One less day in Bermuda

[jmkennett]

Seeing that the Dawn is still arriving back to Boston on schedule, proves one more change in the economics of cruises over the years, and of course, less for the passenger.

 

In the past, ships would depart NYC or BOS, say on a Saturday, arrive in Bermuda on Monday around noon and not depart until Thursday afternoon, easily making it back on Saturday. Only one day at sea is needed each way.

 

Now, it's one less night in BDA, with two days at sea one way and I would imagine it is all about the money. More casino & shopping revenue. One less night of docking fees, etc.

 

The only cruise line that I see giving three nights is Holland America next year. If they can do it, why not Celebrity, RCCL, and NCL? Charge me a little bit more, if you must, and give me the extra night. The cruise lines are pretty good at doing that anyway, so I'm sure, especially NCL, could find another fee.

Edited May 20, 2015 by jmkennett

[mjkacmom]

Some might like to pay less, and enjoy another sea day.

Edited May 20, 2015 by mjkacmom

[cruizinwithkids]

The Boston news channels are covering this incident like it's a big tragedy, however they did state that the Breakaway anchored and isn't docked. I haven't confirmed that, but if it's true, that's why the ships only stay for the two nights - limited dock availability. The HAL ship docks in Hamilton.

[Cruise4Real]

Seeing that the Dawn is still arriving back to Boston on schedule, proves one more change in the economics of cruises over the years, and of course, less for the passenger.

 

In the past, ships would depart NYC or BOS, say on a Saturday, arrive in Bermuda on Monday around noon and not depart until Thursday afternoon, easily making it back on Saturday. Only one day at sea is needed each way.

 

Now, it's one less night in BDA, with two days at sea one way and I would imagine it is all about the money. More casino & shopping revenue. One less night of docking fees, etc.

 

The only cruise line that I see giving three nights is Holland America next year. If they can do it, why not Celebrity, RCCL, and NCL? Charge me a little bit more, if you must, and give me the extra night. The cruise lines are pretty good at doing that anyway, so I'm sure, especially NCL, could find another fee.

 

First cruise ever was on the Gem in 2008. At that time they were doing 7 day runs to FL/Bahamas from NYC, you got to go to Port Canaveral, private island, Nassau, and Freeport -- 4 ports in 7 days.

 

Nowadays the Gem does 8 day runs to FL/Bahamas, but they no longer go to Freetown, so you only do 3 ports in 8 days. So yeah, they are running those ships a bit more slowly!

[CoachT]

They can go faster to Boston since no one will be carrying food back to their rooms and therefore there will be less messes to clean up if they hit rough seas!

[njhorseman]

It's not about casino revenue any longer...the casinos are now permitted to be open in Bermuda.

 

It's essentially physically impossible to have four ships share the two piers at Dockyard during a seven day week on the schedules the cruise lines want (NCL wants the same departure day every week) and have them stay as long as the lone ship that docks in Hamilton.

 

By the way, while staying an extra night in Bermuda, the Veendam provides far less than day's worth of additional hours, and very little additional in the way of the most useful hours...daylight hours when you're going to be out on the Island.

 

The Veendam is in port from 1 pm Monday through 1 pm Thursday, a total of 72 hours. Of those 72 hours, 36 are what I would call prime daylight hours...8 am through 8 pm.

 

The Breakaway is in Bermuda from 7:30 am Wednesday through 5 pm Friday, a total of 57.5 hours...14.5 fewer hours than Veendam. Of those 57.5 hours, 33 are in the prime 8 am to 8 pm range, only three fewer hours than provided on Veendam.

 

For all intents and purposes, Veendam is only providing an extra night's sleep in Bermuda, not a full extra day to actually do something in Bermuda.

Edited May 20, 2015 by njhorseman

[roger001]

On Wednesday, May 20, a thorough assessment of Norwegian Dawn was completed by Norwegian’s technical operations team, an independent dive team, and DNVGL inspectors, representing the ship's classification society, while the ship was alongside in Heritage Wharf, Bermuda. The team confirmed the structural integrity of the ship and the technical issue which caused the steering malfunction was identified and corrected. The ship is expected to be cleared to depart Bermuda at 3pm today and resume sailing to Boston, and is expected to arrive on Friday as scheduled. Norwegian Dawn’s next voyage will depart as scheduled on May 22.

