Considering first X and Bermuda cruise. Help? :)

[ChampionCruiser]

I realize there are tons of similar boards out there (and i've read as many as I can), but I would love as many opinions as possible! I'm in the process of planning our next cruise (June 2012) and am a little torn.

 

First, about us: I'm 20 and this will be my 9th cruise and will celebrate my college graduation (hopefully!). I'm almost a senior and i'm majoring in naval architecture and marine engineering, so yeah im crazy about cruises :). Also tagging along will be my sister (18), aunt, and uncle.

 

Being the cruise nerd of the family, i'm in charge of choosing and i'm having a really tough time, which is weird.

 

We are definitely not loyal to one cruise line and prefer to try as many as possible. So far we've been on Commodore, Carnival, NCL, Princess, RCCL, and Disney and loved them all. Still, I imagine X to be "higher up" than any of those lines. Is that still accurate?

 

But my big doubts come with Bermuda. I haven't convinced everyone that a cruise with only one stop is worth it, but there are zero caribbean options left with all new ports, which is what we usually look for.

 

So here is where all of my other questions come in. I've read and Bermuda seems amazing, but is it really 3X as amazing as the caribbean islands? I guess it's just hard to imagine spending 3 days in port after 8 caribbean cruises...can you give me an example of how you spend your time?

 

I would LOVE for any and all tips/ suggestions about X or Bermuda. I THINK i'm convinced but persuading my family is another matter entirely :/

 

THANKS!

[TeaBag]

Bermuda is awesome, very clean, very British. Get the three day pass (available when you get off the ship) and ride the ferries and buses all around the island. Check out this link for things to do. Have a great cruise. BTW, when I was 20, I didn't know what a cruise was!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

[CruisinNJ]

You can visit the two main towns, Hamilton and St. George (different ferries to each), beach it, all water sports and various excursions, eat out at local resturants at night (as the ship is not leaving), or just hang on the ship for some time. Bermuda is much cleaner than most caribbean islands, so it is a nice place to be for a few days.

[cynbar]

We love cruising to the Caribbean, but ys, I would have to say that Bermuda IS 3x as amazing as any Caribbean island.For one thing, it in incredibly beautiful, with amazing sea views and stunning vegetation. But in addition to that, the architecture is stunning, with perfect pastel houses and British flavor at every turn (and as far as I know, the only place to see a moongate and have your picture taken.) There is no poverty evident on Bermuda, everything is incredibly well kept. And, there is plenty to do. Stop in for a meal or snack at the Swizzle Inn. Take the ferry to Hamilton for a day or afternoon for shopping, restaurants, sightseeing. Take another ferry around the island to St George to tour a smaller, colonial style town. Go to the south shore beaches including Horseshoe Bay, all world famous. Tour the Crystal Caves. Climb Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Book a taxi tour for 1/2 day or a day and have a private escort to the island's highlights. Get off the ship in the evening, walk around the Dockyard or stop in at the Frog&Onion Pub, or take an evening ferry over to Hamilton. Best of all, no rushing around to make sure you are back to the ship on time (until the last day, of course.) I think you will love Bermuda, it's hard to find someone who doesn't.

Here is a moongate:

[infoprof56]

Another enthusiastic YES! to the 3x question. Cynbar - you just had to mention the Swizzle Inn and make me wish I had a trip planned. Wish I was there now enjoying a Black and Coke (maybe a little early in the morning for that) and the warmth of the Bermuda people. The attached picture is of St. Georges as we passed through the cut. Enjoy your trip!

[Casino Player]

I realize there are tons of similar boards out there (and i've read as many as I can), but I would love as many opinions as possible! I'm in the process of planning our next cruise (June 2012) and am a little torn.

 

First, about us: I'm 20 and this will be my 9th cruise and will celebrate my college graduation (hopefully!). I'm almost a senior and i'm majoring in naval architecture and marine engineering, so yeah im crazy about cruises :). Also tagging along will be my sister (18), aunt, and uncle.

 

Being the cruise nerd of the family, i'm in charge of choosing and i'm having a really tough time, which is weird.

 

We are definitely not loyal to one cruise line and prefer to try as many as possible. So far we've been on Commodore, Carnival, NCL, Princess, RCCL, and Disney and loved them all. Still, I imagine X to be "higher up" than any of those lines. Is that still accurate?

 

But my big doubts come with Bermuda. I haven't convinced everyone that a cruise with only one stop is worth it, but there are zero caribbean options left with all new ports, which is what we usually look for.

 

So here is where all of my other questions come in. I've read and Bermuda seems amazing, but is it really 3X as amazing as the caribbean islands? I guess it's just hard to imagine spending 3 days in port after 8 caribbean cruises...can you give me an example of how you spend your time?

 

I would LOVE for any and all tips/ suggestions about X or Bermuda. I THINK i'm convinced but persuading my family is another matter entirely :/

 

THANKS!

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Champion Cruiser: Bermuda is a really nice place to go. It is very British. You could have a good time cruising to and from Bermuda. If you go on Celebrity Cruise Line you will make one port-of-call at the Royal Naval Dockyard. It is Bermuda's largest tourist sight. They have lots of demonstrations there and things to see. They even have a shopping mall there with stores and restaurants. Then you could go by either bus or water taxi to Hamilton or St. George. By bus you get to see more of Bermuda. Water taxi is faster. See historic buildings, museums, churches, Parks, Caves, and of course beaches, it is all there.

