Best line to bermuda

[alyssab333]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm thinking about booking a cruise in June to bermuda out of the ny/nj area. I see that royal Caribbean, ncl, and celebrity are my choices, and I've never been on either line. I've only sailed with princess and carnival. We were happy with the service on each of those lines. Which line do you all think is best and why? My husband and I will both be 28 at the time of sailing. We are not night owls, but still like to have fun. Love food too and not a fan of buffets. Not sure yet... But we might be traveling with family as well... Ages 20-mid 50s. Just looking for honest opinions! Thanks! :)

[njhorseman]

I'm sure you'll get recommendations for all three...opinions and personal tastes differ and what I like you might not.

 

If you're satisfied with Princess and Carnival, either Royal Caribbean or NCL should be OK. Celebrity is a bit more formal than NCL or Royal and generally their entertainment isn't as good, IMO, but their main dining room food is a bit better than the other two. On the other hand, NCL has a big variety of specialty restaurants available for a modest upcharge that you won't find on the the Celebrity or Royal ships going to Bermuda.

 

I cruise on all three lines but all other things (price, itinerary) being equal I prefer NCL because of its informality (no formal nights and relaxed dress code) and their Freestyle Dining (no fixed seatings). Royal and Celebrity have limited availability of freestyle-type dining but most passengers dine in the traditional fixed seating arrangement.

 

The NCL ship from NY...the Breakaway... is very big and modern and has the latest bells and whistles...much more so than the Explorer of the Seas and the Summit, but some people don't like the big ships. Again...it's a matter of taste.

 

I believe the June sailings of the Explorer to Bermuda are only 5 days (as opposed to 7 on the other two), which means less time in Bermuda. To me the more time you spend in Bermuda the better.

Edited December 28, 2013 by njhorseman

[Barb Nahoumi]

Because we live in Massachusetts, cruising out of Boston to Bermuda on NCL has been our choice.

 

Convenience, freestyle dining, and no real formal nights are other reasons that we select NCL. On the other hand, we'll be doing a different Itinerary on Royal's Explorer of the Seas, this spring.

 

Next year might be the first time that cruise ships will be allowed to open their casinos at night, while still docked at Bermuda. It will be a new experience for Bermuda cruisers.

 

The MDRs might be closed at lunch time when the ship is docked, but will be open for Breakfast and dinner. Passengers will have plenty of time to visit local restaurants during the 2 1/2 days visit in Bermuda.

 

I love the beaches and touring through St. George. If you are golfers, Bermuda has some lovely courses.

[Viva_la_Vida]

Hi Alyssa,

 

My husband and I are booked on the June 1st to Bermuda on Celebrity. We are 27 and 28 and did a Celebrity sailing in April for our honeymoon on the S-Class Reflection. This ship is definitely newer than the Summit, but I'm not worried. I had the same concerns as you regarding nightlife, entertainment, etc. Basically, we didn't want to be around all 70 year olds, but we also didn't want to be around a lot of families with kids. Celebrity turned out to be a great choice. I think I saw only a hand full of kids the whole week. Don't get me wrong, I'm a teacher and I love kids, but I don't want them on vacation with me, ha! The comedian was awesome, especially the adult show. We didn't go to a show, it's not really our thing, but I heard a lot of people raving about it. I personally LOVED the formality of Celebrity. To me, it's fun to get dressed up and eat a fancy dinner and have excellent and attentive service. The food was fantastic, and the lounge/club of the ship was hopping well after we went to bed. What really sold us though both times for Celebrity was the free "classic" drink package via their 1-2-3-Go! promotion. It was great to take advantage of the many bars and not have to worry about our bill at the end. And, I never saw anyone taking it too far, which I think is another advantage of the somewhat more mature Celebrity clientele.

 

My last recommendation would be to check out the roll calls for each of these sailings. You can get a pretty good idea from these. If you decide on Celebrity, look us up on the roll call and join us for the sail away party!

 

Best of luck!

