The paradise island that is always forgotten is Bermuda. This amazingly under appreciated paradise is located in the middle of the north Atlantic Ocean, 774 miles from New York City. What makes this island the best 1st Cruise for newbies? Besides the amazing food, beaches and blue waters, it is the chance to experience the island for far longer than just the usual 5 hours on a typical cruise. When you cruise from Baltimore, NYC, Boston, or NJ, the ship is docked at Kings Wharf for 2-3 days. Depending on the itinerary you choose, most itineraries have the ship docked for 3 days. You are able to leave and board the ship 24 hours a day. On a normal cruise, you don’t get this opportunity. This is one of the beauties of this itinerary. One of the other benefits of this cruise is the proximity. If you’re from one of these cities or close to, all you have to do is jump in a cab or take mass transit to the port. No need to fly anywhere. One of the drawbacks is that this particular itinerary is slightly more expensive because the ship is in port for more than 24 hours. Every ship that is in port for a certain amount of time has to pay an extra fee. In the end, the cruiser has to foot the bill. It pretty much balances itself out in price. The best part is not having to fly. Still with me? Great. CLICK HERE FOR A GUIDE TO ALL OF BERMUDA . If you’re into Cricket, Bermuda has an annual match called Cup Match, between the easts Somerset Cricket Club and the wests St. George’s Cricket Club in celebration of Emancipation. Next year’s (2023) game will be held on the west coast at St. George Cricket Club. They alternate. This event is rich in tradition and a way for you to experience so much more

CRUISE LINES THAT GO TO BERMUDA FROM THE NORTH EAST

NCL, Oceana Cruises, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival, Disney
Our recommendation for cruise line/ship is Norwegian (NCL). Based on the length of cruise, and staying at port for 3 days, it’s best to get on a ship that offers a lot. Norwegian has the best fleet for this particular itinerary. The ships we recommend are Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway, Bliss, Prima and Joy. These ships are in the bigger classes that offer amazing entertainment and bang for your buck. There’s so much to do on the ship. The Norwegian Prima is the newest ship. Less people, same size

THE LOCATION:
The Island of Bermuda is located in the middle of the north Atlantic Ocean. It is about 22 miles along. It is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Yes, they drive on the left side. It is actually quite packed on the roads. Not to mention the fact that the roads are quite narrow. When you’re at the coast, you’ll be reminded of why you chose Bermuda. Below is a shot of Horse Shoe Bay. This beach is one of the most popular beaches of Bermuda. Maybe it’s because Horse Shoe Bay has pink sand. Yes, it really does!!! It’s not the only beach worth seeing. Check out the list of beaches here.

THE WEATHER:
Bermuda enjoys a temperate, sub-tropical climate. The best times to visit is from April – September when the weather is from 75-90. It can get super hot and humid towards the heart of summer. Although Bermuda is not prone to hurricanes much, the island can still get strong storms from time to time. If you’re worried about hurricanes, need not fear as it is rare.

WHERE DO I ARRIVE?
You will arrive at Kings Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard). Kings Wharf gets better and better as time goes by. There has been a huge transformation over the years. There are plenty of shops and activities to enjoy. You can visit the Kings Wharf Guide here. 

GETTING AROUND BERMUDA:
Official Ways To Travel Here
If you are looking to venture out onto the island, you have a few ways to get where you need to go. Unfortunately, regular car rentals are not one of them. Based on conversations with Bermudians, households are limited to 1 vehicle. The island isn’t big, so I am assuming it is to curb the amount of cars on the roads

TAXIS
Taxis are fairly reasonable. If you’re looking to get to your destination quickly and don’t care about the scenery.

BUSES
The buses in Bermuda are quite reliable. If you are not in a rush, or just looking to enjoy genuine conversations with the locals, a bus ride in Bermuda isn’t so bad. You can view the schedule here.

THE FERRY
When you arrive at Kings Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) cruise port, you will have access to the Sea Express Bermuda Ferry. From this port you have 2 destinations to choose from. Hamilton and St. George. Hamilton is the main city of Bermuda and St. George is on the eastern tip of the island where the airport is. From Hamilton, there are more destinations to choose from. You can view the schedule and ticket cost here.

THE VEHICLES
You can rent a moped, but I advise that you choose another method of travel. There have been many accidents through the years for a couple of reasons. Lack of experience and not getting used to riding/driving on the left side. Here is a list of vehicles that you can rent on the island. We decided to rent a 2 seater electric vehicle called a Twizy. It is one of the most easiest ways to get around, but it is also a tad a expensive. My personal belief is that you can easily rent one of these small electric vehicles and ride around all day on one charge. If need be, there are several charging stations throughout the island. It is quite fun and easy.

Be sure to click on the link to the Bermuda Guide so that you can prepare for your trip. Let us know what your experience was in Bermuda. We’d love to hear from you.