Live Trip Report "Bermuda Escape" July 13,2021

[Famsw]

Wanted to share a wonderful "local" tour we took called Bermuda Byways by Heidi. She had a wealth of history and local knowledge. We saw more of the island than we thought possible in our 6 hour tour. Even ate local fish sandwiches on raisin bread.... delicious. She's the granddaughter of a lighthouse keeper and those over 100 steps to the top are worth it. 

 

 

 

[bafinegan]

Heading back to the DOckyards right now for a "medical emergency"  Confirmed with guest services it is a positive covid case.  SUpposedly will go to Hamilton tomorrow and we are NOT restricted, either to the ship or our cabins.  Of course, that could change.

 

Got to say we were at a lecture this am and saw MANY people without mask-several were coughing.   WEAR YOUR DAMN MASKS PEOPLE!

[MarkBearSF]

2 hours ago, eegad said:

Is this a change just for this week?  Or is this the new schedule for all the remaining Bermuda cruises?

I don't think there have been announcements on this, but my impression is that all cruises will have the overnight at the Dockyards.

 

[cpastu]

Our cruise starting July 20 is skipping St.George. Schedule is Hamilton 2 nights, at sea 1, 2 nights in Dockyards, at sea 1, then Hamilton for the last 2. We received the email from Viking last week.

[SRHall64]

5 minutes ago, cpastu said:

Our cruise starting July 20 is skipping St.George. Schedule is Hamilton 2 nights, at sea 1, 2 nights in Dockyards, at sea 1, then Hamilton for the last 2. We received the email from Viking last week.

We received the same email this week for the July 27 departure.

[bluesea777]

1 hour ago, MarkBearSF said:

I don't think there have been announcements on this, but my impression is that all cruises will have the overnight at the Dockyards.

 

 

Can you perhaps enquire why Viking can't use their own tenders to ferry passengers between Orion and St. George?

 

Both Viking ships in Iceland use their own tenders to ferry passengers in two of the ports of call.

 

The real reason the St. George stop is cancelled is that it's cost prohibitive for the Bermuda Government to supply one of their ferries for Viking to use as the ferry can hold up to 400 people and it's expensive and a waste for the ferry to make multiple trips between the ship and St. George carrying a fraction of the ship's only 400 or so passengers. Another reason is they (Bermuda) are short on ferries.

 

Edited July 18, 2021 by bluesea777

[bafinegan]

Just now, bluesea777 said:

 

Can you perhaps enquire why Viking can't use their own tenders to ferry passengers between Orion and St. George?

 

Both Viking ships in Iceland use their own tenders to ferry passengers in two of the ports of call.

 

The real reason the St. George stop is cancelled is that it's cost prohibitive for the Bermuda Government to supply one of their ferries for Viking to use as the ferry can hold up to 400 people and it's expensive and a waste for the ferry to make multiple trips between the ship and St. George carrying a fraction of the ship's only 400 or so passengers. Another reason is they (Bermuda) are short on ferries.

 

I did ask guest services ( not angry-just curious) and they said it was a money issue.  What exactly that means, I dunno

[bluesea777]

2 minutes ago, bafinegan said:

I did ask guest services ( not angry-just curious) and they said it was a money issue.  What exactly that means, I dunno

 

Yes to hire the Bermuda ferry, but I don't understand why can't they use their own tenders .... 🤔

 

 

[Famsw]

Brian cruise director just stated for transparency that the medical emergency is NOT a covid case. 

 

[Azulann]

2 hours ago, bafinegan said:

Heading back to the DOckyards right now for a "medical emergency"  Confirmed with guest services it is a positive covid case.  SUpposedly will go to Hamilton tomorrow and we are NOT restricted, either to the ship or our cabins.  Of course, that could change.

 

Got to say we were at a lecture this am and saw MANY people without mask-several were coughing.   WEAR YOUR DAMN MASKS PEOPLE!

CD just announced at the Explorer Society gathering in Star  Theater that the medical emergency has nothing to do with COVID .

I would believe the CD and Captain rather than a person at guest relations. 
will be at Dockyard around 7:00. 
Hope the passenger get the medical help they need at the hospital. 

 

[bluesea777]

Just popped over to South Shore and snapped the pics of Orion sailing by close to the island …

 

 

Edited July 18, 2021 by bluesea777

[bluesea777]

24 minutes ago, Azulann said:

CD just announced at the Explorer Society gathering in Star  Theater that the medical emergency has nothing to do with COVID .

I would believe the CD and Captain rather than a person at guest relations. 
will be at Dockyard around 7:00. 
Hope the passenger get the medical help they need at the hospital. 

 

I’m sure the passenger will get the medical help as our hospital is very good. 
 

[bafinegan]

Just now, Azulann said:

CD just announced at the Explorer Society gathering in Star  Theater that the medical emergency has nothing to do with COVID .

I would believe the CD and Captain rather than a person at guest relations. 
will be at Dockyard around 7:00. 
Hope the passenger get the medical help they need at the hospital. 

 

That's great.  I'm glad the guest services officer was wrong!

[Heidi13]

8 hours ago, rjscott said:

He is now head waiter and he is terrific. So funny!  He and our breakfast waiter are roommates, so trade barbs back and forth.  Unfortunately, our waiter had to return home due to a family death, but Zharko took a photo of the five of us wishing Denis the best to cheer him up. So sweet.  
 

Becki

 

Thanks Becki - will send him a note with congratulations.😁

[Heidi13]

8 hours ago, rjscott said:

He is now head waiter and he is terrific. So funny!  He and our breakfast waiter are roommates, so trade barbs back and forth.  Unfortunately, our waiter had to return home due to a family death, but Zharko took a photo of the five of us wishing Denis the best to cheer him up. So sweet.  
 

