Bermuda Cruise Information

Whether honeymoon or a get-together of families or friends, a Bermuda cruise is the perfect way to enjoy. No matter what your likes or dislikes are; from pink sand beaches and shopping alleys to colorful nightclubs, Bermuda will have something to offer for the traveler looking for something extraordinary.

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A Bermuda cruise is the best way to unearth the jewels of Bermuda, the total land area of which is about 22 square miles only. A variety of cruise options are offered - family, business, honeymoon or even for singles. There are two options for choosing a Bermuda cruise - you either board your cruise from the US itself or take a flight to Bermuda and then embark on your journey.

It is important to know the ports of call in order to plan your tour. Normally cruises will stop at all the three ports of Bermuda. Hamilton, the capital, is the busiest amongst all the small towns of Bermuda and is a great place for shopping and is also known for its exciting nightlife. The almost four centuries old settlements in the port town of St. George's, on Bermuda's east coast, has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The Royal Naval Dockyard, which has an extensive history of British naval exploits, also has forts and museums. The three ports will serve as your base for exploring the center, eastern coast and the western coast. Horseshoe Bay, South Shore Park and the Cristobal Colon ship wreckage are not to be missed. You can also choose from eco-tourism, golf and watersports or simply lay back and watch the waves break.

Bermuda receives moderate rainfall throughout the year. Tourist influx in the islands is at its highest during the months of April to September and cruise services during the winter months are almost negligible. Many cruises offer huge discounts during the low season. Departures for Bermuda cruises are available throughout the year; so choose a schedule that suits you.

Before embarking on your cruise it is imperative to know what activities or charges are included in your cruise package. At all the ports passengers are charged an entry tax. Cruise packages often advertise reduced rates; but find out whether it includes port taxes, the expenses of land stay, city excursions or spa and gambling charges on board. Different price options are available - you can either book for a cruise that will also include your city expenses or you can book for the cruise only while do your own thing once you are on land.

Ports of Call for your Bermuda Cruise

Cruise ships to Bermuda stop in 1, 2 or 3 of the following ports when visiting Bermuda. Each of these ports is unique in its own way, but even if your ship doesn’t stop in a place of interest to you, Bermuda is only 21 miles long, so you can fairly easily visit other ports from wherever you are.

Hamilton
Hamilton, with its permanent population of 15,000, is a capital city with the feel of a charming town. The population swells with the frequent arrival of cruise ships. Front Street is Hamilton's main thoroughfare, and it runs along the harbor with a ferry terminal, shops, restaurants and taverns. While in Hamilton, don't miss the Sessions House on Church Street, where Bermuda's House of Assembly and Supreme Court meet. You'll also want to see Fort Hamilton, where you'll get a great view of the Harbor, as well as bagpipers and traditional dancers every Monday at noon. Paget Park is a beautiful botanical garden with native trees and plants to enjoy. Camden - the official residence of Bermuda's Premier - is located in the botanical gardens, and is generally open for tours. A short bus ride away are the Crystal Caves and Leamington Caves, with their incredible crystal formations and underground pools. The Bermuda Perfumery and orchid house are on the bus route to the Crystal Caves, in a house on North Shore Road which has been there for 250 years. At Harrington Sound, located about 5 miles northeast of Hamilton, you can enjoy the Bermuda Aquarium, the Natural History Museum and the zoo.

St. George’s Town
St. George was the original settlement in Bermuda, and it was the capital until 1815. It is a delightful town to walk around, with many interesting sights to see.King's Square is the main hub of town, and you will occasionally find the town crier (the town mayor, who also leads candlelight tours of the town) re-enacting scenes from years past in costume. The beautiful 18th century Town Hall fronts the square, and nearby is the Old State House, one of Bermuda's oldest buildings dating from 1619. The Old State House was originally known as Sessions House, and it was the first home of the colonial assembly. Be sure not to miss St. Peter's Church, which is the oldest Anglican Church outside of Britain. While there, walk around the church graveyard, where you can learn more about the history of Bermuda, including shipwrecks, epidemics and wars. There are several museums to visit in St. George’s Town, including the Tucker House Museum and several art galleries. Fort St. Catherine is another attraction not to be missed, with its museum containing weapons, jewels and dioramas.

