Why Bermuda ?

[metphan714]

I have heard and truly believe that Bermuda is a beautiful island and I would love to visit someday, but I can't bring myself to take a cruise to Bermuda. It just wouldn't feel the same being 'parked' at the same place for days. Isn't it like just staying at a hotel? I like knowing that I can walk the decks after dinner feeling the ocean breeze and hearing the waves while planning my next destination. Am I alone ?

[InsideCruiser]

I tend to agree with you. But ... I've never tried it.

 

We found a Caribbean itinerary that calls on Bermuda on the way down. Really looking forward to it.

 

Maybe you can find a similar itinerary. Where do you sail from?

[msmayor]

Our Bermuda cruse back in 2012 was actually one of my most favorite, and I cannot wait to return again.

 

We enjoyed the ability to really plan multiple activities and sightseeing visits on the island without worrying about getting back in time for sail away. Bermuda may be small, but it is packed with lots to see and do. Cruising is in many ways a more economical way to visit, too, as land-based prices there are pretty high.

 

We were fortunate to sail on HAL and able to dock in downtown Hamilton instead of out at the Dockyard. I find that a better springboard to visit various areas of the island, but having to port out at the Dockyard wouldn't keep me from returning to this beautiful island.

[metphan714]

I tend to agree with you. But ... I've never tried it.

 

We found a Caribbean itinerary that calls on Bermuda on the way down. Really looking forward to it.

 

Maybe you can find a similar itinerary. Where do you sail from?

 

We live in NY, but so far have only sailed from FL

[InsideCruiser]

We live in NY, but so far have only sailed from FL

 

Here are Explorer 9 day Caribbean cruises leaving from NJ which call on Bermuda.

 

Let me know if the link doesn't work.

[BenjiRodney]

We leave June 6th on Grandeur to Bermuda, I will post about it when I return.

 

 

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[parrotfeathers]

Very excited about going to Bermuda in September. Coco Cay and Labadee not that much of a draw for me to return year after year.

[CruiseKeeper]

We enjoyed being "parked" in Bermuda. When we first started cruising we sailed on the Song of America several times to Bermuda. We stayed over night at St George and two over nights in Hamilton on Front Street as the ship moved after the first night. Hamilton has many restaurants, pubs and clubs for an unhurried relaxing time. There was no curfew for us to rush back. A favorite excursion brought us to a smaller island for a beach dinner, dancing and drinks all inclusively. Good times!

 

We've been back many times and still enjoy Bermuda over nights even though the Dockyard lacks the charm of Hamilton and St. George. There is ample transportation available so you can explore more of Bermuda without the pressure to get back for sail away.

 

It sounds like you need to combine the Caribbean 9 nighter with your Bermuda cruise. You are so right, Bermuda is a beautiful island.

[edjny]

We enjoyed being "parked" in Bermuda. When we first started cruising we sailed on the Song of America several times to Bermuda. We stayed over night at St George and two over nights in Hamilton on Front Street as the ship moved after the first night. Hamilton has many restaurants, pubs and clubs for an unhurried relaxing time. There was no curfew for us to rush back. A favorite excursion brought us to a smaller island for a beach dinner, dancing and drinks all inclusively. Good times!

 

We've been back many times and still enjoy Bermuda over nights even though the Dockyard lacks the charm of Hamilton and St. George. There is ample transportation available so you can explore more of Bermuda without the pressure to get back for sail away.

 

It sounds like you need to combine the Caribbean 9 nighter with your Bermuda cruise. You are so right, Bermuda is a beautiful island.

 

We also love cruising to Bermuda. We have cruised there three times now and are going back again in Sept. It is definitely our favorite destination. Even after three times there, there is a lot on the island that we have not visited yet.

Edited May 11, 2014 by edjny

[Waterloomarc]

I have heard and truly believe that Bermuda is a beautiful island and I would love to visit someday, but I can't bring myself to take a cruise to Bermuda. It just wouldn't feel the same being 'parked' at the same place for days. Isn't it like just staying at a hotel? I like knowing that I can walk the decks after dinner feeling the ocean breeze and hearing the waves while planning my next destination. Am I alone ?

