Bermuda port times?

[Koshlong]

We're sailing on the Veendam next month; we dock at 1:00 pm on Monday and leave at 1:00 pm on Thursday, for a total of about 70 hours in port. The other ships doing seven day run to Bermuda Seem to average about 55 - 58 hours in port.

 

I'm certainly not complaining, but can anyone tell me where HAL is finding those extra hours? It's nice that we'll have 3 evenings there.

[serendipity1499]

We're sailing on the Veendam next month; we dock at 1:00 pm on Monday and leave at 1:00 pm on Thursday, for a total of about 70 hours in port. The other ships doing seven day run to Bermuda Seem to average about 55 - 58 hours in port.

 

I'm certainly not complaining, but can anyone tell me where HAL is finding those extra hours? It's nice that we'll have 3 evenings there.

 

Doesn't HAL anchor off St. George any more? When we took the Veendam in 2010, we left NYC on Sunday, anchored off of St. George Tues. morning & spent the night there...Wednesday morning went on to Hamilton for two nights, Left Hamilton Friday around noon & arrived back in NYC Sunday morning..

 

Maybe the other lines spend more time in St. George..

 

P.S. Just realized you are on a 14 day Boston to Bermuda without a stop in St. George..I would bet the others make a stop & anchor off St. George.. They also may be out of NYC..

Edited May 11, 2015 by serendipity1499

[sapper1]

HAL gave up anchoring off St George's a few years ago when they had their last cruises to Bermuda. There were too many times the weather prevented them from anchoring and they had to go straight to Hamilton anyway.

 

The Veendam was originally scheduled to dock in St George's when HAL first returned to Betmuda in 2010. It was discovered after the schedule was announced that the refurbished and now heavier Veendam could not fit through the cut at St George's without bottoming out. That was how the anchoring off scheme came about. The long and often rough tender ride was very unpopular with passengers and everyone was thrilled on the occasions when the Veendam could not anchor. Our cruise that year was one of the lucky ones that got to go straight to Hamilton.

 

The larger ships were never scheduled to go to St George's. They cannot fit into Hamilton Harbour, let alone St George's. The anchoring was only a stop gap solution for HAL and was never on the schedule for the larger ships.

 

This cruise is not a 14 day cruise to Bermuda. It is only a seven day Boston to Bermuda to Boston. However this time around HAL is alternating its Bermuda cruises with seven day Canada/New England cruises. Those who want to do both cruises can stay on for 14 days.

 

It was discussed a few years ago that the larger ships that have to dock out at the dockyard have a shorter time in port because they cruise to Bermuda at a slower speed in order to be able to have the shops and casino open longer hours.

The reason HAL pulled out of Bermuda for a few years was because they could not reach an agreement with the government to have the casino open during some hours in Hamilton and they were losing too much money. This has been resolved and the Veendam is returning to Hamilton.

 

This was all discussed at great length in 2010 if anyone wants to pull up some old threads. I remember it all because it was one of the more interesting CC discussions.

 

25 more days until we return to this lovely island.

Edited May 11, 2015 by sapper1

[coolbluegreenseas]

We're sailing on the Veendam next month; we dock at 1:00 pm on Monday and leave at 1:00 pm on Thursday, for a total of about 70 hours in port. The other ships doing seven day run to Bermuda Seem to average about 55 - 58 hours in port.

 

I'm certainly not complaining, but can anyone tell me where HAL is finding those extra hours? It's nice that we'll have 3 evenings there.

 

NCL and X schedule three sea days opposed to two for HAL. As a personal note, we booked with HAL because of the extra port time and the berth in Hamilton. The idea of being able to walk on and off the ship to walk around town is very appealing.

[Koshlong]

I'd still like to know how HAL manages to give us 70 hours in port while the others offer considerably less? Does Veendam sail faster, or do the others sail around in circles?

 

Perhaps it has to do with sharing the piers at the Dockyard?

 

Oops! Sorry, Sapper, you pretty much answered my question. Looking forward to meeting you on board.

Edited May 11, 2015 by Koshlong

[serendipity1499]

HAL gave up anchoring off St George's a few years ago when they had their last cruises to Bermuda. There were too many times the weather prevented them from anchoring and they had to go straight to Hamilton anyway.

 

The Veendam was originally scheduled to dock in St George's when HAL first returned to Betmuda in 2010. It was discovered after the schedule was announced that the refurbished and now heavier Veendam could not fit through the cut at St George's without bottoming out. That was how the anchoring off scheme came about. The long and often rough tender ride was very unpopular with passengers and everyone was thrilled on the occasions when the Veendam could not anchor. Our cruise that year was one of the lucky ones that got to go straight to Hamilton.

 

The larger ships were never scheduled to go to St George's. They cannot fit into Hamilton Harbour, let alone St George's. The anchoring was only a stop gap solution for HAL and was never on the schedule for the larger ships.

 

This cruise is not a 14 day cruise to Bermuda. It is only a seven day Boston to Bermuda to Boston. However this time around HAL is alternating its Bermuda cruises with seven day Canada/New England cruises. Those who want to do both cruises can stay on for 14 days.

 

It was discussed a few years ago that the larger ships that have to dock out at the dockyard have a shorter time in port because they cruise to Bermuda at a slower speed in order to be able to have the shops and casino open longer hours.

The reason HAL pulled out of Bermuda for a few years was because they could not reach an agreement with the government to have the casino open during some hours in Hamilton and they were losing too much money. This has been resolved and the Veendam is returning to Hamilton.

 

This was all discussed at great length in 2010 if anyone wants to pull up some old threads. I remember it all because it was one of the more interesting CC discussions.

 

25 more days until we return to this lovely island.

 

Thanks for the explanation Sapper.. I had forgotten about that thread, but when I went on the HAL WEB site this morning I could not pull up just a 7 day Boston to Bermuda..

 

All that came up was the 14 day which as you mentioned is the Boston to Bermuda (7 days) in conjunction with the 7 day Canada/New England cruise.. Twice I did it & only the 14 day came up..I'll try again when I get off CC..

 

Thanks..

Edited May 11, 2015 by serendipity1499

[cruz chic]

On the Veendam now. So far, it's been a very nice cruise. Meeting lots of nice people. Service has been very good.

[coolbluegreenseas]

Good to hear! Write a review when you return.

[sapper1]

On the Veendam now. So far, it's been a very nice cruise. Meeting lots of nice people. Service has been very good.

 

Sorry I missed giving you a Bon voyage before you left. I'll do it now. Have a wonderful cruise.

Last month on the Westerdam we could buy an unlimited internet package. Is the Verndam offering that? It was wonderful to have that option.