[fridaythe13th]

On Wednesday, May 20, a thorough assessment of Norwegian Dawn was completed by Norwegian’s technical operations team, an independent dive team, and DNVGL inspectors, representing the ship's classification society, while the ship was alongside in Heritage Wharf, Bermuda. The team confirmed the structural integrity of the ship and the technical issue which caused the steering malfunction was identified and corrected. The ship is expected to be cleared to depart Bermuda at 3pm today and resume sailing to Boston, and is expected to arrive on Friday as scheduled. Norwegian Dawn’s next voyage will depart as scheduled on May 22.

 

Good news!!

[CruisinMaterial]

The extra night worked great when the ships could dock in Hamilton. You give a ship with zero nightlife (HAL) the spot and the extra time in BDA for what purpose? Most of those cruisers are in bed by 10PM! :eek: The crew must love it though! :D

 

I remember when the Dream docked in Hamilton because it was too windy to make Town Cut in St. Georges. It was the best experience and the first experience I had with Bermuda. She later floated around the Bahamas with no clear purpose and then ended up in Star Cruises fleet. Now the ships all dock at the Naval Dockyard and nightlife options are much more limited. :(

 

The Dawn could stay until Wednesday morning but the nightlife in the dockyard isn't worth the extra in port fees to stay. Snorkel Park was good but it's gotten exceedingly bad lately at night. The mic man needs to learn to shut his mouth and let the DJ play. :D

[dexddd]

First cruise ever was on the Gem in 2008. At that time they were doing 7 day runs to FL/Bahamas from NYC, you got to go to Port Canaveral, private island, Nassau, and Freeport -- 4 ports in 7 days.

 

Nowadays the Gem does 8 day runs to FL/Bahamas, but they no longer go to Freetown, so you only do 3 ports in 8 days. So yeah, they are running those ships a bit more slowly!

 

We did a 6 day with the same stops except no Freeport on the Spirit in 2007 from NYC and even got into PC at like 8 a.m. Now the ships going to PC don't get in until just before noon on a 7 day from NYC.

[shof515]

fuel is very costly and expensive. If they run the ship at max speed (20/22ish knots), the ships will burn more fuel. Running at a slower speed (around 15ish) saves fuel and makes it a calmer ride for everyone

[mking8288]

Back in the old 7 days itinerary on the Dawn out of NYC, Miami was a stop after Canaveral, before sailing to GSC and then 3/4 days at Nassau - we're on it once. Believed it or not, some of the NCL sailing had a one-day stop a Bermuda before/after calling on Canaveral and Nassau, don't remember it was for 7 days or 8 days out of NYC also.

 

Docked alongside Front Street in Hamilton, it felt like a floating hotel - you can shop, have dinner onboard & walk down the gangway for the harbour festival and do some bar hopping next, go back to the ship for the midnight buffet, hit the lounge before going to bed - and have breakfast delivered in the morning, for free - and, do lunch with the voucher/coupon by NCL on land, as partial payment credit for those Bermuda fish chowder, etc. Take a nap and then go across the street to check out LV store (<<< click to see photo - new, wasn't there 8 to 10 years ago)

Edited May 20, 2015 by mking8288

[Barb Nahoumi]

The Boston news channels are covering this incident like it's a big tragedy, however they did state that the Breakaway anchored and isn't docked. I haven't confirmed that, but if it's true, that's why the ships only stay for the two nights - limited dock availability. The HAL ship docks in Hamilton.

 

The Dawn left. and the Breakaway is now docked at Heritage. At first the Breakaway was at anchor, and the passengers were being tendered.

[mabones]

As soon as Dawn left, BA moved right into their spot.

[Kenlorz]

The show Mighty Ships has been a wealth of information on travel times, distances and speeds. Also, my uncle does scheduling of flights for a major airline and has clued me in over the years on the same types of information.

