Bermuda itinerary with kids - critiques please!

[mollyr02]

Ok, so here is the essential information:

We are cruising to Bermuda in August with our 3 kids, who will be 4 and 10 months. (I know, I know.) Also with us will be my in laws (yay, nana and grandpa for the win!) and my adult two brother and sister in laws. We are pretty adventurous, our baby is super chill and so with the help of the extra hands, we plan to squeeze in as much as possible even though we will be somewhat restricted by the little people. :D

 

Arriving in kings wharf on a Sunday, 3:00pm and leaving Tuesday evening at 6:00pm. So, basically an evening, a full day and most of a day on the island.

 

We have a nice umbrella stroller we will be bringing, but I have a nice baby carrier that the baby and I love and I plan to just wear him as much as possible when riding the bus, so walking distances with him are totally do-able.

 

Here's what I'm thinking:

 

Option #1

 

Day #1, Sunday: (arriving at 3:00pm) Maritime museum (if we can get off the boat and in the door by 4:00), and maybe walk to sea glass beach afterwards.

 

Day #2, Monday: (full day) first ferry to Hamilton, bus to BAMZ. Around noon, take the bus back to Hamilton, then a bus to horseshoe bay for a few hours. Then the bus to Gibbs hill lighthouse. The two younger couples may split at this point to walk the beach from horseshoe to Warwick and hop the bus back to the dockyard from there.

 

Day #3, Tuesday: (departing at 6:00) first ferry to st. George, then the hop on, hop off bus to tobacco bay and fort st. Catherine. Back on the ferry to make ship departure. (It looks like the last ferry leaves at 2:15 on Tuesdays? Is that accurate?)

 

Option #2

 

Day #1, Sunday: (arriving at 3:00pm) Maritime museum (if we can get off the boat and in the door by 4:00), and maybe walk to sea glass beach afterwards.

 

Day #2, Monday: (full day) first ferry to Hamilton, bus to BAMZ. Then take the bus to fort Hamilton.

 

Day #3, Tuesday: (departing at 6:00) early bus to horseshoe bay, bus to Gibbs lighthouse, if we're feeling ambitious maybe walk the south shore beaches.

 

Basically, option #2 eliminates St. George, which makes me sad because my husband and I docked there years ago (sans kids!) and loved it. But I'm worried my option #1 is too ambitious.

 

How does fort Hamilton compare to fort st. Catherine? We've been to the latter.

 

Any suggestions, critiques, corrections or advice would be SO appreciated! TIA!

[biker@sea]

Don't Miss St. George . :(

 

It's the best part of the islands . :D

[mollyr02]

Don't Miss St. George . :(

 

It's the best part of the islands . :D

 

I know! The travel and wait times on public transportation just reeeeally cut into your time if you are only there for a limited number of days. The group is pretty flexible, but I need to figure out how to do both BAMZ and horseshoe bay, as those are the two places that our group mutually wants to see (I'm "meh" on the aquarium, but the kids will love it). Because of the distance, st. George really needs to be its own day.

 

Or...thinking out loud here, could we take the #10 bus from BAMZ straight into st. George and spend the afternoon there? And then ferry back?

[Charles4515]

I know! The travel and wait times on public transportation just reeeeally cut into your time if you are only there for a limited number of days. The group is pretty flexible, but I need to figure out how to do both BAMZ and horseshoe bay, as those are the two places that our group mutually wants to see (I'm "meh" on the aquarium, but the kids will love it). Because of the distance, st. George really needs to be its own day.

 

Or...thinking out loud here, could we take the #10 bus from BAMZ straight into st. George and spend the afternoon there? And then ferry back?

 

I don't know where you are from. Do you have a zoo or aquarium? Sure the kids will like the zoo but but there is nothing native there. They say Bermuda wildlife. But I didn't see any. Maybe some small birds. Nothing that you won't see in any other zoo. The aquarium is small. The best thing about the BAMZ is that it is at Flatts Village. A lovely scenic location. Since you have limited time in Bermuda you might reconsider. As for Fort Hamiltion, it is neglected. That is something to see if you have been to Bermuda a few times. Fort St.Catherine has a fee and is well maintained.

