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When overnighting in Hamilton Bermuda what is open on board?

Epicureangirl

By Epicureangirl,
in Holland America Line

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Epicureangirl

Epicureangirl

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It just occurred to me, that on the Bermuda itinerary the ship is at Hamilton Dock for 3 consecutive nights -- does the ship have to close down all the stores and casino, like a typical port-day? If so, that is a long stretch not to be able to buy bejeweled crystal baseball-caps and what not ;).

 

I was also wondering, is the entertainment is severely scaled back those days -- or is it business-as-usual? I was imagining the ship might be a ghost-town, given that people have so much time to enjoy the nightlife in port (usually HAL likes having everybody back by 5 for dinner).

 

Or is not that kind of cruise -- is everyone rushing back for their free food? :confused:

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sail7seas

sail7seas

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Last time we were there, I believe they opened up shops, casino at 9 p.m. Bermuda changed the rules when cruise ship numbers declined due to having to have everything closed while in port. It wasn't financially feasible for the ships to do this. Bermuda changed the rules about 4 years ago.

 

Everything is ope nat night when tied up in Bermuda

 

I sailed Veendamto Bermuda July 2017

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baggal

baggal

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It just occurred to me, that on the Bermuda itinerary the ship is at Hamilton Dock for 3 consecutive nights -- does the ship have to close down all the stores and casino, like a typical port-day? If so, that is a long stretch not to be able to buy bejeweled crystal baseball-caps and what not ;).

 

I was also wondering, is the entertainment is severely scaled back those days -- or is it business-as-usual? I was imagining the ship might be a ghost-town, given that people have so much time to enjoy the nightlife in port (usually HAL likes having everybody back by 5 for dinner).

 

Or is not that kind of cruise -- is everyone rushing back for their free food? :confused:

 

The food is not free. Its included in the cruise fare.

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Homosassa

Homosassa

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Hamilton is better than the outer Mongolia Naval Dockyard. You are in the center of the island and can get easily travel wherever you want.

 

I don't know if it still occurs, but when I was on cruises that docked in Hamilton, there was one evening when a street fair was held on the street running along the water.

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catl331

catl331

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I don't know if it still occurs, but when I was on cruises that docked in Hamilton, there was one evening when a street fair was held on the street running along the water.
If the 2018 Harbour Nights Street Festival follows a schedule similar to 2017, they will be on Wednesday evenings from May 2 to Aug 29, 7 pm until 10 pm.
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sail7seas

sail7seas

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Hamilton is better than the outer Mongolia Naval Dockyard. You are in the center of the island and can get easily travel wherever you want.

 

I don't know if it still occurs, but when I was on cruises that docked in Hamilton, there was one evening when a street fair was held on the street running along the water.

 

Aside from the unique dancers, the street fair was not so interesting or wondeful.ly amusing.

 

JUly 2017, I was on Veen d docked in Hamiltton.

 

I don't necessarily agree with the coments re: Dockeyard... I actually didn't mind the Dockyard when we were docked there on NCL, in 2016> I had a far more negative expectation than the reality was, at least for me. I would sail NCL again and dock there. :)with no reservation. I would absolutely not describe it as outer Mongolia.

Edited by sail7seas
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kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

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There is nothing nicer than docking in downtown Bermuda IMO.

 

Downtown is beatuiful and you can easily take a bus if you want to see the island or go the ughh touristy Dockyards.

 

The dowtown area is beautiful ;)

 

The locals love it and are very friendly. Nothing like savouring the cultural flavour :)

 

And the museum that usually has some of Captain Steven Card's art is close by.

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Epicureangirl

Epicureangirl

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Given that there will be shiploads of tourists on the Island at the same time, is there an advice on things to pre-book or go early to? I am guessing if I want to eat dinner close to the ship I might want to secure a reservation?

 

Did anyone rent a scooter, or does driving on the left-side there seem too risky?

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catl331

catl331

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Best to get a bus/ferry pass. Buses go everywhere. Make sure you go out to historic St. George. Nice lunch places out there. You can go by ferry or bus. Food is not cheap in Bermuda as most supplies come from Gr. Britain or USA. Fresh fish is a good bet. Outer Mongolia is a nice trip by ferry and return by bus. Nice Lighthouse on the way back. If the street fair is going on that side of the boat will be noisy at night.

They are very strict about drugs and will prosecute.