[Charles4515]

Hi Alyssa,

 

My husband and I are booked on the June 1st to Bermuda on Celebrity. We are 27 and 28 and did a Celebrity sailing in April for our honeymoon on the S-Class Reflection. This ship is definitely newer than the Summit, but I'm not worried. I had the same concerns as you regarding nightlife, entertainment, etc. Basically, we didn't want to be around all 70 year olds, but we also didn't want to be around a lot of families with kids. Celebrity turned out to be a great choice. I think I saw only a hand full of kids the whole week. Don't get me wrong, I'm a teacher and I love kids, but I don't want them on vacation with me, ha! The comedian was awesome, especially the adult show. We didn't go to a show, it's not really our thing, but I heard a lot of people raving about it. I personally LOVED the formality of Celebrity. To me, it's fun to get dressed up and eat a fancy dinner and have excellent and attentive service. The food was fantastic, and the lounge/club of the ship was hopping well after we went to bed. What really sold us though both times for Celebrity was the free "classic" drink package via their 1-2-3-Go! promotion. It was great to take advantage of the many bars and not have to worry about our bill at the end. And, I never saw anyone taking it too far, which I think is another advantage of the somewhat more mature Celebrity clientele.

 

My last recommendation would be to check out the roll calls for each of these sailings. You can get a pretty good idea from these. If you decide on Celebrity, look us up on the roll call and join us for the sail away party!

 

Best of luck!

 

I think Summit is the best choice right now for Bermuda for a seven day cruise. Been on her and while she is not as good as an S class ship she is far better than Breakaway. I did Breakaway to the Bahamas about a month ago and I doubt I would go on NCL again. The Breakaway is a densely packed with passengers ship with a large casino that opens into the public areas and leaks smoke. Summit is less crowded and as a bonus has a restictive smoking policy. No Smoking even in the casino. Food and service on Breakaway several notches below Celebrity. I am fairly certain I will do a Bermuda sailing this year, it will be on Summit.

 

As far as families and kids, that depends on the sailing dates. June 1 there probably won't be very many kids on any line because school is in session. In the summer though all cruise lines to Bermuda will have many families and kids. Celebrity included.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Charles4515

[MAMATAMA]

HI,

 

My choice is NCL, I love the free style options. Your in port for almost 3 days so being able to eat when and where you want was the best choice for us, and as you can see we just love Bermuda....Hope this helps

[Charles4515]

HI,

 

My choice is NCL, I love the free style options. Your in port for almost 3 days so being able to eat when and where you want was the best choice for us, and as you can see we just love Bermuda....Hope this helps

 

You can have that dining option on Celebrity too. They call it select dining.

[dkjretired]

You can have that dining option on Celebrity too. They call it select dining.

 

Just did Celebrity Select dining last week and it was wonderful. Also, Celebrity has fabulous specialty restaurants. I did Summit in the Summer of 12 and was very impressed.

 

Another plus to Celebrity for many is their smoking policy. They have perhaps the most restrictive smoking policy of all the major cruise lines. No smoking in cabins, verandas or anywhere inside the ship including Casino. Only a few places to smoke and only one spot to have cigars or pipes.

 

We did three NCL cruises including to Bermuda and the ship had a lot of smokers on it.

 

Food on Celebrity far surpasses NCL in the Main Dining Room but NCL has the edge in Entertainment.

[Keith1010]

There is no best line. It all comes down to your own preference.

 

I would read member reviews on each ship and also study the itinerary.

 

Keith

[alyssab333]

Thank you everybody! Your opinions and insights are all very helpful. I totally wish I could do a June 1st sailing... Prices rock! I'm a teacher too so I'm totally with you! However, we aren't scheduled to be done until June 4th, and we have snow make up days that will be added on-- bummer! Who knows when we'll be done for sure!

