First Time Cruiser - Dawn to Bermuda leaving June 1st...

I had a few questions, have been reading the boards here for a while, but have not really said much as we have never cruised, and have just been consuming everyones content, which is much appreciated.

The questions I had were as follows:

1. It is looking like there will be rainstorms/thunderstorms/wind the time we are in Bermuda, we have pre-purchased 4 different excursions for when we are there... what happens with those in bad weather? Do they go out no matter what, do we need to change things up?

2. How can we tell what the weather will be at sea? It shows pretty nice day leaving Boston, but then looks like some rough weather in Bermuda... a little worried about the rocking of the boat etc for our first time out.

3. What can we do to make this the best experience possible if we get some bad weather? Really would like to cruise a lot more often after this with my wife and will be tough if our first experience is a bad/terrible one.

Anyone have thoughts on those? Really appreciated.

We are leaving on the 7 day Boston to Bermuda on the Dawn this June 1st.

Thanks!

I had a few questions, have been reading the boards here for a while, but have not really said much as we have never cruised, and have just been consuming everyones content, which is much appreciated.

 

The questions I had were as follows:

 

1. It is looking like there will be rainstorms/thunderstorms/wind the time we are in Bermuda, we have pre-purchased 4 different excursions for when we are there... what happens with those in bad weather? Do they go out no matter what, do we need to change things up?

 

2. How can we tell what the weather will be at sea? It shows pretty nice day leaving Boston, but then looks like some rough weather in Bermuda... a little worried about the rocking of the boat etc for our first time out.

 

3. What can we do to make this the best experience possible if we get some bad weather? Really would like to cruise a lot more often after this with my wife and will be tough if our first experience is a bad/terrible one.

 

Anyone have thoughts on those? Really appreciated.

 

We are leaving on the 7 day Boston to Bermuda on the Dawn this June 1st.

 

Thanks!

Some tours still go as planned in the rain depending on the type of tour. For example, if it is like a walking tour - the tour can still be continue in the rain.

No one know what the weather will be on sea days. If it does rain hard, then the cruise ship will close the outdoor decks. However, they should then have plenty of activities inside the cruise ship.

I had a few questions, have been reading the boards here for a while, but have not really said much as we have never cruised, and have just been consuming everyones content, which is much appreciated.

 

The questions I had were as follows:

 

1. It is looking like there will be rainstorms/thunderstorms/wind the time we are in Bermuda, we have pre-purchased 4 different excursions for when we are there... what happens with those in bad weather? Do they go out no matter what, do we need to change things up?

 

2. How can we tell what the weather will be at sea? It shows pretty nice day leaving Boston, but then looks like some rough weather in Bermuda... a little worried about the rocking of the boat etc for our first time out.

 

3. What can we do to make this the best experience possible if we get some bad weather? Really would like to cruise a lot more often after this with my wife and will be tough if our first experience is a bad/terrible one.

 

Anyone have thoughts on those? Really appreciated.

 

We are leaving on the 7 day Boston to Bermuda on the Dawn this June 1st.

 

Thanks!

Speak with your physicians about sea-sickness, especially if either of you has ever had *any* type of slight queasiness such as car motion sickness.

IF you are going to take any type of medication, I'd suggest trying it a couple of days prior to sailing, so you know how it affects you.

If you've never had any type of motion sickness, then hopefully you'll be fine.

DH's first cruise was Dawn to Bermuda, and... within a few days of getting home, we were making reservations for more cruises :)

GC

It's possible to get rain storms in Bermuda, so I'd recommend bringing ponchos for just in case. We were there in early June last year, and had one rainy day.

If your excursions were booked through the ship, you'll get a refund if they cancel. I had a ship trip cancelled, and they gave me a refund as OBC.

We wish you a happy cruise. Bermuda is wonderful rain or shine.

1. It is looking like there will be rainstorms/thunderstorms/wind the time we are in Bermuda, we have pre-purchased 4 different excursions for when we are there... what happens with those in bad weather? Do they go out no matter what, do we need to change things up?

