Crown - 9/24-10/1

[family cruisers]

Hi Laurie and Robin,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of my questions.... You're awesome!

I'm so excited about this cruise but am patiently waiting .... (sort of )

Did you buy any of the bus/transportation passes?

I'm a beach person and Plan on going to as many as we can visit...

Can't wait.... I'll submit our review upon our return.... Thanks again.

[robinzhere]

As I recall, we all bought bus passes. I got the three-day, but I only used two days of it (never got off the Snorkle Park beach on the last day). I know that Laurie and Robin used it for the ferries and got more of their money's worth. In retrospect, I would have been better off getting tokens for one of the days, but it's hard to plan that. Three days was still less expensive than one taxi ride!

 

The drivers were very good at letting you know if you were on the right bus (not all buses go on the complete route) and which stop was for the beach. All you need do is ask!

 

As you can see from our posts, there is so much to do and so little time! I have to go back at least twice more to do the things I never got time for.

[muzicgal]

I bought a 2 day pass. No matter where you dock it is very easy to get back to any of the ports with transportation. the transportation is very easy to navigate. They have schedules in the visitor centers. It's definately worth it because then you don't have to worry about getting the tokens. The only reason we would have needed it when we were at the Dockyards is if we wanted to go back to someplace that we didn't have time to visit or just wanted to go back to a beach. Otherwise the day in dockyards was filled for us since we took an excursion. Speaking of excursions, The helmut diving is unbelievable!!!!! You feel like you are in an aquarium. We got to touch the fish and other things down there. One of the best excursions I have ever done on a cruise. If you want info on it let me know.

[family cruisers]

Hello Robin, Laurie and Bragstar.... Thanks to all of you for your recent replys to my questions.

Did you go to a beach or beaches that you thought were just gorgous?

I love a beautiful beach, scenic etc,... without all the crowds. This is our (my boyfriend and I )first trip to bermuda and am looking for something "special" and it sounds just like the perfect Island to find it.

The Helmet dive.... did you find anything intimidating down there?????????? Had to ask.... Baracuda, shark or just pretty tropical fish?

Any more info you can think of please pass it on....

Some one else had posted somewhere that for a nice romantic sunset cruise they were taking the ferries back and forth... That sounds ok huh? Any other recomendations?

Thanks all....

[muzicgal]

I only went to Horseshoe Bay which was beautiful, but a pretty crowded beach and we went there later in the afternoon.

 

As far as the helmet diving there wasn't anything intimidating under the water. No sharks, nothing scary. I did have a difficult time after having the helmet put on me to go down the ladder. It just isn't natural to be able to breathe under water. However the owner really worked with me and made me feel very comfortable! Once I got down I had a great time. He would feed the fish so they would be around and it wasn't a problem at all. he would show you how the different plants eat. He would tell you everything that you were looking at and even pick up living things from the reef and have you touch them. There isn't anything to fear down there. Go for it. If you need the name of the company let me know.

 

 

We didn't take the ferry at night so i can't tell you about the sunset, although we did see them from the ship. Just make sure you are heading in the right direction on the ferry to see it.

[family cruisers]

Your helmet dive experience reminded me of the first time I tried snorkeling in mexico. I couldn't get used to the feeling of the heavy flippers on my feet. Felt so uncoordinated but finally got the hang of it.

My boyfriend is a bit claustrophobic so I don't think he'd do the helmet dive.

you never know though...

Thanks again for all the great info your offering, I appreciate it.

I only went to Horseshoe Bay which was beautiful, but a pretty crowded beach and we went there later in the afternoon.

 

As far as the helmet diving there wasn't anything intimidating under the water. No sharks, nothing scary. I did have a difficult time after having the helmet put on me to go down the ladder. It just isn't natural to be able to breathe under water. However the owner really worked with me and made me feel very comfortable! Once I got down I had a great time. He would feed the fish so they would be around and it wasn't a problem at all. he would show you how the different plants eat. He would tell you everything that you were looking at and even pick up living things from the reef and have you touch them. There isn't anything to fear down there. Go for it. If you need the name of the company let me know.

 

 

We didn't take the ferry at night so i can't tell you about the sunset, although we did see them from the ship. Just make sure you are heading in the right direction on the ferry to see it.

[muzicgal]

I'm not sure if it would be claustrophobic. The helmut is glass on the front and both sides. My husband is somewhat claustrophibic too and he didn't have a problem at all.

