PittsburghNative

Thanks for the replies! Yes, distance is the main factor on why I’m debating going. If it was an hour or so away, then it’s a definite yes. I would just hope being on the bus a majority of the day would still make it worth seeing.

I’m trying to decide if I should stay on the ship or take a tour. I’ve been to the Tulum ruins, and I feel like Chichen Itza will have a lot to live up to. Any recommendations are appreciated!

5 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

In the summer it tends to be brief showers but I don't know about this time of year. If you are getting your forecast  more than three days out or from a weather app those are unreliable for Bermuda. They use an algorithm. I only use the forecasts from the Bermuda Weather Service which is located in Bermuda. Even then any forecast could be wrong.

 

 http://www.weather.bm

Thank you! I figured the weather would call for rain. Hopefully if it does, it will be a brief shower.

3 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

 

Taxi's are government regulated based on distance. Two will not pay more than one. Rates explained on the tourism website. https://www.gotobermuda.com/article/getting-around-bermuda-taxi

Pre Covid I did not  prearrange taxis but i would hesitate to say how easy it is now. There is a Bermuda taxi app called Hitch which you may want to download and use  if you can't easily find a taxi. 

Awesome, thank you for the info!

On 10/13/2021 at 10:31 AM, princeton123211 said:

These two things are at odds with one another. There are faster ways to get around the island. If you are going to accomplish a lot in a short period of time sticking to straight economics isn't going to get it done. If you exclusively use busses you are going to spend a lot of your day on busses. 

 

A taxi from Hamilton to St George's is going to be about $40-- so you could take the ferry from Dockyard to Hamilton and then the most you would pay would be $80 for up to 4 passengers to St George's and back. As Charles mentioned a stop at Swizzle near the caves is well worthwhile which you can easily do.

 

It's not the most economical solution but its going to save you a lot of time and let you do and see more of a beautiful island. 

 

Thank you for all the great info! You are saving me time and frustration.

Do the taxis charge a flat rate? I know some ports I’ve been to, you are charged an exact fare depending on where you are going to. Also, if it’s just 2 people, would the cost be less/more? Lastly, are taxis easy to come by or do we need to call and reserve a time for one to come get us?

Is the weather in Bermuda similar to that of the Caribbean? I finally can see what the weather will be like when I’m there and at night it’s calling for rain. I’m curious if it’s usually a brief shower or if the rain lasts all day.

I first want to say I’m not mad, but getting frustrated at this point due to transportation issues. Now I’m trying to figure out the best way and most economical way of seeing St George’s. I looked at the map and it looks like the Crystal/Fantasy Caves are near St George’s. I wonder if we should just take the excursion over to the caves and then take a bus on our own to St George’s. Would this idea even make sense or is there a better way of getting across the island?

10 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

The public ferry service from Dockyard to St. George's has been suspended this year. Only the Dockyard to Hamiltion ferry is running. Don't know at this time  if the private NCL ferry to St. George's for NCL passengers will be running. 

Would you take an excursion to St George’s? Or would it be best to go by bus?

12 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

well...I would say definitely go, but if the zoo is closed, that's the best part...the aquarium part is pretty small, the museum is also small, but interesting...the zoo is the big attraction...I wonder why it's closed? covid?? too bad..... 

The website says the zoo is closed due to the COVID spike. I was looking forward to visiting this place, but not if I can only see the aquarium.

Per their website, I see the zoo is closed but the aquarium is open. Is this place worth visiting or should I skip it?

17 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

All the excursion will do is give you a ride there which you can easily do on your own either by taking a bus there or a taxi. The caves provide the guide as part of your admission ticket so all you would be getiing is a ride. I would only do an excursion if I had excursion credit. 

Thank you for this. I’m currently booked on a Caves/Aquarium excursion and it’s $200 total for the both of us. I looked up the admission pricing and it’s so much lower. I guess I’m concerned about transportation coming to a halt, so I’m keeping the excursion until last minute.

I’m attaching a screenshot of the shore excursion that I have booked as a backup in case transportation is halted again. What do y’all think about it? I feel like you would barely spend anytime in St George’s and Hamilton.

18 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

it appears that ferry service is back....and information on the buses soon....fingers crossed that all services are back in place by the time of your trip.  

That’s great news! Hopefully it stays that way for both of our cruises.

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

The ferries stopped running two or three days ago .

Hopefully things will get up and running in the coming weeks. In case they don’t, I booked an excursion to Hamilton and St George. I’m not wanting to deal with taxi fares.

After thinking about it, it may be worth doing an excursion to Hamilton and St George if transportation is going to be an issue.

3 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

So, before all this happened (no buses and ferries) we had reserved one of the new electric cars that are now available to tourists....but with recent events, who knows if that's going to be available or IF we are still going to Bermuda at all....I wonder what attractions will even be open, if any...We've been to Bermuda probably about 10 times...I'm thrilled to be renting this little car because the buses and ferries can only take you so far and the rest is up to you....I'm looking forward to going to St Davids for the first time and turtle bay...and to explore some of the hidden beaches that we've never seen... but, it now seems that the whole trip is in jeopardy. 

Back to the original question regarding your booked tours....honestly, there is so much to do and see in Bermuda that I would not bother to book any excursions...the crystal caves and BAMZ are easily done on your own (well, outside of this current transportation issue)... I prefer to be on our own schedule...to spend as much or as little time in an area.  The only excursions we have booked in Bermuda are the sunset cruises...the Gosling Booze Cruise...the Swizzle cruise...and one time I did book a snorkeling excursion that was worth it.... one year, we did the glass bottom boat tour (available right at the dock) and they were offering it for $20pp...I think it was $40pp if you booked it via ncl...