 

I know that there is no one best cruise line. That's why I asked for opinions. Also, the itineraries on the cruises to bermuda are the same because they all all just dock there until the voyage home.. No other stops-- that's why the decision is a little tougher. (Looking up itineraries is not really any help. And looking up the ships doesn't help either bc they are completely different: mega ship vs mid size)

 

After reading everyone's thoughts, my concerns are basically mega ship vs. mid size. I love the idea of trying out a really big ship, but I have concerns about all the extra add on prices for everything on the breakaway. I don't want to bring family with me, talk up how great cruising is, and then find out everything we want to do costs extra... And I feel like I might get confused in the hustle and bustle. Buttttt it looks super cool! As for the mid size I'm just hoping it's not too "bland." I might have family with me that are first time cruisers, and I want them to have a blast. I also don't mind dressing up and feeling fancy once in a while which seems more important on celebrity.

 

Ohhhh decisions! :-) Thank you everyone! Happy sailing on your next cruises!!!

[njhorseman]

Thank you everybody! Your opinions and insights are all very helpful. I totally wish I could do a June 1st sailing... Prices rock! I'm a teacher too so I'm totally with you! However, we aren't scheduled to be done until June 4th, and we have snow make up days that will be added on-- bummer! Who knows when we'll be done for sure!

 

I know that there is no one best cruise line. That's why I asked for opinions. Also, the itineraries on the cruises to bermuda are the same because they all all just dock there until the voyage home.. No other stops-- that's why the decision is a little tougher. (Looking up itineraries is not really any help. And looking up the ships doesn't help either bc they are completely different: mega ship vs mid size)

 

After reading everyone's thoughts, my concerns are basically mega ship vs. mid size. I love the idea of trying out a really big ship, but I have concerns about all the extra add on prices for everything on the breakaway. I don't want to bring family with me, talk up how great cruising is, and then find out everything we want to do costs extra... And I feel like I might get confused in the hustle and bustle. Buttttt it looks super cool! As for the mid size I'm just hoping it's not too "bland." I might have family with me that are first time cruisers, and I want them to have a blast. I also don't mind dressing up and feeling fancy once in a while which seems more important on celebrity.

 

Ohhhh decisions! :-) Thank you everyone! Happy sailing on your next cruises!!!

 

 

The Breakaway (or any NCL ship) doesn't charge extra for anything that you wouldn't be charged extra for on any other mass market cruise line. Specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, soda, shore excursions, photos, gratuities or service charges, etc. are all also extra charge items on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, your other options to Bermuda.

 

I have no idea how it is that people get this mistaken idea that NCL somehow charges for things other cruise lines don't. What they have is far more choices than most other cruise lines. No one is holding a gun to anyone's head to take advantage of those additional options.

[alyssab333]

The Breakaway (or any NCL ship) doesn't charge extra for anything that you wouldn't be charged extra for on any other mass market cruise line. Specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, soda, shore excursions, photos, gratuities or service charges, etc. are all also extra charge items on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, your other options to Bermuda.

 

I have no idea how it is that people get this mistaken idea that NCL somehow charges for things other cruise lines don't. What they have is far more choices than most other cruise lines. No one is holding a gun to anyone's head to take advantage of those additional options.

 

 

You are right. I've never been on NCL, so I wouldn't know. I guess I should've been more clear though. I am a bit of a pushover.. And I see that breakaway has so many options-- many of which are extra money. I'm afraid that those options will look much better than the included ones, and we will be disappointed with the free options (most specifically speaking of dining and entertainment). While no "gun will be held to my head," I'm thinking that I'll be "afraid of missing out" so to speak and end up spending an arm and a leg. I'm wondering if I don't have all the wonderful extra options will I even worry about what I'm missing out on? Lol. I don't know. I totally get what you're saying, and NCL is definitely not out. Still gathering research. I appreciate your viewpoints! Thank you!

[cyntil8ing]

I've done the Celebrity Summit to Bermuda three times in the past three years and have it booked again for this summer, so that should make plain my preference.

 

I have never been on NCL, but simply because the prices have never been favorable. I would try NCL if the prices were the same, but don't feel the need to pay a premium for it when I know the Summit experience is great and what's most important to me is the destination.

