Trying to decide between multiple cruiselines to Bermuda

[cocacola86]

Looking at 4 ships to Bermuda

 

Carnival Sunshine is in Oct/16 in a scenic OV, but it's 1977 US

 

 

 

RC Anthem of the seas 5 days, inside stateroom, 2324 CDN

 

 

 

Celebrity Summit 7 days OV 2508 CDN

 

 

 

RC Grandeur of the seas 7 days 2470

 

What is HAL ship like to Bermuda and would it appeal to 30 something year olds?

 

 

I've never been on any other cruiseline except Carnival,

 

 

 

1. Anthem for its features

 

2. Celebrity I hear nothing good things about it

 

3. Carnival for the Scenic OV and for Guys Burgers.

 

 

 

Whatre some top things to do in Bermuda, what's the weather like in May, is it a warm place? Can you come and go to and from the ship as it is docked. Royal/Celebrity sail out of Cape Liberty and Carnival sails out of NY, which port is a better port to sail out of. The only cruise line we won't sail on is NCL. If you could give me your insight on your past cruises or to Bermuda and based on a rough estimate on price/days your choice. Should we count out Anthem based on price/days, although it would be my decision, but helpful hints help out a lot.

[bunnyrab]

Celebrity is definately my favorite cruise line. Holland America is my 2nd but Holland A docks in Hamilton which is the most convenient & interesting of the places to visit. You can always take the ferry to the Dock Yards etc. City buses are also good. Happy Sailing.

[Tripper10]

Celebrity is great but that's a older ship. Only you can decide what style of cruising is for you. Lots of activities, the Carnival ship would be best. Peace and quiet, Holland is great.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Veendam docks right on Front Street in Hamilton.

Most other cruise lines dock at Kings Wharf -- thus you need to always get some type of transportation to get to downtown Hamilton -- ferries, bus, etc.

RCI -- 5 days -- not worth it.

One of our Bermuda cruises was in May -- cold and rainy. Just our luck.

[sail7seas]

A very considerable advantage to sailing HAL's Veendam to Bermuda is that ship docks in downtown Hamilton which is so convenient. I believe it also spends a bit more time in Bermuda than some of the other ships.

 

[summersigh]

We did Grandeur of the Seas from Baltimore to Bermuda - RCCL docks out at the Dockyard which has stuff to do like shopping, restaurants and a good museum but you'd have to take a tour (which we did) or water taxi to get to Hamilton and from there to St George.

 

I believe the HAL ship to Bermuda docks right downtown Hamilton.

[TorontoTL]

How is the Veendam? I am considering booking this Bermuda cruise in May. I've never sailed with HAL but have been to Bermuda numerous times and I'm quite interested in knowing what the Veendam is like?

[Ky Colonel]

... as mentioned by sail7seas, Krazy Kruisers and Summersigh above, HAL choice docking location in Hamilton makes HAL the best choice ... we did the NYC-Bermuda cruise on the Veendam a few years ago and loved every aspect of the cruise, including being docked in downtown Hamilton ... my vote is definitely for HAL/Veendam ...

 

Rod

[molly2kit]

Regarding the Veendam - just returned yesterday from a week on the Mexican Riviera on it. Had read some not good reviews and honestly was not expecting much but I am recovering from illness so just wanted a rest.

 

I was blown away on this cruise!!! The ship was clean and in good repair - the staff was always cleaning the railings and everything else - something we have not seen as much of on our other cruises. The food was excellent and I love the fresh squeezed OJ available for breakfast along with all the other juices. No additional charge. I love the Elemis products in the bathrooms - Princess has gone to Eucalyptus stuff I don't like.

 

The entertainment was very good - 5 singers who were top notch - 2 couples and a guy - then 2 dancers. The theatre is nice and as this is a smaller ship it is very intimate. I felt we really got to know the entertainers and they were all so nice. Once again, because it is a little smaller ship we saw them around at the restaurants and other venues.

 

Didn't see anyone pushing drinks or wine packages as much as the other cruise lines and really enjoyed this.

