Going on a cruise or heading to dock in Bermuda?

[MR NW GUY]

This question is for the experienced cruisers that have recently been on the Breakaway please. I am looking at the Breakaway, but still am struggling witht the idea being tied up to a dock vs. at sea every night. I love being at sea and am afraid I will not like being at port all night. We have done Mexico crusies and the noise at night is another issue. Will it be noisy at dock in Bermuda? Will the casino be open? :)

[Sauer-kraut]

The casino is closed while in Bermuda.

[computerworks]

Four sea days on a 7 day cruise is a good dose of the ocean.

 

The Royal Dockyard is large and a good distance from the ship; we never noticed excessive noise...anytime.

 

Bermuda is best sampled over a few days... it is a good itinerary.

[sailingnut]

I have been of the "Dawn" for seven days and stayed three days in Bermuda and also "Explorer of the Seas" for five days and docked two days in Bermuda and also going back on the "Breakaway" in October and it is just wonderful to be docked for those days~~I also like to go to different islands each day~~but to know you do not have to move each day~~I never went off the ship at night~~I cruise solo! You will love it!:)

[SliceOfLife]

I think you should give it a try. I thought the same thing you did, geez how boring to be stuck in one place for three days. It was great! I loved being able to come and go whenever you wanted without having to worry about what time do we need to get back on the ship?

 

The only noise is the music from Spice H20 for the parties but that only affects the Aft cabins.

 

Bermuda is beautiful, so far it's my favorite place we've cruised to. The people are friendly, the country is beautiful and clean, it's easy to get around, and so much more.

[Donna_In_India]

This question is for the experienced cruisers that have recently been on the Breakaway please. I am looking at the Breakaway, but still am struggling witht the idea being tied up to a dock vs. at sea every night. I love being at sea and am afraid I will not like being at port all night. We have done Mexico crusies and the noise at night is another issue. Will it be noisy at dock in Bermuda? Will the casino be open? :)

 

It really is for only 2 nights out of 7.... we leave in 1 week and cannot wait!

[garycarla]

We are doing this on the Dawn next month. So many cruises never stay anywhere overnight, this will be different. Apparently folks that have done it are cool with it.

[Cruisegirl6]

OP we are saying to ourselves the same thing were saying what did we get ourselves into!! LOL BUT....NCL is known for its entertainment so we are counting on that. We also love being in the casino every night going to dearly miss that but it is what it is and we get to see Bermuda. We figured, we try it once if we don't like it we never do it again. I have been on 49 cruises so far and never docked overnight in any port, we love sea days, in fact, we hope for storms and high winds to avoid going into ports haha (happens from time to time and we just love the sea days).

 

NCL has freestyle dining so you not have to worry rushing back from Bermuda to make dinner a certain time, you eat when you want. If you go to specialty restaurants you can make your dinner later. You have time if you go out in port to come back even take a nice nappy before dinner time.

 

Bermuda unfortunately doesn't have much nightlife if any at all but the ship will have things going on at night in port minus the casino.

 

Were giving it a try and hoping for the best. We hope to go to Fat Cats one night while in port, try the ice bar and I believe one of the nights we have a show booked so if you plan your days there in port you should be just fine.

[Cubechick]

Absolutely loved the nights being docked in Bermuda! It's wonderful having the ship turn into your hotel!

 

It is great to be able to spend the evening at the festivals that go on, or grab a pint at a pub without having to check your watch.

[Kosi]

I like changing ports each night .. Big part of what I like. For that reason. . I won't visit and Bermuda again..and just have the ship sit there.. as our only port..

[vermilch]

I love cruising to Bermuda and have done it several times. The dockyard is fairly quiet but there are several restaurants that are open late and a party at the snorkel beach one night which I hear is great. I miss the casino being open while in port but I figure I am saving money.

[chrisc71]

Four of my cruises have been to Bermuda and love being in the same place for a few days as well as the island itself. There is plenty to see and do and not having the clocking ticking in your head to get back to the ship is great.

 

Noise is minimal to nonexistent from the island at night.

 

Bermuda is not like other Caribbean islands, it is not even part of the Caribbean. Clean and safe.

[WaldosPepper]

Count me among those who absolutely love the 2 nights in port and not having to rush back to the ship. Bermuda is an island best seen at a relaxed pace, and quite honestly even after five 3-day visits we still haven't come close to seeing all the things we want to see there. It's wonderful to be able to be all the way on the other side of the island in the late afternoon and not have to cut your enjoyment short by racing to get back to the ship.

 

I am always amazed when people say that Bermuda doesn't have much in the way of nightlife. This is just not true. Not only are there several pubs right in the Dockyard area, there is a nightclub at the Snorkel Park, which we visited during our sailing last October. The DJ booth is right on the beach, with the dance floor right in front of it. Seating surrounds the dance floor, and there are two bars - one at beach level, and another upstairs in an open-air gazebo-styled building. If you're looking for a hot nightclub, here's your spot. The Dockyard also hosts a street festival one night during the week, which is similar to Harbour Nights in Hamilton. There are also numerous nightclubs in Hamilton, although most cruisers miss these because they're not willing to pay cab fare back to the ship late at night. ;)

 

All that being said, my very favorite nighttime activity in Bermuda is simply strolling along and listening to the real sound of the Bermuda night... tree frogs. It is a sound so dear to my heart that I often log onto the Port Bermuda Webcam late at night and turn the volume all the way up so I can sit and listen to them. If the air is calm you can hear them perfectly! :D

 

Will you have a great time in Bermuda? Only you can answer that question, but there's a pretty good chance you're going to love it so much that you'll be looking to book another cruise there shortly after you return home. :)

[MR NW GUY]

Nothing but positive comments.. Ok, seriously on the list now. Thank-you all for taking the time to share comments.