 

I love the smaller ship feel of the Summit. I have never felt crowded, even in the middle of summer. The relative lack of entertainment on the Summit compared to the Breakaway is not a factor for us. We spend the sea days relaxing and the port days off the ship.

[Charles4515]

I've done the Celebrity Summit to Bermuda three times in the past three years and have it booked again for this summer, so that should make plain my preference.

 

I have never been on NCL, but simply because the prices have never been favorable. I would try NCL if the prices were the same, but don't feel the need to pay a premium for it when I know the Summit experience is great and what's most important to me is the destination.

 

I love the smaller ship feel of the Summit. I have never felt crowded, even in the middle of summer. The relative lack of entertainment on the Summit compared to the Breakaway is not a factor for us. We spend the sea days relaxing and the port days off the ship.

 

I have been on the Breakaway and it feels very crowded. Much more than other super mega ships I have been on. I have been on Oasis and Allure. They did not feel crowded like Breakaway. NCL has either put in more cabins per square foot or the design is poor. In any case Breakaway is the most densely crowded ship I have been on.

 

Summit does not feel crowded. There is more public space per passenger.

 

As far as the childrens programs, if you are cruising for the kids, Breakaway definitely has more for them. While Celebrity does have a good program, the Breakaway is astounding in that area. Many neat things for kids. The Ropes and the water slides come to mind right away.

 

But the NCL experience as a whole I found lacking in many areas. Celebrity has a quality product on the whole.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Charles4515

[cocobakerchica]

I've sailed with Celebrity and NCL, and I prefer Celebrity. Many who have stated this are correct, a majority of the ships in the mid price range have extra costs for alcohol, soda, certain shipboard activities(like spinning, yoga and Pilates classes), onboard shopping, and some specialty restaurants, you're not going to escape those upcharges, and they are voluntary. The "tap" water, coffee, tea, iced tea and some fruit drinks are included with meals, and some lines(I know Celebrity does)allows passengers to bring their own bottled water, cans of soda, and two bottles of wine on board(they will charge a corkage fee if brought into the dining room). Gratuities are also extra(as in not included in the price of the cruise), so plan ahead and add them on mentally, so it's not sticker shock when your vacation ends.

 

There are advantages to both ships. NCL definitely has more activities and different restaurants that don't have any added upcharge, and you will have the convenience of eating when and where you wish. There's also no formal night, so if getting dressed up isn't your thing, there's no getting mad at buying or packing clothing you'll probably never wear again. NCL's demographic will be slightly younger and the nightlife could be more active(I can't comment on the shows, I didn't attend any). However, the disadvantage to me were that it's a larger ship, and the public spaces seemed more crowded, and it was hard to connect with the staff, since there were so many people. I'm a nonsmoker, and I didn't enjoy the smoking in the public spaces.

 

Celebrity is described as more elegant, and the Summit is a pretty ship. It's also a bit smaller. There are 3 specialty restaurants that cost extra, but the most inexpensive specialty restaurant costs $5 per person, and it serves breakfast through dinner and stays open later than the dining rooms. The main dining room has traditional(two set times)for dinner, and select(make reservations or show up when you wish during dinner hours). Along with the buffet, there's a cafe that offers healthier options at lunch or a grill that has burgers, fries or hot dogs that are not an extra charge. There are two formal nights on 7 night Bermuda cruises, but that's only in the Main Dining room, not in any specialty restaurant, so if dressing up is not your thing, eating in a specialty restaurant(where it's always "smart casual" dress code). As for entertainment, it's pretty decent.

 

I took my first cruise at 28 with Celebrity, and I had some of the same hesitation you did about sailing a smallish ship with an older demographic, and I still had a fantastic time(and I enjoyed the nightlife of NYC often back then...I still do now, just different priorities and criteria of fun these days;)). Flash forward to now(I am nowhere near 28 anymore :D), and Celebrity still does it for me. Best of luck to you, and enjoy yourself on your cruise!

