Bermuda - Is it possible to book excursions/umbrellas, etc upon arrival

[McFins]

Hi there! When going to Bermuda on BA, is it possible to rent beach chairs/umbrellas when you get there instead of booking through the ship in advance? Same question with regards to kayaks, SUPs, catamaran rides, etc.

Not sure if/what we want to do there yet which is the reason we don't want to book/reserve in advance.

Thanks so much for your help.

[negn]

Plenty of independent tours available at dock. No need to book in advance. Beach chairs rented when you get to the beach Transportation to beaches available dockside also. You can use shuttle or ferry.

[Sizzlechest]

There is absolutely no reason to book with NCL for an excursion in Bermuda. Walk on down to the dockyard and book whatever kind of excursion you want. There's also folks who do excursions at the beach near the dockyards. Bring cash for an even better deal. US money is accepted and welcome in Bermuda.

[bookmama22]

Just back from Bermuda on the Breakaway. We bought 2 day ferry/bus pass on the dock just off the ship. On day 2 we took the ferry to Hamilton and then the #7 bus to Horseshoe Bay, then picked up the bus back to Royal Navy Dockyard. Very easy. If you don't want to use ferry/bus, you can easily pick up group cab on the pier. It is a 20 minute ferry ride to Hamilton, a 45 minute ferry ride to St. George which we did on Day #1.Some people just got off the ship and lined up for the bus.

 

You can rent an umbrella and two lounge chairs at the beach for $40. There is only so much time you might want to spend there. You can't really do much swimming as there are strong rip currents and Portugeuse Man of War warnings.

 

We live on the South Shore of Long Island so go to the beach all summer so while very nice, I wouldn't spend an entire day at Horseshoe.

[mking8288]

Ditto, 200% on above posts - here's link to BDA forum here on CC: tons of resources, tips, info & FAQ: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

 

Absolutely no reasons to book or use any NCL ship excursions and overpriced, "for your convenience" - there is a VIC (Visitors Info Center) inside the terminal building, where you can get real maps & guides, bus & ferry scheduled, buy tokens or passes for transportation and paid WiFi passes, and, ask questions, etc.

 

Be sure to bring bottled water for hydration & of course, lots of sunscreens for protection.

[LrgPizza]

Ditto, 200% on above posts - here's link to BDA forum here on CC: tons of resources, tips, info & FAQ: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

 

Absolutely no reasons to book or use any NCL ship excursions and overpriced, "for your convenience" - there is a VIC (Visitors Info Center) inside the terminal building, where you can get real maps & guides, bus & ferry scheduled, buy tokens or passes for transportation and paid WiFi passes, and, ask questions, etc.

 

Be sure to bring bottled water for hydration & of course, lots of sunscreens for protection.

 

Regarding these paid WiFi passes... Where is the WiFi? I mean, is there just a small area near there that has seating or something? Is the entire island covered by wifi, and they work everywhere? (that would be too good to be true.)

[esm54687]

Regarding these paid WiFi passes... Where is the WiFi? I mean, is there just a small area near there that has seating or something? Is the entire island covered by wifi, and they work everywhere? (that would be too good to be true.)

 

The prepaid Wifi "hotspots" are all over the Dockyard and many other places on Bermuda.

 

Here is their link: https://www.telebermuda.com/residential/wifi/

 

There are many other restaurants \ bars that offer WiFi if you are having a beverage or lunch... but there is no Bermuda-wide WiFi

Edited June 28, 2016 by esm54687

[LrgPizza]

The prepaid Wifi "hotspots" are all over the Dockyard including at both piers so you can literally step off the ship into a hotspot. There were times I could access it from the pool decks too.

 

There are many other restaurants \ bars that offer WiFi if you are having a beverage or lunch... but there is no Bermuda-wide WiFi

 

Thanks!

[mking8288]

Regarding these paid WiFi passes... Where is the WiFi? I mean, is there just a small area near there that has seating or something? Is the entire island covered by wifi, and they work everywhere? (that would be too good to be true.)

The best deal for NCL pax on a 3 days BDA visit is just $15 for 3 days, unlimited and although we didn't buy/use it - from what I saw, IMO, it's a good alternative to ship WiFi while on the islands. Signal stregenth & reliability improved over 4 years ago when we're there on RCI.

 

There are routers/repeaters with multiple AP all over Dockyard, in front of King's Wharf & Heritage Wharf where BA is usually docked. There are big signs announcing WiFi Hotzone on lamp posts so that those with access can pick their spot & go "live". However, there aren't benches or seatings - maybe at some of the locations closer to Clocktower Mall, LOL. Off-duty crews on leave were hanging out near Calico Jack's black replica pirate ship with their laptops & tablets, but I think they're given access with secured password for the SSiD.

 

Assuming you are not getting NCL's unlimited WiFi plan & wanted to stay connected, sometimes, you can pickup the WiFi signal on the Breakway's Waterfront deck #8, whichever side facing land (I measured outside near Cagney's while watching for Pier Runners, LOL) Signals are marginal toward the FWD balcony on #8 deck as bow was facing the open ocean. I also picked up other SSiDs and their weak signals from the shops/stores, etc. @ Dockyard on "Signal Spy" ***** (look for SSiD "WiFizone by TBi" to connect)

 

Paid WiFi signals in downtown Hamilton as well as St. George, just not everywhere. They will work in many places ... public library also have free WiFi access.

 

***** We connected via Nexus 6 and Nexus 5X (and, iPad Mini via data only 4G/LTE & 3G Sim) using our Fi Network (T-Mobile & Sprint) international plan; and, with 3G/HSPA signal was rock solid, all the way up to deck 16 and 15 (pool deck/buffet/H2O) @ Heritage Wharf and while on BDA's fast CAT ferry en route to St. George (yes, they have cellular coverage at sea for "commuters") so that was nice & cool - did NOT drop the signal or get disconnect as we made 3 brief mobile calls back to the USA.

 

Reference the previous semi live update done last month - post #150 and post #151 - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2358922&page=8

 

But :D - you are a long way from sailing to BDA ... I would check back from time to time on the Bermuda forum to see if there's anything new. Oh, both our Fi Network and backup T-Mobile cellular connections deemed BDA as part of the Caribbean islands with the partner coverage by DIGIcel. Fi Network by Google is beginning to be seen by many travelers as the best deal around for worldwide travelers ... faster data speed @3G vs. T-Mo's 2G at no extra surcharges, just $10 per GB. Speed is more than adequate for devices that support WiFi calling, whether it's free or low-costs like Skype.

[McFins]

Thank you all so much. A lot of great info and much appreciated.