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Bermuda vs Caribbean

ljinnc

By ljinnc,
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PAPERBKWRITER

PAPERBKWRITER

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Did Bermuda last spring (2 days) Did Caribbean 10 days ago for the umpteenth time. No comparison, Bermuda hand down. It's a beautiful country that cares for its people and I saw no poverty. Reminded me a lot of Hawaii.The Caribbean is also beautiful but mostly very impoverished.

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13cheermom

13cheermom

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My only suggestion would be don't go in October. Try the month of May instead when you don't have to worry about hurricane season. We had a Bermuda cruise booked for this October when Joaquin diverted our trip. We did have a wonderful cruise, but hadn't planned on repeating a caribbean cruise we had just done in June. We have missed ports before in the caribbean, however, when you can't go to Bermuda it changes the entire cruise. Also Bermuda cruises tend to be more expensive than caribbean itineraries, so we felt like we paid a premium fare for that cruise. Just our experience, and know we will never try to go to Bermuda during that time of the year.

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RuthlessBoss

RuthlessBoss

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I thought Bermuda was kinda boring but guess that's just me

 

I also like the visit multiple places not just one on a cruise

 

I am also a multiple port person. A sea day once in a while, but more than one together drives me to feel like I'm being held captive. I think Bermuda looks pretty in the reviews, but really doesn't look too exciting to me.

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Cruisin 4 Ever

Cruisin 4 Ever

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Bermuda is gorgeous. It's not a typical Caribbean port so you won't see much, if any poverty. I like that you get to stop for three days and don't have to worry about being back exactly in time for the ship.

If you like to gamble though be aware the casino will be closed the whole time you are in port. And if I recall the shops are closed as well.

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RuthlessBoss

RuthlessBoss

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Bermuda is gorgeous. It's not a typical Caribbean port so you won't see much, if any poverty. I like that you get to stop for three days and don't have to worry about being back exactly in time for the ship.

If you like to gamble though be aware the casino will be closed the whole time you are in port. And if I recall the shops are closed as well.

 

Casino closed?:eek: Oh Hell no. Guess Bermuda by cruise ship is not on my agenda. Too many sea days and no casino.

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CruiseBride926

CruiseBride926

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We just did Bermuda for our honeymoon. We had ok weather but our excursions got canceled the first day due to wind. We ended up taking the ferry over to the capital and went shopping. Definitely not like shopping in the Caribbean. There were a few souvenir like shops but it was mostly like shopping in a city. The second day we went snorkeling and everything we saw was stunning. I would definitely recommend it and the people that live there couldn't have been any friendlier.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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bigdog1958

bigdog1958

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Planning our next cruise and would like to know your opinion on going to Bermuda vs the Caribbean. Thinking of going next October, maybe Bermuda

 

It depends on whether you want to actually explore a destination for a change, or just stop by a port to say you have been there, and not experience much of the island. Bermuda is a great cruise to get to actually experience an island and what it has to offer as you are there for close to 3 days. If you go to the Caribbean, you only get to stop by an island not really experience it at all. Depends on what you want to experience.

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wantocruisemore

wantocruisemore

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BIL did Bermuda cruise couple of years ago. They preferred it to Caribbean because they like several sea days. However, I love Caribbean islands. Each one is different and I love snorkeling.

 

Keep in mind that Bermuda is in middle of Atlantic and will not be as warm in October as would be in early summer.

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jakesnana

jakesnana

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We JUST came back from a Bermuda cruise on 10/30. The cruising was a little rocky, but the weather on the island was BEAUTIFUL. It was still warm (high 70's, low 80's), but very little humidity. We were there for 2 1/2 days and enjoyed exploring the island. Bermuda is extremely clean, the people friendly and helpful and no aggressive vendors in your face.

 

I would recommend sailing in October, if you don't mind the seas being a little rocky, as the weather is gorgeous. As far as hurricanes are concerned, you take that chance where ever you sail, if you go between June and November.

 

Be careful about the information that the casino was open at night while in Bermuda. It was open on the NCL Dawn, but that is because NCL paid a fee to the Bermudian gov't to do that. My understanding is that the CCL Splendor (who was in port with us) was not allowed to have their casino open because they did not pay the fee. Check with your cruise line if the casino is a deal breaker for you.

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evandbob

evandbob

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I will be sailing to Bermuda for the very 1st time in May 2016 on the NCL Breakaway. Fairly new ship, homeport that I will drive and park at, and 2 and 1/2 days on the island.

 

I will save money with the casino closure when docked too.

