Jump to content

Been to Bermuda?


drumming cruisers
 Share

Recommended Posts

We took a boat tour around the island.    It was a beautiful way to see the island and such a different perspective!    They even took us to a ship wreck.     We found the tour at a kiosk in the port and booked the tour for the following day.    

 

If you haven't been to the lighthouse, that's a fun short excursion as well.   THere's a Segway tour.   There's beautiful crystal caves that have formed,  there's beautiful golf courses, there's an old rail trail people walk/ruin/bike on, there's the Swizzle Inn if you are the type that gets off and finds the nearest bar, that place does nothing for me, I don't recommend it, the drinks aren't even good.

 

But you're right.   Bermuda, like all the other Caribbean Islands is mainly focused around the beaches and snorkeling.   If that's not your thing, you'll have a hard time probably in Bermuda just like you would on any other warm weather island.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Vyhanek said:

Bermuda, like all the other Caribbean Islands is mainly focused around the beaches and snorkeling.   If that's not your thing, you'll have a hard time probably in Bermuda just like you would on any other warm weather island.

 

I can’t say that I agree.

 

Bermuda does have beautiful beaches and great snorkeling, but that’s really only the beginning. The town of St. George has a ton of history, and there are forts all over the island to explore—Fort Catherine is a beautiful fort which has been preserved, Fort Hamilton is a incredible (and free) fort where nature has taken over. There’s also the zoo and aquarium, great shopping, the Crystal Caves, the Dockyard...we’ve been there six times and there’s still stuff we haven’t done.

 

The Caribbean also has a seedy element to it, which Bermuda does not. It’s a much friendlier place.

 

There’s plenty there for folks that don’t like beaches. I’d highly recommend it.

Edited by dcipjr
  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Buy yourself a 3 day transit pass.  Good on all buses and the water ferry to St Georges.  Lots of things to do other than the beaches.  Start with the fort/museum right off Kings Wharf where the ship will be docked

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

   Agree with dcipjr’s post.

My DH and I have vacationed there thirteen times since our honeymoon in 1983.

Yes,there are beautiful beaches,but there are many more things to do or see. 

    At the Dockyard itself there is a fort and museum,an upscale miniature golf course, also,you can rent a jet ski or small motor boat, go on a fishing ,snorkel or scuba excursion ,get a ferry to Hamilton (the capital city) or St George’s ( an historical town), visit art galleries, or go shopping or take a driving tour with a knowledgeable driver,or get a public bus and take a trip into town,look at the scenery and maybe chat with some of the local citizens.

   Outside of the Dockyard area there are biking or walking trails,lighthouses,museums,a botanical garden,an aquarium,a zoo and dramatic caves,art galleries,shops,excellent restaurants and pubs.

Bermudians are welcoming and helpful people who take pride in their lovely country.

   In the evening,get off the ship,stroll the Dockyard area and see the ship lit up in the night.

Walk the deck of the ship and watch the stars or lights in distant homes twinkle in the darkness. Personally, I would not want to spend much time in a casino while there is beauty to see in both the day and nighttime.

  Please note, Bermuda is not a Caribbean island in location and atmosphere. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean,eastward of North Carolina. It is a clean,well-kept country with its’own personality very different from islands in the Caribbean.

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

Got an invite to Bermuda on the Escape in October.

What do you do for 3 days in same port? We don't like sitting around beaches all day.

Is casino open while you are there?

If you're not a beach person, you can catch the free ferry over to St. George (UNESCO site) to walk around the quaint town. You can catch the public ferry ($5) over to Hamilton. But it is really more of a down town area of a city with a few touristy things (maybe do that on your last day since it is a shorter day). And an island tour is fun.

 

NCL pays for a late night gaming license while in port, so the casino opens for 5ish hours starting at 9:00 pm. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, EllieinNJ said:

I've noticed that some cruises in April and October have Bermuda on their schedule.  If you are not a beach person, is it warm enough to just tour the island without a jacket?

 

The earliest I’ve been on the island was May 2nd, but it was plenty warm at that time—highs in the mid 70s. It’s perfect weather for touring the island. October is much the same, from what I hear.

 

Water temperatures are a bit cooler during those months. The ocean temperature was 71° when we were there. Some may consider that cold, but growing up and going to the shore in NJ when I was a kid, that’s what the Atlantic felt like to me on the 4th of July, and it never stopped me!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

TMLA,

  Can you give a synopsis of just how you got to the Hamilton Princess on drop off/pick up? I'm considering renting a Twizy for the three days in port, but not sure if we'd take the ferry to the location or a bus or what?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, sperkins921 said:

TMLA,

  Can you give a synopsis of just how you got to the Hamilton Princess on drop off/pick up? I'm considering renting a Twizy for the three days in port, but not sure if we'd take the ferry to the location or a bus or what?

 

Thanks!

 

 

They’ll have Twizy and scooter rentals just outside the disembarkation area.  Not sure what the Hamilton PRincess is?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's one of the two pick up locations that the twizy rental places lists. They do not mention anything on their website about being able to rent/return right at the wharf. 

 

Hamilton Princess is a hotel/resort (one of two listed on their site) that apparently you can pick up the Twizy from; again based on doing a booking on the website. DH and I were toying with renting one but not knowing how easy it would be to get to either location I haven't cemented anything as of yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, Vyhanek said:

  Bermuda, like all the other Caribbean Islands is mainly focused around the beaches and snorkeling.   If that's not your thing, you'll have a hard time probably in Bermuda just like you would on any other warm weather island.

