Visiting Bermuda By Cruise Ship
Published February 25, 2025
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A lot of people are unaware that they can take a cruise to Bermuda and sailing there could be the best leisurely cruise you have ever experienced.
Begin your dreams with this guide to Bermuda cruises.
It contains all the essential information, including what to bring and when to make reservations.
Read on to discover more about visiting Bermuda by cruise ship!
Why Visit Bermuda by Cruise?
Bermuda lies only 774 miles from New York's shore, positioning it as an ideal island getaway for East Coast residents eager to enjoy the remarkable sand beaches of the archipelago.
But what makes cruising to Bermuda appealing, particularly with so many alternative beachy islands available?
To begin with, St. George's historic town, along with its fortifications constructed in 1612, is recognized as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Then also, in Bermuda, you can find enthusiasm in golf or watersports.
Additionally, maybe you'd like to taste rum swizzlers or explore caves adorned with stalactites.
You can enjoy all of this by traveling to Bermuda territory and lodging in a charming inn or seaside hotel.
Planning Your Visit
As enjoyable as Bermuda appears, a brief look at flight and accommodation rates reveals that you'll spend extra for that adventure.
The most affordable 7-night package we discovered for flights from New York to Bermuda cost about $1500 per person, excluding meals.
However, inquiries about cruise ship prices revealed alternatives at lower rates both in outside cabins and balcony cabins.
These cruises feature all meals provided on board.
Note that traveling to Bermuda from a lot of port cities on the East Coast is straightforward, offering a range of choices among different cruise ships to fit your budget — no matter what it may be.
Additionally, the cruise price covers meals on the vessel and a leisurely and exciting experience at sea during the journey to and from the destination.
However, the greatest reason to take a cruise line to Bermuda City is that ships usually remain in port overnight.
Travelers can arrive and leave their ships during periods lasting up to fifty hours at port and you can fit a great deal of exploration during those periods.
What to Pack for a Bermuda Visit
Bermuda has a slightly more formal atmosphere compared to many other places like the Bahamas.
So, whether you're shopping, sightseeing, or going to a beach, you will need to enhance things a little.
Pack attires suitable for a day sailing on the yacht and you will blend in perfectly.
Your favorite sneakers and Bermuda shorts will do the trick.
Note that Bermuda experiences mild weather with only slight seasonal differences.
The average nighttime lows hardly ever fall less than 60 degrees and daytime temperatures seldom exceed 90 degrees.
Therefore, packing layers is important, and similar to nearly all island excursions, be prepared for rain.
Also, since your stay in port could be extended, you'll require a tote or backpack to carry your belongings throughout the day.
Passports aren't necessary for closed loop (returning and leaving to the exact US port) committed Bermuda cruises, although some cruise ships may require them.
Adult travelers lacking passports must provide a government-given photo identification and certified birth certificate.
Kids younger than 16 are not required to have photo identification but need to present their birth certificates.
However, apart from the official regulations, it is highly advised to carry passports, since they are necessary for returning to the US by air.
Also, if there is an injury, sickness, or cruise change that necessitates a flight to the US instead of returning by sea to the exact port, a passport needs to be obtained when you are still in Bermuda.
Top Cruise Ships for a Bermuda Cruise
Norwegian provides the highest number of sailing dates, operating from both Boston and Manhattan for almost the whole year.
Although the line typically offers seven-night itineraries, be on the lookout for occasional 5-night options, along with longer cruises that involve additional stops.
Carnival Cruise remains the most budget-friendly option for Bermuda, offering various cruise durations from several ports, beginning at just four days.
Royal Caribbean focuses significantly on 5-night itineraries, which can be booked consecutively with longer cruise ships to various places.
MSC Cruises, the more recent player in Bermuda's cruise sector, maintains seven-night voyages, though you may reserve those trips consecutively with others that include a week touring the Bahamas and Florida for a fourteen-day island-hopping adventure.
Note that each of these four cruise lines above is perfect for group or family journeys.
Then, to elevate your experience, consider Celebrity Cruise which tailors its ships for an adult audience.
They offer a consistent itinerary of 7-night cruises departing from Bayonne in New Jersey, each including two nights inside King's Wharf.
Also, if you're seeking a premium adventure and the luxury brands mentioned above aren't available during your desired travel dates, think about the exclusive areas on Yacht Club (MSC Cruises) and The Haven (Norwegian).
The enjoyable aspect of Bermuda cruise lines is that one can conveniently discover a cruise duration that suits him best.