 

Celebrity Cruise Line is a very good cruise line to go with. Didn't like NCL or RCCL. Haven't been on Princess as yet. Celebrity Cruise Line is a Premium cruise line. You will find the average passenger somewhat older than on Carnival, NCL, or RCCL. Princess is rated a Premium cruise line also. My wife and I like the product that Celebrity puts out. The food is much better than what Cunard has. Service is better too. You should have a really good time on Celebrity Cruise Line.

 

By the way, don't forget about New England and Canada. Very nice places to go there. It is my favorite place to go and we have been there on more cruises than any other destinations.

[CruisingChick]

I've read and Bermuda seems amazing, but is it really 3X as amazing as the caribbean islands? I guess it's just hard to imagine spending 3 days in port after 8 caribbean cruises...can you give me an example of how you spend your time?

 

I would LOVE for any and all tips/ suggestions about X or Bermuda. I THINK i'm convinced but persuading my family is another matter entirely :/

 

THANKS!

 

Hi congratulations on your almost graduation. My son is 21 and is graduating in 1 month and I wanted to take him on a cruise to Bermuda for his graduation present but he doesn't want to go. Maybe I can adopt you?

 

Bermuda is beautiful and if you haven't been you should go. Is it 3x as amazing? Well, I don't know. I mean St. Kitts is pretty amazing if you ask me, so...........anyway, Bermuda is still clean, beautiful and there is plenty of stuff to do. We bought a bus pass, which includes the ferry and went all over the island by ourselves. We visited beaches, the caves, and of course the Swizzle Inn..."swizzle in, swagger out".

 

So if you haven't been you should go. It's beautiful and you will have fun.

 

By the way, don't forget about New England and Canada. Very nice places to go there. It is my favorite place to go and we have been there on more cruises than any other destinations.

 

I'll drink to that. Maybe because it was our very first cruise, but we love the New England Canada cruises!!! We've done 5 of them.

[caripoo]

Let me first say I LOVE CRUISING and I LOVE BERMUDA. That being said, I probably would not cruise there, because there are only 2 stops. We are Elite with Celebrity and so I also love Celebrity, but also look at other line s if the itiniery is right. Not every cruise line does it all. If you are bored with what you have done in the Caribbean already and you obviously have tried OTHER lines look at Oceania, they do lots of different ports the big lines do not do in the Caribbean, there might be some you have not done before. I think Bermuda is more of the fly/resort/beach/destination.

Good luck with your choices!!!:D:D

[jdarch]

Are you kidding...you would not cruise there??? Seriously..3 sea days and 3 island days...perfect..This is our 6th cruise there in a row and I still have a list of things to do..I LOVE IT!!!!!:rolleyes:

[miched]

When you are docked over the 2 nights can you come and go off the ship all night long or do they "lock" it up at a certain time?

 

Do you have to report back to the ship daily?

 

Are there still the normal activities, shows, and dining when in the port during those days?

[SailBadtheSinner]

When docked in Bermuda, the passengers can go and return whenever they want. You are not locked out; standard security is in place 24 hours.

 

The only time you would have to report back would be 30 minutes before departure.

 

Dining and shows are still provided; for activities, why would you need ship board activities when you have all of Bermuda as your play yard?

 

 

SBtS

[miched]

 

Dining and shows are still provided; for activities, why would you need ship board activities when you have all of Bermuda as your play yard?

 

 

 

 

I don't know as I have never been there. Just wanted to know if there was anything to do if you decided to stay on board. I might want to linger around and rest up for the evening hours and the night life. Plus I may have the drink package and want to get my money's worth. :D

[seatraveler24]

I realize there are tons of similar boards out there (and i've read as many as I can), but I would love as many opinions as possible! I'm in the process of planning our next cruise (June 2012) and am a little torn.

 

First, about us: I'm 20 and this will be my 9th cruise and will celebrate my college graduation (hopefully!). I'm almost a senior and i'm majoring in naval architecture and marine engineering, so yeah im crazy about cruises :). Also tagging along will be my sister (18), aunt, and uncle.

 

Being the cruise nerd of the family, i'm in charge of choosing and i'm having a really tough time, which is weird.

 

We are definitely not loyal to one cruise line and prefer to try as many as possible. So far we've been on Commodore, Carnival, NCL, Princess, RCCL, and Disney and loved them all. Still, I imagine X to be "higher up" than any of those lines. Is that still accurate?

 

But my big doubts come with Bermuda. I haven't convinced everyone that a cruise with only one stop is worth it, but there are zero caribbean options left with all new ports, which is what we usually look for.

 

So here is where all of my other questions come in. I've read and Bermuda seems amazing, but is it really 3X as amazing as the caribbean islands? I guess it's just hard to imagine spending 3 days in port after 8 caribbean cruises...can you give me an example of how you spend your time?

 

I would LOVE for any and all tips/ suggestions about X or Bermuda. I THINK i'm convinced but persuading my family is another matter entirely :/

 

THANKS!

Yes, Bermuda is definitely worth cruising to. We've cruised Bermuda, Hawaii, and most all of the Caribbean islands. Bermuda is still our favorite! Beaches, culture, history, diving, wonderful scenery, friendly people -- what's not to like! Go and enjoy.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Bermuda is a beautiful island. Many people rent scooters and this is really a great way to circumnavigate but if you aren't that daring do the pass as someone suggested.

 

I am doing Bermuda in August and I really looking forward to it. I love Celebrity and I know you will too.