 

 

I used to feel the same way. "Why bother to go on a cruise if it's not even going anywhere?" How silly I said to myself. Then I booked one and it has been, by far, our most enjoyable cruise and I can't wait to go back.

 

Having the ship docked wasn't that much of a negative, perhaps because our balcony was still facing out to sea and not facing the pier so that when we were out the it still felt more "normal". But it was really nice not have to worry about when to come back to the ship. Also since it was come and go as you please there were never any lines as are do common with other port stops.

 

I guess my point is as with do many other things in life don't knock it til you try it. As I said I thought 3 days in one spot was a terrific waste of a cruise until I finally went. You might still hate it but at least you tried. And is there really any such thing as a bad cruise ;)

 

 

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[racerxspeedy]

Bermuda is my favorite. Cruising is the only way many of us can afford to visit this amazing island. Great scenery, no poverty, no pushy merchants mild weather, no rush to get back to the ship. Where's the downside of being parked in my favorite port? The small ships used to stay parked for 4 days (2 days Hamilton / 2 days St George). Wish they still had options like that.

[shippmates]

We sailed to Bermuda on Celebrity Summit and it was one of our favorite cruises. It was nice to be able to come and go as you please. We purchased transportation cards for 3 days and could ride the bus and ferry as many times for three days. We would go to Hamilton or St George and sightsee and then return to the ship for meals. It seemed to us a better way to visit Bermuda as it is a very expensive island. I feel we would have spent more for flights, hotels, and meals for 3 days. As Mikey would say..."try it you might like it".

[Cruise a holic]

I have heard and truly believe that Bermuda is a beautiful island and I would love to visit someday, but I can't bring myself to take a cruise to Bermuda. It just wouldn't feel the same being 'parked' at the same place for days. Isn't it like just staying at a hotel? I like knowing that I can walk the decks after dinner feeling the ocean breeze and hearing the waves while planning my next destination. Am I alone ?[/QUOT

 

We truly enjoy Bermuda. Sightseeing IMO isnt what we enjoy as much as sitting at a beautiful beach and relaxing and enjoying the ship as our resort is wonderful. Living in NY and sailing from NJ is wonderful. No airport issues or costs. Love to sail to bermuda in august on the summit

[DeltaOne]

I have heard and truly believe that Bermuda is a beautiful island and I would love to visit someday, but I can't bring myself to take a cruise to Bermuda.

 

After three cruises to Bermuda we flew there and stayed a full week. Best vacation we've ever had. It was really nice to have more then 2 or 3 days, it gave us time to see everything we wanted to plus have ample time for beach days.

 

Bermuda is one of our top three favorite destinations.

[bermuda920]

Anyone going sept 20 on explorer of the seas?! It's our first cruise and I'm excited and could use some tips!!

 

 

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[lah66]

We have cruised to Bermuda the last two years in Sept and Oct. I feel these are the most relaxing cruise we have ever taken! The first two and a half days you are cruising the ocean. The three days in Bermuda are wonderful! Plenty of time to come and go as you please without worry that the ship will leave without you (except the last day, of course). The whole experience is very calming. On a regular cruise we are rushing, trying to fit in as much as we can in our 8 hour port visit, not knowing if we will ever return to that island. Not with Bermuda! And the last day and a half, you are cruising again. I think it is a great balance of cruising and sight seeing! Try it!

Lauri

[lah66]

Anyone going sept 20 on explorer of the seas?! It's our first cruise and I'm excited and could use some tips!!

 

 

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Bermuda920, Here is your roll call for your cruise. It looks pretty active so you will get a lot of advice there.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1867231&highlight=september+20

 

Also you can go to the Bermuda Port of Call board: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

You will find great advice from SailbadTheSinner. Here is one of his most popular Bermuda posts:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41801463&postcount=429

 

Hope that gets you started!

Lauri

[cruiz'n couple]

This might be a silly question but do the shops on board stay open while in port in Bermuda? Usually they close while in port but were they dock over night I wasn't sure if they would remain open the whole time?

