Summit or Sunshine to Bermuda

[dkjretired]

So if NY and NJ are close by, how come the Sunshine takes longer to get to Bermuda besides slower knots.

 

By choice, the ships can easily make it to Bermuda and back in about 36 hours, it is just a matter of how many berths are available in Bermuda. Celebrity used to leave with ships on Saturday and Sunday and they would arrive on Monday and Tuesday respectively. Now it takes longer because of more ships going there and wanting to make more money in the casinos and bars.

[gail8]

We have done both and we really enjoyed the Sunshine. It had great entertainment and we thought the food selection was great but lots of kids and lots of noise. The Summit is definitely quieter but not much going on at night from our perspective. Food is probably a bit better on the Summit but it is a bit worn right now...after refurbishing maybe it will be better.

 

Gail

[crazycatlady82]

Honestly, I'd say which ever one fits your time frame and price. We've done several carnival (including the destiny in 2010) and the summit was our first x cruise. X was quieter than our carnival cruises...food was subjective-the hubby liked x's food whereas I missed carnival, specifically the melting cake.

 

We will go back on both lines-I think really, if you're going to Bermuda, cruising specifically for the port, check out the price and the time of the cruise, and book from there-whether it's RCCL, Carnival, X, or Norwegian.

[NOSaints1]

With Carnival they have it in US, X is in CDN dollars, were not into the party atmosphere, I'm more into food but my DW isnt in to the repetitive buffet items, how is the buffet on X

[NOSaints1]

Is it safe there? What're the top things to do there other than horseshoe bay beach and does X and Carnival dock at the same place and how far is it into town?

[crazycatlady82]

Safe as anywhere else. Little crime. People are very polite, modest-do not wear your swimsuit off the beach-make sure its a modest coverup. We did see a bus driver admonish a lady for wearing a see thru coverup to the beach.

 

We took the ferry to st George one day and just walked around. Saw a ton of old forts, sat at a beach club and had a drink. Beautiful place...one word though-if you do go to horseshoe beach or the lighthouse, don't count on the bus being able to take you back-we had to catch a cab because all the buses were completely full..so just have extra cash on you.

[crazycatlady82]

When we went, X docked at the Royal Navy dockyard-great food at the frog and onion pub!

[2theship]

As mentioned, there is a ferry to St. George. Take an early one so you can be there in time for the witch "ducking" in the town square. There's both ferry and bus service to Hamilton which the is big city for Bermuda. On Wednesday evenings in summer Hamilton has a street festival with lots of local artists displaying their wares. There are also plenty of shops to visit there.

 

There are a number of nice beaches in Bermuda, some of them are easily accessible by the local bus.

 

Since the ship docks overnight for two nights, the overall atmosphere is more casual than most cruises.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOSaints1

Is it safe there? What're the top things to do there other than horseshoe bay beach and does X and Carnival dock at the same place and how far is it into town?

 

 

I've always felt save when out and about.

 

Here are some things to do:

• climb a lighthouse - Gibbs L/H (Bus Route #7), on South Shore,
  
• visit the Bermuda Aquarium Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) (BRs #10 or #11), near Hamilton;
  
• visit Bermuda Underwater Exploration Inst., Hamilton (BUEI);
  
• shopping, Dockyard (Clocktower Mall);
  
• do the Dolphin Quest, Dockyard;
  
• visit Black Bay Beach, 20 minute walk from the Dockyard;
  
• play a round of FunGolf, Dockyard;
  
• sample rum cakes at the Bermuda Rum Cake Co, Dockyard;
  
• visit the Bermuda Maritime Museum, Dockyard;
  
• visit the Dockyard Glassworks for demo and shop at company store;
  
• visit historical St George, a UNESCO World Heritage Center, (BRs #1, #3, #10 or #11); while in St George, visit the Unfinished Church and St Peters Church;
  
• tour the caves, Crystal and/or Fantasy (BR #'s 1,3,10, or 11);
  
• go horseback riding at Spiceslands Equestrian Center (BR #8);
  
• walk the Botanical Gardens (BR #'s 1, 2 or 7).
  

Here are some travel times from the Dockyard:

 

Dockyard <> (City of) Hamilton –

 

• by bus - 62 minutes
  
• by ferry – 20 minutes (exludes waiting time).
  

Dockyard <> St George ( UNESCO World Heritage Center)

 

• by bus – 112 minutes with a change of bus in Hamilton (exludes waiting time),
  
• by ferry – 40-45 minutes (excludes waiting time).
  
• By bus & ferry, ferry to Hamilton then bus to St George – 70 minutes (excludes walking & waiting time)
  

 

SBtS

[cyntil8ing]

Great list above! I would add rent a boat and head out to feed the fish at the Vixen wreck, take a jet ski tour that goes under the Somerset Bridge, rent pedal bikes and ride the Railway trail, explore Southlands Estate, walk the beach paths between Warwick Long Bay and Horseshoe, and visit Tom Moore's Jungle.

[Fish Lover]

We (my mother and I ) go on the Summit to Bermuda the ladt cruise of August every year.

 

Compared to most cruise lines there are very few children. The passengers in general are older (50+).

 

Celebrity dining (except the buffet, which is awful) is generally much better than other cruise lines.

 

We always get a Aqua class stateroom. It is sufficiently roomy. The veranda is lovely. The bath shower is worth the upgrade. We prefer the rooms on the 9th deck (over the 11th deck). We like the overhang. Otherwise the sun is so hot, we would not be able to enjoy the veranda. The shade is very welcome. There is no problem with ambient noise from the deck above in the aqua class staterooms.

 

We often don't even get off the ship in port. Amazing how relaxing and enjoyable the ship is when in port and everyone exits.

 

In terms of Bermuda, harbor nights is a total bust and should be avoided. Absolutely nothing special at all. Shopping is also a bust. Very very expensive. I am not a bargain hunter and spend freely on vacation, but there simply is nothing to buy and everything is expensive. The only thing I love is a set of very colorful dishes at one particular shop. Every year I buy one more piece.

 

I only cruise Celebrity now, as it really is head and tails above the other lines and the ships are smaller. I really am not nterested in whether the ship has an ice skating rink!

Edited January 2, 2016 by Fish Lover
spelling

[jewlrybabe]

I don't know where the OP lives but here in New England a lot of people I know have been on the 7 day from Boston. They have quite a few perks too.

 

I personally have not been on the dawn but was on a repo on the Granduer of the seas a few years ago. We were there 2 days (I think) and we rented a scooter for two. Do not do that unless you ride a motorcycle regularly. And you have a wife on the back saying Left..Left in your ear a few times. LOL We had a blast we went all over the island.

 

We stopped at a park and a man asked for a dollar we gave him the dollar but he had to recite a poem to us first. Nice people there in Bermuda!

[NOSaints1]

I live about an hour from NFalls on the Canadian side