Princess cruiser.. but I want to go to Bermuda, so which line should I take

We usually sail on Princess, but they don't "do" Bermuda...have sailed on other cruise lines. Carnival and Royal Caribbean with the young adult kids, however our preference has been Princess. We like the food better, the atmosphere etc. although don't object to the other lines. Royal Caribbean is fun for families, with so many active activities, but we are now somewhat limited and that is not a big draw for us. I also don't like their central shopping mall areas.. to me just crowded and unappealing. So what is the recommendation.. I would like to stay on the island for at least 2 1/2 days, so don't want to do a transatlantic or a 5 day cruise. We have heard Holland America is for very senior types and gets pretty dead after dinner. We don't need to dance till dawn but do like to stay out and about until 11 or 11:30 or so. We also always cruise in a balcony cabin, and don't want one that opens up on the deck or in the center of the ship. We also have heard that NCL is a poor choice for those that like good food.. we aren't super picky but do enjoy a nicer variety.. So I am coming across kind of weird and picky here but wanted to give an idea of what we enjoy to help with recommendations. Thanks to all for any advice in advance, and please I don't mean to disparage anyones favorite cruise line.

We usually sail on Princess, but they don't "do" Bermuda...have sailed on other cruise lines. Carnival and Royal Caribbean with the young adult kids, however our preference has been Princess. We like the food better, the atmosphere etc. although don't object to the other lines. Royal Caribbean is fun for families, with so many active activities, but we are now somewhat limited and that is not a big draw for us. I also don't like their central shopping mall areas.. to me just crowded and unappealing. So what is the recommendation.. I would like to stay on the island for at least 2 1/2 days, so don't want to do a transatlantic or a 5 day cruise. We have heard Holland America is for very senior types and gets pretty dead after dinner. We don't need to dance till dawn but do like to stay out and about until 11 or 11:30 or so. We also always cruise in a balcony cabin, and don't want one that opens up on the deck or in the center of the ship. We also have heard that NCL is a poor choice for those that like good food.. we aren't super picky but do enjoy a nicer variety.. So I am coming across kind of weird and picky here but wanted to give an idea of what we enjoy to help with recommendations. Thanks to all for any advice in advance, and please I don't mean to disparage anyones favorite cruise line.

A recommendation is easy after reading you post. Celebrity.

Celebrity is a good match for a Princess cruiser. The demographic and over all atmosphere would be similar to Princess. The Summit is smaller than Princess Grand Class ships with only around 2,200 passengers.

I agree with the above- give Celebrity Summit a try!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Try Celebrity.

Laura

We tried both Celebrity Summit and Holland America Veendam on two consecutive years. We're both in our early thirties so we're worried about HAL being a bit dead at night too.

Veendam won hands down. Better itinerary (you dock in downtown Hamilton in the middle of the island vs being stuck at the Dockyard) and you have three full nights. We found the ship to have better food than Celebrity as well- noticeably so.

We had a large aft balcony on Summit which we really enjoyed but a Neptune Suite on Veendam had just as large of a balcony (not aft facing) and the cabin was better appointed.

In terms of things to do at night, our fears of HAL weren't really realized. There must be younger people overall on the Bermuda trips because at least one or two bars were pretty lively until at least 1230-1 (which admittedly is early for us). Summit was pretty much the same way with maybe a more lively casino. But the interesting trade off was being docked in downtown Hamilton on Veendam- we could get off and walk to the Hamilton Princess for drinks at night or a bunch of other pubs whereas we felt very isolated in the Dockyard on Summit. The Dockyard is a sort of engineered tourist mall with nothing nearly as local and authentic as you get in Hamilton.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We tried both Celebrity Summit and Holland America Veendam on two consecutive years. We're both in our early thirties so we're worried about HAL being a bit dead at night too.

 

Veendam won hands down. Better itinerary (you dock in downtown Hamilton in the middle of the island vs being stuck at the Dockyard) and you have three full nights. We found the ship to have better food than Celebrity as well- noticeably so.

 

We had a large aft balcony on Summit which we really enjoyed but a Neptune Suite on Veendam had just as large of a balcony (not aft facing) and the cabin was better appointed.

 

In terms of things to do at night, our fears of HAL weren't really realized. There must be younger people overall on the Bermuda trips because at least one or two bars were pretty lively until at least 1230-1 (which admittedly is early for us). Summit was pretty much the same way with maybe a more lively casino. But the interesting trade off was being docked in downtown Hamilton on Veendam- we could get off and walk to the Hamilton Princess for drinks at night or a bunch of other pubs whereas we felt very isolated in the Dockyard on Summit. The Dockyard is a sort of engineered tourist mall with nothing nearly as local and authentic as you get in Hamilton.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I agree that the HAL age demographics fears are overblown, particularly on 7 day Bemuda sailings, I did two sailings on Veendam when they sailed out of Manhattan but HAL is deader at night than Celebrity. An HAL entertainment, meh. Have done other HAL sailings and it was the same. Meh. Celebrity does better. I thought the food and service was comparable on both. I think both are slightly better food in the MDR than Princess. Celebrity and HAL are better at breakfast in the Buffet than Princess because of made to order egg stations. Princess has better the buffet for lunch and dinner.

