Anyone back from Bermuda?

[mlshum]

I’m anxious to hear about recent experiences in Bermuda!

[meglet]

Any specific questions? We returned 4/22.

[shipgeeks]

Where did you sail from?  How was the boarding process, with the additional Bermuda requirements?

[mlshum]

4 hours ago, meglet said:

Any specific questions? We returned 4/22.

Were you allowed off the ship to wander freely?  How long did it take to get your Bermuda travel authorization?  Were attractions, restaurants, stores, etc open?  What was their mask policy?  Thanks so much!  I haven’t been to Bermuda in years.  We are supposed to go in Oct but i’m always on pins and needles that they’ll change our itinerary to Nassau again!

[tbedard1]

The boarding process on our Norwegian Joy trip on May 15th was horrid due to the Bermuda authorization process.The Bermuda government couldn't keep up with the volume of  Provisional status and switching over to final status . So we all got checked in at the pier in nYC but couldn't board the ship because we were still provisional status even though we had all submitted our negative tests.It was a nightmare! They finally let us board and w head to meet with Bermuda offfficals the next day and straighten it out.My husband got covid when w got home and i believe it was from standing in that line so long!Bermuda was great! Beaches were great! Did glass bottom boat tour. Went to the beach right at the pier it was great! Did Crystal caves and they were beautiful! The shows on the ship were great!Need masks when going through Bermuda terminals.Have a great time!

[edrussell]

We just came back from Bermuda earlier this week.  The travel authorization was a PITA.  However we did get ours after a final call to get them.

 

Had to wear a mask on the 30 foot walk through their 'terminal', apart from that masks are 100% optional everywhere else.

 

Everything was open for the most part.  

 

We took the mini-bus to Horseshoe Beach one day (7 PP each, so 28 in total return for us both) and it was worth it.  We didn't rent chairs or umbrellas at the beach as we didn't need them.  They were 10 each though.

 

The next day we just walked the Dockyard area and browsed local shops.

 

Bermuda was so beautiful.  We cannot wait to go back.

[shipgeeks]

ed, What ship did you sail on?  I remember your Enchantment posts previously.

I'm glad you liked Bermuda!

[njhorseman]

10 hours ago, edrussell said:

Had to wear a mask on the 30 foot walk through their 'terminal', apart from that masks are 100% optional everywhere else.

That's incorrect. Masks are required when riding buses, ferries (except on open decks), taxis and mini buses. Apparently your mini bus driver did not enforce that rule, which I understand is quite common.

[1025cruise]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

That's incorrect. Masks are required when riding buses, ferries (except on open decks), taxis and mini buses. Apparently your mini bus driver did not enforce that rule, which I understand is quite common.

Apparently the taxi drivers weren't enforcing it either back in April. But the published rule was taxis, buses, ferries, and the terminal building.

 

I went to the Clocktower Mall, and though masks weren't required in the mall, they were recommended. Some stores did request masks to be worn.

 

 

[edrussell]

2 hours ago, njhorseman said:

That's incorrect. Masks are required when riding buses, ferries (except on open decks), taxis and mini buses. Apparently your mini bus driver did not enforce that rule, which I understand is quite common.

 

Good catch, I should have been clearer with my language.  However there was ZERO enforcement on mini buses, public buses, or ferries.  I confirmed this myself via discussions with several pax that said not only were few if any wearing them, but there was no enforcement.

[edrussell]

2 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

ed, What ship did you sail on?  I remember your Enchantment posts previously.

I'm glad you liked Bermuda!

 

We were on Adventure OTS.  5 day out of Cape Liberty.  Booked it last minute on a casino offer.  We have another booking on Oasis in Sept (third sailing this year) and one on Anthem in Feb.  Needless to say we are hooked.

[amet beach]

Just back on the 23rd from the Summit.

Public busses were very insistent that we wear our masks before stepping on bus and sanitize hands before presenting cash ($4.00) or token ($3.75). Busses only allow seated passengers so if the bus has no seats you can’t enter.

 

private shuttles were not as strict with masking.

 

We are still wearing masks by choice at home when in public indoor areas and appreciated the mask protocols.

[joyandjerry]

Got off the Carnival Legend yesterday. Very smooth embarkation at Baltimore - 30 minutes from arrival to lunch in front of me! Sadly, getting info on the final TA was a real cluster. While the govt policies are not CCL's fault, there was no communication about if we got the final TA and we just had to keep bugging them at Guest Services. Many were very upset on the ship, and it really ruined the first few days. False info from the staff to meet with the officials on board, but that was only if we received notice to do so, which we did not. We were "lucky" we found the officials at the start of a meeting that very few knew about and we were already approved. We asked for a hard copy of the Green TA, and were told  "don't worry about it". Really!!??? The day after (second sea day) many stood in line for over two hours to find out that was superfluous, as they were already approved and not informed. Many upset passengers!

 

Nothing was required upon leaving the ship except your ship room card and photo ID. No one asked about the TA. A big production was made of wearing a mask to walk through a terminal that was the size of a large garage and nearly bare. Same with getting on the open air ferry. We had a ship tour and no one was asked to mask up. Crystal Caves required masks, but the guide took his off as did many.

 

This was our first time in Bermuda, and it was very nice, but maybe my expectations were too high for it to live up to the hype. Locals were very cordial and helpful. Sadly, Hamilton had beggars and a few street people. Traffic was awful in town and it was very congested. Food was insanely expensive. They are supposed begging for tourist money, but everything closes at 5:00. Many commented the the shop owners didn't really seem to care if the tourists were buying. Pink sands are slowly disappearing due to the coral dying. The popular beaches were crowded. Jerry and I are not big beach people, and thought HMC and Coco Cay were just as nice. Barbados and some other islands are nearly as pretty and not nearly as pricey. Many historical areas of interest that would benefit from a closer look.

 

I calculated I spent as much time chasing down the TA before and during the cruise, posting on forums about it, etc. as I spent actually off the ship in Bermuda.

 

 

[musiconthesea]

On 5/29/2022 at 2:43 PM, amet beach said:

Just back on the 23rd from the Summit.

Public busses were very insistent that we wear our masks before stepping on bus and sanitize hands before presenting cash ($4.00) or token ($3.75). Busses only allow seated passengers so if the bus has no seats you can’t enter.

 

private shuttles were not as strict with masking.

 

We are still wearing masks by choice at home when in public indoor areas and appreciated the mask protocols.

Is that a special price for the bus? I thought it was $5 cash and $4.50 tokens.

 

Thanks

[Charles4515]

2 hours ago, musiconthesea said:

Is that a special price for the bus? I thought it was $5 cash and $4.50 tokens.

 

Thanks

 

The correct 14 zone price is $5 exact change in coins or a 14 zone token which costs $4.50. The 14 zone price would apply from Dockyard to Horseshoe. There are 3 zone fares for shorter distances which are 3.50 change or 2.75 tokens.

[amet beach]

My error in the $4.50 token amount.   They did accept bills if rolled up to fit the slot.

[Charles4515]

34 minutes ago, amet beach said:

My error in the $4.50 token amount.   They did accept bills if rolled up to fit the slot.

 

They say to use exact change.That is a rule. I would not count on a bus driver to accept bills. A driver could say no.

Edited May 31, 2022 by Charles4515