TenForward

This trip was a long time coming having been cancelled Easter of 2020 due to Covid. It was our first with family and were surprised by friends as well, bringing our group to 8. Embarkation was pretty smooth….We arrived about 10:00 and parked at the pier. Security was fast – about 15 minutes. Check-in took longer at about 45 minutes. Waited another 15 minutes in the waiting area and were onboard by 11:15 ish. Cocktails and sail-away at Spice H2O. Dinner our first night at Savor was underwhelming. Those who had pasta or fish did okay but 3 of us ordered beef and all was inedible. Literally. Half of it ended up in my napkin. The remaining half stayed on the plate, not even able to cut it with a steak knife. It was strange because it was cooked to a perfect medium rare as requested but nearly impossible to cut with a steak knife. I’m finding the quality of meat at my grocery store is not what it used to be either. Perhaps NCL is having the same supplier issues. On another night, our server in Manhattan apologized profusely as he was overwhelmed with tables and was not happy about the level of service he was able to provide. We told him not to worry about it, we understood but I’m sure there are people who aren’t as understanding. When we placed our drink order he came back a few minutes later to tell us it would be awhile as the bar had run out of glasses. Eventually we got our drinks – my husband’s scotch & soda came in a lemonade glass, lol. All of the staff was very friendly and you could see they were really working HARD. After that first night, dinners at Ocean Blue, LeBistro, Teppanyaki , Taste & Manhattan were all very good with LeBistro being #1. Our server at Taste told us the ship was full with 4,300 passengers & 1,200 -ish (I forget exactly) crew. The ship did feel crowded to me. Usually on day 2 or 3 the crowds seem to settle down as people find their space but that didn’t happen on this cruise for me. We spent most mornings at Spice. If you weren’t there by 7:30 you might not have a seat. People were saving chairs in BOTH sun & shade. Ridiculous. Does anyone know if Spice on the Joy is actually smaller than other ships? It felt that way to me compared to Escape & Breakaway. Water was rough on 2nd Sea day and made the hot tub fun with big waves rolling along that 35 person tub. The bar ran out of pina colada mix – which is used in Pain Killers – so we switched to Dark & Stormys. They did have more mix the next day. The only show we tried to see was Elements (due to schedules, not lack of interest). Unfortunately there was a safety issue with the floor that had been maintained the day before and the show was stopped about 10 minutes in… it looked like it would have been good though. They said we would have priority to come the next night but we had other commitments. I played Bingo for the first time and won $350! (of a $2,800 pot but there were 7 other winners). We had GREAT weather. Did the Snorkeling trip with Rising Son which we’ve done before. It was a lovely day and a great crew. I will say while they do soak their snorkel gear in disinfectant, I did not see that same practice with their inflatable life vests which are required (or using a noodle) for snorkeling. Took a taxi to Horseshoe Bay for the afternoon and it was perfect. Water was warm and calm with just enough wave to be fun. Tobacco Bay on day 2 was insane. We got the last 2 chairs on the beach to share between 6 people. No umbrella. Music far too loud for me. It was Emancipation Day/Cup Match so lots of taxis were off for the holiday. We decided to stay close to the ship on the last day and went early to Snorkel Park. It’s a small beach but was quite nice for us. We had chairs, a shade tree & umbrellas. Water was warm and calm. Snorkelers said they saw lots of fish out by the reef. Music was nice and not too loud 😄. A lovely day. Hit a few shops on the way back to the boat and had sail away on the balcony with cocktails and snacks. Last sea day of hot tubbing at Spice and dinner at Taste. All our meals aside from that first night were very good – including the buffet. Debarkation was easy but long lines (we were in the last group to depart). We sat in the Observation Lounge until the bitter end and then made our way out. Customs was a breeze using facial recognition. Elevator to the parking lot and we were off. The day after we got home my sister-in-law tested positive for Covid. So far the rest of us are negative but need to test again 5 days out. Happy to answer any questions if you have them.

Thanks for the great review. I love the away ships as well. Will be on the Getaway for New Year's Eve. Sounds like you had a great time. Heading out on the Joy next week to hold me over until December!

