Jump to content

Bermuda private guide


fancycroozer
 Share

Recommended Posts

When the ships are in, every one is little bit busier.

The sooner you book, the more likely you will get your first choice.

Except if you are a large group, they won't ask for a deposit.

But if you have to cancel PLEASE let them know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Hi! - I have been to Bermuda many times and had the great good fortune to meet COLIN JENNINGS, another Blue Flagged private taxi driver. He is a great tour guide. He'll do the entire island with you, stop whereever and whenever you want, direct you to nice restaurants based on your likes/dislikes, you can leave your souvenirs in his vehicle while you shop/eat etc. He brings bread to feed the fish at Somerset Bridge, is waiting at the dock for you, has plastic for you to sit on after a day at Horseshoe Bay Beach (or wherever you decide to go to). He is a former soccer player for the Bermuda National Team and is a fountain of knowledge about his native land. He waited patiently while we climbed Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and never minded the dozens of questions that members of my party asked him.

 

His information is: Colin Jennings, 1-441-799-2959 (cell#), email is: colinjenningstaxi@yahoo.com (he checks it every other day or so-he's very busy!). His rate is the standard fee, $ 40.00 per hour (based on 1-4 passengers). I have sent other people to him from my business here in Pennsylvania and they all came back raving about him.

 

I'll be seeing him (again!!!) when my BFF's and I go back on the Explorer. We have a whole day planned (Lighthouse, beach, snorkeling for some of us, back to the beach, lunch at Mickey's, a quick stop at the Swizzle Inn) with his help.

 

Enjoy!! - Miriam (you can use my name when you contact him)

 

Miriam,

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I just booked Colin for August 12th (and used your name of course!). I'll report back after my trip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Miriam,

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I just booked Colin for August 12th (and used your name of course!). I'll report back after my trip.

 

 

Andrea,

 

I'm glad you'll be able to have a day with Colin! He won't disappoint you, I'm sure. I'm going to have to tease him about getting a cut of his pay for all the people I send him! :D. When you do your final confirmation with him, by phone or by e-mail, remind him to bring bread for the fish!

 

Have a great cruise. I see you're on the Veendam. Have never chosen HAL myself, but that's because I'm a non-smoker and can't bear the smoke. I hear it's a lovely ship and any day in Bermuda is heaven!!!!

 

- Miriam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, just got back from Bermuda and I'm here to report about Duke Soares. A little background of him. He's an older gentleman who is a history buff. He knows his island very well. Was born in Bermuda but he has Portuguese roots and married to an English lady who mans the docks in St George's.

He was there at the pier waiting for us with our name. He asked if there are any particular places we want to see and we told him he's the boss. We went to most of the island attractions stopping at St George to look around ourselves and did a little shopping.

We are very happy we did his tour. Took 5 hours and worth every penny.

 

Just Booked Duke for Sept 1st. Starting to get antsy ... is it here yet? is it here yet? is it here yet? is it here yet? is it here yet? is it here yet?

 

 

:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, just got back from Bermuda and I'm here to report about Duke Soares. A little background of him. He's an older gentleman who is a history buff. He knows his island very well. Was born in Bermuda but he has Portuguese roots and married to an English lady who mans the docks in St George's.

He was there at the pier waiting for us with our name. He asked if there are any particular places we want to see and we told him he's the boss. We went to most of the island attractions stopping at St George to look around ourselves and did a little shopping.

We are very happy we did his tour. Took 5 hours and worth every penny.

 

Just got back from Bermuda last week (Celebrity Summit) and we also hired Duke. He was really great and a wealth of information. DW, DS and I have been to Bermuda quite a few times, but this was the first trip for DS's fiancee. We wanted to show her as much as reasonably possible in one day. I had previously emailed him a list of things to see and do and we were able to do almost everything in an 8 hour tour. The following was my list (in no particular order):

Tour the Town of St. George,

King's Square,

replica of the ship Deliverance,

Fort St. Catherine,

St. David's Lighthouse,

Bermuda Perfumery (skipped this),

Crystal Caves (skipped this),

Tour the City of Hamilton,

Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (skipped this),

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse,

Devil's Hole,

Somerset Bridge,

Fort Scaur

quick lunch at the Swizzle Inn (the original one),

stop at a pink sand beach (went to Warwick Long Bay),

see some moongates.

