it for three years. There are also Bermudians who post on it and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[Jeanne S]

Hello,

 

We are thinking about a cruise in May to Bermuda and I am researching NCL Majesty.

 

Any information you can give me on this ship and any tips for getting around in Bermuda would be appreciated. This will be our first time to Bermuda.

 

We love to snorkel and would be interested in any information you might have on this as well.

 

Have a great day.

 

Let's see, you will be berthed in St George's so the best excursions out of here are:

 

 

"Turtle Bay Catamarran Excursion" Snorkeling and then Swomming to a private island and sanctuary. Is the best cat excursion. All the cats have snorkeling exuipment.

 

Swim ansd Sail is Uncle Jerry's Sailboat to a secluded cove for snorkeling and goe sin the opposite direction of the Turtle Bay trip so you will really get much beutiful scenery.

[Jeanne S]

We sailed to Bermuda in June of 2004 on the Crown. Older, smaller ship, but still in good repair, providing a most enjoyable cruise experience. Less space and less to do than on the mega-ships, but that is a personal choice situation.

 

The crown has ten basically identical suites and four somewhat smaller suites, all on the same deck. You enter the large suite and the bathroom is on your right or left (varies). You then come into the bedroom and walk through a divider wall into the living room/dining room. Sofa and two chairs with coffee table. Dining room table with four chairs. The suite is generally very roomy. It has a wonderful walk-in (really walk-in) closet with terrific storage.

 

The veranda is accessed through a wide sliding door. On the large veranda, as I recall, were two deck chairs and a table with two chairs. The suites are named -- we were in the Sandringham. Nicely decorated, very comfortable. A first-rate suite experience. Our experience was much enhanced by Anshuman, our butler. The man is a gem!

 

Was there anything negative? Yes -- the bathroom. Marble, roomy, full-size tub/shower. So what was the problem. The room smelled a bit musty and it was a bit depressing in an otherwise positive and lovely suite.

 

We are booked in AA Owners Suire 1007 - is this the Sandringham or near to it? I read that the balcony is 160 square feet and the cabin 610? That is gargantuan for a cruise ship - especially one so small. We used to get a balcony on Radisson but as they are no longer sailing to Bermuda we have to go elsewhere (and that balcony on this ""all suite" ship the Navigator was only 35 ft with a 301 sq ft cabin, so in comparison the Crown seems like a good deal for us). Although RCCL has them, we went in November and is only 5 days and only get to be in KW for a very short stay.

 

Were you able to do anyting about the mustiness? Perhaps I should bring some lysol with me?

[Jeanne S]

Thanks So much for all the input.

 

Has anyone sailed another line to Bermuda as well as NCL?

 

Have not sailed on NCL as of yet, but have sailed on:

 

Furness Lines - Queen of Bermuda

Princess - Pacific Princess (Love Boat)

QE 2 - Cunard

Radisson - Navigator

Celebrity - Zenith

RCCL Voyager of the Seas

 

Future - 2006:

NCL Dawn

NCL Crown

Princess - Crown Princess