 

There is only one pool and it is smaller but there were 6 hot tubs I think and seemed to be quite a few loungers always.

 

If you want to go to formal night in the dining room then men must have a jacket - saw several turned away for not having one on.

 

The pizza was good and there is a little restaurant called Dive In which made hamburgers and hot dogs and fries and it was always busy.

 

I would leave right now to go back on the Veendam.

 

We booked an ocean view and received an upsell offer and ended up in a Vista suite - which was lovely but we saw the Ocean view cabins and they were very nice too.

 

:)

[cl.klink]

From what I hear, Bermuda sailings are less about a party proud such as you may have had on Carnival, so would choose HAL or Celebrity. But I agree wit the others who point out that docking in Hamilton is a clear advantage. This is one of the cruises on my to-do list so do not have direct knowledge yet. But, that's where my thinking had taken me when I was last thinking and planning a cruise.

 

- Joel

[cocacola86]

What about the age demographic, would we still have stuff to do to keep us busy on the ship, if you have a cruise paper that would help. When does the intenerays come out for next year

[sail7seas]

You will be docked in Hamilton and can certainly find plenty to do day and night ashore. When the ship is at sea, of course, there will be more people aboard and more going on but so many will stay ashore for evening's entertainment.

 

One point is casino (all the ships) will be open which is new for Bermuda cruises.

Beaches during the day, tennis, golf, sailing, shopping, lunch and a drink or two during the day,,,,,,,,,

 

As to age, it is not predictable on this itinerary but does it really matter if it edges toward seniors? If it does, then perhaps you may wish to forego docking in Hamilton. A 7 day cruise from Boston, you are likely to have a number of younger folks. :)

Edited March 23, 2015 by sail7seas

[buckirj1]

I went to Bermuda one of the last years that a mainstream cruise ship was able to dock at all three Bermuda ports (Dockyards, Front Street and St. George). I thought it was a lot of fun watching the ship sail away and taking the water taxi or bus to the next port. All that is to say taking public transport isn't at all burdensome. And I didn't think downtown Hamilton was any great shakes, through I loved St. George and the Dockyards.

 

The scenic oceanview cabins on the Carnival Sunshine look amazing. That'd be my choice, all else being equal. I'd much rather go later in the year, when it isn't quite so hot. My next choice would probably be the Veendam, if being docked downtown is attractive to you. It might be useful to research how much time you'll have in Bermuda as opposed to at sea time, as well as how many/which ships will be in Bermuda with you. I'd sure want to be prepared if the Anthem was docked the same day as the ship I was on.

 

I'd have a hard time considering Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but they have lots of fans.

Edited March 23, 2015 by buckirj1

[sail7seas]

I'm so curious since I've not been to Bermuda in years........

 

What is it you loved about Dockyard and St. George?

 

[summersigh]

We only had 2 days in Bermuda on our RCCL cruise and that didn't seem to be enough. We were docked out at the Dockyards and spent one day out there. The 2nd day we did a tour to Hamilton and St George and the time was gone. No time for beaches or any exploring of Hamilton or St George beyond the hour on the tour in Hamilton and 2 hours in St George.

 

Thus ,... if we were to do it all over again we'd look for 3 days in Bermuda.

[B_K]

Here is some input based upon experience on NCL Dawn July 2012. Docked at Kings Wharf.

 

Ships there typically alternate which side of ship is dockside depending on what work needs to be done, lifeboat stuff, etc. There is no way to know ahead of time which side will be dockside. This can be important if you want to make use of your balcony late afternoon (for happy hour of course). We encountered an unusual heat wave - temps high 80s - so the afternoon sun rendered the balcony uninhabitable! Forced to do happy hour inside the cabin!

 

Also dockside was quite noisy.

 

As several folks have mentioned, the real benefit of HAL is docking at Front Street. In addition to the location convenience, sources tell me afternoon sun will not be an issue regardless of which side I'm on.

 

We are sailing on HAL to Bermuda 5/2 or 5/9 (as soon as we clear up schedule issues).