 

I wouldn't sail to Bermuda in either September or October, seas can be rough then in that part of the Atlantic.

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fair-winds39

fair-winds39

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Planning our next cruise and would like to know your opinion on going to Bermuda vs the Caribbean. Thinking of going next October, maybe Bermuda

IMO, there's no comparison. As others posted, it's Bermuda, hands down. I've been going for many, many years; first trips were land vacations with girlfriends, then cruises with DH. We hope to get back to Bermuda in 2016. I guess we were just lucky, because all of our cruises to Bermuda were in September, and with one exception, we never had to deal with hurricanes. Even being so close to a hurricane once, the captain was able to keep us from harm's way.

 

Have a nice cruise. Hope you choose Bermuda. It's my favorite island, and definitely another world.

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jakesnana

jakesnana

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I will be sailing to Bermuda for the very 1st time in May 2016 on the NCL Breakaway. Fairly new ship, homeport that I will drive and park at, and 2 and 1/2 days on the island.

 

I will save money with the casino closure when docked too.

 

I wouldn't sail to Bermuda in either September or October, seas can be rough then in that part of the Atlantic.

 

I think you will find that the casino will be open at 9 PM on the nights you are in Bermuda. NCL pays a premium to the Bermudian gov't to open their casinos while docked.

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fair-winds39

fair-winds39

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Planning our next cruise and would like to know your opinion on going to Bermuda vs the Caribbean. Thinking of going next October, maybe Bermuda

A couple of other things...

 

While Bermuda isn't a tropical island, and isn't in the Caribbean, the average Oct. temps are low 80's for the high, and I think somewhere in the 70's for the low. I don't think the temps ever dip much below low 60's during the entire year. Also, I believe the casino is able to open at 9:00PM.

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kindatravelsavy19

kindatravelsavy19

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We have been to Bermuda but was land based. It was a great place to spend more than just a day, as what you would be doing on most Caribbean itineraries. There is plenty to do for a few days. At the top of the list I recommend Horseshoe Bay also liked East Whale Bay it may be a private beach for the Fairmont. My vote Bermuda...but depends if any less traveled port in the Caribbean.

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marco

marco

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We've done both many, many times. Very different from each other. There's enough to/do in Bermuda so that 3 days there is not too long. ALos, being able to get on/off the ship 24/7 means no rushing so's not to miss the boat. Bermuda is (IMO) MUCH more beautiful and picturesque than any Caribbean island. The latest we've ever sailed to Bermuda was leaving on OCt 2. Weather there and coming and going was fine. Going later, it will still be pleasant in Bermuda, but might not be as warm as you'd like coming and going. And depending where you're coming from, a couple of day added pre/post cruise in NY is always an experience in itself!

Edited by marco
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navybankerteacher

navybankerteacher

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Bermuda is a wonderful experience - it is great to have more than a few hours in a port, as in the Caribbean. Barring the very rare chance of a hurricane - which is actually more likely in the Catibbean - the weather is ideal in October: sea water at its warmest, daytime temps in low 80's, lower humidity. Ships' casinos are now permitted to be open after 9:00 PM in port. While it means just one port, the fact that you are there for at least parts of three days - with so much to see - gives you close to the same total in-port time as in the Caribbean - and in a far more attractive place - with probably the best beaches anywhere.

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jbhcw

jbhcw

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Just back last week from our second time in Bermuda...and would go again...Weather was great except the last day...very windy and rainy..and seas were rough leaving that evening.

 

Bermuda is gorgeous..the people welcoming and friendly...the beaches and green areas...little lagoons and harbors....just enchanting.....also doing it from Norfolk for us was another real positive...we were home at 1:30 the afternoon we debarked:D

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cruznjan

cruznjan

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Bermuda is beautiful. When I cruised there several years ago, we were in Hamilton overnight and sailed to St. George (we may have spent the night there). Now the cruises stay in one spot for three days (I think). I don't like the idea of sitting in port and using the ship as a hotel.

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SailBadtheSinner

SailBadtheSinner

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Planning our next cruise and would like to know your opinion on going to Bermuda vs the Caribbean. Thinking of going next October, maybe Bermuda

 

 

Go to Bermuda because the people are helpful and genuinely friendly, the island is clean, the beaches are beautiful, there is much to see and do beside the beaches, and the island is not a tourist trap. I've never been approached by a panhandler, and have never seen a street vendor. I feel safe when out & about.

 

You are made to feel as a welcome guest in their home, not someone who is just to be tolerated.

 

 

SBtS

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