Bermuda Cruise

Questions and Answers

i recently when on cruise to Bermuda and someone stole my camera. i want to know who took it.?

Q) Royal Carribean, Empress of The Seas. October 19th, 2006 someone snatched it. GRRRR!!! All those nice pictures GONE!!! THANKS A LOT!!!

A) 1 contact teh cruise company and tell them that you need a manifest of the passengers 2. Contact every passenger and say there ris a reqard for the return 3. The onces that contact you report to the POLICE may work may not

Bermuda cruise?

Q) we are planning our next cruise and considering Bermuda. Is it a good place to go for a week what were your highlights from Bermuda what are your recommendations

A) I have been to Bermuda twice on cruise ships. Bermuda has some of the best beaches anywhere; pink sand beaches that you can easily find a deserted spot on. In my two visit it seemed to me that the majority of the people visiting the island were those on the two or three cruise ships which docked there during my stay. There are a few hotels in the town of Hamilton and about a dozen other properties/beach hotels, but they are nice. There are NO slums and ghettos in Bermuda like you may see on other islands. All of the houses are well maintained and painted in pastel colors. All of the public beaches are great. Be sure to go to Elbow Beach and Long Beach. Royal Caribbean, NCL and Holland America have cruise to Bermuda from many cities on the each coast. When you cruise there its less expensive than flying and staying in a hotel because, you stay and eat on the ship. You will probably want to eat on ship anyway because meals (and everything else) are expensive since everything has to be imported. A five, six, or seven day cruise to Bermuda is plenty enough time to see and enjoy everything there. There is not a lot to do in Bermuda other than water sports and golf. There are two main towns Hamilton, the largest (where most cruise ships dock for at least a day) and St George (also a port stop) which is like a small town and has just a few shops. The third place ships may dock while there is The Kings Dockyard.. The Dockyard is on the far end of the 22 mile long island and has a small mall with shops and a museum. The Crystal Cave and Fantasy Caves are worth visiting as a tour, or on your own. I also visited one of the lighthouses, for lack of anything else to do. You can visit one of the many forts on the island like Fort St Catherine if you like that type activity. In the town of Hamilton we took a walking tour which took us to the Cathedral of the Most Holy, a maritime museum and a nice garden/park a few blocks from the port. There is shopping in Hamilton and restaurants, but not much else. The best way to get around in Bermuda is to buy a transportation pass (may be able to get it on ship) which will let you take the buses, and the ferry, all over the island. There is a big bus depot just a couple blocks from where ships dock in the town of Hamilton. You can take the buses to the beach, they are not very far away and easy to get to from the bus stop. You want to go to Elbow Beach and Long Beach, both open to the public. If you want to snorkel, the Tobacco Bay Beach near the town of St George is great, and its walking distance (about 3/4 mile from town.) Bermuda is a nice cruise but it does not offer a lot of activities there like some other cruises destinations do in the Caribbean. www.bermuda.com http://www.bermudatourism.com/index.aspx

On a cruise to Bermuda, will that ship pass thru the Bermuda Triangle?

Q) I am going to Bermuda via cruise ship in May and well, kinda scared cuz I have heard in the past about the Bermuda Triangle. Wil the ship pass thru it?

A) Ask the cruise company or look on your itinerary of your sailing.

Cruise to Bermuda?

Q) Going to Bermuda on a Royal Caribbean cruise, anyone got ideas to do there?