[TwoHearts22]

We booked the Vision of the Seas for June 9, 2014 from FTL to Bermuda.

Our September cruise on Freedom of the Seas was perfect in every way.

 

After cruising Celebrity Constellation in December (see our post in the Celebrity forum for that cruise) we will no longer consider Celebrity in our cruise options

 

The next line to check is Princess. I don't know if they cruise to Bermuda.

Our son takes only Royal Caribbean cruises from Bayonne or Baltimore.

 

Alex

Edited January 5, 2014 by TwoHearts22

[njhorseman]

We booked the Vision of the Seas for June 9, 2014 from FTL to Bermuda.

Our September cruise on Freedom of the Seas was perfect in every way.

 

After cruising Celebrity Constellation in December (see our post in the Celebrity forum for that cruise) we will no longer consider Celebrity in our cruise options

 

The next line to check is Princess. I don't know if they cruise to Bermuda.

Our son takes only Royal Caribbean cruises from Bayonne or Baltimore.

 

Alex

 

Princess doesn't offer any regular Bermuda cruises at this time. In 2014 three of their transatlantic cruises make a port call in Bermuda for a few hours.

[cruiz'n couple]

My DH and I have traveled on all three lines (NCL, Royal, and Carnival). Our preference in Royal Caribbean. We are taking the Explorer to Bermuda in May. I must admit the food we had on Carnival beats all the lines, but the service we have received on Royal far exceeds the other lines, this is why we continue to return to Royal. We also have had the my time dining on Royal have had no issues with our reservations and believe it is similar to the relaxed feeling offered by NCL and Carnival. All three lines offer great perks, it really does come down to preference and what it is you are looking to get out of your vacation! Happy Sailing!

[Charles4515]

We booked the Vision of the Seas for June 9, 2014 from FTL to Bermuda.

Our September cruise on Freedom of the Seas was perfect in every way.

 

After cruising Celebrity Constellation in December (see our post in the Celebrity forum for that cruise) we will no longer consider Celebrity in our cruise options

 

The next line to check is Princess. I don't know if they cruise to Bermuda.

Our son takes only Royal Caribbean cruises from Bayonne or Baltimore.

 

Alex

 

Don't know what happened but been on Constellation twice, last time a Baltic cruise in 2012 and found it to be a great ship. Also did Celebrity Equinox last fall and Celebrity is still a notch above Princess and Royal Caribbean. It is four notches better than NCL. I am looking to do Bermuda this summer and it will be on Celebrity Summit!

[Gunner22aa]

For many of the reasons listed above my choice in order would be:

 

Celebrity

Royal Caribbean

 

The list end there.

[Gaynors]

Don't know what happened but been on Constellation twice, last time a Baltic cruise in 2012 and found it to be a great ship. Also did Celebrity Equinox last fall and Celebrity is still a notch above Princess and Royal Caribbean. It is four notches better than NCL. I am looking to do Bermuda this summer and it will be on Celebrity Summit!

 

We just got off the Constellation a few weeks ago and booked the Summit to Bermuda while on the ship :eek::D:D! We had a great time on both the Summit and Constellation but are really looking forward to going back to Bermuda.

 

We're on the June 1st sailing and will be traveling with our kids. I love taking advantage of the early season pricing to Bermuda since we get out of school early down here.

[Tommyg74]

We have been mostly on RCI. we went there on a Bermuda cruise which we loved. The biggest problem is RCI only give a day and a half which isn't enough time for us. When we did NCL and got two and a half days, that was great, never had such a nice time. So right now we are booked on the breakaway for September which gives us two and half days. If RCI had that schedule, we would have jumped on that cruise.

[dkjretired]

If you have any crown and anchor status on Royal it can be transferred to Celebrity.

[sebas030]

The best line is the one that gives you the most time in Bermuda. Plenty to do on the island, so make sure you are there the longest.

 

Have fun !