It's been a few years since I sailed on the Escape so I don't know if it's the same but my husband and I had lunch at Pincho's. I highly recommend. Food was delicious! We didn't use our Specialty dining credit there though as you order small plates, tapas style, around $7.00/plate. I think we spent $28 for the two of us and had an amazing lunch!

That's our plan. Free NCL Ferry to St. George's. Taxi to Crystal Caves, then taxi to Clearwater. Not sure on the return yet but hopefully just a taxi back to St. George's for the ferry back to port.

Oh wow, so glad I asked. I somehow missed that part in the review I'd been reading. We will keep our original plans to head there. Thank you Charles.

22 on the Joy!

I understand that taxi's can't take you to the beach itself and drop you about 25 minutes away at the Cooper's Island entrance... is that incorrect? Then we'd have to do it again to return to port. I do hope I'm wrong. We've done Tobacco Bay twice and are hoping to try something new.

I was just coming on to ask about John Smith's Bay when I found this in my search. So thanks for the timely post! We originally were thinking of going to Clearwater after a visit to Crystal Caves but someone in our group (fairly) recently had leg surgery so that walk is not appealing. Glad to know JSB has lifeguards and at least some facilities. We are headed out later this month. Will do a bit more research before deciding. Edit: Can you tell me what the water tends to be like there? Is it fairly calm? Thanks.

Thanks for this. On the 7/24 and can't wait!

Thanks for the pic! That's where the pirate ship used to be. I guess the boat I had seen in another picture was just a boat and not connected with inflatables. Looks a little sad & lonely now.

I'm curious about the "inflatables" that have replaced Calico Jack's pirate ship in the Dockyard. I saw a distant picture and was surprised it looked so big. There was a ship/boat parked next to it that may serve as a bar?? I'd be interested to hear about it if you see it. We are headed back next month and the pirate ship had always been one of our stops. Thanks and enjoy your cruise!

We did Rising Son in 2019 and had a great time. Boat has seats in both sun or shade. We anchored near a small beach where we could swim, use their paddle boards/kayaks/noodles or snorkel about. Steps that go directly into waist deep water made it easy to get on/off. Crew was very friendly. Glad to hear something is filling the gap for Calico Jack's. We loved stopping in there for a drink each time we were in Bermuda. DH even 'walked the plank'.

Following. On the Joy end of July. Thanks for posting!

Thank you Charles. I neglected to even think about the Bus schedule so I'm glad you pointed that out (taxis too). I have since learned the few articles I found online about Black Beach were actually showing pictures of Horseshoe Bay, lol. I did see 1 or 2 with the sea glass and that does not interest us. I have been to Horseshoe years ago but we'll likely hit that one again as our friends have never been. We did Tobacco Bay last 2 times we were there and are planning on Clearwater following the Caves. Looking forward to it all!

Too late to edit my post but I see Crystal Caves is open that day. Hoping most other places are as well. Would still appreciate any info on Black Bay (or other decent beach close to the Dockyard). TIA

Just found out our full day in Bermuda on July 28 is a national holiday and apparently a huge cricket match. Anyone know if *everything* closes down? We were planning on doing Crystal Caves and then hitting the nearby beaches after. Also wondering if anyone is familiar with Black Bay Beach? It looks to be just outside the Dockyard (a bit beyond Dockyard Beach). Pictures I've seen look nice and thought we might hit there on our last day so we'd be close by.

Thank you @Charles4515. You've been very helpful as always.

Is it safe to say then that Clearwater beach has facilities? I thought they did not but I just read in the Excursions Listing that "Caves and Waves" goes to Clearwater/Cooper's and that beach chairs/umbrellas, food & beverage are available for rent/purchase. My family of 50+ yo is looking to go there -- on our own, not through Excursion -- but were unclear on the amenities available. Doesn't have to be fancy but any type of restroom and possible drink purchase would be important to us. I should add that we're going in July. Perhaps in the off season is does not have facilities.

Those are some great shots! We sail on the Joy out of NY end of July. Thanks for posting!