We skipped the Perfumery since they no longer manufacture the perfume there.

We also skipped the Crystal Caves because of the large volume of tourists and we didn't want to spend a couple of hours waiting for a tour. Finally we decided to skip the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and spend some extra time shopping in Hamilton.

We finished the trip in Hamilton (Wednesday night was the Harbor Night Festival) and then took the ferry back to the dockyard. Duke was really wonderful and had a running commentary as we drove around.

Edited by cruzeluvr
Link to comment
Share on other sites

i'm thinking of booking a cruise for next year and I'm already looking into which tours etc to take. We will be at least 10 ppl and I really don't want to take the public bus. Older folks with us.

 

does anyone know a tour guide that can handle us? We took a private tour when in St Marteen and it was great. Big airconditioned van and the guy was wonderful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One thing I will mention is that when we took the ferry to St. Georges, one of the "ambassadors" discussed the history of St. Georges, told us what to see when we got there, and answered questions during the entire 40-minute trip. I think his name was Michael, and he was a former mayor of St. Georges and was obviously proud of his city. Oh yes, keep in mind that this was a public ferry, not a formal tour. It really made the experience great.

 

I must say that I've rarely been to a place where the folks were so genuinely happy to help out the visitors. It was a real pleasure.

 

You had the pleasure hearing from Mr. E. Michael Jones, former mayor of St. George's and prior to that the best Town Crier ever!!:D

 

Someone just told me that he is also doing free tours around St. George's at certain times...we have to check that out, as we'll be there again in Sept.! If true, you will be escorted by the best, and super nice guy to boot!! Some years back we had the good fortune to be loudly welcomed to Bermuda by Michael (as Town Crier), from his perch at the Town Cut, as our ship cruised through...a very special memory we will never forget!!! It also made us quite popular with our fellow cruise passengers...LOL:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i'm thinking of booking a cruise for next year and I'm already looking into which tours etc to take. We will be at least 10 ppl and I really don't want to take the public bus. Older folks with us.

 

does anyone know a tour guide that can handle us? We took a private tour when in St Marteen and it was great. Big airconditioned van and the guy was wonderful.

 

 

We just returned from a cruise that called on Bermuda on July 31. In advance of our cruise, we tried to find a private tour guide for our party of 9 but were unable to find anyone who would accomodate more than 6. Up to the time we walked off the ship, we werent sure what we were going to do. We were kind of resigned to divide up our group into two taxis.

 

Alongside the pier, there were an abundance of Blue Flag taxis lined up. We approached the first "official" looking person and asked if there were any Blue Flag guides for larger groups. He said, no problem, and within 5 minutes, a large airconditioned van pulled up. I didn't get the driver's first name, but his last name was Isaac. He drove us all around Bermuda for 4 hours, providing detailed commentary...we saw everything! Then we spent approx 1 hour at Horseshoe Beach while he waited for us.

 

The rate is government controlled at $10 per person, per hour. So, the 5 hour tour cost $50pp total.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I took Miriam's advice and sent Colin an e-mail for the four of us for a 5-6 hr tour of Bermuda. This is exactly what we were looking for. By the way Miriam, we are from NE PA also! I'm anxiously awaiting for his reply!

 

Marie

 

Hello, Marie!

 

You will NOT be disappointed by Colin! He sometimes takes a day or two to respond to emails, but other than that, he is pretty perfect! I think he needs a secretary!

 

What county do you live in? We are from Luzerne County (born and raised!) and in our mid-to-late 50's! Perhaps we've even been at the Arena at the same time! Can I bring you back anything from Bermuda to help you plan your day ?

 

Waiting anxiously for my cruise! - 27 days! - Miriam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Miriam, my DH is from Hazleton; and I'm from the Philly area. We now reside in Danville. We've enjoyed quite a few concerts on Montage and at the arena.

 

We still have 10 more weekends to go! I'll let you know when I hear back from Colin. I have my fingers crossed. We were in Bermuda a long time ago and are very anxious to to back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just got back from Bermuda and at Miriam's suggestion we booked a day with Colin. We spent 5 hours with him and it really was the highlight of our trip. He knows all of these little spots that you just wouldn't know to see. I highly recommend him!