Excursions run, unless prevented by the weather. E.g., wind and sea conditions preventing doing water-based excursions. In your case, there will be a pretty good wind while you are there. The forecast for the first and third days are only for scattered storms. Your second day has a higher probability of rain.

2. How can we tell what the weather will be at sea? It shows pretty nice day leaving Boston, but then looks like some rough weather in Bermuda... a little worried about the rocking of the boat etc for our first time out.

If you are really into weather maps, https://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/Atl_tab.shtml

 

3. What can we do to make this the best experience possible if we get some bad weather? Really would like to cruise a lot more often after this with my wife and will be tough if our first experience is a bad/terrible one.

Go with the flow. Shorts, T-shirts and an umbrella.

Have a great cruise!

Have a great cruise!

1. WRT the weather got to a website like AccuWeather & check out the map, Bermuda is off the coast of NC so judge from there. Also, if you use their app on your smart phone you can add locations (upper left of screen), like Hamilton, to see their forecasts. Check it out the weeks before you go to get a feel, also look at their 25 day forecast.

2. Forecasts are notoriously bad. We were in Bermuda on the May 6 sailing; if we listened to the forecasts we would not have gone to St Georges or Horseshoe Bay, both were great days.

3. Don't let shipboard "must do's" like the ropes course, slides, etc go till the trip home; stuff happens (weather, maintenance, etc.)

4. Stuff happens, shows get canceled, a waiter is bad, etc.; never let anything anoy you to the point it detracts from the sum of the cruise experience.

1. WRT the weather got to a website like AccuWeather & check out the map, Bermuda is off the coast of NC so judge from there. Also, if you use their app on your smart phone you can add locations (upper left of screen), like Hamilton, to see their forecasts. Check it out the weeks before you go to get a feel, also look at their 25 day forecast.

 

2. Forecasts are notoriously bad. We were in Bermuda on the May 6 sailing; if we listened to the forecasts we would not have gone to St Georges or Horseshoe Bay, both were great days.

3. Don't let shipboard "must do's" like the ropes course, slides, etc go till the trip home; stuff happens (weather, maintenance, etc.)

4. Stuff happens, shows get canceled, a waiter is bad, etc.; never let anything anoy you to the point it detracts from the sum of the cruise experience.

Check this link out. My guess is that it updates daily.

https://cruiseoutlook.com/report/norwegian_dawn_7_nights_2018-06-01

Join our Meet and Mingle for June 2 - go to Roll Call her on Cruise Critic, and join us. A great way to meet officers of the ship, other cruisers and to just have a nice hour mingling. Lots of questions can be answered, too.

Our very first cruise was Boston to Bermuda. First sea day was very rough, they had the “barf” bags everywhere for “just in case”. We had seasoned cruisers telling us this was the worst they had seen. I highly recommend sea bands. Although the first 24 hours was rough, we made it through and had an awesome time in Bermuda. Coming home was much smoother. The thing is, you never know. Just be prepared. Like I said, sea bands worked for us, but it may have been mind over matter. The plus side of sea bands is no side effects and you didn’t have to worry about having a couple of drinks. We have been hooked on cruises ever since. As far as the weather when your in Bermuda, go with the flow and make the best of it, I’m sure if you do, you’ll have a great time.

