By Elizabeth Scully
Want to explore the gorgeous, pink sand
beaches and turquoise waters of Bermuda? Take a cruise from Cape Liberty Cruise Port, in Bayonne, New Jersey, to this stunning collection of 138 islands. Located just 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina, this British Overseas territory is affluent and temperate, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit spring through fall. Passengers can spend their dock days snorkeling or lounging on the
beach as well as playing on the island's golf courses. They will also find fine shopping opportunities, botanical gardens, great restaurants and some neat opportunities for exploring the history of the islands, which were first settled in the 17th century.
Royal Caribbean Five-Day Trips
Royal Caribbean cruise lines runs a variety of trips from New Jersey to Bermuda, including a five-day trip on the ship "Explorer of the Seas," which runs April through August. On this ship passengers will find a huge array of activities unique to cruise ships, including a rock-climbing wall, an ice-skating rink and an in-line skating track, among other fitness facilities. Restaurants abound, as do facilities for youth and spas. The ship can accommodate more than 3,000 guests, and houses them in gorgeous staterooms, many of which overlook the ocean. The ship even features a University of Miami Ocean Lab, a state-of-the-art oceanographic and atmospheric science lab. The ship docks for two days at King's Wharf, where passengers can partake in plenty of water sports activities, visit museums and shops at the dockyard or hang out on nearby beaches during the day.
Royal Caribbean Nine-Day Trips
"The Explorer of the Seas" also runs nine-day trips to Bermuda, but stops off at various other ports, including the islands of Nassau and Coco Cay in the Bahamas. Trips run in April.
Celebrity Cruise Lines Seven-Day Trips
Starting in 2010, Celebrity Cruise Lines offers a variety of seven-day trips to Bermuda, leaving from New Jersey and heading to King's Wharf, Bermuda. Two of the trips stop in other United States ports, such as Newport, Rhoed Island, and Boston, Massachusetts, while the other five head directly to Bermuda. Trips are hosted on the Celebrity Summit ship, which houses more than 2,000 people. A premium cruise ship, it boasts world-class cuisine at the SS Normandie Restaurant, an expansive library and the Aquaspa, which offers a plethora of luxuries. You can also visit the Conservatory, which overlooks the ocean.
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.
