Bermuda for three days?

[cruisin07family]

We're looking ahead to 2011 on the NCL Gem so yes, quite a ways off yet, but is this 3-day itinerary new? I'd love to know about Bermuda and how this itinerary works, as far as are you free to come and go for all three days? Is there still onboard activities while docked? I did read the Bermuda board but there didn't seem to be much discussions about staying in port this long. Would it be better to be facing port or away from port as we will probably go with a balcony cabin?

 

We will be traveling as a family to celebrate our two sons' graduations from college & high school. They will have their own cabin! What is the drinking age in Bermuda?

 

Lastly, we cruised on NCL's Dawn (and LOVED it) and would appreciate any comparisons/similarities between the Dawn and the Gem.

[NJC4158]

We're looking ahead to 2011 on the NCL Gem so yes, quite a ways off yet, but is this 3-day itinerary new? I'd love to know about Bermuda and how this itinerary works, as far as are you free to come and go for all three days? Is there still onboard activities while docked? I did read the Bermuda board but there didn't seem to be much discussions about staying in port this long. Would it be better to be facing port or away from port as we will probably go with a balcony cabin?

 

We will be traveling as a family to celebrate our two sons' graduations from college & high school. They will have their own cabin! What is the drinking age in Bermuda?

 

Lastly, we cruised on NCL's Dawn (and LOVED it) and would appreciate any comparisons/similarities between the Dawn and the Gem.

 

 

I have been on the Dawn twice to Bermuda the past two summers, and I am going again this summer. It is a great cruise....you will love it!

 

You are free to come and go as you please while the ship is in port. It is very easy to get around Bermuda via ferry and bus. The activities on the ship still do go on, however they are reduced as most people on the ship are ashore. The drinking age on NCL is 21, but if you are 18 you can have the parent/guardian sign a waiver so that they can drink beer/wine.

 

Great cruise! I'm sure the Gem is a great ship but I have never sailed on her before!

[SuiteRose]

Hello, I have sailed to Bermuda twice and loved it!! The bus/ferry pass is the best deal... you can come and go and use the pass.. When we went, a 3 day pass was $28 and it will take you everywhere.(you arent allowed to rent cares there).. the routes are very easy to learn. There are three main parts of Bermuda.. St. Georges, Hamilton and Kings Wharf (The Dockyard)... you can get a morning ferry to St. Georges and then take buses back to stop in Hamilton... there is a zoo and caves to see and the beaches on the south side are spectacular. There is also quite a bit to do where the ships dock so I would start by going to the other end first and then save the close stuff for your second day and morning of the day you leave. There is a glass blowing shop and rum cake bakery there as well. It is very easy to fill that much time..

 

I also sailed twice on the Gem... having never been on the Dawn, I can't compare ships but can say that the Gem probably has more for your sons. It is a great ship. I haven't been to Bermuda since they redid the dock area so I can't say which side of the ship you would like better. In any event, one side will have a view of Bermuda and the other, a great view of the water. You can't go wrong. Also, they had a festival every Wednesday night in Hamilton where they shut down the main street and have booths set up and somewhat of a parade. Have a great time!! Can't wait to get back to Bermuda, by far my favorite place to visit, land or sea!

[iheartbda]

OP

There may not be ongoing discussions about your questions but if you just look around a bit on the Bermuda board, all the information you're asking is there. You just have to scroll down. :)

[tinker]

The Bermuda itinerary is our favorite and we did it on the Dawn in October of 08 and it was a perfect vacation.

 

We were then on the Gem in Feb. of 09 to the Bahamas and I would say I prefer the Dawn. Just a bit smaller so less walking, it has a small movie theatre and love the layout of the Blue Lagoon (a 24 hour snack bar type restaurant). The buffet restaurant is also laid out much better. Young people won't mind the walking and would probably love the glitzy decor of the Gem and you can't go wrong with either ship.

 

But we have already booked the Gem when saw the Bermuda itinerary for 2011 as we like to go in October. Weather is perfect, prices much better and nice to have a trip to look forward to after the summer ends.

 

As far as drinking in Bermuda, some nice pubs and a place called the Swizzle Inn but we are always back on the ship for dinner and like the nightlife onboard the ship.`

[SNB]

The drinking age in Bermuda is 18.

[jdarch]

Hi...This is I think a new itinerary for the Gem starting in 2011. Now the Dawn does this itinerary. This June will be my dh and mine 3rd summer in a row going to Bermuda on the Dawn. I have never been on the Gem and am not sure why they changed ships, but....as long as they go to Bermuda...I'll take it.:D You never know which direction the ship will be docking in. But, you either get Bermuda or the ocean...it's a win win situation. You can come and go for the 3 days as you wish. But, believe me 3 days won't even begin to be enough.:rolleyes: We love the Dawn...but, I'm sure we'll love whatever ship takes me there.

[jimswims]

We love the Bermuda cruises. We have been on the Majesty to Bermuda twice and last year we went on the Spirit to Bermuda. All of these are from from Boston.

 

When we left NYC on the Spirit and on the Dawn we had 1 day stops in Bermuda. This was in 2006 and 2007 when these ships offered 8 day eastern caribbean and a 7 day Bermuda/Bahamas cruises. Those were great cruises but we really like the multiple day stops too. Bermuda is an easy place to get around. We like to go to the beach and there are many choices. There are also lots of things to do and see if the beach is not your thing.

 

The Dawn is replacing the Spirit in 2011 for the Boston to Bermuda cruises. The Gem will be replacing the Dawn for the NYC to Bermuda cruises. As much as I love the Spirit, I like these changes a lot.

 

I already reserved my space on the Gem for 2011!

[danimalct]

As of my last time in Bermuda, sailing last May, the onboard casino was closed while in dock. There was talk of opening them, but the deal with the government had fallen through.

 

The bus/ferry pass is a great way to sight see and reasonably priced. Just remember that the peak times for the Bermudans using it for work sometimes coincide with the times people want to go back to the ship, such as dinner time.

[raventhebouv]

We got the bus/ferry pass and went all over Bermuda. We loved talking to the locals. They are so friendly and happy to tell you the history of their country and give you ideas of where to go while on Bermuda. We went to the Swizzle Inn...yummy SI drinks, but potent so be careful! Went to zoo, dock square, beaches, perfume factory, caves (where we saw some college students who had an encounter with a coral wall on their skooters...the wall won!). We ate a good breakfast each day and then set off on our adventure. Came back to the ship for lunch if we were in the area and were back on ship for the night by supper time. Hoping to go back to Bermuda in October.