You will have a wonderful trip! Don’t worry about the weather. Cruise wisdom I wish I knew my first cruise: Bonine works better than bands or Dramamine for rough seas. Go hit the dollar store and pick up rain ponchos (any trip you take anywhere, get them. Good times in Disney, Bermuda and a Springsteen concert with $1 ponchos). Get a couple of battery votives there, too, for the bathroom at night. Bring a non-surge protected multi outlet for charging your computer, phone, etc. There is only one outlet in the room. Splurge for the mini van ($7 each way, I think) to Horseshoe Bay. Beautiful beach day! You do not need your beach towels from home, it’s OK to take the cruise ones. It is cheaper to buy inexpensive snorkel equipment at home than renting and it has not been in everyone else’s mouth. NCL has a free ferry to St. George’s, but the Bermuda one is a bit faster and only costs $5 each way. Go to the unfinished church in St. George’s. Absolutely do not rent a scooter, you would be playing with your life. If you want to rent something, rent a Boston Whaler, it’s a blast and less chance you’ll hurt yourself. Plan to be back at the ship on your last day at least 1 hour before the time they tell you to be there. Just in case, you do not want to be one of those fools running and crying while the ship sails away without you. Pack a few pretty scarves. They take up no space at all and can change your whole look. Consider getting a spa pass. It is the best money I spend on a cruise! Dining room and O’Sheehan’s breakfast and dinners are so much better than the buffet. Main dining rooms are great and always have something delicious, so don’t feel deprived if specialty restaurants are not in the budget. O’Sheehan’s usually has prime rib on the first and last nights of the cruise. When you are sailing out of Boston, head up to Bimini Bar, planes take off and land over your head, it is insane. Turn in a Hero card for every employee who is nice to you, it means the world to them, costs you nothing and builds good karma. Magnet hooks from Home Depot stick to metal walls and are great for stowing your stuff, and get lanyards for your key card and casino card. They can punch your cards at the courtesy desk and lanyards cost a fortune on the ship. Go to see the shows, Norwegian entertainment is wonderful. Elements is as good as any Broadway show I have ever seen. Now, one last thing. Take a picture of yourself your last day at the Moongate in Dockyard while making a wish that you will return to beautiful Bermuda. It works! Now I return every year!

If an excursion gets cancelled due to rain, the Bermuda Museum/fort in the dockyard would be an excellent activity. There are multiple indoor buildings. I highly recommend it.

We did the same cruise a few weeks ago. the first day or so was really rough even for me, someone who never has tummy trouble and as some one stated when the water gets rough you will see barf bags everywhere to be on the safe side I will add, I did not have any problems just felt the movement and hubby didn't even have that much. The ships are prepared for the bad weather, so just don't get all worked up over this. If it happens there are plenty of activities to take advantage of that are held inside.

Cancelled tours: if booked through the ship, you will get your money back: booked privately it is up to the vendor but most will also refund your money.

Now, stop the worrying, go with a positive attitude and enjoy regardless of the weather: rain or shine, warm or cool, windy or no breeze, it is still a good cruise. BTW, as you are only there for such a short time, what kind of tours did you take that allowed you to work 4 into your time in Bermuda?

You will have a wonderful trip! Don’t worry about the weather. Cruise wisdom I wish I knew my first cruise: Bonine works better than bands or Dramamine for rough seas. Go hit the dollar store and pick up rain ponchos (any trip you take anywhere, get them. Good times in Disney, Bermuda and a Springsteen concert with $1 ponchos). Get a couple of battery votives there, too, for the bathroom at night. Bring a non-surge protected multi outlet for charging your computer, phone, etc. There is only one outlet in the room. Splurge for the mini van ($7 each way, I think) to Horseshoe Bay. Beautiful beach day! You do not need your beach towels from home, it’s OK to take the cruise ones. It is cheaper to buy inexpensive snorkel equipment at home than renting and it has not been in everyone else’s mouth. NCL has a free ferry to St. George’s, but the Bermuda one is a bit faster and only costs $5 each way. Go to the unfinished church in St. George’s. Absolutely do not rent a scooter, you would be playing with your life. If you want to rent something, rent a Boston Whaler, it’s a blast and less chance you’ll hurt yourself. Plan to be back at the ship on your last day at least 1 hour before the time they tell you to be there. Just in case, you do not want to be one of those fools running and crying while the ship sails away without you. Pack a few pretty scarves. They take up no space at all and can change your whole look. Consider getting a spa pass. It is the best money I spend on a cruise! Dining room and O’Sheehan’s breakfast and dinners are so much better than the buffet. Main dining rooms are great and always have something delicious, so don’t feel deprived if specialty restaurants are not in the budget. O’Sheehan’s usually has prime rib on the first and last nights of the cruise. When you are sailing out of Boston, head up to Bimini Bar, planes take off and land over your head, it is insane. Turn in a Hero card for every employee who is nice to you, it means the world to them, costs you nothing and builds good karma. Magnet hooks from Home Depot stick to metal walls and are great for stowing your stuff, and get lanyards for your key card and casino card. They can punch your cards at the courtesy desk and lanyards cost a fortune on the ship. Go to see the shows, Norwegian entertainment is wonderful. Elements is as good as any Broadway show I have ever seen. Now, one last thing. Take a picture of yourself your last day at the Moongate in Dockyard while making a wish that you will return to beautiful Bermuda. It works! Now I return every year!

