Magesty to Bermuda

[joschwin]

this is a first time cruise to Bermuda. My choice is either the Magesty to St. George or the Dawn to Kings Wharf. Is one location better than the other? Also what fees will I be paying for are tips automatically added to your trip? I know drinks are extra how about soda and tea? Looking to go in 2 weeks so this is sort of a last minute decision. Any help would be appreciated

[DDD06]

As we'll be sailing for the first time next week, I can't help you with your first question. However, there is a gratuity of 10.00/day charged automatically. Also, Soda and tea is extra, but you can carry on sodas and/or water if you want.

[cruiserssandr]

I think being in St George is great. Just came back from the Dream out of Boston. Spent the whole time in St George. This was our 11th Boston to Bermuda cruise. First 10 one the Majesty--we sure do miss her. $10 per adult per day is added as a "sevice fee". Soda cards can be bought for unlimited soda, I think that is about $50 for the week. Unsweetened ice tea is available all day aat no charge.

[iheartbda]

IMHO, the Majesty docking in St. George. There is nothing really wrong with Dockyard, but St. George is very charming and you can walk to 2 beaches or even just walk around the town. It's more picturesque and typical of Bermuda as opposed to Dockyard.

[parisienneatheart]

what are the two beaches in st george that you can walk to. i am going on the majesty again next saturday to bermuda. i sailed on the majesty two years ago in the caribbean out of charleston and it was a nice trip. looking forward to going to bermuda though as i have never been. i am taking my 20 month old twins and would like to find a beach within walking distance.

[cruiserssandr]

You can walk to both Tobacco Bay and St Caterine's. I think I did read somewhere that St Catherines is closing at the end of June. The are tearing down the old Club Med and I guess there must be some sort of danger factor with that. A walk to Tobacco Bay with 20 month old twins might be a bit of a challenge. There is a shuttle bus that goes and it costs about $2 a person.

[Mayzir]

The walk to the beach is beautiful.... you will pass the Unfinished Church.... but it is UP HILL..... and then down hill. The walk home is UP HILL and then back down. It was fine for our 8 year old and us but I don't think I would have wanted to push a stroller doing it.

I'd do the shuttle.

Hope you enjoy your cruise!!:)

[kebauc]

We were in St. George last year on RCCL. It is a really neat place, and not so busy as Hamilton (we were docked there too). It is true about the uphill walking. I didn't care for it myself, mostly due to the heat that day, and unfortunately we never made it as far as the beaches there - hope to this time. The shuttle is great, and if I'm not mistaken they usually don't charge toddlers. But hey, $2 is cheap and well worth it. When we were there, we also missed going to King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard), so we have decided that we will spend at least one day there, since we're docked in St. George for 3 days. The ferrys and buses are very efficient transportation to get around Bermuda. I hope you have a great time - we are heading out on the Majesty in mid-July.

[iheartbda]

I confess...we sometimes do use the shuttle and it certainly would be better with small ones.:) It's a good walk but I figure it's helping to offset everything I've eaten on board.:D

 

The article in the Royal Gazette only talked about the beach bar at St. Catherine's closing, not the beach itself.

 

Clearwater Beach is another beach with facilities that has been recommended near St. George. However, you have to take the bus there since it's not as close as Tobacco Bay or St. Catherine's beach.

[beach2sea]

I'll enter another vote for St. George's. It is simply the most beautiful place to dock. We'll be heading back in three weeks. This time on the NCL Dream. We'll be at a different dock, but still in St.G.

 

The Dockyard made a good day trip. We got bus passes and got on and off at spots we wanted to visit.

 

I read that the old Club Med is filled with aspestos. I sure hope they aren't closing the whole beach (at least during the week of July 6). There is the shuttle to the beach, but there are also cabs. We shared a cab with a two other couples and it was actually cheaper than the shuttle.

