By Elizabeth Scully
The islands of Bermuda--of which the main island is called Bermuda--lie about 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina. There are miles of pink sand
beaches and turquoise waters that provide a plethora of water sports activities, from fishing to snorkeling. A British overseas territory, Bermuda is a wealthy spot with golf courses, fine shopping opportunities, botanical gardens and great restaurants. Temperatures range from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit spring through fall. Various deals on
cruises are available through both the cruise ship companies and consolidators ,but as of 2009, there are only two cruise lines that go directly from
Boston to Bermuda.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Lines runs dozens of seven-day trips from Boston to Bermuda from May through September on their ship "Norwegian Spirit." Passengers will spend two full days at sea (the first and the last), and four days at King's Wharf, the port in Bermuda. There, passengers can partake in plenty of water sports activities, visit the excellent arts facilities or museums of the city (including the Royal Naval Dockyard museums and shops), or hang out on the beaches of Bermuda during the day.
"Norwegian Spirit" has a dozen restaurants that serve everything from sushi to Italian food. It also has a conference area, meeting rooms, a well-stocked library with a great setting, a card room, a celebrity teen disco, arcade, an Internet and writing room, a variety of pools, fitness centers, hot tubs, a golf driving net and plenty of opportunities for shopping and/or enjoying art.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean runs a five-day cruise in October from Boston to Bermuda on its ship "Jewel of the Seas." The ship spends two days at sea and two days at King's Wharf. The company offers hot deals on various cruises that are not full, so check their website regularly for updates.
The newest in the company's line of ships, "Jewel of the Seas" is large but doesn't feel like it houses 2,100 people. Both the ship and the Bermuda trip get rave reviews from passengers as well as top reviews from experts. The decor is contemporary and eclectic, geared toward the young hipster. And it hosts a climbing wall, solarium pool, sea-view elevators and expansive facilities for youth. The ship's Adventure Ocean youth facility is divided into four age-appropriate sections, where junior passengers participate in "edu-tainment" activities-- learning about the sea through engaging games. Plus, they can play at the splash park and on water slides. A variety of restaurants and lounges offer adults everything from steaks and Italian cuisine to fine cocktails. There are also fitness centers, lounges with pool tables and a large sports deck with various courts.
Additional Ports
If you can't find the cruise you desire from Boston to Bermuda, various Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line cruises depart from other East Coast ports, such as Norfolk, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, and Cape Liberty, New Jersey.
Resources
About the Author:
Lizzy Scully is a senior contributing editor for Mountain Flyer magazine and the Executive Director of the nonprofit, Girls Education International.