Now THIS is the type of reply to a post that I envision when I am looking at Cruise Critic! Thanks for providing useful information! I agree with the information posted here---didn't know about the Moongate. We just got off our Bermuda cruise and it was wonderful! We plan to return again, as there was so much we didn't have time to do! Plan for cooler weather the first and last days at sea, as you are closer to Boston. I agree that Bonine is the way to go for the "queasies". You only need about 1/2 of one so you won't get sleepy.

My wife is a fan of Meclizine, prescription Bonine. She takes one the evening before the cruise and then 2 a day (morning/evening) during the cruise. Never had a drowsy effect from them. But, you need to take them before the possibility of motion sickness could begin. And.....one cruise is never enough!

We are taking the June 1st cruise, also. It is our second time on the Dawn. I won`t worry about the weather til later in the week. I don`t trust 10 day forecasts. The last time we went was in Aug of 2014. There was a tropical storm coming up the coast, and we only got one day in Bermuda. So, I`m looking forward to having 3 days. Also, we had some rough seas, and my daughter felt seasick, so we got some Dramamine at Guest services, and it worked great. We will bring some with us just in case.

BirdTravels, Check out my link on post # 7 of this thread. It gives the next seven-day weather for Boston and the Royal Naval Dockyard. Sorry I wasn't clearer in my original post. I used Cruise Outlook website for the weather information..

I check the weather on this site. And I can also see it for myself currently.

http://www.portbermudawebcam.com/

Everyone here has been amazing. Thank you all for these responses, all were so much help! Especially Descal13, such an awesome post and taking notes on all of that. Much appreciated everyone. We are so excited to set sail!

Have a wonderful time! Thanks for the love, Cyclingtolose and hearthosesteeldrums! My DH and I are taking the Escape out of NYC in September, but I will miss the Dawn this year, and next year the Boston to Bermuda will be the Gem. Don’t be afraid to discover things on your own, Bermuda is a wonderful and safe place to explore. 😎

Great advice. Thank you

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

I sailed Dawn last Sept 15th. The week Hurricane Jose & others hit... we had the best weather going down to Bermuda. First day in Bermuda (Sunday) was rainy, so we stayed on board and watched the Pats, did some shopping. Second day in Bermuda was windy as all hell... we just went on island to shop and walk around. Third day was absolutely beautiful. We did not book any excursions so I can't help there.

Coming home was ok, Wednesday night we were re-routed up to Nova Scotia and the boat was rocking! We woke up like what the heck is going on... but we made it ok. It wasn't TOO bad, my 5 year old slept better than she ever did at home! lol We had a balcony room right at the front of the ship so we felt the waves, it was intense. But no one got sick. Thursday sailing home was rainy and cold, worst day on board but we still had fun.

We were cruisers who just went with the flow and didn't plan much. We still had a blast and no regrets.

I sailed Dawn last Sept 15th. The week Hurricane Jose & others hit... we had the best weather going down to Bermuda. First day in Bermuda (Sunday) was rainy, so we stayed on board and watched the Pats, did some shopping. Second day in Bermuda was windy as all hell... we just went on island to shop and walk around. Third day was absolutely beautiful. We did not book any excursions so I can't help there.

 

Coming home was ok, Wednesday night we were re-routed up to Nova Scotia and the boat was rocking! We woke up like what the heck is going on... but we made it ok. It wasn't TOO bad, my 5 year old slept better than she ever did at home! lol We had a balcony room right at the front of the ship so we felt the waves, it was intense. But no one got sick. Thursday sailing home was rainy and cold, worst day on board but we still had fun.

 

We were cruisers who just went with the flow and didn't plan much. We still had a blast and no regrets.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app