 

BK

[buckirj1]

I'm so curious since I've not been to Bermuda in years........

 

What is it you loved about Dockyard and St. George?

 

 

It was several years ago for me, too, and I've not been back. I remember both the Dockyards and St. George as historical and lively, a winning combination. Lots of shops, restaurants and energy. In contrast, Front Street was a snooze, and notable for little other than empty storefronts. Fellow cruisers remarked that downtown wasn't what it used to be. Additionally, my cruise was late in the season and I'm sure a lot of shops had shut down for the year. I hope downtown has had a renaissance; I could see where it had potential to be very nice. But on my cruise, it just...wasn't.

[summersigh]

Here is some input based upon experience on NCL Dawn July 2012. Docked at Kings Wharf.

 

Ships there typically alternate which side of ship is dockside depending on what work needs to be done, lifeboat stuff, etc. There is no way to know ahead of time which side will be dockside. This can be important if you want to make use of your balcony late afternoon (for happy hour of course). We encountered an unusual heat wave - temps high 80s - so the afternoon sun rendered the balcony uninhabitable! Forced to do happy hour inside the cabin!

 

Also dockside was quite noisy.

 

As several folks have mentioned, the real benefit of HAL is docking at Front Street. In addition to the location convenience, sources tell me afternoon sun will not be an issue regardless of which side I'm on.

 

 

BK

 

I would be interested in docking right in Hamilton but I can't imagine dockside out at King's Wharf is any noisier that being on the shore side of the HAL ship docked in Hamilton - probably quieter actually because there wouldn't be scooters zipping around all night. We faced the dock at King's Wharf and enjoyed the view but we were there in the early spring so the temperature/heat wasn't an issue and having breakfast out on the balcony was delightful.

[cocacola86]

When does intenerarys come out for Bermuda for 2016?

[sail7seas]

It was several years ago for me, too, and I've not been back. I remember both the Dockyards and St. George as historical and lively, a winning combination. Lots of shops, restaurants and energy. In contrast, Front Street was a snooze, and notable for little other than empty storefronts. Fellow cruisers remarked that downtown wasn't what it used to be. Additionally, my cruise was late in the season and I'm sure a lot of shops had shut down for the year. I hope downtown has had a renaissance; I could see where it had potential to be very nice. But on my cruise, it just...wasn't.

 

I also remember all the ships etc at St. George and really enjoyed them when we were docked there on Zenith, years ago. We docked first at Hamilton and then moved to St. George. I wonder if all those shops and restaurants are still there and open?

 

Can anyone share about an experience in recent years?

 

[Ky Colonel]

... we were on the NYC-Bermuda cruise on the Veendam a couple of weeks after Hurricane Igor hit Bermuda in September of 2010. There was extensive damage to the St George port, so our stop at St George was cancelled. We spent our entire time docked in Hamilton (which was very nice) but took an excursion to St George. As best I recall, most of the storm damage had been cleaned up, and I do not recall seeing any boarded up shops/businesses in either Hamilton or St George. However, that was almost 5 years ago so I cannot comment on the current condition of St George.

 

Rod

[sail7seas]

I also remember all the ships etc at St. George and really enjoyed them when we were docked there on Zenith, years ago. We docked first at Hamilton and then moved to St. George. I wonder if all those shops and restaurants are still there and open?

 

Can anyone share about an experience in recent years?

 

 

Oops, sorry. I meant 'shops'.

 

Thanks for your info, Rod.

[Ky Colonel]

You're welcome, s7s ... and thank you for all of your helpful posts ...

 

Rod

[summersigh]

As we were on RCCL last year and docked at the Dockyards we took a tour including Hamilton and St George.

 

In St George -There was a fun comedic reenactment (in full costume) of a dunking for a woman who was a shrew in the canal near the port area.

[KevInPitt]

When does intenerarys come out for Bermuda for 2016?

 

I was advised the itineraries for Bermuda in 2016 will be announced by the end of April 2015.

 

I too am among those with a keen interest in experiencing the Veendam to Bermuda.