Becki

 

Here is one we took on the Viking Sun when we invited some of the crew to have lunch with us in Manfredis. 

 

Zharko is on the right 2nd from end.

 

Taken April 2020, just before we disembarked.

 

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

 

Yes to hire the Bermuda ferry, but I don't understand why can't they use their own tenders .... 🤔

 

 

 

Haven't tendered in Bermuda that I can recall and while I don't know the exact answer, in a number of ports around the World, the Harbourmaster doesn't permit the use of ship's tenders. Therefore, this is a potential reason. The other potential reason is if the trip in is especially tricky from a navigational perspective due to wind/tides/hazards.

 

In some ports, even during drills the Master must advise/request permission from the Harbourmaster to lower boats to the water.

[doggfan7]

10 hours ago, rjscott said:

We are currently in “your” cabin, 5111, so will try to leave it pristine for you.  It is a great location.  We waved down at Patti our first night on our verandah.  You will enjoy your room stewards, Widodo and Angel.  They are awesome!  
 

Becki

Becki - So happy to hear! We cannot wait!

[Azulann]

The sail into Hamilton this morning is wonderful. You pass close to a number of small island and many beautiful homes . 
Going on the Cave tour this morning . Yesterday did the thermal spa for a hour and then a  50 minute facial . It was heavenly. 
Be sure to sign up for a hour in the thermal spa area . It is free and well worth the time. 
Had dinner in Restaurant, and Zharko the head waiter is a Gemara others have said. . He escorted us to our table! It was  at 8:30. He also took our pictures and sent them to Heidi’s DW Judy .

It was prime rib and lobster themidor  night Great  dinner as always . 

Last  full day of the cruise and will enjoy every minute if it . I am a last minute packer so will do it by 10 pm . We have the luggage tags in room . We will be taken  to airport at  11 for  my AA flight . My sister goes at noon for  her Delta flight home . We have to be out of rooms by 8:00. 
 

Cheers 

 

Patti 
 

 

[ddaniel337]

So still a little confused.   Can guests walk off the ship on their own?

 

[rjscott]

1 hour ago, ddaniel337 said:

So still a little confused.   Can guests walk off the ship on their own?

 

Yes, you can.  Whether or not you go on an excursion, with any free time before or after, you are free to walk about town or take local transportation.  
 

Becki

[bluesea777]

 

1 hour ago, ddaniel337 said:

So still a little confused.   Can guests walk off the ship on their own?

 

 

17 minutes ago, rjscott said:

Yes, you can.  Whether or not you go on an excursion, with any free time before or after, you are free to walk about town or take local transportation.  
 

Becki

 

True, however, you must wear mask when in stores, taxis, on buses, when entering restaurants, etc. When you're outside you can rip it off for a breather (high humidity here!) as long as you're not too close to other people.

 

Bermudians are generally co-operative when wearing masks so please respect our custom, and you'll be fine! 

 

In the last month we've had very few new covid cases ... and they were imported - by air from both US and UK.

 

Edited July 19, 2021 by bluesea777

[ddaniel337]

However, I jus called and the official word from Viking is that you cannot just walk off the ship.  That you have to leave via a ship sponsored excursion.    Would like to book this trip for later but having been to Bermuda many times, don't want to be limited to going off with a ship excursion.

 

 

[Cienfuegos]

On 7/18/2021 at 5:56 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

Haven't tendered in Bermuda that I can recall and while I don't know the exact answer, in a number of ports around the World, the Harbourmaster doesn't permit the use of ship's tenders. Therefore, this is a potential reason. The other potential reason is if the trip in is especially tricky from a navigational perspective due to wind/tides/hazards.

 

In some ports, even during drills the Master must advise/request permission from the Harbourmaster to lower boats to the water.

Several Greek islands also require use of local tender captains. I believe Santorini is among them.

[njhorseman]

3 hours ago, ddaniel337 said:

However, I jus called and the official word from Viking is that you cannot just walk off the ship.  That you have to leave via a ship sponsored excursion.    Would like to book this trip for later but having been to Bermuda many times, don't want to be limited to going off with a ship excursion.

 

 

Whoever you got that "official" information from...perhaps a call  center customer service agent...is apparently misinformed. Posters on this thread....cruisers who have actually been on the ship for the past week...report going out on their own. For example @MarkBearSF posted about taking a taxi to the Pompano Beach Club and having lunch there. if you go through the thread you'll see his posts. Another poster talks about taking a "local" tour and the OP, @Azulann, mentions going to the Clocktower Mall while moored at the Dockyard.

 

It's always better to read the reports of those on the ship versus relying on a customer service rep who probably hasn't been within a thousand miles of Bermuda.

Edited July 19, 2021 by njhorseman

[Azulann]

All cruises come to an end . We have our checked luggage outside the room  before the bewitching hour of 10 pm .

I just realized as I was frantically packing my suitcase , I vowed I would never leave a cruise and go straight to the airport . Since 2010  I always flew in  a  day early and stayed sometimes  two days after my cruise. But not this time because of the covid restrictions etc.

I am leaving lots of liquids in my stateroom in the morning!

Went to Crystal cave excursion this morning . It was fascinating . Never been in a cave before. But it was wet humid and lots of stairs. 
Then did some shopping for Bermuda shorts etc for grandkids on Front Street. 

Overall , it is the small details that Viking does so well . My favorite is the carpet in the elevators . It always brings a smile to my face ! How about you ? 
 

The ship and crew are excited to welcome the next group tomorrow afternoon, and say good bye to us as we leave the ship from 11 - 12 , for the airport if you have Viking Air. I am so happy I booked this cruise back in April . Looking forward to planning my next Viking cruise in 2022 or 23.

Cheers 

 

Patti 
 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Azulann