 

Any questions, please ask.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just got back from Bermuda and at Miriam's suggestion we booked a day with Colin. We spent 5 hours with him and it really was the highlight of our trip. He knows all of these little spots that you just wouldn't know to see. I highly recommend him!

 

Any questions, please ask.

 

 

Andrea,

 

I'm so glad that you had a great time with Colin. It was just luck that I first met him and now I feel like I have a friend in Bermuda. Everyone that meets him feels the same way!

 

Happy cruising to you and your family.

 

21 Days to go for me!!! - Miriam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My husband and I just got back from Bermuda where we booked a 5 hour tour with Duke Soars whom was recommended earlier in this post. We can't recommend Duke highly enough and it was a pleasure to take a tour with someone so informative and with such a love of his country.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andrea,

 

I'm so glad that you had a great time with Colin. It was just luck that I first met him and now I feel like I have a friend in Bermuda. Everyone that meets him feels the same way!

 

Happy cruising to you and your family.

 

21 Days to go for me!!! - Miriam

 

My sister and I will be there same time as you. We are on the Spirit from Boston on 9/10/10. Can't wait.:D

 

I assume you are going to be contacting colin again? Which day are you planning to book with him? We are also interested in a tour and will try a different day. Thank you so much for the info

 

Also anyone group of 2 going to be in Bermuda at the same time, would love to share the cost of the tour going 4 instead of two.

 

Bonnie ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My sister and I will be there same time as you. We are on the Spirit from Boston on 9/10/10. Can't wait.:D

 

I assume you are going to be contacting colin again? Which day are you planning to book with him? We are also interested in a tour and will try a different day. Thank you so much for the info

 

Also anyone group of 2 going to be in Bermuda at the same time, would love to share the cost of the tour going 4 instead of two.

 

Bonnie ;)

 

 

How nice of you to ask me when I "have" Colin !:D I have reserved all day Monday, September 13th and early morning on the 14th. I see by the NCL Spirit itinerary that you will be there on Sunday, the 12th. That gives you the whole Sunday with Colin!!! You will hate to give him up!!!! - Please tell him that we "chatted". Have a wonderful day with him!! - Miriam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Hello, Fellow Cruisers!

 

I just got back yesterday from the Explorer of the Seas. I sailed with my 3 BFF's in 2 balcony cabins. The weather was absolutely perfect and Bermuda was as wonderful as always.

 

We used Colin Jennings again as our private taxi guide on Monday and had the best time. Here's some of what we did. (This was EXACTLY what we wanted to do!).

 

- Colin met the ship at 9:30, stored all of our beach bags in his van and off we went, One of the girls had never been to Bermuda so Colin started explaining as we drove out of Dockyard, keeping up a running commentary on the history and sights that we were viewing.

 

We stopped at Somerset Bridge for viewing and feeding the fish (Colin brought bread).

 

We went to Gibb's Hill Lighthouse for photo op's, souvenir's and to climb it! Great views from the top (Naturally !). Colin waits by the locked taxi for as long as we took.

 

More sightseeing on the way to Hamilton (Many pull-offs for photos and stories!!).

 

Spent 1 and 1/2 hours walking through Hamilton and shopping. Colin waits right along Front Street, once again for as long as necessary. Keeping everything safe. We had a LOT of bags to add to the things in the taxi!

 

More sighting through several parishes on the way to lunch. We chose Mickey's Place at the Elbow Beach Resort. It is built right on the sand and is only 75 feet from the water. Gorgeous!!! I invited Colin to join us for lunch and he accepted but he NEVER expects to be invited and has declined the other times in the past that we have used him. He kept us entertained with stories throughout the meal.

 

More touring after lunch and then to Horseshoe Bay for beach time. I asked Colin to join us on the beach. I asked him if he wouldn't mind staying with our beach things (towels, bags, snorkels, camera, chairs, umbrellas etc. as we swam, walked, ate again etc.). This way the whole group could be together and not have to leave one of us behind everytime! Colin locked up his taxi and had one of the other taxi drivers waiting to keep an eye on it as well. We rented chairs, umbrellas and water noodles from the Horseshoe Bay rental shop and tipped an employee to set everything up.

 

We spent about 3 blissful hours on the beach, doing everything and nothing, just as we wanted. Colin stayed right there as we relaxed but never intruded on our conversations.