Fortunately Bermuda isn't a Caribbean island, so perhaps that's why it's not like most of them. 😊

 

We've been going to Bermuda regularly...sometimes more than once a year, for more than 30 years. Neither of us snorkel. I'm not even a great beach lover, so perhaps we'll go once per visit. We've never been bored, never lacked things we wanted to do or see.

 

To the OP...please read the Bermuda Ports of Call board. You'll find lots of information on things to do in Bermuda.

 

 

  • Like 3
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

They’ll have Twizy and scooter rentals just outside the disembarkation area.  Not sure what the Hamilton PRincess is?

Twizy rentals can be picked up only at two hotels, the Hamilton Princess and Fairmont Southampton. There are charging stations at the Dockyard, but you can't pick up or return the Twizys there.

 

There is a new company, Bermuda Rental Car, Ltd. renting two other models of electric vehicle, but not Twizy, that does offer rentals at the Dockyard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, njhorseman said:

Twizy rentals can be picked up only at two hotels, the Hamilton Princess and Fairmont Southampton. There are charging stations at the Dockyard, but you can't pick up or return the Twizys there.

 

There is a new company, Bermuda Rental Car, Ltd. renting two other models of electric vehicle, but not Twizy, that does offer rentals at the Dockyard.

Interesting!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We had tea at the Hamilton Princess on our overnight in Bermuda. We took the ferry from the dockyard to Hamilton and then it was a short walk to the hotel. 

 

As for the OP’s question, we found lots to do in Bermuda. 

 

The first day we took the ferry to Hamilton, did a self-guided walking tour I found online, and then went to tea. The second day we were going to go to St George’s, but we decided we would not really have enough time to do it justice, so instead we went to Horseshoe Bay and just walked along the beach and grabbed a cocktail and a snack at the beach bar. We spent some time shopping at the Dockyard before we had to return to the ship. We could have spent more time on any of the things we did, not to mention the things other posters have listed that we did not have time for! I would definitely consider a 3-day stay in the future!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, sperkins921 said:

It's one of the two pick up locations that the twizy rental places lists. They do not mention anything on their website about being able to rent/return right at the wharf. 

 

Hamilton Princess is a hotel/resort (one of two listed on their site) that apparently you can pick up the Twizy from; again based on doing a booking on the website. DH and I were toying with renting one but not knowing how easy it would be to get to either location I haven't cemented anything as of yet.

 

We took a taxi to the Hamilton Princess with another couple- pretty spendy at $50- but we wanted to maximize our Twizy time! On the return we took the ferry back- it's about a 4 city block walk from the hotel. If you have time the you could take the ferry to Hamilton both ways. We drove to St. George, had a nice lunch there and then headed to a beautiful pink sand beach before returning the Twizy. I wanted to do some shopping in Hamilton and came away with a gold ring with a "stone" of pink Bermuda sand. I forget the name of the jeweler but the have a shop in the Wharf too with silver and sand pieces. Very unique.

Edited by TMLAalum
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/21/2019 at 10:44 AM, graphicguy said:

They’ll have Twizy and scooter rentals just outside the disembarkation area.  Not sure what the Hamilton PRincess is?

 

You can’t pick up a Twizy at Dockyard. They only have 2 locations at the moment. The Hamilton Princess ( a hotel) and the Fairmont Hotel in Southampton. I think the Hamilton Princess is the easiest to get to.

 

Take the Blue Route ferry. When you exit the terminal, walk left about 3 or 4 longish blocks. It’s a nice walk - not too terribly far unless you have mobility issues. You will see the signs for the Princess. They are right in front. 

 

You can take a taxi or the #7 bus to the Southampton Fairmont. It’s on the South Rd. 

 

There are other cars you can rent. Oleander Cycles has 2 models - one similar to the Twizy and a larger one.  Local Motion rents a little Jeep looking car. But the Twizy is the least expensive. They all sell out fast so you have to make arrangements ahead of time - especially if you want to pick up one of the Oleander ones at Dockyard. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/21/2019 at 8:32 PM, graphicguy said:

Interesting!

 

On 7/21/2019 at 8:32 PM, graphicguy said:

There is a new company, Bermuda Rental Car, Ltd. renting two other models of electric vehicle, but not Twizy, that does offer rentals at the Dockyard.

 

Bermuda Rental Car is Oleander Cycles.  It’s their car division. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/20/2019 at 3:21 PM, drumming cruisers said:

Got an invite to Bermuda on the Escape in October.

What do you do for 3 days in same port? We don't like sitting around beaches all day.

Is casino open while you are there?

 

 

  There is so much to do in Bermuda that we have been visiting since 1969 and still haven’t done everything there is to do. I highly recommend taking the Bermuda Byways tour. You can book it directly with the website. Heidi Cowen, the tour operator is the granddaughter of the last lighthouse keeper and she has amazing facts and things to show you. 

 

We go in July, but we rarely spend a lot of time on the beach. There are museums and galleries.  St George is filled with history and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can hike, ride horses, jump from a cliff or explore a cave. There are cultural activities and food tours, land tours and boat tours. 

 

Bermuda has something for everyone except those who like winter sports 🤣

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/20/2019 at 3:34 PM, Vyhanek said:

But you're right.   Bermuda, like all the other Caribbean Islands is mainly focused around the beaches and snorkeling.   If that's not your thing, you'll have a hard time probably in Bermuda just like you would on any other warm weather island.

 

Bermuda is not a Caribbean Island - it is in the Atlantic Ocean. There is also more to do there than just beaches and snorkeling.

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...