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Complimentary Bermuda Tenders to St. George's?

mbottoms66

By mbottoms66,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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mbottoms66

mbottoms66

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I will be arriving in Bermuda on the Gem in May and I am curious about the Tenders.  I have bad hips and knees.  Are they small like the normal Tenders or something bigger?  Do you know if they are fairly easy to board?  I saw pictures of the one NCL leased in 2017 but that was just for one summer, now that was nice and held 400.    Also, how is the dock in St. George's as far as accessibility?  Any info would be appreciated.

 

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njhorseman

njhorseman

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Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, mbottoms66 said:

I will be arriving in Bermuda on the Gem in May and I am curious about the Tenders.  I have bad hips and knees.  Are they small like the normal Tenders or something bigger?  Do you know if they are fairly easy to board?  I saw pictures of the one NCL leased in 2017 but that was just for one summer, now that was nice and held 400.    Also, how is the dock in St. George's as far as accessibility?  Any info would be appreciated.

 

NCL eventually bought the ferry (Bo Hengy II) they had chartered for the 2017 season, refurbished it prior to the 2018 season and renamed it Spirit of St. George. I think it's safe to assume they will continue to use it this year. Once in a  while if that ferry was out of service for repairs or some other reason they used one of the Bermuda ferries to replace it.

It's just one boat.

 

It's easy to walk on and off and they'll help you if you need it. If you have a wheelchair or mobility scooter it's up to the crew's discretion as to whether they can safely lift it on and off the ferry. 

 

The ferry dock in St. George is about a five minute walk from the center of town, Kings Square. St. George itself is a little hilly in places and has some cobblestone streets and walks so it's not the easiest place to get around in for people with mobility issues, but it's not impossible.

Edited by njhorseman
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bluesea777

bluesea777

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10 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

NCL eventually bought the ferry (Bo Hengy II) they had chartered for the 2017 season, refurbished it prior to the 2018 season and renamed it Spirit of St. George. I think it's safe to assume they will continue to use it this year. Once in a  while if that ferry was out of service for repairs or some other reason they used one of the Bermuda ferries to replace it.

It's just one boat.

 

It's easy to walk on and off and they'll help you if you need it. If you have a wheelchair or mobility scooter it's up to the crew's discretion as to whether they can safely lift it on and off the ferry. 

 

The ferry dock in St. George is about a five minute walk from the center of town, Kings Square. St. George itself is a little hilly in places and has some cobblestone streets and walks so it's not the easiest place to get around in for people with mobility issues, but it's not impossible.

 

Our son worked on Bo Hengy II as deckhand during the summer 2017 season, and we went on it when our Getaway docked in Bermuda during our TA in Oct 2017.

 

They allowed people on mobiles and in wheelchairs onboard. They put out ramps and assisted.

 

You'll be fine on your mobility scooter … there is fairly flat surfaced walk from the ferry stop to the town square along the waterfront.

 

I just saw the pictures I took - it's possible.

 

Also the Spirit of St. George's ferry is for the NCL passengers.

 

Edited by bluesea777
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njhorseman

njhorseman

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3 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

 

Our son worked on Bo Hengy II as deckhand during the summer 2017 season, and we went on it when our Getaway docked in Bermuda during our TA in Oct 2017.

 

They allowed people on mobiles and in wheelchairs onboard. They put out ramps and assisted.

 

I wonder if the ramps were something added late i the season because I didn't see them when I first used the ferry in 2017. I actually saw the crew lifting a mobility scooter aboard.

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bluesea777

bluesea777

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3 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

I wonder if the ramps were something added late i the season because I didn't see them when I first used the ferry in 2017. I actually saw the crew lifting a mobility scooter aboard.

 

Probably yes, later in season. 

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bluesea777

bluesea777

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8 minutes ago, mbottoms66 said:

I wish it went to Hamilton, too.

 

The regular Bermuda ferries go to Hamilton. Those ferries will allow you to ride your scooter on board. Not free, though.

 

The Dockyard-St. George's ferries take about 45 mins, as opposed to 1.5 hours on the road. The ferries to Hamilton take about 30 mins (50 mins on road). 

 

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bluesea777

bluesea777

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11 minutes ago, kpark895 said:

Anyone have a schedule for the NCL ferry?

 

Your ship will supply them.

 

One thing though, when our son was working on Bo Hengy II, they didn't work at weekends or public holidays. They worked when the NCL ship was in port. They worked late when the ship overnighted. They finished work early when the ship left port. Odd hours, and the Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays were the longest days and Fridays the shortest.

 

 

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njhorseman

njhorseman

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4 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

 

The regular Bermuda ferries go to Hamilton. Those ferries will allow you to ride your scooter on board. Not free, though.

 

The Dockyard-St. George's ferries take about 45 mins, as opposed to 1.5 hours on the road. The ferries to Hamilton take about 30 mins (50 mins on road). 

 

The poster has a mobility scooter and there is no charge for them. Motor scooters (Motor Cycles) incur a charge.

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kpark895

kpark895

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5 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

 

Your ship will supply them.

 

One thing though, when our son was working on Bo Hengy II, they didn't work at weekends or public holidays. They worked when the NCL ship was in port. They worked late when the ship overnighted. They finished work early when the ship left port. Odd hours, and the Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays were the longest days and Fridays the shortest.

 

 

 

I knew I could get them on the ship, was just thinking ahead for planning my days in port.

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njhorseman

njhorseman

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2 hours ago, kpark895 said:

 

I knew I could get them on the ship, was just thinking ahead for planning my days in port.

It's too early . No one has a current schedule because NCL hasn't started it's 2019 Bermuda cruise season yet. The first 2019 cruise on the Gem arrives in Bermuda on Sunday 4/14, and Escape on Wed. 4/17.

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bluesea777

bluesea777

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3 hours ago, njhorseman said:

The poster has a mobility scooter and there is no charge for them. Motor scooters (Motor Cycles) incur a charge.

 

Yes, I already know that the OP has a mobility scooter so that's why I said "your scooter" 😉

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mking8288 "Live from...." Rare

mking8288

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From 2018 - late season in early November on the Halloween "Escape" - the NCL Ferry @ Dockyard to/from Hamilton starts at 9 AM - and each round trip is about 2 hours (basically, return from Hamilton nearly empty at 10 AM).  2nd. run at 11 AM, then 1 PM and 4 PM (last of 4 round trips) - coming back at 12 noon, 2 PM and 5 PM from Hamilton.

 

The first one in the morning will be packed, get there early & join the line - as those on NCL Shorex WILL be there & escorted on first - it is the fastest way to get there, sea conditions permitting ... could be a choppy ride, those prone to motion & seasickness, please "plan" ahead.  We took the 11 AM over last November on a Thursday, there're no more than 100 people heading out and far fewer coming back at noon ... The last return is 5 PM and expect that to the crowded.  

 

Especially for those with mobility issues, I would consider taking the 3 PM back to Dockyard (and not the last run at 5 PM) - taking the pubic bus to downtown St. George's, then transferring onto the Dockyard bus line is an option, but it isn't accessible friendly ... but, an expensive taxi ride is possible. 

 

Ask for the ferry schedule onboard, otherwise, it is posted on the pier at the roped waiting area for boarding, just steps away from the terminal building ... but, be prepared for the sun, heat & UV lights.  Ferry's crew are very friendly and helpful, and we watched him assisting frail passengers during the boarding process.  

 

Note; these are oversized images, zoomable - ferry's 2018 schedule isn't as clear as it can be.  

 

IMG_20181101_110603282.jpg

IMG_20181101_100544117.jpg

IMG_20181101_110441670.jpg

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