A) I will probably give you some of the same stuff that tinkertoy did, but it’s easier to just type and not go back and forth. There are 3 ports in Bermuda: Hamilton, St. George’s, and Dockyard. Depending on the length of your cruise, your ship will probably dock at 2 of the 3. There are things to do at all three, and Tourist Board offices at all three where you can get maps, brochures, etc. Actually, there may not be one in Dockyard, but that’s not a big deal. Hamilton is the capital and the only true city on the island. If you dock in Hamilton, start on Front Street – which is the street your ship will dock on, anyway, so you can’t miss it. There is lots of shopping - but to be honest, there really is not a whole lot there that you can’t get at home – and since they have to import everything, some stuff can be pretty pricey – but there are a few things that are unique to the island and worth purchasing. I don’t know if you’re a guy or a girl, but if you’re a girl, definitely check out the Island Shop – it is on Queen Street, which intersects with Front Street at the birdcage (where the policeman directs traffic – you’ll know it when you see it). It has a lot of really nice things, and I feel that it is the best place for gifts. For gifts/souvenirs, also try AS Cooper (they are building a mega-store, so their shops/departments are scattered throughout). For jewelry (or jewellery, as they spell it), your best bet is probably Astwood-Dickinson. For T-shirts, my favorite is Flying Colours (next to the Island Shop). Also in Hamilton, definitely go to the Cathedral – it is a beautiful, gigantic gothic cathedral – you can pay a couple of dollars and climb to the top of the tower – the view is worth it. St George’s is the old capital and a pretty little town. There are several things to do there as well. St Peter’s church is oldest continually used Anglican church in the western hemisphere (or something like that), and is a pretty little church, made with lots of Bermuda cedar. I suggest getting ice cream at Temptations Ice Cream Shoppe next door, and eat it on the steps in front of the church. Fort St Catherine is pretty much what it says it is – a fort – it’s pretty large, and they have turned it in to somewhat of a museum – if you have some time, go, but it’s a pretty good walk – the bus does not go up to the fort – you might want to take a cab. There is also a little town square where they do a reenactment daily – I believe it is around 11:30 or so – of public punishment – it’s actually pretty amusing, and I try to see it whenever I get the chance. They also have stocks, which I guess is always good for a family photo. There’s some shopping, but it is mostly just a good little town to walk around in – quaint alleys, etc. – there is also a good size beach in Tobacco Bay – it has a snack shop, etc – but it is also a good walk (about 20 minutes from the dock). Dockyard is the old naval dockyards – and there are really only 2 things to do there: the Maritime Museum/Dolphin Quest, and the Dockyard Mall. My personal opinion of the best thing to do in Dockyard is to get on the bus and head up to the South Shore. This is where you will find the absolute best beaches. Horseshoe is the most famous beach; but not my favorite. It will be jammed with people, particularly if there is more than 1 ship docked (which there usually will be). I prefer Warwick Long Bay. I think it is more scenic and it is definitely less crowded. There are lots of little beaches along the way. If you get on the bus at Dockyard (which is the end of the line), make sure you sit on the right side of the bus – it has the better view. Other places to go: Flatts: This is one of my favorite places on the island. There is a nice Aquarium/Zoo, and a cute little Harbor. Not much to do other than the Aquarium, but it is just a quiet place to explore. Bailey’s Bay: this area has what is arguably the most famous restaurant in Bermuda, the Swizzle Inn. It’s been around forever, and it just seems to be "the" place to go. Make sure you take a business card or two to tack up on the wall, and of course, you must have a Rum Swizzle or a Dark 'N Stormy. Bailey’s Bay also has the best ice cream/sandwich shop - Bailey’s Ice Cream. Bailey’s ice cream is great (and also what they serve at Temptations in St George). Get a cone and walk around the corner to the Crystal and Fantasy Caves – an underground cavern that is pretty cool. Gibbs Hill lighthouse: make sure that you check with the Tourism Board office to see if this has reopened – the railing was damaged by a hurricane a couple of years ago, and it was closed – but if it has reopened, it is definitely worth the climb to the top – the views are awesome. Verdmont: if you’re into the historical preservation thing, this is one of the oldest houses on the island, furnished with 17th or 18th-century items. Definitely get the bus pass – public transportation is very efficient, clean, and if you tell the driver where you want to go, he/she will let you know when you get to your stop. Just remember that pink pole stops go into Hamilton, blue pole stops are going out of Hamilton. Make sure you get a schedule/map – very easy to read. The pass is also good for the ferries that go between Dockyard and Hamilton (and in the summer, they run a special ferry from St George to Dockyard a couple of days a week that offers a good view of the “outside” of the island). There are no rental cars on the island, but you can rent a moped, which I highly do NOT recommend unless you are used to riding a motorcycle on the wrong side of the road. I have seen a newlywed husband spend his honeymoon pushing his wife around in a wheelchair because of a moped accident, and the vast majority of accidents involve tourists. I did it once, but that was in the middle of winter when there was nobody on the island. Trust me, the bus and a few minute walk is better than having to have your relatives fly in just to get you onto the plane (saw that, too). Be aware of your surroundings – crime is pretty rare, but is picking up. Most of the people are very nice and friendly, and the island is very clean – you will not see the poverty that you see in the Caribbean. Take lots of film or a big memory card, and I always take an underwater camera or two – great for snorkeling. Have a great time. I will be there in 4 days and cannot wait.