 

For instance, a flight COULD and WILL WHEN NECESSARY make it to a destination in a much shorter duration then scheduled. Flights are scheduled to fly at the perfect speed for minimal fuel consumption. The more the plane is pushed the more fuel is burned; the more costly the flight.

 

The Breakaway Maiden Voyage Mighty Ship episode had them going off course to skirt a major storm. Because of this, they had to pick up their speed to make up for the time lost and the extra distance they had to cover. The captain explained that doing so would require firing up all four engines (which is rarely done and burns much more fuel) and would make for a much more uncomfortable voyage for it's pax. Just look at the many reviews for BA and you will see people speak about little to no rocking on the way to Bermuda (which takes from Sunday to Wednesday), yet when she picks it up on the way back (which only take from Friday afternoon to Sunday AM) the ship rocks much more.

 

So, really, the slower speeds has to do with optimal fuel consumption coupled with optimal passenger comfort. Add to that the docking schedules of multiple ships needed berths and how many passengers a port can handle at one time. All these things come into factor when arranging the dates and travel times. Scheduling can be a very intricate process.

[NLH Arizona]

.

 

Now, it's one less night in BDA, with two days at sea one way and I would imagine it is all about the money. More casino & shopping revenue. One less night of docking fees, etc.

 

You are right, it was probably about the money, but if people continued to pay it, why should they have change it back.

[NH Cruisers]

Seeing that the Dawn is still arriving back to Boston on schedule, proves one more change in the economics of cruises over the years, and of course, less for the passenger.

 

In the past, ships would depart NYC or BOS, say on a Saturday, arrive in Bermuda on Monday around noon and not depart until Thursday afternoon, easily making it back on Saturday. Only one day at sea is needed each way.

 

Now, it's one less night in BDA, with two days at sea one way and I would imagine it is all about the money. More casino & shopping revenue. One less night of docking fees, etc.

 

The only cruise line that I see giving three nights is Holland America next year. If they can do it, why not Celebrity, RCCL, and NCL? Charge me a little bit more, if you must, and give me the extra night. The cruise lines are pretty good at doing that anyway, so I'm sure, especially NCL, could find another fee.

Port fees are paid by the passenger for one thing. Also Bermuda does not have unlimited peir space. From what I hear a lot of folks don't like tendering.

 

Besides... I like the sea days!

[RuthlessBoss]

As soon as Dawn left, BA moved right into their spot.

 

It really was Breakaway's spot, but Dawn was occupying it till it was cleared to sail. Summit was already assigned the other spot.

[jmkennett]

they can go faster to boston since no one will be carrying food back to their rooms and therefore there will be less messes to clean up if they hit rough seas!

 

lol!!!

[CPT Trips]

There is limited docking space in BDA, and it's difficult to imagine a cruise line wanting a regular, multiway stay that requires tendering. Add to that the size of the ship's calling now compared to the much smaller ships cruising there back in "the good old days."

 

Bermuda has a long tradition of limiting the number of tourists they permitted at anyone time. There were caps on the number of hotel rooms as well as caps on the number of ship pax. It isn't a conspiracy of the cruise lines. It's Bermudians protecting their resources and life style.

[jmkennett]

Port fees are paid by the passenger for one thing. Also Bermuda does not have unlimited peir space. From what I hear a lot of folks don't like tendering.

 

Besides... I like the sea days!

 

I love the sea days too! However, Bermuda is one of those unique destinations where the more time the better. I've done a few cruises to BDA and I have always rented the scooters. It's a great island to do a night drive, maybe find a restaurant away from the ship for evening, etc. In the Caribbean, I don't care, but in BDA I want as much time as possible.

 

To an earlier point about the casinos. I know the casinos are closed in port. My point is, that if there is one less evening that the casinos and shops are closed, there is obviously revenue that will be made, hence what is I'm sure some of the reasoning. The bars probably do better as well, since everyone is onboard.

 

I agree, the lack of docking space is a problem, but there are no ships in port on Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday nights, so the Breakaway and Summit could easily arrive Tuesday evening, which is not ideal.