The Hamilton itinerary is better over the Dockyard but there are only 4 to 6 sailings a season which is limiting. Also leaving from Boston is a negative for the itinerary unless you live in New England. The Dockyard is an engineered tourist center but it is a real fort with history and has improved a lot over the years and I would not say it is very isolated. Transportation options have increased with the Minibuses to the beach. Taxis are always available. There is regular ferry service to Hamilton and St. George. There are restaurants and pubs you can walk to. Frog and Onion, Bonefish Bar, and Calico Jacks floating bar among others. The shops are local shops, not the same old same old like in the Caribbean. Also the Dockyard, and close by Somerset offer many more water excursions for those who do water activities.

Comparing a balcony on Summit to a suite on Veendam does not seem fair. two different categories. Also there are fewer balcony cabins on Veendam and the price of balconys has been significantly on Veendam higher than on Summit when I got quotes on both.

We tried both Celebrity Summit and Holland America Veendam on two consecutive years. We're both in our early thirties so we're worried about HAL being a bit dead at night too.

 

Veendam won hands down. Better itinerary (you dock in downtown Hamilton in the middle of the island vs being stuck at the Dockyard) and you have three full nights. We found the ship to have better food than Celebrity as well- noticeably so.

 

We had a large aft balcony on Summit which we really enjoyed but a Neptune Suite on Veendam had just as large of a balcony (not aft facing) and the cabin was better appointed.

 

In terms of things to do at night, our fears of HAL weren't really realized. There must be younger people overall on the Bermuda trips because at least one or two bars were pretty lively until at least 1230-1 (which admittedly is early for us). Summit was pretty much the same way with maybe a more lively casino. But the interesting trade off was being docked in downtown Hamilton on Veendam- we could get off and walk to the Hamilton Princess for drinks at night or a bunch of other pubs whereas we felt very isolated in the Dockyard on Summit. The Dockyard is a sort of engineered tourist mall with nothing nearly as local and authentic as you get in Hamilton.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The Dockyard has been there since 1809 and was a large British Naval base. While it has been converted to a cruise port and tourist destination if you look around you'll find a lot that's "local and authentic", starting with the National Museum of Bermuda. There are pubs and restaurants in Dockyard too, and one of them, the Frog & Onion is owned by the same restaurant conglomerate that runs several of the popular pubs and restaurants in Hamilton, including the Hog Penny and Pickled Onion. So Frog & Onion is every bit as local and authentic as the legendary Hog Penny.

Most of Hamilton looks like the modern business and government hub that it is, and if it was not in Bermuda it could be a small city almost anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. It's probably the least "local and authentic" place in Bermuda. There's far more to be learned about Bermuda and its history in St. George and the Dockyard than in Hamilton. The Hamilton Princess is a nice hotel, but hardly representative of a unique Bermudian experience.

Thanks for all the input.. I hadn't really thought about the location differences between Hamilton and The Dockyard.. will have to investigate that further. It appears that all are recommending either HAL or Celebrity so that helps narrow down my choices. I will look at details of costs, and schedule to figure it out...I appreciate all the help on this and clarity from those that have done this itinerary in the past! I am sure it will be a great trip regardless. Another question if I can sneak one in.. my husband loves to golf.. is it worth hauling clubs for the few days we are there? he also enjoys history and cultural sites.. despises shopping, which isn't my favorite activity either.. so does that give anyone more ideas on recommendations?? Thanks again.

Thanks for all the input.. I hadn't really thought about the location differences between Hamilton and The Dockyard.. will have to investigate that further. It appears that all are recommending either HAL or Celebrity so that helps narrow down my choices. I will look at details of costs, and schedule to figure it out...I appreciate all the help on this and clarity from those that have done this itinerary in the past! I am sure it will be a great trip regardless. Another question if I can sneak one in.. my husband loves to golf.. is it worth hauling clubs for the few days we are there? he also enjoys history and cultural sites.. despises shopping, which isn't my favorite activity either.. so does that give anyone more ideas on recommendations?? Thanks again.

Bermuda is known for its golf courses. History and Culture, St. George is a World Heritage Site. As mentioned a few posts up the Dockyard has history and a museum.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the input.. I hadn't really thought about the location differences between Hamilton and The Dockyard.. will have to investigate that further. It appears that all are recommending either HAL or Celebrity so that helps narrow down my choices. I will look at details of costs, and schedule to figure it out...I appreciate all the help on this and clarity from those that have done this itinerary in the past! I am sure it will be a great trip regardless. Another question if I can sneak one in.. my husband loves to golf.. is it worth hauling clubs for the few days we are there? he also enjoys history and cultural sites.. despises shopping, which isn't my favorite activity either.. so does that give anyone more ideas on recommendations?? Thanks again.

