Has anyone been to Bermuda?

[gracie1]

In looking at going to Bermuda possibly next year. I was thinking of doing a cruise but am looking at just flying and staying in Bermuda as well. Does anyone have any feedback on hotels that they have stayed at? The plus with the cruise is that food is included!! But I would only get two days there, versus flying and getting almost 4 days there. I know the island isn't gigantic. Thanks for any input!!

 

[gracie1]

No one??

 

[ptmmg]

I have only cruised to Bermuda and I would suggest that. Bermuda is very expensive at least on a cruise all your food is paid for.

 

[DeanDoug]

My wife and I took a cruise to Bermuda last summer. From NYC, it takes more than a day to get there. We loved the island. It is not big, and can be toured in one day, although I don't recommend that. The Front Street area is a great home base, since it is centrally located...
It's beautiful!

 

[islandtimect]

We cruised Norwegian from NYC and had 2 1/2 days there. Bermuda is wonderful but very expensive.

 

[gracie1]

Thanks for the replies everyone!! I think I will do the cruise. Mainly because the food is included, and the cruise itself is cheaper than flying and staying, not counting the food I would have to buy on the island!

 

[ptmmg]

Thanks for the replies everyone!! I think I will do the cruise. Mainly because the food is included, and the cruise itself is cheaper than flying and staying, not counting the food I would have to buy on the island!

plus you get to do all the shows and activities on the cruise ship!!

 

[ptmmg]

another suggestion I would NOT recommend renting a moped to see the Island they drive like maniacs over there( and I'm from Boston LOL) and I have heard of many peoples trips being ruined by moped injuries!!!!

 

[gracie1]

Did you guys just wing it touring the island, or did you get a tour guide? I go on the cruisecritics forum and notice a lot of people pay for a tour guide to show them the island, which I was thinking of doing.

 

[Patience]

We honeymooned in Bermuda. We cruised there and loved it. We did rent a moped and survived to tell the tale. Lol! Great beaches, huge flowers, moon gates, good shopping. We hope to go back for an anniversary someday and we will probably cruise again as we found that to be very economical as well as fun. The island is pricey.

 

[msmayor]

Did you guys just wing it touring the island, or did you get a tour guide? I go on the cruisecritics forum and notice a lot of people pay for a tour guide to show them the island, which I was thinking of doing.

Husband and I cruised to Bermuda last year...we were lucky enough to sail during the last season Holland America had regular weekly calls there, since their ship was small enough to dock right in Hamilton. All ships currently sailing there tie up at the Dock Yard/King's Wharf on the far western tip of the island. You just have to plan a little extra time into your transportation from there as it is not a central location.

We did not take any organized tours or even hire a Blue Flag cab driver as a 'tour guide'. We found it incredibly easy to do everything on our own with nothing more than a 3-day bus/ferry pass ($28 each for unlimited trips on the bus and ferry) and a $12 Fodor guide to the island.

During our 3.5 days docked in Hamilton, we did the following:

* Horseshoe Bay Beach
* Gibbs Hill Lighthouse ($5 each to climb to the top...awesome views!!)
* Extensive touring in St. George using Fodor Guide as our assistant
* Toured Ft. St. Catherine (walked there from St. George)
* Visit/late lunch at Tobacco Bay Beach overlooking the water (walked there from the Fort)
* Hamilton Harbor Night Festival
* Crystal Caves (toured both caves)
* Visit to the original Swizzle Inn for rum swizzles
* Shopping along Front Street in Hamilton

There is SO much to see in Bermuda; many things we did not get to but that just gives us a good reason to go back.

We didn't miss at all not having a 'tour guide' and really enjoyed being able to take things at our own pace. We visited in early May when the temperatures were absolutely perfect for walking all over without overheating.

I would cruise there again in a heartbeat; I only hope that someday HAL will return with one of their smaller ships to dock in Hamilton again. IMO that is superior to being at the Dockyard just for transportation convenience.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've done a land-based vacation to Bermuda twice. The first time we stayed at the Sonesta (which isn't there anymore) and the second time we stayed at the Mermaid Beach Club (which I don't think is there anymore either). We really enjoyed our stay both times, but it is expensive. When we stayed at the Sonesta we paid OOP for our meals and they were very expensive. Lunch for two cheeseburgers, fries and soft drinks was $35 and that was back in 1980. When we stayed at the Mermaid Beach Club we got a meal plan which was so worth it.