[stasik]

I guess this is probably a bit stale. Didn't have a chance to sit down at the computer all week since I was right back at work on Monday.

 

I enjoyed the cruise overall. It was my first and I really wanted to see what the experience was like. I had a good time and most important of all a relaxing time.

 

The one thing I would say about the ship is that the food in the dining room really wasn't phenomenal. We enjoyed the grilled lamb. But other than that, never actually enjoyed a dinner in the dining room. The choices weren;t really attractive and by the end of the week, I was asking to get any sauces on the side so that I could actually test whether it would overpower the meat or the fish that I was eating. (By the way, why can't you get a baked potato as an appetizer? It was a heck of a production with the waiter to get him to give on the potato.)

 

In retrospect I probably should have made better use of the alternate restaurants, but being my first cruise, I wanted to give the dining room a shot.

 

Looking at the whole cruise, freestyle is the only way for me to go. We enjoyed spending time on shore and might come back at 5 or 8 and didn't ever need to worry. Only once did I have to wait for the dining room and it was because I wanted a table for two and it was only about five minutes.

 

We used our voucher at Mulligan's in St George. Fish chowder was great as was the grilled Wahoo. (Note to NCL, good ingredients don't need to be sauced and spiced to death)

 

A nice touch was having the football games on the TV on Sunday. Check-in seemed pretty chaotic and I was already irritated getting on the ship. So the chance to sit down with a beer and watch the game helped.

[muzicgal]

Stasik, when did you cruise?

[family cruisers]

One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch !

I'm not letting any negative reviews ruin the excitement we have for our cruise coming up next week.... ONE MORE WEEK ! Everyone has their opinions, different tastes and lifestyles. I know we are going to have an amazing cruise , trip to bermuda....

Just don't let any hurricanes form this week :-)

[CaWino]

Just don't let any hurricanes form this week :-)

 

I'm on your cruise too and keeping my fingers crossed for the same thing!!

[muzicgal]

You will have a great time. And as far as the dining rooms, right when you board make your dinner reservations for the alternative dining rooms. People were on waiting lists when they waited.

 

There has got to be something wrong with people if they can't find somethingn to eat that they like.

 

We didn't have any negatives about the ship or island at all!

[family cruisers]

I would rather find things to be happy about instead of being negative about every little thing.

I've been on alot of all inclusive vacations and this will be my third cruise. There is ALWAYS something to find foodwise...Sure I've had things I didn't like but I went and found something I did like and that was the end of that. Even at home sometimes I make a bad meal (not often) It happens no matter where you are.

For the price we are paying for this cruise I feel like we owe them something back. Our transportation to a beautiful Island, our accomadations and all the food we can eat for a week with entertainment, a pool, hot tubs, casinos etc.... How much more can you possibly ask for...?????

I'm sure there will be people answering that one !

I really just want sunshine and nice weather and we'll take the rest from there.

6 more nights of sleeping here and then 7 great nights on the sea....

Goodnight all....

You will have a great time. And as far as the dining rooms, right when you board make your dinner reservations for the alternative dining rooms. People were on waiting lists when they waited.

 

There has got to be something wrong with people if they can't find somethingn to eat that they like.

 

We didn't have any negatives about the ship or island at all!

[stasik]

Stasik, when did you cruise?

 

9/24-10/1

[cat22]

..we were thinking about buying the 3 day bus pass...did you find it useful? :)

 

Hi,

 

We just got off the Crown yesterday. We bought a 2 day pass in Hamilton for $20/ea. and it worked out well. We took a few ferry rides (pink ferry at night was nice). Also took bus back to horseshoe bay after shopping at the Dockyard. We also enjoyed touring the Tucker House at St. Georges.

 

cat22

[handmadeheaven]

Husband and I had a great time on the Crown 9/24 to Bermuda. It was my first cruise. Loved Bermuda, especially Horseshoe Bay. I was brought up near Myrtle Beach SC, so I am a beach person. We took the horse drawn carriage ride in St George and really enjoyed that too. We thought Rudi was a hoot and the musical/dance numbers good for the size of the stage. Only thing I got sea sick going over--take the pills--it's worth it not getting sick. On the way back I was OK because I kept my tummy full and the pills in my system. Good luck and have fun, wish I were going back this week! ;)