modelman

There is also a 1:1250 scale metal of the Fantasy, but you are more likely to be able to find the resin one of her.

http://www.alnavco.com/CM.asp

Well there is a 1:1250 scale metal model of the Carnivale available. But it is much more detailed, while smaller, and expensive.

http://www.msmships.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=42&products_id=8048&osCsid=78795d3a0119c27785954de6c7ffd516

You should be able to get it at Goslings in town. I know they sell it in 24 packs at the airport, so it should be available elsewhere.

We were there in March and people were swimming, so I think it is heated. As to the passes, I would email the hotel to make the reservation, and then you pay when you get there. For the 4 of you it is likely easier to take a taxi directly there than deal with the bus.

info@cocoreef.bm

Lunch Menu

Coco Reef Resort has a day pass. Lunch, drink, pool and beach for 59.00pp. Hotel is located on lovely Elbow Beach

Quick photoshop I created of the ships in the new livery..

Quick photoshop I created of the ships in the new livery..

Likely just STATENDAM, no "NIEUW". The only reason the NIEUW AMSTERDAM is named as such, is that she refers to New York City, previously New Amsterdam when the city was still Dutch.

I am another happy customer of Captain Tony and Aquatic Bermuda..

I like Mickey's at Elbow Beach

Or Blackbeard's Hideout out by Tobacco Bay.

Yes, CP's final livery was pretty similar to Carnival's though in shades of green as you say, and there was a dark green triangle instead of Carnivals blue inner crescent.

Empress of Canada (became the Mardi Gras)

Empress of England (sister of the Empress of Britain / Carnivale)

A couple pictures of Carnival's first two ships, the Mardi Gras and Carnivale in Bermuda in the early 1980's

Mardi Gras

And a couple of Carnivale

Hard to believe it all started with these two classic former Canadian Pacific Transatlantic liners (Empress of Canada and Empress of Britain).

Most of these were taken in Bermuda in the 70's and 80's..

Statendam, built in 1957

Volendam, built in 1958

Veendam, built in 1958

Rotterdam, built in 1959

Nieuw Amsterdam, built in 1983

There might be a duty free shop at Heritage Wharf at the Dockyard, but I am not a 100% sure. I know you can take the ferry into Hamilton, and right across the street is the Gosling's Store, which will have multiple brands of Vodka..

Thus, my question: have things changed a ton with Bermuda traffic over the past two decades? How good a benchmark would an early '90s scootering trip be for the kind of experience we'd likely have in 2014? Thanks!!

It seems to me that there are a lot more vehicles on the roads and they all seem to be going somewhat faster than in the 80's and 90's. I rented a scooter maybe 5 years ago, and while I was fine with it, I can see how it could scare some. The joys of being able to set your own schedules have to be tempered by the couple's complete inexperience with scooters. If they are interested, they should head over to the rental shop in the dockyard and test the bikes out for comfort level.

Is anyone familiar with Country Squire or Newstead? I received recommendations from those from the boat rental company. Thoughts?

I think the Country Squire might be more like what you are looking for. The Beau Rivage restaurant at the Newstead is maybe a little more upscale than a quick lunch. Also, I am not really sure about their docking situation.

Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, Amsterdam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam and Prinsendam are all names that have been used more than once by Holland America. Oosterdom and Eurodam are new names, but they did have the Oosterdijk freighter previously. All their passenger ships were "dams" and their cargo ships "dijks". Eurodam is the only really "made up" name they have used recently.

You could consider a cab to Hamilton and then the fast ferry from there. That might be quicker and cheaper if you can time it correctly with the ferry schedule.

So the Quantum of the Seas will not be doing the Bermuda run in 2015 as had been rumored. Instead the Liberty of the Seas will be doing the Bermuda, Caribbean and NE/Canada sailings from Bayonne for the spring / summer / early fall of 2015. I would imagine that the Liberty, as a lengthened version of Explorer, can navigate the channels to the Dockyard without dredging, which gives Bermuda another year to complete modifications required for the wider Quantum class. Quantum's sister Anthem of the Seas is to start the fall / winter Caribbean sailings from Bayonne in late 2015, so maybe she will be doing the Bermuda run in 2016 if they have been able make the required changes to the channels.

Mickey's at Elbow Beach Resort. Right on the beach and still today I dream of the seafood risotto!! Taxi if no busses are running.

I agree Mickey's is great, with awesome views and very good food. It is a little distant from the Dockyard, but worth it if you are willing to spend the money to get there. Even better views than Cambridge as it is right on the very pretty Elbow Beach, but a good 30 minutes and $35.00 cab ride away from the Dockyard.

Having eaten at both Bone Fish and the Frog and Onion, I found neither all that special. Cambridge Beaches is maybe a 10.00 cab ride from the dockyard and is one of the nicest cottage colony resorts on Bermuda. If you want something special with a lovely view, it is a lovely option.

I would think that Breezes at Cambridge Beaches would be perfect for your needs.

Sample Menu

http://www.cambridgebeaches.com/d/cambridgebeaches/media/PDF/Breezes_Dinner_Menu_May_2013_-_Final6b4dc1.pdf

Nope, just a satisfied customer. We own a fractional condo share on the island, so I am there multiple times every year. As a family I think we have rented from Aquatic Bermuda four times, plus doing the Coral Reefer trip once.

To throw a bit of a wrench into the conversation, I am actually partial to Aquatic Bermuda, and renting a "BeachCat". We have done it a few times, and I love motoring out through Hamilton Harbour, along the Paget and Warwick shore out to the Paradise Lake area and checking out all the small islands and little coves and beaches. Then heading over to sail under Watford bridge out to the west side and the wreck of the Vixen. Lots of fish and coral over there, as well as lovely views of the island and secluded areas. I think they are the best value, and you tend to see a little more of the island, starting in Hamilton. You need to take the ferry into town, but that is great as you can easily pick up supplies, drinks, food for the day.

http://www.aquaticbermuda.com/boat_rentals.htm

Love shopping in St. Thomas :). Although I know Bermuda is not known for their shopping, are there any great buys there? Any better shopping areas then at the pier? thanks

Head into Hamilton. There are some nice deals on Jewelry (Crissons) Porcelain and China (Blucks), Woolens (English Sport Shop), Linens (Irish Linen), Local Crafts and Pottery (Island Shop). There is also a branch of Marks and Spencer, and lots of small stores in the Washington Mall.

If you stay out by Dockyard, check out the Clocktower Mall (somewhat disappointing to me), Dockyard Glassworks, Bermuda Rum Cake Company (same building), Bermuda Craft Market, etc.