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Epicureangirl

Epicureangirl

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Best to get a bus/ferry pass. Buses go everywhere. Make sure you go out to historic St. George. Nice lunch places out there. You can go by ferry or bus. Food is not cheap in Bermuda as most supplies come from Gr. Britain or USA. Fresh fish is a good bet. Outer Mongolia is a nice trip by ferry and return by bus. Nice Lighthouse on the way back. If the street fair is going on that side of the boat will be noisy at night.

They are very strict about drugs and will prosecute.

 

Thanks for the tips, I had already been looking at restaurant websites so will not be shocked by the prices. I will look into where to get a pass, I heard their transportation system is very good. I hadn't heard of Outer Mongolia -- do you mean near where the other ships are docked? I assumed it was a joke, but I have no idea... maybe that IS a place in Bermuda!

 

I'm glad that I had read about where the ship docks, and that it can be noisy at night (but fun to watch the street if you have a verandah facing Starboard). I usually do not like when we're in a port overnight -- I can never get the room dark enough (aside from noise issues). So for this cruise, I booked a large inside stateroom even though the price was more than the Oceanview rooms (View & Verandah special is on now). Hopefully I don't regret it. I figure I will just pop out to the promenade to see what is going on from time to time and then back to my cave. ;)

 

Do I come across as a drug user? :confused: Or just generally saying it's strict (somewhat like Singapore)? I have nothing to worry about I'm sure. :')

Edited by Epicureangirl
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catl331

catl331

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I hadn't heard of Outer Mongolia -- do you mean near where the other ships are docked? I assumed it was a joke, but I have no idea... maybe that IS a place in Bermuda!
No, just continuing the reference to the Naval Dockyard as Mongolia. :D
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sail7seas

sail7seas

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Kazu:

And the museum that usually has some of Captain Steven Card's art is close by.

The museum,? hIS gallery? :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aside from ghe Gomb ey Dancers, what is so intriguing to some here about the street fair? Didn't do a thing for us. :) The Gombeys were fun.

 

 

 

 

We went back aboard. :)

Edited by sail7seas
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sapper1

sapper1

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We have been to Bermuda three times and have a fourth booked for next year.

We have always been docked in downtown Hamilton and would not take the cruise if we had to tie up in the Dockyard.

 

While the Dockyard and the Fort/Museum is very interesting to visit for a day, it is so touristy and remote that we wouldn’t like to have to journey long distances every day just to get anywhere.

 

The ferry dock is just ahead of where the ship ties up in downtown Hamilton. You can buy three day ferry/bus passes and easily get anywhere you want to go. The bus terminal is just up the hill a bit from the ship dock.

 

The Wednesday night street fair is great fun. Last time we were there they had a zip line set up. We didn’t try it but it was amusing to watch those who did.

Another thing we found about Bermuda is that the stores and stalls sell good quality items and you don’t find the junk that is so prevalent in the Caribbean.

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3rdGenCunarder "Live from...." Rare

3rdGenCunarder

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Given that there will be shiploads of tourists on the Island at the same time, is there an advice on things to pre-book or go early to? I am guessing if I want to eat dinner close to the ship I might want to secure a reservation?

 

Did anyone rent a scooter, or does driving on the left-side there seem too risky?

 

I wouldn't recommend it unless you have experience with a scooter (and/or really good insurance). The combination of an unfamiliar vehicle and the left side of the road can be daunting. Plus roads are narrow, often with a stone wall at the edge. And the buses can sometimes be unforgiving.

 

I remember getting off a ship in Hamilton many years ago and two couples were discussing renting scooters. One of the men started singing Born to be Wild--I hope he wasn't expecting a Harley.

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Epicureangirl

Epicureangirl

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As an aside I was interested in trying this itinerary on Celebrity and was ready to book, when I thought, I better check where it docks so I’m not stuck far away from the sights and spending time and money commuting each day.

 

I’m so glad to have found out before I booked that it went to dockyards, but that HAL was right at Hamilton. An ideal location and HAL was comparably priced.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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3rdGenCunarder "Live from...." Rare

3rdGenCunarder

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I have scratched the scooter idea off my list, I like my skin attached to my body. They have a slow speed limit but I have no experience with a scooter.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

One of the most common tourist injuries in Bermuda is "road rash." :eek:

 

And I agree with others who say Hamilton is the best place to dock. I miss the days when ships did one day at St Georges and then moved to Hamilton.

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