 

After leaving the beach, he lays plastic on the seats for us to sit on so we do not have to change out of our suits and only have to wear a coverup. We drove back to the ship, stopping on the way to search for beach glass. He drives right to the gangway of the ship, unpacks the many bags and waits patiently for us to sort them all out.

 

It really was a perfect day and one that I intend to repeat many times in the future, with some slight variations.

 

The price per hour for the 4 of us was only $ 10.00 per person. The whole trip was a gift from me to my friends but for people sharing the trip, you can't go wrong with taking a private taxi tour, especially with Colin!

 

- Happy Cruising! - Miriam (from Pennsylvania!!!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We just returned from Bermuda last week and had a very nice tour through a Taxi-Tour Guide we met at the Dockyards port. He goes by the name of Roddie - his full name being Roderick Simons and he can be reached by cell phone at: 441-334-7003; email address is: REDS_BM@yahoo.com, or RESIMONS@ibl.bm.

 

We weren't too sure about what we wanted to see - but just wanted to see the island, and and didn't want a ship excursion with a lot of other people. So we merely stepped off the ship and saw Roddie and asked him what we might be able to see in a quick tour of the island - he suggested a three hour tour ($40.00 per hour) and that we would get to many of the sights - lighthouse, beaches, hamilton during that time. We set out with him and we couldn't have been happier with the tour. He's a really nice, engaging, knowledgable guy and I recommend him highly. I'd definitely use him again if I went back to Bermuda.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We just returned from a cruise that called on Bermuda on July 31. In advance of our cruise, we tried to find a private tour guide for our party of 9 but were unable to find anyone who would accomodate more than 6. Up to the time we walked off the ship, we werent sure what we were going to do. We were kind of resigned to divide up our group into two taxis.

 

Alongside the pier, there were an abundance of Blue Flag taxis lined up. We approached the first "official" looking person and asked if there were any Blue Flag guides for larger groups. He said, no problem, and within 5 minutes, a large airconditioned van pulled up. I didn't get the driver's first name, but his last name was Isaac. He drove us all around Bermuda for 4 hours, providing detailed commentary...we saw everything! Then we spent approx 1 hour at Horseshoe Beach while he waited for us.

 

The rate is government controlled at $10 per person, per hour. So, the 5 hour tour cost $50pp total.

 

Thank you for posting back. I'm gonna keep an eye on theis thread to see if there is anyone out there that i could book with instead of just winging it. but I guess if it comes down to it, I'll do just what you did and hope for the best.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi! - I have been to Bermuda many times and had the great good fortune to meet COLIN JENNINGS, another Blue Flagged private taxi driver. He is a great tour guide. He'll do the entire island with you, stop whereever and whenever you want, direct you to nice restaurants based on your likes/dislikes, you can leave your souvenirs in his vehicle while you shop/eat etc. He brings bread to feed the fish at Somerset Bridge, is waiting at the dock for you, has plastic for you to sit on after a day at Horseshoe Bay Beach (or wherever you decide to go to). He is a former soccer player for the Bermuda National Team and is a fountain of knowledge about his native land. He waited patiently while we climbed Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and never minded the dozens of questions that members of my party asked him.

 

His information is: Colin Jennings, 1-441-799-2959 (cell#), email is: colinjenningstaxi@yahoo.com (he checks it every other day or so-he's very busy!). His rate is the standard fee, $ 40.00 per hour (based on 1-4 passengers). I have sent other people to him from my business here in Pennsylvania and they all came back raving about him.

 

I'll be seeing him (again!!!) when my BFF's and I go back on the Explorer. We have a whole day planned (Lighthouse, beach, snorkeling for some of us, back to the beach, lunch at Mickey's, a quick stop at the Swizzle Inn) with his help.

 

Enjoy!! - Miriam (you can use my name when you contact him)

 

ktbmhb,

 

Here is a post from back in the summer. It has the the info to set up a great guide in advance. He will be waiting for you at the disembarkation area for you with your name on a placard. He has been used by many posters on Cruise Critic and you will not be disappointed. I just returned from the Explorer on September 16th (see recent post) and it was a wonderful day!

 

- Happy Sailing - Miriam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Clancy 14

I read a review by you that you stayed in room 8007 on the Celebrity summit. We have a group going on the ship in Nov and have head rumors that the window washing equipment is just outside blocking the view of the balcony. Is this true? Please let me know thank you

cruisebabs

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...