Bermuda is considered an upscale cruise destination off the coast of North Carolina because its cost of living is roughly four times higher than that of the U.S. Traveling to Bermuda by ship is often the least expensive way to spend a few days there. English is spoken and the U.S. dollar is widely accepted. Bermuda offers no duty-free shopping and levies more taxes on cruise ship passengers than any other destination.
Major U.S.-based cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, sail regularly to Bermuda from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk and Charleston, South Carolina. Ships typically take one sea day each to travel to and from Bermuda, allowing at least three full days to explore Bermuda's islands. Ships may dock in one port the entire stay or several, sailing between ports at night.
While docked in Bermuda for several days, cruise ships become floating hotels. Daily onboard activities are lightly scheduled because most passengers are ashore, meals are served and buffets remain open, but evening entertainment is limited so as not to compete with Bermuda's attractions. The ship's casino and onboard shops remain closed while in port.
Bermuda has three docking facilities. Bermuda's capital, Hamilton, is centrally located, and St. George's is to the east. Both towns can accommodate two smaller vessels 750 feet long. The Royal Naval Dockyard, also known as King's Wharf, is to the west. It has the widest harbor and one berth for a megaship, with another in the works. All three ports allow passengers to walk right off the ship to shore.
Sailings are limited to April through November because Bermuda tries to limit the ecological impact of tourism. Bermuda is temperate and boasts 220 sunny days a year. August can hit a humid 90 degrees F, but sea breezes are fairly constant. May through October temperatures are between 75 and 85. Winter months rarely go below 60, and it never snows. Hurricanes may visit Bermuda from June through November.
Since the roads are narrow, dangerous and densely traveled, cruise lines urge passengers to use public transport for sightseeing. Bermuda covers 21 square miles and is only a mile at its widest point. It consists of six large and 120 small islands connected by bridges and a causeway. Public transportation is plentiful, inexpensive and easy to use. Pink and blue air-conditioned buses and ferries travel frequent routes all over and around Bermuda. Visitors are not allowed to rent cars, but may rent motor scooters and bicycles. Hamilton also offers horse-drawn carriage rides.
A few of Bermuda's plentiful attractions include the indoor Clocktower Mall, the Maritime Museum and Dolphin Quest at the Dockyard. St. George's is an easy-to-walk World Heritage Site, said to be the oldest continuously inhabited English town in the New World. Bermuda also has lush Botanical Gardens, pink-sand beaches and Crystal and Fantasy Caves to explore.