The best course on the island is the Mid Ocean Club. It's private but they do let a small amount of unaccompanied guests on during the week at certain times. Well worth it if it lines up with your days in port. They have a fantastic private beach and pool club as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Our 3 favorite lines are "X", HAL and Princess. We've taken the "Veendam" and the "Summit" to Bermuda. Ship/line, it's a toss up. But the "Veendam " docking in Hamilton and staying a little longer in Bermuda wins hands down.

The best course on the island is the Mid Ocean Club. It's private but they do let a small amount of unaccompanied guests on during the week at certain times. Well worth it if it lines up with your days in port. They have a fantastic private beach and pool club as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Mid Ocean is a very challenging course. The fees are high there too. A well regarded course with water views, lower fees, and which is open to the public and easier to book is Port Royal.

Our 3 favorite lines are "X", HAL and Princess. We've taken the "Veendam" and the "Summit" to Bermuda. Ship/line, it's a toss up. But the "Veendam " docking in Hamilton and staying a little longer in Bermuda wins hands down.

Hate to be the bearer of possible bad news. It is rumored that Veendam is being redeployed and won't be doing Bermuda. Not official yet. Hope that the rumor is wrong.

Hate to be the bearer of possible bad news. It is rumored that Veendam is being redeployed and won't be doing Bermuda. Not official yet. Hope that the rumor is wrong.

Could always hope Maasdam gets put on it- she has her art pool still intact.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Could always hope Maasdam gets put on it- she has her art pool still intact.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Something is up with both Veendam and Maasdam. The HAL website shows Veendam doing one Bermuda sailing in May 2018 and one in June 2018 then it disappears until September doing Canada. Maasdam disappears June and July and reappears in August. It appears they are doing some kind of redeployment but I guess we will have to wait and see. Hope they will keep one of them doing Bermuda sailings.

Greatly enjoyed my recent cruise to Bermuda on the Veendam. I can't imagine a better experience . The greater time actually in Bermuda plus being docked in Hamilton made the cruise . Of the four days we spent in port , there were 6400 people in port the first 2 days and 6000 the second 2 days including the Summit at the dockyard. It seemed very crowded and the opposite of the grace and relaxed nature of being ported right in Hamilton . We had a Vista suite a class equal to the Aqua class cabin we enjoyed on the Summit. We preferred the Vista cabin with it's much bigger balcony . Finally we paid much less for the Veen dam then the prices quoted for the Celebrity ship .

The entertainment and food were also very good .

Greatly enjoyed my recent cruise to Bermuda on the Veendam. I can't imagine a better experience .

I enjoyed my Veendam cruises to Bermuda but I not only can imagine a better experience, I had better experiences. Celebrity Zenith which docked at Hamilton and St. George. That was better. Ditto for the Azamara Journey which was excellent and docked at Hamilton and St. George. Veendam was originally supposed to do Hamilton and St. George's too after they announced their Bermuda sailings but added cabins aft and also screwed up the aft pool area. The added cabins added draft to the ship and she couldn't go to St. George. After abandoning Bermuda for a few years after that fail, they came back with 4 to 6 sailings a year to Bermuda from Boston. Next year as of now they have 2 sailings scheduled, 1 in May and 1 in June. They canceled the July sailings that some had already booked. Apparently the Cuba sailings are more lucrative. That is what she will do in July. With only 2 sailings out of Boston for the year, not regular sailings every week, to Bermuda, Veendam is not much of a choice.

I enjoyed my Veendam cruises to Bermuda but I not only can imagine a better experience, I had better experiences. Celebrity Zenith which docked at Hamilton and St. George. That was better. Ditto for the Azamara Journey which was excellent and docked at Hamilton and St. George. Veendam was originally supposed to do Hamilton and St. George's too after they announced their Bermuda sailings but added cabins aft and also screwed up the aft pool area. The added cabins added draft to the ship and she couldn't go to St. George. After abandoning Bermuda for a few years after that fail, they came back with 4 to 6 sailings a year to Bermuda from Boston. Next year as of now they have 2 sailings scheduled, 1 in May and 1 in June. They canceled the July sailings that some had already booked. Apparently the Cuba sailings are more lucrative. That is what she will do in July. With only 2 sailings out of Boston for the year, not regular sailings every week, to Bermuda, Veendam is not much of a choice.

I thoroughly agree about the Bermuda cruises on Zenith. We took that cruise many times and considered Zenith and Bermuda our home away from home. We also cruised on Azamara Journey to Bermuda when she first came into service and replaced Zenith.