Wheelchair accessibility in Bermuda

[jimice87]

Hi,

 

We have just booked a cruise to Bermuda from Boston on the NCL spirit.

 

Does anyone know if King's wharf is wheelchair accessible? Do you know if it is easy for a wheelchair user to visit the island. I read that the ferries are wheelchair accessible but not public buses. Is it possible to visit the island using only the ferries? Are the ferries expensive? What do you suggest to do in Bermuda?

 

Thanks a lot for all your answers.:)

[iheartbda]

Yes, King's Wharf is accessible as well as the ferries. There are a few busses so I wouldn't count on using those. As far as cost, you can get a transportation pass, one day $12, 2 day $20 or you can get a book of 15 tickets for $30 which anyone in your party can use.

 

You can take the ferry to Hamilton and take in shopping, historical and cultural things there but there are no curb cuts. The ferry will also get you to St. George which also has shopping, historical and cultural things. Some of those things are a bit more accessible in St. George.

 

Dockyard will be accessible and will be fairly easy to get around there.

 

Any trips you take on the ferry can be used as a cheap siteseeing tour on your way from one place to another.

[Got Tequila?]

Hi,

 

We have just booked a cruise to Bermuda from Boston on the NCL spirit.

 

Does anyone know if King's wharf is wheelchair accessible? Do you know if it is easy for a wheelchair user to visit the island. I read that the ferries are wheelchair accessible but not public buses. Is it possible to visit the island using only the ferries? Are the ferries expensive? What do you suggest to do in Bermuda?

 

Thanks a lot for all your answers.:)

 

Hi Jim/Melissa,

 

I will look over the island a bit better during our visit in April, and see if I can reccomend some local attractions that might be suitable. Too bad you can't get away from school in April to go with us again. I've been to Bermuda in July and in August and all I can really remember is it was quite hot during both visits. I'm sure April will be much cooler for us, but we won't mind since we don't do too much on the beach or in the water.

 

I have heard of a couple of taxi cab drivers who will give island tours, for a couple hours....but I remember the taxi's being quite expensive.

 

Margaret

[iheartbda]

I have heard of a couple of taxi cab drivers who will give island tours, for a couple hours....but I remember the taxi's being quite expensive.

 

Margaret

Any taxi with a blue flag which are sanctioned by the govt. as official tour guides will give tours. The rate for 1-4 people is $40 an hour which may have a minumum of a couple of hours. They will take you where you want to go or suggest the best places to tour and will stop along the way for pictures. If you go for 3 hours, it ends up being $60 a person for 2 and a resonable cost considering some of the excursions offered by the ships.

[jimice87]

Thanks for the informations. Also, thanks a lot Margaret to look for us in April. We hesitate about bringing the manual wheelchair because this one is better if the curbs do not have ramps at the corners. But, the power wheelchair gives a better autonomy to Jimmy.

 

We would like to know if the Spirit is as wheelchair accessible as the Gem? In general, how do you like the Spirit and this itinerary?

[jollyjones]

Actually, there are ramps on many of the kerbs now in Hamilton - I'm not sure if they are on every corner (I confess to not paying attention to them) but it is definitely easier for a wheelchair to get around now than it used to be.

[Got Tequila?]

Thanks for the informations. Also, thanks a lot Margaret to look for us in April. We hesitate about bringing the manual wheelchair because this one is better if the curbs do not have ramps at the corners. But, the power wheelchair gives a better autonomy to Jimmy.

 

We would like to know if the Spirit is as wheelchair accessible as the Gem? In general, how do you like the Spirit and this itinerary?

 

 

Hi Jim,

 

Have you seen this information....

 

http://www.bermudatourism.com/getting_around.aspx#/people-with-disabilities/

 

 

Margaret

[bermuda triangle]

I am not trying to hijack this thread...

 

We would like to know if the Spirit is as wheelchair accessible as the Gem? In general, how do you like the Spirit and this itinerary?

 

I hope the Spirit is spacious enough for your wheelchair so you can manuever comfortably. If you aren't aware, the Spirit was built for Star Cruises (NCL's Asian affiliate).

 

The History--

 

The vessel was constructed by Meyer Werft in Germany. Named SuperStar Leo in 1998, the vessel was the first of Star Cruises' Leo Class. She was first based in Hong Kong for almost five years.