Weeklong cruises spend the highest time in port to explore Bermuda — usually for two nights.
Enjoyable five- or four-night excursions either do not include an overnight or consist of one overnight and half-day visit on the following day.
All these may be effortlessly included in a trip to departure locations on the East Coast like Manhattan, Baltimore, and Boston.
Other options for cruising to Bermuda involve layovers on certain transatlantic voyages and on longer trips that feature pauses in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, or cruises to New England and Canada.
Top Cruise Ports in Bermuda
Bermuda has 3 cruise ports; King's Wharf (the primary port), St. George's (situated near the northeastern tip), and Hamilton capital city (located centrally on the island).
The majority of cruise ships berth inside King's Wharf as it is the sole dock capable of accommodating the larger cruise ships.
When you imagine the Bermuda map resembling a large fishhook, King's Wharf and the Dockyards are located at the edge of the hook’s sharp end.
Next to this wharf, cruise travelers will discover beaches, the Bermuda National Museum, mini golf, tour companies, and transport choices for navigating the whole group of islands, even ferry services to St. George's and Hamilton.
St. George's and Hamilton are significantly smaller ports that cater to only a few smaller vessels annually.
You can search for cruises with Oceania, Silversea, and Windstar that stop at these destinations.
Best Time to Visit Bermuda on a Cruise
You will discover last-minute openings and discounts by making Bermuda cruise reservations outside the peak holiday months of August, July, and June.
Both October and May feature daytime temperatures around 80 degrees, rendering them perfect months for cruising to Bermuda, also you will probably encounter fewer crowds on the islands.
No doubt, Bermuda cruises launch many months throughout the year.
However, the main cruise season for Bermuda occurs between April and October.
Norwegian Cruises runs the lengthiest season, offering cruises that begin every month apart from February and January.
Luxury and premium brands such as Silversea Cruises, Windstar Cruises, and Explora Journeys provide seasonal transition cruises during the spring and autumn.
Also, Oceania provides two or one cruise each season that includes Bermuda during both the high season and shoulder season.
Things To Do
There are lots of fun things to explore in Bermuda.
Snorkel Park Beach and Dockyard Beach are both recognized for snorkeling and are nearest to the terminal at King's Wharf.
Butts Beach showcases beautiful rock formations spread throughout the sand, on land, and in the water.
To experience extensive stretches of unbroken sand, visit Elbow Beach.
Then, once you've enjoyed the beaches, you may visit various famous landmarks and historical sites in Bermuda.
Since Bermuda is the oldest colony of Britain, anticipate British charm abundance paired with a strong sense of history.
Being one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, St. George's town features the largest fortress (St. Catherine) atop the island, though not the only one.
This fort was utilized by the Royal Artillery units, the British, and Bermudian militia from 1612 till deep into the 20th century.
Also, Bermuda is home to many museums, such as the Bermuda National Museum located at Royal Naval Dockyard.
Then, caves are additionally well-known destinations in Bermuda.
Numerous caves are accessible to people and tours that highlight them are frequently offered.
Fantasy and Crystal Caves form a single attraction providing shopping, tours, and dining options.
Cathedral Cave can be found in Grotto Bay Beach and visitors are permitted to explore it.
Lighthouses are dispersed throughout the islands and the two best ones to explore are St. David's and Gibbs Hill.
Then, Bermuda is regarded as the Atlantic's shipwreck capital.
You can effortlessly explore many wreck locations through snorkeling, scuba diving, and helmet dives.
Some are a little deeper and need professional scuba diving while some can be reached from the shore, though the majority need boat tours.
In case you enjoy nighttime boating, think about taking a boat trip to Bermuda Triangle after dark, filled with spooky stories.
Also, dedicated golfers enjoy Bermuda's seven courses — each one is worth exploring: Mid-Ocean, Turtle Hill, Tucker's Point, Port Royal, Ocean View, Five Forts, and Newstead Belmont Hills.
Conclusion
Incorporating a cruise to Bermuda into your visit to Boston or Manhattan is actually simple.
It’s an island venue rich in exploration and fortunately, cruise lines typically provide ample opportunity with overnight stops at the port.
In Bermuda, extended stays are the standard rather than the uncommon exception.
These stays allow for not just deep exploration but also a more enjoyable experience.
The greatest aspect is that choices exist to fit nearly every timetable and financial plan — ranging from family-oriented mainstream cruise ships to upscale and luxurious options.
Then, if that isn't sufficient, cruises going to Bermuda also stop at ports that are worthwhile to explore.
