Cruising to Bermuda:
Tips and Hints for the First Timers

Bermuda is one of the most blessed places on earth worthy of visit on a cruise.  Many people thought that it is part of the Caribbean that many of them considered a cruise to Bermuda as a cruise to Caribbean.   But the truth is Bermuda is not part of it.  It is just a cluster of “islands” miles away from the Caribbean that remains until now as one of the outside territories of the United Kingdom.

Cruising to Bermuda is such a great experience worth remembering.  A lot of wonderful things are waiting for every cruiser to partake.  There are the fine dining on board, the comfy and elegant accommodations, the great facilities and of course everything that Bermuda has to offer – pink sandy beaches,  historic museums and buildings, high-rise hotels, golf courses, exciting water sports, and the lush flowery gardens around.  With all these assets, it’s no wonder that Bermuda cruise is now becoming highly popular that thousands of people from near and far away places come to Bermuda on cruise.  It was in fact found out by certain surveys that the number of cruise ship passengers now equals the number of visitors arriving by air.

Now if you are one of those thousands of people who are planning to take a cruise to the island of Bermuda for the first time, then note that there are a lot of things you need to consider first before you go.  Though it may seem simple to step on board and go for the cruise, there are actually a lot of factors and things that must be planned well in order to experience the ultimate Bermuda cruise of your life.  Included in this list of important things to note prior to your departure are the budget, the target place, the right time to go, and the cruise itself.

Let’s take a look on these matters closely.

Setting the Budget

The budget is by far one of the most important things to prepare when planning for a vacation to Bermuda on cruise.  Well, this is mainly for the fact that a cruise vacation won’t be successful without it.

So when planning for a cruise to Bermuda, think about your budget.  This is indeed the first best move you can ever make.  However, when setting the budget, consider first the number of people who will go with you.  Just ask for how many is going on the cruise.  This can be a challenge to those who haven’t experienced traveling much or those who haven’t taken an organized vacation.  But, this can be done as successful as possible when you try asking for help from your family or your friends who are experts to this kind of venture.

It is important to note that on cruise, there’s no age limit.  All age groups are welcome to go on board.  Well, this is one of the reasons that many families have considered cruising as one of the best vacation options to consider.  However, if you don’t prefer to have your kids with you while on cruise, then that’s not a problem.  A number of cruise ships are available out there in Bermuda that caters to almost adults only.

Aside from the number of persons going on board, it is also important to ask yourself on how much you are really willing to spend for a cruise vacation in Bermuda.  Note that in Bermuda cruise, there’s no such thing as “maximums”.  What usually takes place is the so-called “rule of thumb” which leaves you being required to budget about $100 per person, per day.  If you are an outsider, this budget does not involve the airfare.  Well, for many vacationers, this rule seems to be fairly reasonable despite the fact that a number of the cruise ships that operate in Bermuda now charge certain extras to their passengers.

Speaking of extras, many of the cruises to the Bermuda these days easily have set extras that easily cost $1,200 more than the cost of tickets.  Some of the common extras available today are the following:

• Per person, instead of per cabin rates.
• Cost on all beverages plus a 15% gratuity each time your order.
• A 15% or minimum of $90 per person gratuity with the use of exclusive onboard specialty restaurants.
• Spa rates
• Cost on bingo
• Gym and fitness center rates
• Casino
• Art auctions
• Photographs taken by the cruise staff
• Rentals of tuxedo
• Golf lessons
• Shore excursions

Consider all of these possible extras when setting your budget for your cruise to Bermuda.  Don’t also forget the length of time you will be spending on cruise for the number of days you’ll spend on board will highly affect your budget in return.

Where to Cruise

Of course, you’ve got Bermuda as your target cruising destination.  However, it is not as simple as setting Bermuda as your main destination.  The reason?  Bermuda is such a long island consists of islets connected by bridges.  Each place boasts a number of wonders, including the pink sand beaches, towering hotels, golf courses, and lush gardens.  All of these attract visitors, including those who are on cruise.

So if you prefer to tour around the island by cruise, then look for some cruise ships that cater to such need.  Considering the itineraries involved is by far one of the best things you can do to make sure that you are getting what you really want from your Bermuda cruise vacation.  There are some cruises actually that operate only to certain areas in Bermuda and they do visit only limited sites on the island.  So be sure then to know the itineraries for your trip.

When to Cruise

Cruising to Bermuda is deemed perfect during summer.   Yes, it is actually during this period that hundreds of couples and families book cruise schedules for an exciting Bermuda vacation.  Well, what make summer really best for Bermuda cruising is that the Bermuda weather during this time is highly cooperative.  However, the usual cruise rate during this season is pretty high.   So if you have a limited budget, then summertime could not be the perfect period to go on board.

But, don’t despair.  There is spring and fall when the rate for Bermuda cruising is pretty low.  Perhaps one main reason for this lower rate is that kids are in school and the weather in Bermuda can sometimes be uncertain.   For instance, the winter in Bermuda is considered by many locals and tourists alike as the only “high” season for tropical locations like the Caribbean.

