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Bermuda on Veendam or Celebrity Summit?

lvz2cruz

By lvz2cruz,
in Holland America Line

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lvz2cruz

lvz2cruz

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We are debating which cruise to do this May.

We have sailed both lines and like them equally so not looking for line to line comparisons. Pricing is close enough to not be a deciding factor. We do have much better perks as elite on X than what HAL gives. We have sailed there on Veendam twice and like the ship.

We love that the Veendam docks in Hamilton. Have been to Bermuda four times and docked at Hamilton or St. Georges all times--never been to Dockyard.

We drive to port so Bayonne is 3-4 hours closer. We drove to Boston once and it sure seemed farther that what Bing tells us.

What is it like to be at Dockyard? I imagine 2 big ships worth of people waiting for a bus or ferry where on Veendam the ship has half the passengers of one of those ships and the bus terminal has tons of buses going anywhere. Is transportation a nightmare?

What are pros and cons I am not thinking of?

Edited by lvz2cruz
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take us away

take us away

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The dockyard is far from town which may require a taxi, etc so only you can decide if you want more peace and quiet out at the dockyard where golf and beaches are a bit closer or to dock right in town, walk off the ship and enjoy the town. Have not found the town area around the docks to be all that rowdy at night and we had a town-facing cabin - but we were also the only ship in either port.

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cayman09

cayman09

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Traveled Veendam last May to Hamilton. Loved it. We took the ferry to Dockyard one morning and there were two ships in port - it was a zoo. Lines for the ferry the other way we're very long. For us, in Hamilton, no lines. We took our time, had lunch there and by the afternoon the lines had died down for the return to Hamilton. We do live near Boston, so we didn't have the long drive you may have so that may affect your decision.

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colonialinnkeeper

colonialinnkeeper

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Earlier this year we were on the Veendam and loved being right in Hamilton. Our bus pass let us go anywhere on the island. Two ships were in Dockyard when we visited there and the numbers of people were very high. We had a balcony on the town side and never had any noise bother. Plus it was lovely to sit outside and watch the goings on in town. I don't know if the Celebrity is there for as long but we were there for three full days.

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3rdGenCunarder "Live from...." Rare

3rdGenCunarder

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Add me to the list who vote for Hamilton, especially if you want to go to St Georges. Unless things have changed, there's one fast ferry to ST Georges in the morning and it sells out quickly. Hamilton is so much more central and the buses are easy to use to get anywhere.

 

I would check the port calendar to see if Summit will be alone or one of two ships there. If it's one of two at Dockyard, there will be too many people!

 

I agree with OP that Bing's estimate of 3-4 hours extra driving is short. I haven't driven to Boston in many years, but it seems it longer than that from NJ to Boston. (and I have a heavy foot :eek: )

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KirkNC

KirkNC

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Much better to dock in Hamilton since almost everything is downtown. The only disadvantage I can think of is whether your stateroom (from outside on up ) is on the street side, as there might be late night noise form the bars and casino.

 

I agree, being in Hamilton would make the decision for us. We sail both lines.

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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LOL!!!!!!

 

 

Well, if you on any those four Bermuda cruises in the VEENDAM.... might see a few new 'things'. ;)

 

Stephen

 

I'll be looking. In response to the OP, I would recommend Dockyard for access to St. Georges (I think that's the only place for the St. Georges ferry) but for everything else it's Hamilton hands down.

 

Roy

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Topsham

Topsham

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Another in favour for Hamilton....

 

Hamilton... just ONE ship.... VEENDAM. At Dockyard... two might be alongside.... with another 4,000 pax or MORE!!!!!!

 

Dockyard... ferry... long lines and you may have to wait. If you are heading to Horseshoe Beach.... busses will be full. Hamilton is closer and easier and also closer to Elbow Beach.

 

Hamilton.... shops and restaurants and pubs.

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VioletHorse

VioletHorse

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We've been to Bermuda 2x, with both cruises on the Summit.

