Advice for Bermuda First Timers

[Bill H.]

Hello-

My wife and I are taking the Norwegian Dawn from Boston to Bermuda this September.  It's both the first cruise and first time to Bermuda for both of us.

Can anybody offer some do's/don't's on either the cruise or the destination?

Thank you very much.

Bill H.

[David Paul Appell]

Hi, Bill.  Important to know re your time in Bermuda: how long will you be on island?  It's not huge, of course, but if it's only two days as opposed to, say 4-5, you'll need to pick and choose more according to your interests.  You'll get to the capital, Hamilton, of course, but also don't miss historic St. George.  For an overview, here's a little entry I did for an encyclopedia of travel a couple of years ago:

 

Perched atop an Atlantic seamount 640 miles off the southeast U.S. coast, England and North America’s original sunny subtropical vacation getaway (in effect launched by the visit of Queen Victoria’s daughter in 1883) is still an appealing, sometimes otherworldly and timewarped British colony, a garden isle whose quaint towns, villages, and pink-sand beaches are usually impeccably groomed; where businessmen still wear proper Bermuda shorts and many people putt about on motor scooters. The capital, Hamilton, sports touches of urbanism but is really little more than a large town, while at Bermuda’s eastern tip, St. George and its cobblestone lanes exude an almost museumlike colonial feel. That same feel is very much cultivated on the west coast’s 18th-century Royal Navy Dockyards in Sandys, with museums, historic residences, a swim-with-the-dolphins attraction, and a bevy of shops and restaurants. Other highlights include an interesting aquarium/zoo; the multimedia Underwater Exploration Institute; the Crystal Caves; a couple of visitable lighthouses; a perfume factory; a great hiking trail along a former railway line; exceptional golfing; and various historic forts and manses. Meanwhile, resorts range from Victorian grandes dames to cutting-edge luxe and there’s some decent shopping and galleries in Hamilton, plus a bit but frankly not much nightlife. It’s not an inexpensive destination by any means, but there are ways to make it more affordable -- renting self-catering cottages, for example.

[Adrienne Sasson]

Bermuda is a wonderful island for a long weekend. In September the weather is still great for the beach. Don't miss Horseshoe Beach and wriggling your toes in the pink sand. Yes, it really is pink. 

As David said there are many places to visit such as the Royal Navy Dock Yard. At the dockyard you will find a glassblowing demonstration and pretty trinkets to pick up. I recommend lunch there to at Frog and Onion, a traditional English Pub with the best fish and chips on the island. Then stroll on over the the rum cake factory for dessert. 

 

If you like sea life, try BUEI, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, the aquarium, and Bermuda Maritime Museum. There is also Fort Hamilton and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, which is the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world (also an awesome view of the island overall. 

 

For nature try the Railway Trail and Spittal Pond Nature Reserve.

 

Shopping is plenty on Front St and the surrounding blocks in Hamilton. Linen and designer clothing and accessory stores in addition to souvenir shops and eateries are there.

 

Other local places of "fame", the Swizzle Inn (a fun Pub) and Henry the VIII for dinner and drinks. You cannot rent a car on the island, but you can rent a motor scooter. Public transportation is safe and plentiful and a nice way to meet the people of the island. Taxis are all marked and metered. It is not unusual for a driver to offered you baked goods from home or offer to take you their home for a visit and meal.

 

Enjoy one the friendliest islands around!

[Allan Lynch]

Because visitors can't rent cars in Bermuda, I would base myself in Hamilton and then take the ferry over to the Royal Dockyards and maybe come back by cab. If you stay in a resort elsewhere on the island, you're always waiting for a car to come for you. At least if you stay in Hamilton you have some options to walk or have a short, quick drive to dinner or a pub or shopping. If you stay in a rural resort, you always wait for a car to come. St. George's is lovely and I would make a trip there, but I'm not sure I'd stay there.

 

And unless you've experience driving a scooter, I wouldn't be too keen on doing that. The sad joke on the island is that they only time you here a siren is when another visitor has fallen from their scooter.

[Atlantic Birches Inn - Ray Deleo]

I was on the Dawn last year to Bermuda and onthe Gem from NY to Bermuda.  I think I could live there.  I would definately buy the transit pass, it is for the ferries and buses.  So easy toget around.  I would not go for the mopeds, to dangerous all roads and turns are reversed, lots of accidents with the moped. Definately worth visiting the all the cities and lighthouses.  Have Fun!  If you are ever in Maine check out the Atlantic Birches Inn