[modelman]

My 4 year old nephew loves the BAMZ, and I think it is worth a stop. But as it is more than half way to St. George's, I think your idea of continuing on from there to see the Old Town on Day 2 (i.e. Monday) is a good one. Allows you time in the East End, before taking the 5:30 ferry back to Dockyard. Tuesday do the Beaches and Gibbs..

[danyel]

My only concern would be planning to catch the ferry back on the day of departure. I am in the process of planning an August trip and am wondering if it is fairly safe to gamble and do St. George on the last day in port. Any thoughts?

[modelman]

My only concern would be planning to catch the ferry back on the day of departure. I am in the process of planning an August trip and am wondering if it is fairly safe to gamble and do St. George on the last day in port. Any thoughts?

 

I would not really recommend it, but if you are planning on taking the 2:15pm ferry and it does not run, you would have enough time to get back via cab for sure.

[mollyr02]

I don't know where you are from. Do you have a zoo or aquarium? Sure the kids will like the zoo but but there is nothing native there. They say Bermuda wildlife. But I didn't see any. Maybe some small birds. Nothing that you won't see in any other zoo. The aquarium is small. The best thing about the BAMZ is that it is at Flatts Village. A lovely scenic location. Since you have limited time in Bermuda you might reconsider. As for Fort Hamiltion, it is neglected. That is something to see if you have been to Bermuda a few times. Fort St.Catherine has a fee and is well maintained.

 

Personally, I'd skip it. We've been to the Baltimore aquarium, which is basically the mother of all aquariums, but even so, it's an activity the kids would like. My sister in law also has a thing about sea turtles, so she wants to go to see them. If it was just me, I'd probably opt to do more historical sight seeing and hit as many beaches as possible...I'm really into photography. Trying to find a balance that works for the majority of a group since everyone wants to stick together.

[Charles4515]

Personally, I'd skip it. We've been to the Baltimore aquarium, which is basically the mother of all aquariums, but even so, it's an activity the kids would like. My sister in law also has a thing about sea turtles, so she wants to go to see them. If it was just me, I'd probably opt to do more historical sight seeing and hit as many beaches as possible...I'm really into photography. Trying to find a balance that works for the majority of a group since everyone wants to stick together.

 

Right, you could not see everything even if you had another day. If you like Bermuda can return again. If the weather is good you will be able to take some great photos at Flats Village where the BAMZ is located.

 

This one was at the BAMZ. I don't recall if that is a sea turtle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[mollyr02]

Still mulling over this...I'm wondering f maybe it would make more sense to do a ferry to st. George first thing on day 2 (full day) and start with TB and fort st Catherine in the morning and then take the bus to the aquarium and then on to Hamilton and ferry back to ship....

 

What do you guys think? BAMZ first and then st George, or st george and then aquarium?

[biker@sea]

Still mulling over this...I'm wondering f maybe it would make more sense to do a ferry to st. George first thing on day 2 (full day) and start with TB and fort st Catherine in the morning and then take the bus to the aquarium and then on to Hamilton and ferry back to ship....

 

What do you guys think? BAMZ first and then st George, or st george and then aquarium?

 

St, George first . Get the kids snorkels . They can see all the fish they want at Tobbaco Bay . :D

[mollyr02]

You have all been so helpful! Thank you so much for the feedback and suggestions.

[biker@sea]

I like to bring a box of Cereal from the ship for fish food @ Tobbaco bay . ;)

[mollyr02]

I like to bring a box of Cereal from the ship for fish food @ Tobbaco bay . ;)

 

What a GREAT idea! They have those little boxes on the ship, I'll have to grab a couple at the breakfast buffet. Thank you! This is why I love this board, I never would have thought of that!:D

[Mistletoe76]

Mollyr02

Are you by any chance going to be on the Liberty of the Seas August 8th sailing? Just curious as I have a 4 yr old (and just turned 2 yr old). I am traveling with my MIL, FIL, BIL, hubby, our 2 kids and my nieces and nephew (in their teens).

[mollyr02]

Mollyr02

Are you by any chance going to be on the Liberty of the Seas August 8th sailing? Just curious as I have a 4 yr old (and just turned 2 yr old). I am traveling with my MIL, FIL, BIL, hubby, our 2 kids and my nieces and nephew (in their teens).

 

We're on the Grandeur of the Seas sailing August 14th...so about a week after you. So you get to be the guinea pig and report back to me on what activities to avoid with little kiddos! :D