NCL and Bermuda 2008

[Catmjs]

Does anyone know when NCL is going to post their Bermuda dates and rates for 2008?

 

Thanks

[familyof4cruising]

I was previously told early April. I am waiting patiently also. I am hoping that the Gem will do this itinerary.

[Suz e q]

Hello Eveyone,

I am a total greenie - I've not yet cruised. I've been lurking about and trying to decide on a first cruise. I had my heart set on NCL and had convinced myself the Majesty and a 7-day Bermuda cruise in late May or early June of 2008 would be just the thing. But I can't book it. The best my TA can say is 'the rumor is the Dream will be doing it'. So, I've read what I could find here and I understand it isn't official. I can't say as I care whether it is the Dream or the Dawn. But how confident are you that NCL will have a ship, any ship, doing 6-7 day Bermuda trips out of Boston in 2008? If I thought there might be a problem I'd hop to another line (and depart from NY) and book as early as possible to get the best rate. Prices are up! Anyway, tell me if you think I am overlooking important factors. I'm so green I don't even know what I don't know.

I've learned so much already from lurking and I look forward to being a part of the community. Suz

[Cubechick]

Suz e q:

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

I do not think you are missing anything as by reading these boards you have the same knowledge as the rest of us. OK, I’ll admit that there are two camps out there: the Dawn-ers and the Dream-ers who are convinced, based on presumably reliable sources that their ship is the heir to the Majesty. I’d just as soon put my money on “red” at the Majesty’s Monte Carlo Casino as speculate at this point. With the news today of the release of the POH to Europe, anything is possible.

I would speculate, however, that NCL is looking to retain its monopoly of its Boston to Bermuda route. Combined with the monopoly and the fact that the ship sits in Bermuda for three-and-a half days—not burning fuel going port-to-port—indicates that this is a pretty profitable deal for NCL.

Business reasons aside, this cruise has become a staple for many of us in the New England area with one of the highest re-booking rates in the industry. Reason? One is convenience, not having to fly to Miami or elsewhere but also it is what I refer to as the “Un-Cruise”. Give me another example where a seven day cruise has only one port-of call? Notwithstanding, that port of call happens to be St.George Bermuda! We love the island of Bermuda and we have not found a more economical way to visit our favorite island. We have made the Majesty trip four times with a fifth scheduled.:)

HTH

Mr. Cube

[Don Haynes]

Unfortunately, both the Dream and Dawn are too large for St. George. I think the Dream could dock in Hamiliton. The Dawn cannot dock in either, being forced to dock at Kings Warf, otherwise known as the Dockyards.

 

I think the Dawn and Majesty will switch homeports keeping this years ship's itineraries. The Majesty will sail out of New York and dock at St. George with a three day stay, and the Dawn will sail out of Boston and dock at Kings Warf with a one day stay, before sailing on to the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands.

 

This should give New Yorkers a chance to sail directly to St. George, and New Englanders a chance to sail further south. There are many on all of the boards at CC who complain about the same itineraries each year. This would switch things a bit.

[Don Haynes]

Soon, before the end of May surely, possibly in April.

 

I doubt the Gem, as she is 260 feet to large to sail into St. George. The Gem is also New York's new ship. While New Englanders won't like this, the New York market rates as being much larger, especially in marketing.

[whatawonderfulworld]

Unfortunately, both the Dream and Dawn are too large for St. George. I think the Dream could dock in Hamiliton. The Dawn cannot dock in either, being forced to dock at Kings Warf, otherwise known as the Dockyards.

 

I think the Dawn and Majesty will switch homeports keeping this years ship's itineraries. The Majesty will sail out of New York and dock at St. George with a three day stay, and the Dawn will sail out of Boston and dock at Kings Warf with a one day stay, before sailing on to the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands.

 

This should give New Yorkers a chance to sail directly to St. George, and New Englanders a chance to sail further south. There are many on all of the boards at CC who complain about the same itineraries each year. This would switch things a bit.

 

 

That would be terrific...perfect for those of us here in NY...perfect. I would be extremely tempted to sign up...IMMEDIATELY!

 

Hope you're right Don.

 

Ciao,

W A W W

[Suz e q]

Thanks so much for the insight. And I didn't mean to horn in on Catmjs's thread - I goofed and thought I was starting one of my own! Newbies, eh?

 

I have looked at Celebrity,RCCL, and Carnival's Bermuda options. Nothing strikes me as very competitive to a Boston 7-day NCL cruise. We can't go until May-June 2008 so I am going to sit tight and see what develops. Avoiding a bus or train trip from NH to NYC is worth the wait, I think. But isn't this so exciting, all these ship changes and the Dream vs Dawn saga? I had no idea cruising was so dramatic. Take good care - Suz

[Cubechick]

Unfortunately, both the Dream and Dawn are too large for St. George. I think the Dream could dock in Hamiliton. The Dawn cannot dock in either, being forced to dock at Kings Warf, otherwise known as the Dockyards.