 

Better yet, if the Dawn and Grandeur sailed on Thursdays, rather than Fridays, they arrive on Saturday and sail Monday or Tuesday. The Breakaway and Summit arrive on Tuesday and sail on Friday, giving three nights.

[njhorseman]

I love the sea days too! However, Bermuda is one of those unique destinations where the more time the better. I've done a few cruises to BDA and I have always rented the scooters. It's a great island to do a night drive, maybe find a restaurant away from the ship for evening, etc. In the Caribbean, I don't care, but in BDA I want as much time as possible.

 

To an earlier point about the casinos. I know the casinos are closed in port. My point is, that if there is one less evening that the casinos and shops are closed, there is obviously revenue that will be made, hence what is I'm sure some of the reasoning. The bars probably do better as well, since everyone is onboard.

 

I agree, the lack of docking space is a problem, but there are no ships in port on Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday nights, so the Breakaway and Summit could easily arrive Tuesday evening, which is not ideal.

 

Better yet, if the Dawn and Grandeur sailed on Thursdays, rather than Fridays, they arrive on Saturday and sail Monday or Tuesday. The Breakaway and Summit arrive on Tuesday and sail on Friday, giving three nights.

 

As I said back in post #6 the casinos are open while in port. The law was changed effective with the 2014 cruise season.

 

What is the advantage of arriving in port at night? I can eat drink and gamble, go to shows and sleep all I want while the ship is at sea, so being in port at night adds nothing, other than the additional port charges that the passengers will have to pay. It's not as if Bermuda is a can't-miss location for night life. If anything it's the opposite...there's relatively little to do. Why would I want to pay more and get nothing more for it?

 

NCL doesn't want the Dawn to sail on Thursdays. They want the have a weekend to weekend cruise to the extent possible so that people don't have to take additional time off from work for a one week vacation. If anything I'd wager they're not that happy with the Friday sail date and would prefer Saturday if it were feasible...which it isn't.

[rpb718]

You are right, it was probably about the money, but if people continued to pay it, why should they have change it back.

 

It's a 7 day cruise - in fact two 7 day cruises a week between the Dawn and Breakaway. Without one of the other having to tender, I believe the reason is simple mathematics: 1 week = 7 days/nights, 4 + 4 = 8 days/nights.

 

Now if, for example, the Dawn trip was always a 4 days in Bermuda trip and the Breakaway was always a 3 day in Bermuda trip, that would be something.

[pnm655]

When we took the Bermuda cruise from New York a few years ago a question asked at the Q&A why the ship takes 1 day to get to Bermuda and 2 days to return. The captain stated there were 2 reasons. First is the 2 day leg burns 40% less fuel than the 1 day leg. Captain said the ship runs on one less main engine for the 2 day journey. The second reason is so passengers spend enough money on the ship to make the cruise profitable for NCL.

[fathercop]

It's not about casino revenue any longer...the casinos are now permitted to be open in Bermuda.

 

It's essentially physically impossible to have four ships share the two piers at Dockyard during a seven day week on the schedules the cruise lines want (NCL wants the same departure day every week) and have them stay as long as the lone ship that docks in Hamilton.

 

By the way, while staying an extra night in Bermuda, the Veendam provides far less than day's worth of additional hours, and very little additional in the way of the most useful hours...daylight hours when you're going to be out on the Island.

 

The Veendam is in port from 1 pm Monday through 1 pm Thursday, a total of 72 hours. Of those 72 hours, 36 are what I would call prime daylight hours...8 am through 8 pm.

 

The Breakaway is in Bermuda from 7:30 am Wednesday through 5 pm Friday, a total of 57.5 hours...14.5 fewer hours than Veendam. Of those 57.5 hours, 33 are in the prime 8 am to 8 pm range, only three fewer hours than provided on Veendam.

 

For all intents and purposes, Veendam is only providing an extra night's sleep in Bermuda, not a full extra day to actually do something in Bermuda.

 

Thanks for the comparison. DW and I are looking at HA or NCL for a cruise just to Bermuda. I saw the difference in port time, but your comparison really helps.