 

 

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[edjny]

This might be a silly question but do the shops on board stay open while in port in Bermuda? Usually they close while in port but were they dock over night I wasn't sure if they would remain open the whole time?

 

 

We have cruised to Bermuda 3 times and I honestly do not remember if the ship shops were open or not. Anything we really needed from the ship shops we bought on one of the sea days. When we were in Bermuda, we are on BERMUDA most of the time and spending our money there.... :D

[LBumb]

awesome golf courses too

[DonnaK]

We live in NY, but so far have only sailed from FL

 

Definitely look into the 7 day Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Summit. We booked it at the last minute for August 2013, and it far exceeded our expectations. It was one of the best cruises we've ever taken. (And, there were plenty of young people and families onboard, as it was still summer break in the northeast). It was less expensive than the 5 day Explorer, and 5 days is definitely not enough to see all this gorgeous island has to offer!

[coffee4me please]

Bermuda. I think it depends on what you like to do on a cruise. There is no gambling on Bermuda, no hawkers at the pier or anyplace on the island, the island is super clean: the streets, the busses, and the ferry is clean. The island is quiet. Hamilton is a bit noiser. There are polite, helpful local people in the stores and everywhere who will answer your questions which they have probably done a zillion times but still remain very polite. I find saying Good Morning or Good Afternoon even just in passing makes the day pleasant for all, and I always say a thank you when they answer my questions.

 

I have been there 3 times, including last week. Food is pricey but really not more than I would pay at the Maryland shore for a good crab cake lunch. Dinner was back onboard the ship. I find Bermuda relaxing, the public transportation is wonderful and I have traveled by bus and ferry over the island. I do not like most "guided tours" rather I prefer to talk with the local people as I explore their island. What did I learn from the residents? Their need for a trauma unit at the hospital so folks do not have to be air lifted, their water system, both rain filter and government filtered watered, how they name their houses, choose the house color, and one sales lady in a store told me, she and her husband live on their sailboat docked in the Dockyard (husband is Bermudian) And that is why I like to visit Bermuda.

 

I do not do the nightclub scene, I am pass that, so I have no comments.

[Guest maddycat]

We have cruised to Bermuda the last two years in Sept and Oct. I feel these are the most relaxing cruise we have ever taken! The first two and a half days you are cruising the ocean. The three days in Bermuda are wonderful! Plenty of time to come and go as you please without worry that the ship will leave without you (except the last day, of course). The whole experience is very calming. On a regular cruise we are rushing, trying to fit in as much as we can in our 8 hour port visit, not knowing if we will ever return to that island. Not with Bermuda! And the last day and a half, you are cruising again. I think it is a great balance of cruising and sight seeing! Try it!

Lauri

It only takes 1 1/2 days to cruise from NJ to Bermuda.

 

We have cruised to Bermuda 3 times and I honestly do not remember if the ship shops were open or not. Anything we really needed from the ship shops we bought on one of the sea days. When we were in Bermuda, we are on BERMUDA most of the time and spending our money there.... :D

 

The shops are closed while docked in Bermuda just like at any other port.

 

There is something new this season. Bermuda now allows the ships to open their casinos at night so that the passengers may gamble. No locals are allowed.

[emmy]

Definitely look into the 7 day Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Summit. We booked it at the last minute for August 2013, and it far exceeded our expectations. It was one of the best cruises we've ever taken. (And, there were plenty of young people and families onboard, as it was still summer break in the northeast). It was less expensive than the 5 day Explorer, and 5 days is definitely not enough to see all this gorgeous island has to offer!

 

 

 

I was on that Summit cruise with you and I too was very pleasantly surprised with our Summit experience. Loved that it has 3 full days there. Wish one of the RCI ships would do that.

[lah66]

It only takes 1 1/2 days to cruise from NJ to Bermuda.

 

I was relating our experience of Bermuda, and on Explorer of the Seas, it took 2.5 days to get to Bermuda. It only took us 1.5 days to get back, so yes, you can get to Bermuda in that time. I was making the point that even though you are in Bermuda sitting still for three days, there is still plenty of time at sea. Different cruiselines will have different itineraries.

Lauri