Norwegian Cruises to Bermuda: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Step Ashore

Norwegian Cruise Line passengers often have the advantage of an extended stay in Bermuda, giving you time to explore well beyond the Royal Naval Dockyard. With a little planning, you can experience Bermuda’s famous beaches, spectacular coastline, Hamilton and historic St. George’s without trying to squeeze everything into a single day.

Here are answers to ten of the questions Norwegian passengers most frequently ask when planning their time in Bermuda.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Bermuda on a Norwegian Cruise?

Bermuda offers much more than beautiful beaches, and an extended port stay gives Norwegian passengers an excellent opportunity to experience different parts of the island.

First-time visitors should consider exploring Bermuda’s spectacular South Shore and pink-sand beaches, visiting Hamilton and spending time in historic St. George’s, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History lovers can explore centuries-old churches, museums and coastal fortifications, while those looking for a more active day can choose from snorkelling, boating, caves and other outdoor activities.

If you have several days in Bermuda, don’t try to see everything immediately. Divide the island into areas and give yourself enough time to actually enjoy them.

How Should We Plan Two or Three Days in Bermuda?

If your Norwegian itinerary includes an extended stay, use it to your advantage.

Consider spending your first full day exploring beyond Dockyard. A private island tour can provide a good introduction to Bermuda’s geography, history and culture while allowing you to see several different parts of the island.

Another day can then be devoted to a beach, St. George’s, Hamilton or somewhere that particularly interested you during your tour.

Save the Royal Naval Dockyard and nearby attractions for your arrival day or final morning, when staying relatively close to the ship makes sense.

There is no need to rush. One of the great advantages of an extended Bermuda stay is having time to experience the island rather than simply checking attractions off a list.

Can We Explore Bermuda on Our Own, or Should We Book an NCL Excursion?

Bermuda is one of the easier cruise destinations to explore independently.

Public buses and ferries connect much of the island, taxis and minibuses are readily available from Dockyard, and many popular attractions can be visited without taking an organized excursion.

If you simply want to spend a few hours at Horseshoe Bay or explore Hamilton, doing it independently can work very well.

An excursion or private tour makes more sense when you want to see several parts of Bermuda efficiently, learn about the island’s history and culture, or avoid spending valuable vacation time coordinating transportation.

A private tour also allows you to travel at your own pace, stop for photographs, ask questions and concentrate on the places that interest you most.

How Does the Norwegian Tender to St. George’s Work?

One advantage Norwegian passengers may have is access to NCL-arranged tender transportation between the Royal Naval Dockyard and St. George’s.

The tender makes it much easier to explore Bermuda’s historic East End without spending a large portion of the day travelling across the island by road.

Once in St. George’s, you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage town, visit historic sites and museums, continue to nearby forts and beaches, or use local transportation to reach other East End attractions.

Tender arrangements and departure times can vary by sailing, so check the information provided aboard your Norwegian ship rather than relying on an old timetable found online.

If St. George’s is high on your Bermuda wish list, investigate the tender schedule as soon as you arrive.

Is St. George’s Worth Visiting on a Norwegian Cruise?

Definitely — particularly when you have an extended stay in Bermuda.

Founded in 1612, the Town of St. George and its Related Fortifications is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most historically significant places in Bermuda.

Its narrow lanes, historic houses, churches, museums and fortifications reveal more than four centuries of Bermudian history. Highlights include St. Peter’s Church, King’s Square, the Old State House, the Unfinished Church, Tucker House and the impressive forts surrounding the East End.

St. George’s is at the opposite end of Bermuda from Dockyard, but ferry transportation can make the journey considerably easier.

If you want to discover the Bermuda beyond its beaches, St. George’s should be near the top of your list.

What Is the Best Way to Get from the Royal Naval Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay?

Horseshoe Bay is Bermuda’s most famous beach and is relatively easy to reach from the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Public buses travel along the South Shore, while taxis and dedicated beach minibuses are generally available from the Dockyard area.

The advantage of travelling independently is flexibility. You can arrive and leave when you choose rather than following an excursion schedule.

Horseshoe Bay can become busy when several large cruise ships are in port, so consider visiting earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.

And remember that Horseshoe Bay is only one of Bermuda’s beautiful South Shore beaches. If you prefer somewhere quieter, there are several alternatives worth exploring.

How Do Bermuda’s Public Buses and Ferries Work?

Bermuda has an extensive network of public buses and ferries, making it possible to explore much of the island without renting a vehicle.

The public ferry is generally the quickest way to travel between the Royal Naval Dockyard and Hamilton, while buses provide access to the South Shore beaches and communities throughout the island.

Bermuda’s Shorelink app can help you purchase fares, plan journeys, locate stops and track buses and ferries.

Public transportation is a particularly good option for Norwegian passengers with several days in Bermuda because you have more flexibility than visitors making a short port call.

Always check current schedules before travelling a long distance on your final day.

Can We Visit Horseshoe Bay, Hamilton and St. George’s During Our Norwegian Cruise?

Yes — and an extended Norwegian stay makes this much easier than trying to see all three during a conventional one-day port call.

The important thing is not trying to visit them all at once.

Horseshoe Bay is on Bermuda’s South Shore, Hamilton is in central Bermuda and St. George’s is at the eastern end of the island, while your ship is berthed at Dockyard in the far West End.

Spread these destinations across your stay. For example, combine Horseshoe Bay with other South Shore attractions on one day and dedicate another day to St. George’s and the East End.

You’ll spend less time travelling and considerably more time enjoying Bermuda.

What Can We Do in Bermuda at Night While Our Norwegian Ship Is in Port?

An overnight stay is one of the great advantages of many Norwegian Bermuda itineraries.

Instead of rushing back aboard in the afternoon, you can enjoy dinner ashore, have a drink overlooking the water or experience Bermuda after many daytime visitors have returned to their ships.

Dockyard has restaurants and pubs within easy walking distance of the ship, while Hamilton offers the island’s largest concentration of restaurants, bars and evening entertainment.

If you’re travelling away from Dockyard independently, check the evening bus and ferry schedules before leaving. Services become less frequent later in the day, so know how you’re getting back to your ship.

Will a Private Shore Excursion Get Us Back to Our Norwegian Ship on Time?

Getting back to the ship on time is understandably one of the biggest concerns when booking a shore excursion independently.

A reputable Bermuda tour operator will ask for your ship’s departure date and time when you book your excursion and adjust the itinerary as necessary to ensure the day goes smoothly — even if this means cutting the experience short to get you back to the ship with plenty of time to reboard.

Unlike an excursion booked through the cruise line, however, an independently booked tour cannot guarantee that your ship will wait if you are late. That’s why choosing an experienced local operator who regularly works with cruise passengers is important.

Bermuda Heritage Tours has extensive experience providing private shore excursions for cruise visitors and plans each Dockyard tour around the ship’s schedule, allowing plenty of time for guests to return before departure.

Always confirm your current all-aboard time before leaving the ship and tell your guide immediately if Norwegian announces a schedule change.