The excursions you have booked sound like alot of fun, just be warned that they will be huge time eaters....but then again, if the transportation is shut down, excursions may be the only option...

 

When are you sailing to Bermuda??

11 hours ago, njhorseman said:

There's currently no bus and ferry service due to a COVID-related labor dispute.

Taxi fare between Dockyard and St. George is about $75 for 1-4 passengers Monday through Saturday. Fares are higher for 5-7 passengers in a taxi and on Sunday.

Oh no…the ferries are now closed? I knew that the bus service has been halted, but last I checked I thought the ferries were still operating.

On 9/20/2021 at 9:25 AM, AnitaVacation said:

Bermuda is probably our favorite place to go on a cruise ship.  We love having 3 days in port and no stress of missing our departure (on the last day, we stay in Kings Wharf and do the sights and shopping there.  Usually on day one, we will ferry over to Hamilton for some shopping, lots of quaint little shops and you can find some really unusual things.  (free wifi at the library, if you need it...also, free wifi and the upstairs cafe on Front street, great place to stop for a coffee/snack break).  We've done the walk up to Fort Hamilton, it's a long walk, all uphill...not alot to see there, but nice views.  We've been to Elbow beach/Horseshoe Bay...it's okay...the water was wavy/rough, I prefer calm and clear.  It's also the beach where they hoard all the tourists, so it was a little crowded.  We usually spend our full day at the east end of the island, we spend a few hours at the BAMZ (Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, Zoo)...that is fun and educational all in one...then we will proceed to St George, there used to be alot of a nice little shops there, but with cruise ships docking at the far end, alot of the shops have left...hopefully there are still a few there.  It's a nice walk from the town square to Tobacco Bay and past the unfinished church, this is my favorite beach, it's more like a lagoon, the water is calm and clear...it's also great for snorkeling.  Last time I was there, they had started to build the new hotel/resort at St Catherine's Beach, I hear it is now completed, we will check it out in October.  We've never tried the Swizzle Inn, but we have been by it (on bus).... perhaps we will try it this year.

We jumped in and rented one of the electric cars....this gives us the freedom to go to places we have not been (because the buses don't go everywhere)...also, the bus can be slow and time consuming.  

I have heard that there might possibly be a halt on all public transportation??  You will want to keep an eye on that....if there is no public transportation (bus/ferry), I don't know how people will get around (taxi?) If you are adventurous enough, you can rent scooters (highly discouraged)...and now they have little electric cars you can rent...(a little less terrifying)... regardless, you will have a good time, Bermuda in October is very nice...and the water is still warm.

Wow! Thanks for the detailed response! Could you advise what we should do if our schedule looks like this?…

Day 1 - Crystal/Fantasy Caves and Aquarium Tour at 12pm

Day 2 - Jet Ski Tour at 11:30am

Day 3 - Kayak Tour at 9am

Im trying to figure out which town to go to on the days we are there. I figured we would see both St. G and Hamilton on Day 2, since that’s our full day in Bermuda. However, I was also debating exploring one of the towns after we are done with the caves/aquarium. I guess my problem is not knowing where everything is located or the distance it is from the ship.

I’m going to make a very blunt statement in regards to those who want to protest or want to cancel. I’m sorry if this offends anyone.
 

I’m on the Breakaway 10/24-10/31. I am SO thrilled NCL has not canceled the itinerary. For those that are scared to go, I don’t understand why you would book a cruise during a pandemic. Everyone will be fully vaccinated onboard and I love that Bermuda is making the arrival process a little strict with testing. People need to live their lives and not worry about COVID. If you currently feel that way, you shouldn’t be cruising or traveling right now.

3 hours ago, njhorseman said:

I would spend a half day at Horseshoe Beach, a half day walking in Hamilton, including visiting the shops on Front St. While in Hamilton have lunch at the Hog Penny on Burnaby St, which has an old fashioned pub atmosphere. Spend a day exploring St. George, Bermuda's original capital and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you search I think you can find a self-guided walking tour map. In St. George have lunch at the White Horse Pub or Wahoo's. Perhaps while in St. George take a short detour and visit Tobacco Bay beach for an hour or two. Or, you can take a short bus ride from St. George to the Swizzle Inn, another classic Bermudian pub and take a tour of Crystal/Fantasy caves, which are across the road from the Swizzle Inn.

there's more...and I'm sure others have their own favorite spots.

Thank you for all the info! We will be in Bermuda Oct 27 - 29. We are going to visit the Crystal/Fantasy caves and Aquarium the 1st day, doing a jet ski tour on the 2nd day, and kayaking the 3rd day. We were going to explore the towns on the 2nd day.

Cruise is a little over a month away and I was curious if there are things that cannot be missed, such as restaurants, stores, and sightseeing/activities.

I have looked on TripAdvisor, but I would appreciate some input from CC.

Thanks in advance!

Traveling to Bermuda next month and I was curious if I should visit both Hamilton AND St George. Is it possible to see them in one day? Is one town better than the other or are they both good to see?

On 9/3/2021 at 12:05 PM, akronmaid said:

Apparently no ferries running to St Georges currently.  Do you buy tix in advance?

 

Thinking of buying an excursion to St. Georges as cheaper than taxi.

 

Are no ferries running to St George and Hamilton?

Are both towns close enough to the pier I could get a taxi instead of doing a shore excursion to take me there?

11 hours ago, SeaofStars said:

Nice video! Did you enjoy the zip line?

 

Also, that foneleash looks super handy!

I LOVED the zip line! You can hear my nervousness before being released 😂 you don’t grasp how high you are until you are sitting in the harness. It’s one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences.

Also, the foneleash worked great! I think my iPhone would have been fine without it, but I didn’t want to take any chances, especially with how fast you go.