Bermuda cruises offer passengers the chance to explore the British colony in style, visiting beaches, museums, shops and historic sites. The cruise season runs from April to November, with the busiest and most expensive time to visit coinciding with the warm weather of June, July and August. For cheaper deals, visiting in the shoulder months of May and October is recommended.
Typical itineraries include five to seven nights calling in Bermuda only, or transatlantic crossings. King’s Wharf is the most popular port of call for the larger cruise ships to dock. The naval history of Bermuda is on display here, as it’s the Royal Naval Dockyard with a lighthouse among numerous duty-free shops, the Arts Centre and the Bermuda Maritime Museum.
Cruise ships also dock at Ordnance Island, the gateway to historic St. George’s. Explore the World Heritage Site on foot, across cobblestone streets with quaint alleys and architecture and tour a replica of the ship, 1610 Deliverance. The City of Hamilton is the capital of Bermuda, its major port, and its financial center. Most cruise ships that dock here, do so right on Front Street, which is in the heart of the action. Here, attractions include the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo and the limestone Crystal Caves.
Specialty shore excursions are diverse in Bermuda and allow passengers to make the most of sunny weather, spectacular beaches and adventure activities. Glass-bottom boat tours are among the most popular and opportunities abound to enjoy golf courses, night fishing, diving, sailing and dolphin-watching.
To explore the notorious Bermuda Triangle, passengers cruise on glass-bottom boats with guides offering commentary about ghostly shipwrecks and haunted sites. Evening tours are popular, to increase the scare factor. Along the way and surrounding the ship wrecks, guests have the chance to spot speckled eels, parrotfish and octopus. For active cruisers, there’s even glass-bottom kayaks available. Guided tours take you to secluded beaches, rock formations and uninhabited islands.
A Railway Trail Bike and Beach tour crosses a segment of an historic rail line, now converted into a scenic trail from St. George’s. Cyclists enjoy beautiful coastal views, historic sites and exotic birds at Gilbert Nature Reserve. A range of other tours focus on the beaches, with visits to Horseshoe Bay and Snorkel Park Beach, and many include private use of chairs and umbrellas.
There are several cruise lines covering Bermuda cruises, including the fun and vibrant Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, which was the highest-rated premium cruise line at the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards, Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the Miami-based company which specializes in fine dining.
The Norwegian Dawn offers an eight-day itinerary, docking at King's Wharf. The cruise ship has a casual, fun vibe, perfect for families, couples and singles. Entertainment options range from sports courts and pools, to a casino, bars, lounges and clubs for children of all ages. Dining is a treat, with 11 restaurants offering everything from pub food to Italian, Mexican and Asian.
MS Veendam, by Holland America Cruise Line, offers 7-day itineraries, including a Boston to Bermuda cruise. The cruise ship appeals to mature travelers and families with young children, with a formal or smart casual dress code and activities including digital workshops, yoga classes, movie nights and sports courts. A range of cabins have modern decor and plush amenities, while luxury suites include iPod docking stations, yoga mats, water features and fitness DVDs.
Passengers can choose from a variety of the world’s best cruise lines to discover Bermuda’s fascinating historical attractions, pink-tinged beaches and rich underwater worlds.