Any one cruise to bermuda on Royal Carribean in September?

Q) Looking for an inexpensive short trip the last week of Sept. Have settled on a 7 day cruise to Bermuda out of Phila. PA. I am concerned however that it is the middle of hurricane season. I've been told that the ship usually avoids the storm and will go to alternate islands to avoid a storm. Any one travel to Bermuda in Sept.?

A) Well, I traveled to the Bahamas at the end of Aug/beginning of September. No thanks to Tropical Storm Ernesto, we ended up NOT going to the Bahamas, instead we went to Cozumel, Mexico. Oh, we were watching the TS and even called a few hours before getting to the terminal, and they said "yup we are still going to the Bahamas"... basically you won't know if you are going to be diverted until you are in line to check-in.

bermuda- cruise there or stay on the island?

A) Do a cruise, 5, 6 or 7 days is plenty. Bermuda does not have a lot of sights to see. Its only 22 miles long and has three major stops for cruise ships. Most dock in St George which is a small town, kinda like a New England fishing village; just a few shops. The main town is Hamilton and it has stores and restaurants. When we were there the things we saw on our tour were a church and a museum, then a city park. The third place that ships dock is called the Kings Dockyard. It is on the far end of the island and has a museum, a fort, and a small shopping mall. The main attraction in Bermuda is the pink sand beaches. They are beautiful and you can actually find a spot to be alone on them. The main public beaches are Elbow and Long Bay. You can get around on Bermuda very easily by purchasing a transportation pass which will let you ride the buses and ferry all day every day for the length of your pass. There is a big bus station just a block from the dock in Hamilton where you can catch buses going all over the island. The ferry station is also right downtown in HAmilton. There are nice hotels in Bermuda in HAmilton and on the beaches. But the hotels are expensive and food and drinks are also as EVERYTHING has to be imported. If you take a 6 or 7 day cruise to Bermuda you will have plenty of time to see and do everything and it will be much cheaper than flying and staying. That's my recommendation.

Will I pass by or through the Bermuda triangle on a cruise?

Q) I am going on a cruise to Bermuda in May and wondered if the track the ship takes goes through the Bermuda triangle?

A) Sure does. You'll be fine though. Enjoy yourself.

Cruise to Bermuda?

Q) I'm going on one!! It will get there at 8:00 a.m and stay there till 5 :00 the next day. I've already booked an excursion for the first day at 9. It's a snorkel, sail, swim, drink, catarmaran excursion for 3 hours. Sounds like a blast, but what is there to do after that? It's a Kings Wharf Bermuda. Any recommendations? I'd like it if someone could recommend a beautiful calm beach near food accomodations, changing accomodations and shopping all wrapped up in one. OR, if anybody can recommend anthing exciting to do, I'm up for suggestions. This would be in mid-July.

A) King's Warf is located in Southampton, from there you can tour the Royal Naval Dockyard, Dockyard Glassworks, Dolphinquest (swim with the dolphins), the snorkel park, and the Bermuda Rum Cake Factoy (get one). You will still be close to the ship, so that will have to suffice as your changing accomodation. For shopping you will want to head into Hammilton (the capitol). There are some large (for Bermuda) department stores there such as Marks & Spancer, Tiffany & Co, Benitton, and Crisson, they are all walking distance from the bus depot. You can catch the #7 or #8 bus or one of the ferries from Southampton. For something exciting there is a big rock climbing wall at the Olympic Club in Hamilton. A 3 day bus pass which is good for all busses and ferries is $28, ($35 for a 4 day pass, $55 for a monthly pass). You can also reach St Georges Island via the ferry orange route. here is a link for the ferry. www.seaexpress.bm There are also sightseeing tours on the busses and "do it yourself" sight seeing tours which are no additional charge with the 3 day transportation pass. While your in St Georges you can visit Tobacco Bay, or Blackbeards, restarunt bars with own small private beaches and Ft St Catherine, also walking distance from the town center where you will find some smaller areas to shop.