[musicgirl63]

I've been on a number of cruises including the Dawn to Bermuda. We love the different ports too but Bermuda is awesome. This will be our 4th time visiting and I am totally excited.

 

-There is a ton to see and do.

 

-Not having to rush back by 4pm or whatever time is great. Sometimes you only have 6-9 hours per port and I always leave a total of 2 hours for travel back and forth. That doesn't leave much time to really enjoy the port.

 

-You don't have to get up super early!!!

 

I'll be on the Breakaway in 2 weeks!

[Donna_In_India]

If you do d a little research you'll find things to do at night...

 

http://www.experiencebermuda.com/nightlife/

http://www.bermuda.com/visitors/entertainment/nightclubs.aspx

http://www.gotobermuda.com/what-to-do/clubs-and-bars/

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/bermuda/91_indnight.html

 

Night festivals here...

 

http://www.experiencebermuda.com/events/harbour-market-nights.html

http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_0000b2.htm

[Kosi]

Count me among those who absolutely love the 2 nights in port and not having to rush back to the ship. Bermuda is an island best seen at a relaxed pace, and quite honestly even after five 3-day visits we still haven't come close to seeing all the things we want to see there. It's wonderful to be able to be all the way on the other side of the island in the late afternoon and not have to cut your enjoyment short by racing to get back to the ship.

 

I am always amazed when people say that Bermuda doesn't have much in the way of nightlife. This is just not true. Not only are there several pubs right in the Dockyard area, there is a nightclub at the Snorkel Park, which we visited during our sailing last October. The DJ booth is right on the beach, with the dance floor right in front of it. Seating surrounds the dance floor, and there are two bars - one at beach level, and another upstairs in an open-air gazebo-styled building. If you're looking for a hot nightclub, here's your spot. The Dockyard also hosts a street festival one night during the week, which is similar to Harbour Nights in Hamilton. There are also numerous nightclubs in Hamilton, although most cruisers miss these because they're not willing to pay cab fare back to the ship late at night. ;)

 

All that being said, my very favorite nighttime activity in Bermuda is simply strolling along and listening to the real sound of the Bermuda night... tree frogs. It is a sound so dear to my heart that I often log onto the Port Bermuda Webcam late at night and turn the volume all the way up so I can sit and listen to them. If the air is calm you can hear them perfectly! :D

 

Will you have a great time in Bermuda? Only you can answer that question, but there's a pretty good chance you're going to love it so much that you'll be looking to book another cruise there shortly after you return home. :)

We ..(my sister and I ) did not feel safe at all in Bermuda after dark . I don't mean the Dockyard area.. but the town of Hamiton itself. We went 3 times, 1 RCL, 1 NCL, and last was HAL..and we were docked on street. We were out just at dusk..and it had a scary feel to it.. beggers around and such.

[WaldosPepper]

We ..(my sister and I ) did not feel safe at all in Bermuda after dark . I don't mean the Dockyard area.. but the town of Hamiton itself. We went 3 times, 1 RCL, 1 NCL, and last was HAL..and we were docked on street. We were out just at dusk..and it had a scary feel to it.. beggers around and such.

 

Beggers? I'm sorry, but that is one statement that I absolutely cannot believe.

 

Hamilton is a city, and although it can have some of the less desirable aspects of a city, I have never felt unsafe there, and I have most certainly not seen any beggers. Ever.

[njhorseman]

Beggers? I'm sorry, but that is one statement that I absolutely cannot believe.

 

Hamilton is a city, and although it can have some of the less desirable aspects of a city, I have never felt unsafe there, and I have most certainly not seen any beggers. Ever.

 

I have to disagree. In the past few years, probably because of the tough economic times, the presence of beggars and apparently homeless individuals has been quite obvious in Hamilton...not that we felt unsafe, but quite a noticeable difference from years past.

[Cruisegirl6]

Can somebody sum up what Bermuda really is all about, is it history, beach, etc?

[WaldosPepper]

I have to disagree. In the past few years, probably because of the tough economic times, the presence of beggars and apparently homeless individuals has been quite obvious in Hamilton...not that we felt unsafe, but quite a noticeable difference from years past.

 

Fair enough. Since I have not visited Hamilton at night in quite a few years, I had not seen that aspect. We did not notice any of this when we visited during the day last October.

 

Can somebody sum up what Bermuda really is all about, is it history, beach, etc?

 

You are asking for a miracle if you want someone to sum up what Bermuda really is. It is all of that... and so much more. ;)

[Cruisegirl6]

I trying to understand is it all about the beautiful beaches, or caves, or food, entertainment....I really haven't found much to see and do there other than water sports and beach in the day...maybe shopping, nite seems to be on the quieter side...just like to get people's opinion.

[Sauer-kraut]

I trying to understand is it all about the beautiful beaches, or caves, or food, entertainment....I really haven't found much to see and do there other than water sports and beach in the day...maybe shopping, nite seems to be on the quieter side...just like to get people's opinion.

 

Have you posted this question over on the Bermuda ports of call board?? I bet you will get several fantastic answers!!

[Cruisegirl6]

thank you!

[Powriv]

Did an overnight stop in Bermuda and we rented scooters for a 24hr period. We were able to lock the scooters up dockside and go on and off the ship as we liked.

 

I found Bermuda expensive but I didn't spend a lot of time researching Bermuda which in hindsight was my own fault if I over paid for items such as food and drink

 

Hope to do another trip to Bermuda and the breakaway itinerary sounds like a great trip...just need solo prices to go down to a more reasonable amount