Bermuda cruise

[first_timer2]

Hi all,

 

I'm thinking of going with my family (hubby and 3 yr. old daughter) on the Bermuda cruise but am hesitant and have a few questions for people who have been on NCL (first time for us on this CL) and Bermuda.

 

1) If there is a hurricane, do they change itinerary or cancel the cruise

2) we dock at Royal Naval Dockyard, is there a beach by the pier or do you have to travel all the time to get to one

3) What was the experience of this itinerary?

4) On NCL, what kind of night entertainment is there for a family with a young child.

 

thank you all for your answers, am confused

Edited March 10, 2015 by first_timer2

[Carnac767]

A good resource is to go to the Ports of Call section of CC. You'll find lots of good information about Bermuda.

 

I'm biased, because I used to live there, but Bermuda is a great place to visit. It has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

 

95% of the hurricanes that have come close to the island occurred late August through October.

 

This site should answer the majority of your questions:

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

[Guindalf]

Bermuda is a little different to, say, the Caribbean. You are docked for two nights, so have the opportunity to leave the ship at night, which you can rarely do on a 'regular' cruise.

 

There is no beach as far as I remember, close to the dock. We sailed on the old NCL Majesty and we docked at St George's at the other end of the island, but we did visit the Naval Dockyards.

 

Hamilton is a great town to visit and easy to get to by water bus from the docks.

 

Now, to your specific questions...

 

1) Yes, the captain will keep you well clear of a hurricane and the itinerary would be changed. Expect more Caribbean destinations like The Caymans or Key West, depending on the expected path.

 

2) Answered above.

 

3) Kinda answered above, but in more detail... There's lots to do in Bermuda. It's a great island. Being basically British, there are many shops that reflect it's heritage (I know, I'm English!) and the sight of a businessman in a pinstripe jacket, shirt and tie and Bermuda shorts is great!! Because you don't have the constraints of having to be on the ship at a certain time, there are pubs and bars (I know, difficult with a 3-year-old) and good restaurants if you want something different from the ship's offerings.

 

4) I see you've sailed CCL and RCCL and NCL is similar to them. Bear in mind that if the casino is your thing, then you're out of luck while docked in Bermuda - there's no legal gambling on the island or on the ship during that time.

 

I recommend a tour of the island to get a feel for the history and then you can decide what, if anything, you'd like to explore on your own.

[russianmom]

Hi all,

 

I'm thinking of going with my family (hubby and 3 yr. old daughter) on the Bermuda cruise but am hesitant and have a few questions for people who have been on NCL (first time for us on this CL) and Bermuda.

 

1) If there is a hurricane, do they change itinerary or cancel the cruise

you will probably go to Bahamas/Florida/GSC

 

2) we dock at Royal Naval Dockyard, is there a beach by the pier or do you have to travel all the time to get to one

Snorkel Park is adjacent to the Dockyard but is a manmade beach and not representative of the beautiful beaches in Bermuda

 

3) What was the experience of this itinerary?

I've been twice, going a third time in Sept. In my top 3 cruise destinations

 

4) On NCL, what kind of night entertainment is there for a family with a young child.

My kids never want to leave Splash Academy…!!

 

thank you all for your answers, am confused

 

If you buy the transportation pass $25/2 days buy right on the ship you can take the ferry to Hamilton or St George. From there there are a ton of places to go visit. My son was 4 when I took him. Shelly Bay beach has a playground and the water is very calm and shallow.

Aquarium is small and fun.

Let him climb/walk around Ft St Catherine or Alexander Battery.

If you go to Horseshoe Bay beach walk towards the sand and head all the way right. There is a small shallow cove area there perfect for kids.

Tobacco Bay beach is also in a cove and water is shallow perfect for kids- they have chairs/umbrellas

Clearwater beach also has a playground.

 

Just FYI as of last year NCL made an agreement w/ bermuda and casino is open 9pm-5am while docked

[Granny DI]

Casino is open after 9Pm while docked in Bermuda.

[aquarianne11]

Hi all,

 

I'm thinking of going with my family (hubby and 3 yr. old daughter) on the Bermuda cruise but am hesitant and have a few questions for people who have been on NCL (first time for us on this CL) and Bermuda.

 

1) If there is a hurricane, do they change itinerary or cancel the cruise

2) we dock at Royal Naval Dockyard, is there a beach by the pier or do you have to travel all the time to get to one

3) What was the experience of this itinerary?

4) On NCL, what kind of night entertainment is there for a family with a young child.

 

thank you all for your answers, am confused

 

Hi! We went to Bermuda on the Breakaway last year. What ship are you looking at?

 

We loved Bermuda. We did not join any ship excursion. Lots of info in the Bermuda board. We went to Horseshoe Bay, St. George's and Hamilton. We used the buses and ferries. Very safe, clean and easy.

 

 

If there is a hurricane, they could change the itinerary for the safety of the passengers and crew on board. Because of a hurricane, the cruise before us last year (Aug 2014) went to BAHAMAS and FLORIDA instead of BERMUDA.

 

From the Royal Naval Dockyard, you have to take the bus or ferry to get to a GOOD beach. Horseshoe Bay is the most famous and it is gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

Snorkel park is walking distance from the ship. It is in the Royal Naval Dockyard, snorkeling is good but the beach is not good. We went there during our last day in Bermuda and what a let down! I don't recommend it, won't be back there again.

http://www.snorkelparkbeach.com/

Edited March 11, 2015 by aquarianne11

[tumblew467]

Hi

 

There was news of this back in august 2014 (news section of CC.--Good news for us)

 

Bermuda Adds Private Beach Shuttles for Cruise Passengers (this is to Horseshoe Beach)

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=594

 

So this may be a easy option for you at the Wharf with kids.

[1stTimeRoyal]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought there was a new law passed in Bermuda where the cruise casinos are open at night even while docked in Bermuda. I think the hours are 9pm till 5am.

[Guindalf]

I stand corrected. The casino laws have changed since I was there and, as others have said, ship's casinos CAN open between 9pm and 5am.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/10/04/bermuda-cruise-ship-casino-gambling/2921697/

[first_timer2]

Thank you all, this info will help me make up my mind. It is the Breakway that we are looking at.

[meatball_nyc]

We went last July (group of 10 family members) and it was our favorite cruise so far.

Very relaxing with 3 sea days and 3 days docked at the Royal Navy Dockyard (Heritage Wharf).

Did Horseshoe Bay Beach one day, St. George's one day and the Dockyard one day.

Just make sure you have a seat on the public bus. It's a very windy ride!

At the Excursion Desk on the ship you can buy transportation passes for two consecutive days.

Or at the table inside Heritage Wharf building you can buy tokens. We bought tokens for the fast ferry to St. Georg's. Really nice ride (about 45 minutes) past all the pretty homes.

It's really a great trip!

Have fun!