 

The Dockyard has a much younger vibe with lots of things to do within easy walking distance of the ship. The historic fort, a small beach for swimming, art galleries, pottery studio, rum cake bakery, glass blowing studio, bars and restaurants, and swim with the dolphins are all there. Plenty of shopping is available as well. And there are lots of opportunities for booking independent excursions since there are many vendors dockside.

 

We were docked with the NCL Breakaway which is a very large ship and the passenger load for the port was well over 6000 passengers. We never had a problem getting on ferries, nor did we have any problem using the free Dockyard shuttle which picks up passengers at the ship. The shuttle provides an easy way to get around the Dockyard.

 

The Veendam docks in the Hamilton business district smack dab in the middle of office buildings. On our first Bermuda cruise we visited Hamilton for an afternoon, and frankly that was enough for us. We did not return to Hamilton on our second cruise. There just wasn't enough there to warrant a ferry ride there.

 

I believe the Summit is scheduled for a major dry dock within the next couple of months so she should be nicely refurbished for the Bermuda cruise season.

 

I'm a 3* Mariner with HAL so there is no HAL bashing from me. I just prefer the Summit for Bermuda primarily because of the Dockyard location.

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Charles4515

Charles4515

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We're in our 30s would we be to young for this line or X.

 

 

Not sure I could say about your ages. What I would say is that both HAL and Celebrity are what I would call more laid back cruise lines. NCL and Royal Caribbean would be more lively ships. Also to consider is that Bermuda is a laid back destination.

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Charles4515

Charles4515

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We've been to Bermuda 2x, with both cruises on the Summit.

 

 

 

The Dockyard has a much younger vibe with lots of things to do within easy walking distance of the ship. The historic fort, a small beach for swimming, art galleries, pottery studio, rum cake bakery, glass blowing studio, bars and restaurants, and swim with the dolphins are all there. Plenty of shopping is available as well. And there are lots of opportunities for booking independent excursions since there are many vendors dockside.

 

 

 

We were docked with the NCL Breakaway which is a very large ship and the passenger load for the port was well over 6000 passengers. We never had a problem getting on ferries, nor did we have any problem using the free Dockyard shuttle which picks up passengers at the ship. The shuttle provides an easy way to get around the Dockyard.

 

 

 

The Veendam docks in the Hamilton business district smack dab in the middle of office buildings. On our first Bermuda cruise we visited Hamilton for an afternoon, and frankly that was enough for us. We did not return to Hamilton on our second cruise. There just wasn't enough there to warrant a ferry ride there.

 

 

 

I believe the Summit is scheduled for a major dry dock within the next couple of months so she should be nicely refurbished for the Bermuda cruise season.

 

 

 

I'm a 3* Mariner with HAL so there is no HAL bashing from me. I just prefer the Summit for Bermuda primarily because of the Dockyard location.

 

 

The Dockyard is a tourist bubble. Also that small beach is man made and is kind of sad. You do get to hang out with 8000 cruise ship passengers if you think that is big positive. You can get the ferries to elsewhere. Particularly St. George and that is a positive. Being able to get away from the Dockyard is a pro.

 

Hamilton is very Bermuda. And there is plenty to do there. And ferries and buses to other parts of the island. There is also historic sites in Hamilton including a fort. Art Galleries, shops, restaurants, bars, all in Hamilton.

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Charles4515

Charles4515

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They don't have DI or del sol do they? How far is it from the Dockyards to Hamilton by bus or ferry? Where does NCL dock than

 

 

No Diamonds International, Del Sol or the shops you typically see in the Caribbean in Bermuda. In my opinion it is good they are not there. NCL docks at the Dockyard. The best way to get from the Dockyard to Hamilton is the ferry. The ferry takes twenty minutes to Hamilton and thirty minutes back from Hamilton.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited by Charles4515
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VioletHorse

VioletHorse

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They don't have DI or del sol do they? How far is it from the Dockyards to Hamilton by bus or ferry? Where does NCL dock than

 

No DI or Del Sol. Don't confuse Bermuda with the ports in the Caribbean. It's very different and very lovely.

 

NCL ships dock at the Dockyard, not Hamilton.

 

I don't know how far Hamilton via bus is, but it's a short ferry ride from the Dockyard.

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