Breakaway to Bermuda with 3, 6 and 7 year old

[No Nap Nattie]

Going on NCL Breakaway to Bermuda in September. This is our 1st cruise to Bermuda, 1st sail on the Breakaway and our 4th NCL cruise (2nd NCL with kids). We will have a 3, 6 and 7 year old with us. So, though we and the kids have been on numerous cruises with NCL and other cruiselines, this is the first time we will only be going to Bermuda. Looking for tips on activities, places to go and see. Nothing too adventurous as the 3 year old doesn't like to walk and the 6 year old is afraid of her own shadow at times. Any any tips regarding the Breakaway are also appreciated. Thanks!

[cb at sea]

A guidebook is what you need....libraries have them!!! Find out ALL that is available in Bermuda! It really won't be different than any other cruise...you'll simply be in the same place....all of the ship's activities (don't know about the casino, tho!!!) will be up and running.

[travelhound]

We took our three year old on the Breakaway in June. It's a great ship for kids and spending three days in one place is really nice since you really only have to watch the clock on the last day.

 

Just outside of the ship is a beautiful port that is easy to walk around and explore. You can walk through the historic fort and into a few markets and restaurants. It's not too far of a walk to Snorkel Park which is a man made beach area. It's not great sand and the water is so-so, but you can walk from the ship and for kids it's fun.

 

Our best beach experience was Horseshoe Bay. At the end of the pier are pink buses that are express buses to the HS that drop you off at the top of the hill. You walk down a steep hill or you can pay another $2 to take a shuttle. We walked down and paid to ride up. :) We rented two chair and an umbrella for the day and literally were there until the last bus at 6:00. The sand is great for sand castles or just walking. The sea can be a little rough there, but still comfortable. To the right (as you looking at the water) there is baby beach, which is surrounded by large rocks so the water is really calm, like a pool. That was great for our three year old to swim in. The beach there is small but very quiet. If you walk to the far left there are incredible rock structures.

 

We only did one ship excursion and it was a catamaran snorkel trip. That was really fun and our dd was the first one in the water. With her little puddle jumper and water goggles she "snorkeled" with everyone else.

 

We also took the ferry to Hamilton on Wednesday night for the Harbor Nights festival, but it wasn't as fun as it was when we were there 10 years ago.

 

Bermuda is really easy to get around by yourself. They have three day bus/ferry passes that you can buy at the kiosk on the pier or you can buy individual rides. We didn't do it this time, but when just the two of us where there in the past we bought three day passes and took it to the beach to the Crystal Caves and to St. George. You can mix ferries and buses and get anywhere.

 

There is more than enough to do in three days so just search "What to do in Bermuda" and you can see what fits your family.

 

The Breakaway is a great ship - but huge! Our dd liked the kids club although she liked the pools better so she wasn't in the club too much. There is an adults only pool in the middle and a kids pool in the back. There are also insane water slides and some more gentle ones. There is mini golf although we never got out of the pool long enough to do more than walk by it. Like Bermuda, there is more on the Breakaway than you can do in a week.

 

If you have any other specific questions, let me know.

[NJfoodie]

We did Bermuda on NCL Star when DS1 was 3. We skipped the ship excursions and got bus/ferry passes instead. DS loved riding the ferry! If you still use a stroller for the littlest one, make sure it is compact and lightweight as you will need to fold it and carry for buses and ferries. From kings wharf, the #7 bus will take you to the south shore beaches and hamilton. The ferry will take you to Hamilton and St. George.

 

Horseshoe bay is one of the most iconic beaches in bermuda and great for kids. There is a cove to the right when you face the shoreline which is shallow and protected from waves by rock formations. It's known as the Children's cove and is a good spot for kids to wade and see some small fish. Off to the left is a pathway that will lead to less crowded beaches and coves as well.

 

Hamilton usually has a street fair one night of the week during the ship's 3 days in port. When we were there last, the fair included (for a fee) a variety of bounce house/inflatable slides and other games for kids.

 

There is a small zoo and aquarium, and the underwater exploration institute museum. The crystal caves may be fun for the older kids but it's a lot of stairs for a 3 yr old.

 

We walked around the royal naval museum right at the dockyard as well, and there was a dolphin interaction attraction there as well. We opted to not see or touch them up close, but DS enjoyed watching them from a distance for free. There is a small man-made beach a few blocks walk from the dock (Snorkel park). It's not impressive by any means, but it is close by if you don't want to stray far from the ship on the last day in port. There's a small playground outside of snorkel park as well which was handy when DS just needed to run around and burn off some steam.

 

Enjoy your trip!