It is further worth noting that Bermuda is often visited by hurricanes and this is highly common during the fall.  But despite this condition, certain cruise ships are still able to manage with it simply by changing their itineraries.  This is reason basically that you’ll see changes in the destinations than what you have originally planned.

Choosing the Best Cruise Ship

A number of cruise ships operate in Bermuda nowadays.  They usually depart for the island from a number of East Coast ports, including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore and Norfolk, as well as Florida.  Included in the list of these available cruise ships are:

• Carnival Cruise Line – Known as the world’s largest cruise line, Carnival actually originates from the concept of “fun ships”.  It is highly noted for its Las Vegas style revues in multi deck show lounges, as well as for its pizzerias that are open 24 hours and an expansive line of health and fitness centers that cater to those who want to work on their calories.  Carnival Cruise Line is also highly acclaimed for its fun decors and for their rooms that embody certain themes ranging from Egyptian themes to the futuristic type.  Today, this cruise line offers not only great accommodation and setting with the best decors possible, but also a wide selection of complimentary dining options.  At their restaurants, you’ll get to taste the higher quality food with the best service and preparation.  What’s more, Carnival Cruise Line offers a vacation guarantee for their passengers.  For more information about this cruise ship, see Carnival.com.

• Norwegian Cruise Line – An innovator in the field of cruising, the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is one of the best cruise lines that operate in Bermuda with the top quality and high energy entertainment available for their guests.  Aside from that, this cruise line also provides a number of well-equipped facilities and programs, including great activities for the people to enjoy.  There is also a good food coupled with a friendly and warm service from the cruise staff.  If you want to know more about this cruise line, then visit NCL.com.

• Royal Caribbean Cruise Line – Considered as the biggest cruise line that serves Bermuda, the Royal Caribbean is actually one of the people’s favorites.  It boasts a cruising ambiance that is traditional in style, but with a touch of daring and whimsy tossed in.  If you have long been wondering what specific cruise line have introduced ice skating rinks and rock climbing walls, then note that it was Royal Caribbean.  They even introduced the first self-leveling pool tables on a cruise ship.   What further makes this cruise line really a favorite is that it offers a wide selection of international cuisine with changing nightly themes.  Visit RoyalCaribbean.com for more details.

There are other notable cruise lines available out there in Bermuda that can cater to everything you’ll need for that wonderful cruising vacation of yours.  However, with almost every cruise line claiming as the best, deciding on which to take can be puzzling.  But don’t lose hope.  After all, there’s always a piece to complete every puzzle.

So how to choose the cruise line or ship?

When choosing the best cruise ship, think first about what you’ll need.  Do you prefer to sleep and relax on a luxurious cabin?  Do you want something private?  Or, do you want to spend your Bermuda cruise vacation with something that is beyond the normal, say, something unique with all those unusual themes and shore excursions?  Whatever your preference is, make sure to choose a cruise line that can answer most of your needs, if not all.

Other Helpful Tips for the First Timers

When planning to visit Bermuda on cruise for the first time, it is important to note that all visitors in Bermuda are required to have health and travel insurance for them to take the cruise and enter the place safely.  So when cruising, always take out your travel insurance.  Also, have some bucks with you and obtain an adequate hospital and medical health insurance.  This is very much important especially if you are new to Bermuda as these documents will aid you to cope up with possible unexpected problems that may occur while you’re on cruise.

Furthermore, do not try to enter Bermuda if you do not have an adequate or acceptable current documentation.  This is also true if you belong to the FBI and Interpol stop list.  Aside from this, it is maintained by certain laws in Bermuda that all arriving passengers must contact the immigration if they are visitors or corporate representatives, or simply residents of Bermuda.  For those who are Bermudians, the government offers and approved work permits for them, but this permit is not strictly on vacation.

In Bermuda, certain kinds of inspections are applied and maintained.  This is true even to the cruise ships that cruise to Bermuda and its surrounding area.  So if you happen to be planning to cruise to Bermuda for an ultimate vacation, then note these inspections.  Under the law, the visitors may bring in their clothes and other personal belongings like cameras, golf bags, 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of wine or liquor, and $30 gift allowance.  Aside from these, the visitors who come on cruise are also permitted to carry with them some consumer and electronic goods that can be imported provided that these are determined to be free from narcotics.  However, if your baggage exceeds the allowance of about $100 per person, expect to pay a heavy import duty on them.

In addition, if you happen to bring your pets with you on your cruise vacation to Bermuda, obtain first a proper documentation that can be approved earlier by the Department of the Environment of the government of Bermuda.  This is also true with bringing fruits, plants, flowers and vegetables with you.

So everything is said.  The most important thing to note now is to have your Bermuda cruise planned properly.   Proper planning is very much needed as it is where the success of your Bermuda cruise vacation lies.  So as early as now, plan your trip and be sure to have the right budget.  Also, think positive and do your best just to make your cruise vacation to Bermuda a memorable one.