allycat1964

Thank you so much for the awesome information.  It really is quite helpful and greatly appreciated!

Ally

My DH and I will be taking the MSC Seaside in June to Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, Nassau Bahamas and Ocean Cay.  We would like some recommendation for the best snorkeling in St. Thomas.  We found an excursion through Cruise Critic.  It took us to a company called Viator.  I am unfamiliar with them and wondered if most people book through them if they don't book through their cruise line?  We have ALWAYS booked through the cruise line and this time just not feeling it with what they have to offer.  We are looking at the Snorkel & Swim with the Turtles. Private Tour to Buck Island and Honeymoon Beach and wondered if anyone on here has done this excursion and if so did you book through Viator and was it fantastic?  Thanks in advance for all your help!

Allison

On 2/2/2019 at 8:55 PM, Paul Bogle said:

We explored this same question when we sailed Breakaway to Bermuda in 2017. Our sailing was one of the ones during the America's Cup races and we wanted to be able to watch the events from our balcony. What we discovered was that the ship could dock either way. Since we had two cabins we decided to book one on each side near the forward elevators so we could easily move between them.

 

I wish I could give you a more definitive answer but I can't. Perhaps someone else has better insight into Escape but since it is nearly the same ship just slightly larger I think it will be subject to a similar pattern as Breakaway.

I have been watching PTZtv webcams for almost the past year to figure this one out as well.  Seems like 75% of the time it is the starboard side.  I guess it just depends on the mood that given day!  

Tell DH to relax...lol. We have been to Bermuda 4 times. It's by far our favorite island (out of about 10 we've been to) there are cabs, mini buses, regular buses, and ferrys to get around. It's a great island, and I'm sure you will all love it.

Will do, lol and thank you for the positive feedback. I am just so excited to go to Bermuda. It has been on my bucket list for quite some time now. Next June can't get here soon enough!

Ally

And right across the street from the Swizzle Inn is the entrance to the caves, if you are into that sort of thing you can tour them. We really enjoyed it! :)

Now that is planning. Yes, we are totally into that kind of thing. Thanks so much!

I am a snorkeler who has been to Bermuda multiple times. Off shore are your -superior snorkels. And in my opinion, Tobacco Bay is far from great- compared to several other areas I've been to. In my opinion, Church is way superior as well as areas off Spanish. I have a few others I also prefer over Tobacco.

Thanks so much for your input. I have read also that offshore are where the superiors are as well. We will definitely look into those as well. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Ally

we've been twice on a cruise and once for work. I love it. Don't try and see everything, just really enjoy what you do see. On the first trip we had just over 2.5 days. We bought a 2 day transportation pass and decided to be safe timing wise and enjoy what there was to see at the dockyard on our last day. We did ferry to Hamilton day 1. St George's was the plan for day 2, but hubby hurt his foot day 1 and we couldn't do the walking tour. Instead we decided to get off the ship and roam around. At the end of the dock a taxi driver asked if we wanted a tour. It was great. He took us all over and was very responsive in asking what we were interested in and taking us to things we would like.

I like what you said, just enjoy what you do see. I know we can't take in everything. So sorry about your hubby hurting his foot!

I would never suggest a new driver or an unseasoned bike rider to rent a scooter. We use to ride dirt bikes, so we had some experience with bikes before. We will definitely do the scooters again when we go back, but we will remember to bring the Gopro camera next time. Still kicking ourselves that we forgot it last time! Anyways, as others have said, it is very easy to get around in Bermuda. With the buses and ferries, you can't go wrong. Try to stop in at the Swizzle Inn. A nice place and may still have free wifi!

Will definitely look for the Swizzle Inn. Seems like a lot of folks go there. Thanks!

No problem. I'm doing a day by day review of our trip, but I haven't gotten to the Bermuda days yet! Enjoy your trip. I actually find the planning and anticipation to be a big part of the fun.

You are absolutely right in the anticipation part. Can make otherwise long days exciting to say the least! Have a super day and again, thanks!

I will definitely check out all the boards on the snorkeling. I can just tell it had to have been awesome from this photo and cannot wait to see those huge parrot fish. I just don't know how I am going to wait for a year, lol! Thanks again for sharing....from one Hoosier to the other! :)

Love....LOve.....LOVE Bermuda. It’s one of my favorite ports.

 

As mentioned, public transport (both land and water) are efficient and relatively inexpensive. Scooter travel is also fun.

 

I like the itinerary because you are never rushed to go anywhere or to do anything.

 

People are wonderful. Scenery is beautiful (obviously). Just a great port and itinerary.

 

Have fun!

Thanks for your post and input! I just cannot wait to go. Don't think I can contain myself for another year. I know how fast time goes but really.............this one is going to be hard to wait for! ;p;p

We just got back from our first cruise to Bermuda and I found it terribly easy to get around on. We did it all on our own, no excursions so I'll post my itinerary for you.

