Cruising to Bermuda

With its famous pink beaches and stunning turquoise waters, Bermuda was always on my bucket list! I’m a huge cruise fan and when the opportunity came up to spend a few nights in New York and a week on a cruise line I hadn’t sailed on previously exploring the paradise that is Bermuda. I was hooked! After a couple of nights in the cool and contemporary Rui Plaza Times Square hotel, we boarded the incredible NCL Breakaway. One of the highlights of the trip was cruising out of New York seeing some of the most iconic buildings in the world and passing the Statue of Liberty, seeing the ship go under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge before going out into the Atlantic Ocean was a sight to see!

With a few days at sea, it gave us the opportunity to experience the ship and all the amazing facilities onboard. We booked a balcony cabin with a premium all-inclusive drinks package. This was my first time to experience freestyle cruising and I really enjoyed it. With no set hours for evening dining it made the whole experience very relaxed. With 25 dining experiences to choose from, award winning entertainment including Broadway shows and a huge choice of facilities; everything from a beautiful spa to an aqua park, a rock climbing wall, mini golf, a ropes course and a basketball course, even an Irish bar, there was something for everyone.

We were docked for 3 days in Bermuda which allowed us to experience all that the island had to offer day and night. We spent an afternoon on the gorgeous and famous Elbow Beach, we toured this small but influential island, stepping back in time when we visited St. George, a UNESCO Heritage site. With its old world buildings and reminders of the past with its stocks and whipping post, St. George was discovered by a ship from the United States in the 1600’s who was displaced in a storm. With a rich and enduring maritime history, I especially enjoyed my visit to the National Museum of Bermuda and the replica of the 17th century ship Deliverance which was vital in delivering supplies to the colony of Jamestown in the fledgling United States earning the title “The ship that saved America” by the colonists.

Britain’s oldest colony, Bermuda, is a fascinating mix of British traditions, it’s not unusual to see a judge wearing a powdered wig or workers dressed in Bermuda shorts, the choice of the British military in hot climates. The island also has African influences, most notable with its reggae and calypso music and the associated food influences. We spent a really enjoyable afternoon on a food tour where we sampled some incredible food and recipes that have been influenced by Britain, Caribbean, Africa, Native America and Portugal. For me, the highlights were the fish chowder, spiny lobster and the decadent rum cake!

Bermuda is a paradise for water sports; snorkelling, snuba, scuba diving, paddle boarding and kayaking to name a few. There’s lots to offer for all members of the family from bike tours, caves, catamaran cruises to an aquarium, zoo and swimming with dolphins. Whether you decide to cruise to Bermuda or spend some time in one of its luxurious hotels, there’s something for every member of the family.