Just back from Bermuda!

[Gabcruiser]

We were on Anthem of the seas.  We overnighted one night.  We had reserved a anaig quick through Oleander rentals.  We took the first ferry into Hamilton.  We wanted to start in the middle of the island and drive to different areas.    Our intention was to drive to some of the beaches to snorkel.  First mistake was the car is soooo small!!!  My husband is 6’ and I am 5’ 6”.  We are not overweight either.    I was squished in the back with our snorkel gear and beach bag!  So not comfortable and so hot!  My husband was squished while driving too!  We had a map that had the roads to go on.  Well, there are no road signs in Bermuda!!  We got lost three times!  We waisted three hours trying to figure out where to go!  Thank goodness this nice man on his scooter escorted us to Warwick bay and Horsehoe bay.   We ended up at Horseshoe Bay with just about everyone on the ship!!  We took our chairs that we rented for $50! to the other end of the beach!   Such a rip off to pay $50 buck!!  The beach was beautiful and the water was so clear and warm!  Bermuda has beautiful homes along the waters edge.  It is not so beautiful driving in the towns.  It would have been nice to have had two overnights to see the whole island.   We were surprised how large an island it was.  

The next day we did a snorkel trip with Hat Tricks.  It was amazing!  Only 8 people on the Catamaran.  The spot Captain Keith took us to was beautiful!  Truly an excursion we will remember!

Next time we will stay at a hotel and enjoy everything on the island in a relaxed mode!

[mrpayroll]

Looking forward to October 2and 3rd when we will be there. 

[Charles4515]

Thanks for posting a trip report. Personally I figured out from the many times I have been to Bermuda that I would find driving on their roads to be more stress than I wanted on vacation. I would not even rent a real car if they were for rent. Staying in a hotel is a good idea but the hotels there are so expensive. In August the cruise I was on had three overnights and docked in St.George's and Hamilton. That is a better itinerary for me than the ones that dock at the Dockyard. 

[Gabcruiser]

I think that would be a great way to see the Island!

[njkruzer]

We use the buses and ferries when we are on the island.  Actually a string of islands.  We have been their on cruises and have stayed at a hotel.  All worked well.  Going back on the Anthem in October. 

[NLBarry]

I have not been back to Bermuda since we cruised there in 2006.  Back then we pulled into Kings Wharf one day, went out to sea a little ways for the night and then pulled in on the Hamilton side.  The entertainment crew put on their show out in town that night and then we pulled out late.

Can someone tell me how they do things now that most of the cruises seem to spend 3 days and 2 nights there?  Do they have the usual shows in the theater and other ship entertainment still going on while in Bermuda?

[Gabcruiser]

The shows still are on the ships when we were in port.  Good luck!

[Charles4515]

They have the shows and entertainment on the ship. The big change since 2006 is that the casino opens at 9:00 PM while in port. 

[marco]

We've cruised to Bermuda many times over the years, but always a 7 day-er.  "Back in the day" the ships moved a little bit faster as fuel consumption was not as big an issue and  it was only a day and 1/2 down and a day and 1/2 back and  it was one overnight in St Georges and 2 overnights in Hamilton, as the ships were small enough to dock there..  What is now the dockyard was abandoned ruins. Up until a year or two the "Veendam" went to Bermuda and docked in Hamilton, as well.  Our most recent cruise to Bermuda was on "X's" Summit and of course, we docked at Kings Wharf.

[Charles4515]

4 hours ago, marco said:

We've cruised to Bermuda many times over the years, but always a 7 day-er.  "Back in the day" the ships moved a little bit faster as fuel consumption was not as big an issue and  it was only a day and 1/2 down and a day and 1/2 back and  it was one overnight in St Georges and 2 overnights in Hamilton, as the ships were small enough to dock there..  What is now the dockyard was abandoned ruins. Up until a year or two the "Veendam" went to Bermuda and docked in Hamilton, as well.  Our most recent cruise to Bermuda was on "X's" Summit and of course, we docked at Kings Wharf.

 

You can still do that St. George’s and Hamilton itinerary on Oceania. I did it this August. Only a few sailings unfortunately. Also the heat and humidity are barely tolerable in August. I was also on Summit in June to Kings Wharf. Temperature much better in June but I preferred the sailing that did St. George’s and Hamilton. 

Edited September 23, 2019 by Charles4515

[3red7s]

On ‎9‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 12:47 PM, Charles4515 said:

 

You can still do that St. George’s and Hamilton itinerary on Oceania. I did it this August. Only a few sailings unfortunately. Also the heat and humidity are barely tolerable in August. I was also on Summit in June to Kings Wharf. Temperature much better in June but I preferred the sailing that did St. George’s and Hamilton. 

what are the "must sees" in St. George and Hamilton? as we are booking for July 2020

[Barb Nahoumi]

I would recommend a cruise for the OP with 2 overnights in Bermuda.  One night on this lovely Island is not enough to see everything.

 

During our last cruise, the four of us hired a taxi to "Take us to non tourist areas."  The driver took us to the interior, where locals live and work.  Fascinating.  We have cruised to Bermuda many times, and still want to return.  I wish that Charleston, S.C., could be added to some Boston to Bermuda itineraries, to lengthen this cruise at this amazing city.

[3red7s]

On ‎9‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 9:40 AM, Barb Nahoumi said:

I would recommend a cruise for the OP with 2 overnights in Bermuda.  One night on this lovely Island is not enough to see everything.

 

During our last cruise, the four of us hired a taxi to "Take us to non tourist areas."  The driver took us to the interior, where locals live and work.  Fascinating.  We have cruised to Bermuda many times, and still want to return.  I wish that Charleston, S.C., could be added to some Boston to Bermuda itineraries, to lengthen this cruise at this amazing city.

 

[Barb Nahoumi]

On 9/24/2019 at 7:13 PM, 3red7s said:

what are the "must sees" in St. George and Hamilton? as we are booking for July 2020

For me, the must sees in St. George is the entire town.  I love walking through the quaint downtown area, looking at the buildings and shops.  A visit to the Perfumery is always on my list. Tobacco Bay beach, is very nice.  Sometimes, there is a trolley ride which picks you up near the docks, and brings you to the points of interest.  

 

For my next visit to Hamilton, I plan to visit the Bermuda Underwater Institute, which is located downtown.  I've always been interested in Ocean Study.