Cruise to Bermuda?

Question

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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

I have been to Bermuda by cruise ship twice. Bermuda has some of the best beaches anywhere; pink sand beaches that you can find a deserted spot on. The best thing about Bermuda is the beaches. There are only a few hotels on the beaches there, but all of the public beaches are great. 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 which is small and has just a few shops (ships usually dock there for a day.) The third place you may dock while there is The Kings Dockyard.. The Dockyard is on the far end of the 22 mile long island and has some shops and a museum. There is a cavern on the island that we went to once, kinda nice. We also visited the lighthouse, for lack of anything else to do.

Royal Caribbean, NCL and Holland America have cruise from many cities on the each coast. When you cruise there, you stay on the ship and eat on the ship. A 5, 6, or 7 day cruise to Bermuda is plenty enough time to see and enjoy it.

In the town of Hamilton we took a walking tour which took us to an old church, a nice garden and a maritime museum. There is shopping in Hamilton and restaurants, but not much else. You will probably want to eat on ship as meal are expensive since everything has to be imported.

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 busses, 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 busses 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.

Answer 3

LUCKY! I wish i was going... well any ways. Enjoy the beach and the activities on the cruise. Look for souvenirs.