Is $1900 a good deal for a 7 day Cruise to Bermuda for 2 in the month of August (incl. drinks)?

Q) This deal is with the Norweign Cruise line. The price includes drinks (alcoholic and soft drink), gratuities, all taxes and fees. It is my first time cruising (honeymoon). I haven't booked yet. I just wanted to get a feel for the price. I don't need airfare because it sets sail in Boston (my home town). forgot to mention it currently is the basic stateroom guarantee with potential for an upgrade...not sure if the upgrades really take place or not...

A) Sounds like a good deal for August, and on NCL. But I would be surprised to find that the price includes alcohol. The only line that I am aware of that does this is the Yachts of Seabourne, and they charge several thousand dollars per person.

ANy suggestions on how to enjoy myself during a cruise to Bermuda ????

Q) What should I know about taking a cruise ??

A) OK, here's ALL you want/need to know. The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft). Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, and a life jacket for each passenger. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card. Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship. Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations. Some ships may offer a galley (kitchen) tour or a tour of the bridge. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. There is always food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free). If you want, you can order breakfast room service. All ships have a casino with slots and table games. Ships have movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to. There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities. Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails. There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. The newer Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall. The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. SO take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes, your snorkel equipment if you have it, sun glasses and sun screen, lotions, a cap or big hat for the sun, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries. After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway) Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in. There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf. Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent). There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music. Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave. On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party . I have been to Bermuda twice on cruise ships. Bermuda has some of the best beaches anywhere; pink sand beaches that you can easily find a deserted spot on. In my two visit it seemed to me that the majority of the people visiting the island were those on the two or three cruise ships which docked there during my stay. There are a few hotels in the town of Hamilton and about a dozen other properties/beach hotels, but they are nice. There are NO slums and ghettos in Bermuda like you may see on other islands. All of the houses are well maintained and painted in pastel colors. All of the public beaches are great. Be sure to go to Elbow Beach and Long Beach. You will probably want to eat on ship anyway because meals (and everything else) are expensive since everything has to be imported. A five, six, or seven day cruise to Bermuda is plenty enough time to see and enjoy everything there. There is not a lot to do in Bermuda other than water sports and golf. There are two main towns Hamilton, the largest (where most cruise ships dock for at least a day) and St George (also a port stop) which is like a small town and has just a few shops. The third place ships may dock while there is The Kings Dockyard.. The Dockyard is on the far end of the 22 mile long island and has a small mall with shops and a museum. The Crystal Cave and Fantasy Caves are worth visiting as a tour, or on your own. I also visited one of the lighthouses, for lack of anything else to do. You can visit one of the many forts on the island like Fort St Catherine if you like that type activity. In the town of Hamilton we took a walking tour which took us to the Cathedral of the Most Holy, a maritime museum and a nice garden/park a few blocks from the port. There is shopping in Hamilton and restaurants, but not much else. The best way to get around in Bermuda is to buy a transportation pass (may be able to get it on ship) which will let you take the buses, and the ferry, all over the island. There is a big bus depot just a couple blocks from where ships dock in the town of Hamilton. You can take the buses to the beach, they are not very far away and easy to get to from the bus stop. You want to go to Elbow Beach and Long Beach, both open to the public. If you want to snorkel, the Tobacco Bay Beach near the town of St George is great, and its walking distance (about 3/4 mile from town).

What is the best cruise line to take to Bermuda?

Q) My boyfriend and I are considering going to Bermuda in mid-July. Is that an okay time to go? Also, what cruise should we take- we are in our mid-twenties and would like a cruise with plenty of activities, but not that many kids. Are there any that have food and drinks included? Neither of us have ever been on a cruise before. We are also on a budget. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

A) Try www.cruise-addicts.com , you will probably get some great feed back there. =)