RCI still doing Bermuda?....

[Luv4dacruise]

I have read through all the Empress leaving threads and could not find this information, forgive me if it is there and i missed it. With the Empress leaving, will RCI be doing 7-day Bermuda runs anymore?.....While St.George may be out of the question, they can get one of the smaller Vision class (Legend & Splendor) as well as one of the Sovereign class into Hamilton. Do you think we will see this?....I am aware of other options going to Bermuda (Explorer, Celebrity, NCL) but prefer the 7-day runs on RCI. Any insight?......

[Host Kewlguy]

I have read through all the Empress leaving threads and could not find this information, forgive me if it is there and i missed it. With the Empress leaving, will RCI be doing 7-day Bermuda runs anymore?.....While St.George may be out of the question, they can get one of the smaller Vision class (Legend & Splendor) as well as one of the Sovereign class into Hamilton. Do you think we will see this?....I am aware of other options going to Bermuda (Explorer, Celebrity, NCL) but prefer the 7-day runs on RCI. Any insight?......

 

After Empress leaves the fleet your only options on RCCL to visit Bermuda are the 5 day sailings. Otherwise you can always book the Celebrity Journey for an extended stay. I've heard the Bermudian Government is planning to expand the pier in Hamilton but until that day arrives a Vision or Sovereign Class ship will not be able to dock in Hamilton. And if you think about it staying docked in Bermuda for four days is not exactly a big money maker for the cruise line considering the casino and shops on board have to be closed while in port.

[Luv4dacruise]

After Empress leaves the fleet your only options on RCCL to visit Bermuda are the 5 day sailings. Otherwise you can always book the Celebrity Journey for an extended stay. I've heard the Bermudian Government is planning to expand the pier in Hamilton but until that day arrives a Vision or Sovereign Class ship will not be able to dock in Hamilton. And if you think about it staying docked in Bermuda for four days is not exactly a big money maker for the cruise line considering the casino and shops on board have to be closed while in port.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am pretty sure they can dock in Hamilton as it is now, the only problem is, they would take up both piers with the length of the ship. The Costa Majica will be doing that twice this year. With the Empress leaving, Horizon gone and NCL Crown leaving as well, that only leaves the Journey for docking in Hamilton in '08. Guess i am just dreaming too much....LOL

[Host Kewlguy]

Thanks for the reply. I am pretty sure they can dock in Hamilton as it is now, the only problem is, they would take up both piers with the length of the ship. The Costa Majica will be doing that twice this year. With the Empress leaving, Horizon gone and NCL Crown leaving as well, that only leaves the Journey for docking in Hamilton in '08. Guess i am just dreaming too much....LOL

 

As I stated on another thread I think our future vacations in Bermuda will be via plane since the over nighters are not nearly enough time to enjoy that beautiful Island. Also the prices for the Celebrity Journey are outrageous. IMHO. ;)

[Luv4dacruise]

As I stated on another thread I think our future vacations in Bermuda will be via plane since the over nighters are not nearly enough time to enjoy that beautiful Island. Also the prices for the Celebrity Journey are outrageous. IMHO. ;)

 

Totally agreed kewlguy.....Thanks for your insight.....

[Charles4515]

Thanks for the reply. I am pretty sure they can dock in Hamilton as it is now, the only problem is, they would take up both piers with the length of the ship. The Costa Majica will be doing that twice this year. With the Empress leaving, Horizon gone and NCL Crown leaving as well, that only leaves the Journey for docking in Hamilton in '08. Guess i am just dreaming too much....LOL

 

No they can not dock at Hamilton. Not only because of the dock, but also the harbor would have to be dredged to allow larger ships. If the Costa ship is calling at Hamilton they will be tendering.

[Host Kewlguy]

No they can not dock at Hamilton. Not only because of the dock, but also the harbor would have to be dredged to allow larger ships. If the Costa ship is calling at Hamilton they will be tendering.

 

I just found this interesting article which is relevant to this subject

 

http://www.theroyalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?sectionId=117&articleId=7d73bbf30030007

[Luv4dacruise]

No they can not dock at Hamilton. Not only because of the dock, but also the harbor would have to be dredged to allow larger ships. If the Costa ship is calling at Hamilton they will be tendering.

 

Both Empress and Costa Magica have the same draft, 25ft.

[Charles4515]

Both Empress and Costa Magica have the same draft, 25ft.

 

The Costa Magica will not be docking in Hamilton. Not possible. It will be docking at Kings Wharf if it is docking. I expect that is what they are doing, docking at Kings Wharf, not doing Hamilton.

[Charles4515]

I just found this interesting article which is relevant to this subject

 

http://www.theroyalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?sectionId=117&articleId=7d73bbf30030007

 

I had not seen that article but I had read a bunch of similar articles before.

 

Some of the politicians in Bermuda seem to believe that the Eastern Coast of the US is the home of one hundred million millionaires (LOL) and that those should and could be drawn to Bermuda hotels and that Bermuda should not try to draw cruise ship passengers.

 

Now that airfares to Bermuda have come down from $600 a roundtrip I would consider a Bermuda hotel except that they are overpriced. Now even expensive would not be out of the question if they were say "wow" type hotels or resorts. But they are not.

[Luv4dacruise]

The Costa Magica will not be docking in Hamilton. Not possible. It will be docking at Kings Wharf if it is docking. I expect that is what they are doing, docking at Kings Wharf, not doing Hamilton.

 

Alright, ill accept the fact that they cannot dock in Hamilton, however, nobody has given me a reason yet?.....If its not the draft or the length, what is it?.....

[Charles4515]

Alright, ill accept the fact that they cannot dock in Hamilton, however, nobody has given me a reason yet?.....If its not the draft or the length, what is it?.....

 

Neither of the two docks on the Hamilton waterfront can handle longer ships than those currently using them. So the larger ships can't currently dock at either of them.

 

For the mega ships to dock there a new dock would have to be built. That would require dredging. There is also limited maneuvering space in the harbor. That might require dredging of the approach to the channel. There is also a container port on the waterfront. Any changes to the docks would impact that and possibly require dredging.