[salty dingo]

If driving to Charleston, you will pay $110 to park at the pier. The mandatory tips are $140 (for two) and you will also pay for what you use in the casino, photo gallery, specialty restaurant, bar, and in town. Everyone is different on what they choose to purchase, but consider what you will like to do when setting a budget.

 

An excellent value in Bermuda is the bus and ferry pass. This was $56 for the two of us for three days of unlimited transportation.

[parisienneatheart]

does anyone know if the pier in baltimore is also $110 to park? the majesty starts going out of baltimore this saturday and that is where we will be docking. thanks for the info.

[parisienneatheart]

also,

 

has anyone experienced the st george tuesday night or hamilton wednesday night street festival? could you tell me a little bit about what sorts of things there are to do/shopping/etc...

[DDD06]

does anyone know if the pier in baltimore is also $110 to park? the majesty starts going out of baltimore this saturday and that is where we will be docking. thanks for the info.

 

Parking in Baltimore is $13/day. They take credit cards.

 

BTW, come join our role call for the 6/21 sailing.

[parisienneatheart]

do you have the roll call posted, where and when is it? we'll be there.

[DDD06]

do you have the roll call posted, where and when is it? we'll be there.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=617359

[DeltaOne]

also,

 

has anyone experienced the st george tuesday night or hamilton wednesday night street festival? could you tell me a little bit about what sorts of things there are to do/shopping/etc...

 

It's fun -- think of it as a kind of craft fair. Many vendors will be there selling home made stuff -- some of it is quite good. And there'll be some commercial vendors too. And more than a few food/ice cream vendors too. It's fun. Plan on an hour or two to see everything. The event wraps up with a march down street -- it's neat to watch.

[chargeit2him]

Husband and I went last Oct on RC and it was nice.

Here is a link to a slide show Cruise This August we plan on taking the youngest daughter (15) and three grandsons (15, 10 & 3 ) My cousin is also going maybe taking her 12 yo grandaughter.

 

Sandy

[karen119]

St. George is pretty -- a historical little town. Not much to do there except walk up and down hills and shop, although I didn't investigate any beaches, so I'm not the expert. Kings Wharf is nice too. It really doesn't matter where you dock -- buy a ferry/bus pass and you will be within 20-40 minutes from anything you want to do.

[beach2sea]

It's a great way to spend part of the night. There are costumed dancers and many vendors. We have three prints hanging in our bedroom from the fair. A daily reminder of a great trip to Bermuda. We're going again in two weeks. We need a larger piece for the other wall.

[CruisnGram]

St. George is pretty -- a historical little town. Not much to do there except walk up and down hills and shop, although I didn't investigate any beaches, so I'm not the expert. Kings Wharf is nice too. It really doesn't matter where you dock -- buy a ferry/bus pass and you will be within 20-40 minutes from anything you want to do.

 

I'm not familiar with Bermuda at all. Have never been there and am looking forward to going, most likely next summer.

 

My choices would be the same as the OP, either Majesty from Baltimore or Dawn from NY. The Majesty is SO tempting as the Baltimore port is 1/2 hour from my house.

 

Question is this: If docked at St. George, you can get public transportation to visit other places like Hamilton, etc.?

[smeyer418]

...

 

Question is this: If docked at St. George, you can get public transportation to visit other places like Hamilton, etc.?

yes by Bus or ferry....

 

http://www.seaexpress.bm

[salty dingo]

The multi-day bus/ferry pass is a must! You will definitely get your money's worth, unless you are the type that likes to stay on the ship a lot.

 

The passes are sold in the post office, a couple blocks from the ship. The three day pass was $28 per person, if I recall correctly.

[ljhpgh]

The $10 per person a day tip is automatically deducted but it is not mandatory. You can adjust it up or down as you wish by visiting the front desk.

[JMNL]

My two cents is -- take the Majesty to St. Georges. The Majesty is on its way out of the NCL fleet and there are to few ships that can sail into St. Georges. To me, going through the cut into St. Georges is as dramatic as the Panama Canal. In either case, you will love Bermuda