Personally, if I were to go back again I'd do a cruise.

 

[gracie1]

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely thinking for Bermuda, the cruise is the way to go!

 

[Jonathan Swift]

We cruised Norwegian from NYC and had 2 1/2 days there.

Same here. Norwegian is awesome and Bermuda was beautiful. I'm not a beach person, but if I go back to Bermuda, I'm spending every day at the beach. There's nothing quite like the pink sand. The texture is so smooth and the water is so clear.

This year, the newest ship (The Breakaway) is going to Bermuda, so take advantage!

 

[JenLanDisney]

another suggestion I would NOT recommend renting a moped to see the Island they drive like maniacs over there( and I'm from Boston LOL) and I have heard of many peoples trips being ruined by moped injuries!!!!

Agreed. The roads are narrow and drivers are fast!
We bought a 2 day bus/ferry pass that allowed unlimited rides. It was very convenient, and the locals were terrific about directing us which bus to get on or even when to get off. It's a very friendly island.

 

[Aliceacc]

I've cruised and flown; I LOVE Bermuda.

It's been over 20 years since I was there, but take a look at Grotto Bay Beach.

And consider the meal plan. As an island, most of their food has to be imported, so it's expensive.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We've cruised there four times and love it. I have looked at flying and getting a place for a week but I think we could cruise twice for less than that cost.
We have been on Celebrity and HAL which we loved and NCL which we hated. HAL does not go there anymore other than occasional one day stops as parts of other itineraries.
I would get the bus/ferry pass mentioned above. It is very efficient, safe, and clean.
Finally, Bermuda is about as south as the Carolinas. May can have cold water and September is often plagued with hurricanes. June/July/August will have much higher fares. I would recommend late May or early June. We have been twice in May and got in the water every day. After the initial shock it's not so bad.

 

[shortbun]

I adore Bermuda. I've never cruised there because there's not enough time on the island. I don't cruise for the destinations because cruising is really all about the ship. Bermuda is a destination in itself. It's classy and quaint, yes-expensive but very different that islands in the Caribbean. Bermuda is sophisticated, charming, has very good food, great taverns, really interesting and different hotels. There are tiny little cottage hotels and large dynamic hotels, guest hotels in town and deluxe cottage colonies on the coast. Do some research before you decide how you want to see it. There is a lot to see and you might find two short days disappointing. I can spend a whole afternoon walking the streets and looking at the color, architecture and charm. As stated, the weather is cooler than the Caribbean because of the location in the Atlantic off the coast.

 

[gracie1]

I adore Bermuda. I've never cruised there because there's not enough time on the island. I don't cruise for the destinations because cruising is really all about the ship. Bermuda is a destination in itself. It's classy and quaint, yes-expensive but very different that islands in the Caribbean. Bermuda is sophisticated, charming, has very good food, great taverns, really interesting and different hotels. There are tiny little cottage hotels and large dynamic hotels, guest hotels in town and deluxe cottage colonies on the coast. Do some research before you decide how you want to see it. There is a lot to see and you might find two short days disappointing. I can spend a whole afternoon walking the streets and looking at the color, architecture and charm. As stated, the weather is cooler than the Caribbean because of the location in the Atlantic off the coast.

Thank you for the information!! It looks as though I may be traveling solo, so if I am, then I will be flying and staying. I really don't want to do a cruise solo. Can you tell me where you have stayed at? I have been looking at the different places, but it's always nice to hear reviews from someone who has stayed there!

 

[princess barbara]

We flew, stayed in mid June. Water was refreshing but cooled off at night. $50.00 spaghetti and meatball dinner. I second staying at Grotto Bay and try to get on a dining plan. Also not sure if it is still there but had great Indian cuisine at the Bombay Bicycle Club restaurant.