King's Wharf
The Royal Naval Dockyard at King's Wharf was originally built as a base for the Royal Navy to launch a raid upon Washington DC, but since 1951, it has been turned into a tourist resort. It is the only one of Bermuda's ports able to handle the large 'mega-ships' being built by the cruise lines today. The old Keep has been turned into a Maritime Museum, and the old Royal Navy administrative headquarters has become the Clocktower Mall shopping center. Kings Wharf is a great springboard to visit all the sights Bermuda has to offer, but it has become a destination in its own right. At King's Wharf, you can enjoy fine restaurants, shopping, afternoon tea, water sports, swimming with the dolphins, golf, snorkeling and diving, and a huge water park.
About the author:Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.CruiseLinesandPorts.com, as well as http://www.BermudaCruiseSite.com. She and her family love to cruise - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on the beds at night! Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/author/11771

Bermuda Cruise Vacation Tips

When planning your Bermuda Cruise Vacation, Here are some tips to keep in mind: Bermuda is NOT the Caribbean - the winters may not get snow, but you certainly won't be out swimming in the ocean.

Daily average temperatures for each month are:

January: air temp. 69 degrees / water temp. 66 degrees
February: air temp. 68 degrees / water temp. 65 degrees
March: air temp. 68 degrees / water temp 66 degrees
April: air temp. 72 degrees / water temp 69 degrees
May: air temp. 76 degrees / water temp. 74 degrees
June: air temp. 77 degrees / water temp. 76 degrees
July: air temp. 86 degrees / water temp. 84 degrees
August: air temp. 86 degrees / water temp. 84 degrees
September: air temp. 84 degrees / water temp. 82 degrees
October: air temp.76 degrees / water temp. 77 degrees
November: air temp. 74 degrees / water temp. 72 degrees
December: air temp. 71 degrees / water temp. 69 degrees

Bermuda is British - judges wear powdered wigs, drivers are the left side of the road, and dress is fairly conservative (especially on the golf courses or in upscale restaurants). Of course, Bermuda shorts are seen everywhere - even on businessmen wearing jackets and ties! Bikinis are not permitted more than 25 feet from the ocean.Be aware of the passport regulations if you are planning a trip to Bermuda.

If you will be arriving by cruise ship before January 1, 2008, a passport is NOT required, but a birth certificate PLUS a laminated government issued photo ID is required of US citizens (a photo ID is not required of US citizens under age 16, but a birth certificate is required). If you are arriving by air, or will be arriving by cruise ship after January 1, 2008, you will need a passport.

Waiting times for a passport have been quite long due to changing regulations, so be sure to apply early.American currency is accepted just about everywhere in Bermuda, but just be aware that if you use an ATM machine, it will give you Bermuda currency. This may be best to do near the beginning of your stay, or else most shopkeepers would be happy to give you change of a purchase in American dollars - just ask.Bermuda can be expensive - being on a cruise ship will help, in that your lodging and meals are already taken care of (but be sure to have SOME food on Bermuda - the fish chowder is a special treat) Those who fly and stay on Bermuda would say that the financial savings of a cruise are balanced by the abbreviated time spent on such a lovely island, and the fact that you are always part of a crowd - the cruise crowd.Cruising to Bermuda may cause you to experience rougher seas than cruising the Caribbean.

Because you are sailing out in the Atlantic Ocean, where the warmer Gulf Stream waters collide with the cooler ocean waters, the seas may be a bit unruly. If you are concerned, you may wish to consider a plan for seasickness (wrist bands, medication, etc.), or sailing on one of the larger cruise ships, which experience much less of the ocean's waves than comparable smaller ships.Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.CruiseLinesandPorts.com, as well as http://www.BermudaCruiseSite.com. She and her family love to cruise - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on the beds at night!