 

I think the Dawn and Majesty will switch homeports keeping this years ship's itineraries. The Majesty will sail out of New York and dock at St. George with a three day stay, and the Dawn will sail out of Boston and dock at Kings Warf with a one day stay, before sailing on to the Bahamas or the Virgin Islands.

 

This should give New Yorkers a chance to sail directly to St. George, and New Englanders a chance to sail further south. There are many on all of the boards at CC who complain about the same itineraries each year. This would switch things a bit.

 

 

Let us not forget there are other options here. (I will not speculate, I will not speculate).

 

Don is right. The Dawn could be an option for Bermuda. But wait! There’s more!

 

The Dawn is option one. But to speculate that the Dawn could not spend the entire itinerary at Dockyard in 2008 is irresponsible. Especially because it is known that there has been substantial work being done at that port—and we are still one-year away.

 

#2 The Dream is too long to turn in St. George Harbor, right? She will make the Town Cut. I think one week of dredging could fix that 50-feet too long problem.

 

#3 Maybe it’s me. But I have not seen an official NCL press release saying that the Majesty will not be back for the Boston to Bermuda run in 2008.

 

Just some rambling.

 

Mr. Cube

[electricron]

The Dawn is option one. But to speculate that the Dawn could not spend the entire itinerary at Dockyard in 2008 is irresponsible. Especially because it is known that there has been substantial work being done at that port—and we are still one-year away.

#2 The Dream is too long to turn in St. George Harbor, right? She will make the Town Cut. I think one week of dredging could fix that 50-feet too long problem.

#3 Maybe it’s me. But I have not seen an official NCL press release saying that the Majesty will not be back for the Boston to Bermuda run in 2008.

Mr. Cube

 

#1 Has Bermuda actually started to do any work at King's Wharf, or have they just talked about it? The last I read, and that wasn't too long ago, was that Bermuda was trying to get financial help from the cruise lines for expanding King's Wharf. I haven't read of any cruise lines stepping forward with any cash.

 

#2 They would not be dredging mud at St. George's Harbor. The would be blasting live coral reefs. Kill the coral, St George could sink into the Atlantic Ocean.

 

#3 You're right, NCL hasn't stated publically where most of their ships will be in 2008 for the summer season. All we know for sure are the status of the three ships sailing to Alaska (Pearl, Star, & Sun) and the recent press release about the Pride of Hawaii repositioning to Europe, and that both POAs will probably be sailing from Honolulu, and the Gem will probably be sailing from New York. Alas, we don't even know what itineraries NCL has in store for the POH, both POAs, and the Gem. As for the rest of NCL's fleet, we have no clue where the Dawn, Dream, Jewel, Majesty, and Spirit will be, or the itineraries for the Dawn, Dream, Jewel, Majesty, Spirit, Gem, POH, and both POAs.

Breaking it down by numbers.

Known departure port and itineraries > 3 ships (Alaska ships-Pearl, Star, and Sun)

Known general location > 1 ship (Europe-POH)

Likely departure port > 3 ships (New York-Gem and Honolulu-both POAs)

Likely itineraries > 2 ships (both POAs)

No idea which departure ports > 6 ships (Dawn, Dream, Jewel, Majesty, Spirit, and POH)

No idea on itineraries > 6 ships (Dawn, Dream, Jewel, Majesty, Spirit, and POH)

[pgh]

Has anyone heard the rumor that in addition to the expansion at the Dockyard, a "finger" pier will be built on the West End?

[Guest nhrich]

Our NCL rep just sent out an e-mail the other day saying that she expects all of the '08-'09 itineraries out by the end of April (we'll see :D ), and that she didn't know what ship would be sailing Boston-Bermuda. Last year the line was that the Majesty would be back for 2007...since they're not saying that about 2008, then I don't believe it'll be Majesty.

 

Rich, ACC

Carefree Vacations

[t968]

I live in new jersey and would love to go to bermuda on ncl!

[POOHISME2]

I live in new jersey and would love to go to bermuda on ncl!

Your best option is to go this year on the Crown. She has the best itinerary for Bermuda and will be leaving at the end of this season :(

[Welove2cruise2]

Has anyone heard the rumor that in addition to the expansion at the Dockyard, a "finger" pier will be built on the West End?

 

There has been talk, but the Bermuda government moves very slowly, and it will take a long while before this project is ever started, much less finished. I think BDA has their hands full with the docks they have, and really doesn't have the desire to accommodate that many ships on a daily basis.

[familyof4cruising]

Our NCL rep just sent out an e-mail the other day saying that she expects all of the '08-'09 itineraries out by the end of April (we'll see :D ), and that she didn't know what ship would be sailing Boston-Bermuda. Last year the line was that the Majesty would be back for 2007...since they're not saying that about 2008, then I don't believe it'll be Majesty.

 

Rich, ACC

Carefree Vacations

 

I hope it is soon. All the other major cruise companies have their pricing done already to 2009. I want to book next summer! Hopefully this week or next.