 

Wednesday 0800 Arrive Royal Naval Dockyard

Visitor Information Center, Buy 2-day transit passes. $31.50

Take ferry to Hamilton

Bus 10 to Aquarium/Zoo, 20 minutes. BAMZ $10, closes 1600

Bus 10 or 11 to Swizzle Inn/Grotto Bay/Blue Hole, 10 minutes

Lunch at Swizzle Inn

Kayak Blue Hole, $20 for 2 hours

Bus 10 or 11 to St George's

Ferry back to Dockyard, 1545 or 1745

Ferry back to Hamilton, pickup at 1845, return at 2100 or 2230

Harbor Nights 1900-2200

Thursday Bus 7 or 8 to Church Bay, swim/snorkel (we missed this stop but I think the surf would have been too rough that day to snorkel)

Walk to Gibbs Hill lighthouse

Walk to Horseshoe Bay, swim/snorkel

Bus 7 to Botanical Gardens, 20 minutes. (We skipped this but could have gone, we had time)

Bus 1, 2 or 7 to Hamilton

Lunch at Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy, St Monica’s Rd, 20 minute walk

Gosling’s Distillery, 9 Dundonald St, closes at 1700

Ferry back to Dockyard, 1630 or 1800

Friday 0845 NCL ferry to St George

Walk to Unfinished Church

Walk to Tobacco Bay and snorkel, walk around St George

1315 NCL ferry return to Dockyard, All Aboard 1430

Wow, what a full trip and it sounded totally awesome. I can't wait to share this with my DH. What was your favorite place to snorkel? This is what I am wanting to go to Bermuda most for, the snorkeling. My DH and I went on the Escape last summer to Honduras, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel. The snorkeling in Honduras was awesome but it was too windy that day. We had better luck in Cozumel. I cannot wait to hit the beaches in Bermuda. Tell me IndyKitten.......I have to ask, you must be from Indiana? I grew up in Northern Indiana.....a little town called LaPorte! Just had to ask! :) Thanks so much for all your great information. It is truly appreciated!

Ally

Ditto

As a seasoned rider of 30 plus years you couldn't pay me enough to rent a scooter. The roads are narrow, winding and local traffic moves pretty fast. We have been to Bermuda twice and each time we saw people coming back to the ship via an ambulance. One couple had to fly home after they crashed and had broken bones. To me its just not worth it

This is excellent information and we truly appreciate your help. My daughters will just be 18 when we travel. They are new drivers and I would never subject them to any harm, or myself for that matter. I have heard other horror stories so we will not be doing any scooters for sure. Thanks again!

Ally

There is a whole forum on here dedicated to Bermuda. Transportation, things to do, places to see, etc. Here is the link, enjoy.

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

Thank you so very much!

I just got off the Escape yesterday and had a wonderful time. If you ever cruised the Breakaway, the Escape is 10x better.

We have been to Bermuda 3 times already and still had not seen it all until this past cruise.

 

If it's your first time in Bermuda, I HIGHLY recommend reserving a spot on the Scenic Road Tour with GAR Tours. It's a 5-hour (air-conditioned!) mini-bus tour with multiple stops that takes you to all the highlights of the entire island and allows for ample time at each stop to explore and take pictures. We learned all about the Bermuda lifestyle and the tour guide Stan, even drove past his home and added his personal anecdotes. We skipped the crowds at Horseshoe Bay and he took us to Warwick Long Bay, which is right next door but significantly less crowded. We had time to walk on the pink sand and dip our toes in the water. An added plus is that we stopped in St. George for an hour to give us some time to get a bite to eat and explore a bit.

 

The only caveat is that the tours need a minimum of 8 people. I coordinated my group through the CC Roll Call and then met them at the CC Meet & Greet onboard.

 

You'll love Bermuda, as it is such a beautiful island. The people are friendly and courteous and they keep their island paradise clean and safe.

 

http://www.gartours.com/tours.html

It is the things that you mention about the island and the people there that drew us to this cruise. Not to mention having been on the Escape before and loving her......enough said. I just think my DH had some worry that it was not going to be easy to get around like he is used to doing. Everyone is helping to prove this wrong. Thanks so much!

We've been to Bermuda several times and though not for everybody; we've always rented a moped and went all over the island with no issues.[emoji16]

 

Enjoy your trip[emoji41][emoji568]

Thank you so much! I think DH was worried about our girls on mopeds.....we shall see! :) I just can't wait for next June!

Of the 13 cruises under our belts, Bermuda is by far our favorite island. The beauty, the feeling of safety and freedom to explore. The ease of getting around the island,the cleanliness, the beaches, restaurants, locals, I hope you love it as much as we do. Heading there in two weeks on the Escape. Love Bermuda.

This is so very helpful. I think my DH was afraid that it ISN'T EASY to get around. We have been on the Escape once and I cannot wait to get back on her next summer. Thanks so very much for your positive response. I just know everyone is going to love it there!

NCL ferry schedule attached:

[attach]421725[/attach]

 

SBtS

This is amazing! Thank you so much!

We are all set for a cruise on the Escape in June of 2019 to Bermuda. This will be our 3rd cruise. I am the only one that is totally excited about it.....the others not so much! Now that we have booked the cruise my DH is worried about getting around and afraid we jumped the gun. We like to see as much as we possibly can and is is fearful that it is going to be too hard to get around and see everything we would like to see and have it be affordable if you will. Can some of you that have been to Bermuda before please share with me your experiences and the things you did and how you got around. Thanks so much! I appreciate any feedback!