In 2004, Norwegian Cruise Line (a subsidiary company owned by Star Cruises) was planning to launch Pride of America. However, just prior to completion, the vessel partially sank when a storm hit the Lloyd Werft shipyards. To meet the already booked cruises for Pride of America, SuperStar Leo was transferred to the NCL fleet, and after only two weeks of refits, emerged as Norwegian Spirit.

Norwegian Spirit is the first ship of this design. She was followed by SuperStar Virgo, her twin sister ship which is with Star Cruises. No other ships of this particular design were constructed.

 

I just wanted you to be aware since we do not have limited mobility yet we found the cabin very cramped. You may want to double check with your TA regarding the actual measurements of your cabin, especially your bathroom/shower area. Our bathroom was the smallest I seen on a ship. We had an oceanview room (I don't recall the catagory) and the shower stall was triangular shaped, with the hypotanus (or longest side) being slightly curved.

Laura

[Got Tequila?]

I am not trying to hijack this thread...

 

 

 

I hope the Spirit is spacious enough for your wheelchair so you can manuever comfortably. If you aren't aware, the Spirit was built for Star Cruises (NCL's Asian affiliate).

 

The History--

 

The vessel was constructed by Meyer Werft in Germany. Named SuperStar Leo in 1998, the vessel was the first of Star Cruises' Leo Class. She was first based in Hong Kong for almost five years.

In 2004, Norwegian Cruise Line (a subsidiary company owned by Star Cruises) was planning to launch Pride of America. However, just prior to completion, the vessel partially sank when a storm hit the Lloyd Werft shipyards. To meet the already booked cruises for Pride of America, SuperStar Leo was transferred to the NCL fleet, and after only two weeks of refits, emerged as Norwegian Spirit.

Norwegian Spirit is the first ship of this design. She was followed by SuperStar Virgo, her twin sister ship which is with Star Cruises. No other ships of this particular design were constructed.

 

I just wanted you to be aware since we do not have limited mobility yet we found the cabin very cramped. You may want to double check with your TA regarding the actual measurements of your cabin, especially your bathroom/shower area. Our bathroom was the smallest I seen on a ship. We had an oceanview room (I don't recall the catagory) and the shower stall was triangular shaped, with the hypotanus (or longest side) being slightly curved.

Laura

 

Spirit does seem to have limits...

 

Here's a review from a HC chair bound person recently on the Spirit...doesn't sound good.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1203567

 

I know Steve had to help one lady with her chair trying to get out of the Casino on the first day, it wasn't easy.

[bermuda triangle]

Dockyard easily accessible by wheelchair.

Hamilton, while you can go along Front St. on the sidewalks, some stores have a step to enter the store (my GM was able to walk up the step to enter some and sit in the wheelchair to go back out) some stores have steps within the store. AS Cooper has an elevator.

If you go to Horseshoe Bay you can rent a wheelchair with beach wheels, while we did not do this, we saw people who did rent them. Sorry not sure of the cost.

The ferries are wheelchair accessible.

Laura

[Shore Cruiser]

My DH and I just returned from a 7 day cruise to Bermuda out of Bayonne, NJ. I do not use a wheelchair, but have a seated walker with a basket and large wheels.

 

While I found it fairly easy to get around the Dockyard, keep in mind there are no sidewalks -- or very few. Most of the time you will need to be in the street, which is narrow. There are some curb cuts, but not like we're used to here in the States.

 

The ferries were very accessible. The crew was very friendly and helpful in assisting me as well as some travelers in wheelchairs. When we reached Hamilton, it was pretty easy to maneuver the sidewalks. Most of the curbs are cut on the cross streets along Front Street.

 

The most surprising thing (to me) was that the busses would not allow me onboard with my walker -- even folded. We were in Bermuda last June, and I went all over the Island by bus WITH my walker, no problems! This is not a tourist-friendly policy. People on the bus were outraged that I was unable to board -- and not all of them were tourists! :) I was told that some busses handle wheelchairs, but you need to call to request pick-up by one. But nobody gave me the number to call. :mad:

 

Hope you enjoy your stay in Bermuda, it really is a beautiful place.

[jimice87]

Spirit does seem to have limits...

 

Here's a review from a HC chair bound person recently on the Spirit...doesn't sound good.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1203567

 

I know Steve had to help one lady with her chair trying to get out of the Casino on the first day, it wasn't easy.

 

Thanks everyone for the reviews. We might look for another cruise that is more accessible. Hope you enjoyed your trip to bermuda.

 

Thanks again for all the informations.

 

Jimmy and Mélissa