Bermuda Is Just a Cruise Away

Bermuda sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, over 650 miles off the coast of the Carolinas. This archipelago, replete with pink sand, crystal stalactites and cerulean waters, is a perfect destination for ocean cruises. Bermuda was populated after a shipwreck, bringing people to a chain of islands that had previously only held pigs. You can explore Bermuda’s clear waters while diving or snorkeling among the vibrant, colorful coral reefs. Or if you’d like to see the ocean flora and fauna without getting wet, you could take a glass-bottom boat ride.

You can’t rent a car in Bermuda, but you can rent a scooter. The brightly painted, Vespa-esque motorbikes allow you to traverse the main island with ease, and tour sights like the beautiful capital city of Hamilton.

Because of its location in the middle of the Atlantic, the temperatures in Bermuda are usually very mild, never reaching the punishing heat of the tropics. The thermometer hovers somewhere between 65 and 85 degrees year-round.

With British and Portuguese roots and the influence of the nearby Caribbean, this tiny territory has a culture that’s all its own. If you want to experience a bit of island time yourself, your best bet is to visit on one of the many ocean cruises that dock in Bermuda every day. These are our personal favorites.

Norwegian Dawn – from Boston

This newly refurbished ship from Norwegian Cruise Line offers a seven-night round trip to Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard from Boston. With two days to spend in Bermuda, you have time to see all of the sights and even soak up some sun. To relax onboard the ship, you can enjoy a full-service spa, a bevy of hot tubs and a thermal suite. Kids will love the themed T-Rex Pool, and grown-ups can escape to the luxe Oasis Pool. The ship is filled with clubs and bars tailored to all different types of partiers. You can taste wine in The Cellars, sip champagne at Gatsby’s, or dance the night away at Bliss Ultra Lounge. It’s a freestyle approach to cruising that’s sure to delight everyone in your party.

Carnival Ecstasy – from Charleston, S.C.

This six-night cruise is a round trip from Charleston, S.C., to the pink shores of fair Bermuda. Since South Carolina is so close, this cruise lets you spend three nights in Bermuda. That’s a lot of island time, and it’s a rare treat for ocean cruises to allow guests to linger so long at one destination. The Carnival Ecstasy is a great ship for families, since there are activities and hang-out spots tailored to every age group. The grown-ups are sure to enjoy the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat, an exclusive lounge area with a pool, hot tub and a bar. Kids of all ages will flock to Carnival WaterWorks!, a waterpark at sea. At night, take part in the hilarious “Hasbro, The Game Show,” or see one of the Broadway-style productions onboard. You could also head over to the raucous piano bar or win big at the Crystal Palace Casino. After all that fun, treat yourself to a trip to the ship’s luxury spa.

Celebrity Summit – from Cape Liberty, N.J.

Fresh from a 2016 makeover, the Celebrity Summit sails from Cape Liberty, N.J., to Bermuda in a seven-night round trip. With two and a half days to spend in Bermuda, you have time and a half to see all the sights you could ever dream of. You’ll be sure to spend your sea days in style, since the Celebrity Summit is the crown jewel of Celebrity Cruises’ luxury Millennium Class. With a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:2, you’ll always have someone willing to help you make your vacation perfect. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared by world-class chefs at Summit restaurants like Qsine, Tuscan Grille, Blu and more. After your adventurous shore excursions, you can relax in the AquaSpa or become a high roller at Fortune’s Casino. With three swimming pools and a video arcade, the kids on Celebrity Summit will be having just as much fun as their parents.

Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas – from Cape Liberty, N.J.

This seven-night round trip from Cape Liberty, N.J., to Bermuda is a cruise for the adventurous type. With two nights and three days in Bermuda, you have time to do all of the shore excursions you might want, including a Royal Caribbean scuba diving certification class. After you’re certified, you can explore the colorful coral reefs and centuries-old shipwrecks around the waters of Bermuda. There’s even more fun to be had on your sea days, when you can explore what the ship has to offer. On the RipCord by iFly, a simulated sky-diving experience, you can defy gravity. You can also hang 10 on the FlowRider surf simulator and climb up 30 feet on the rock climbing wall. If you’re brave enough, you can learn how to swing from a trapeze at the ship’s circus school. If you want to go even higher, ride up in the North Star capsule, which hovers 300 feet above sea level. Kids can run wild at the H2O Zone water park, and adults can take a breather at the pool in the Solarium, a retreat encased in glass. Also, they have bumper cars. It’s truly one of the most extreme ocean cruises.

Have you been on any ocean cruises to Bermuda? Tell us about your adventure in the comments below!

If these ocean cruises speak to you, head on over to AAA to book one of your own.