As we explored Bermuda, we quickly discovered why it is such a popular cruise destination. The island has many excellent resorts and restaurants, but many are very expensive. Everyone we spoke with on our ship agreed that using the Seven Seas Navigator as a floating hotel with "oceanfront rooms", was an enjoyable alternative to a resort, and a great bargain for the quality received. The ship's berth at the piers in both Hamilton and St. George was perfect.
Even though visitors cannot rent a car in Bermuda, getting around is easy. We had originally thought we would rent scooters; however, when we saw the amount of traffic in Hamilton, all driving on the left side, we quickly changed our minds. Driving a scooter in the St. George area or out of the city of Hamilton in the countryside might have been easier, but I was too skittish to even try to navigate the narrow, traffic-filled streets of Hamilton. When we found out about the excellent bus service on Bermuda, that confirmed our change in plans. The Bermuda bus system is convenient, and the buses are clean and air-conditioned. Buses run about every 15 minutes and tend to be very punctual. Bus stops are marked with blue (buses going towards Hamilton) or pink (buses going out-of-Hamilton) poles. You will need to have exact change or a bus token; the driver cannot make change. Full-day passes are the easiest, unless you just plan to ride one time. The main bus terminal is within easy walking distance of the cruise ship pier.
Our first day in Hamilton, Bermuda was spent exploring the capital city and the western end of the island. Hamilton is a bustling city, and another cruise ship, the Empress of the Seas, was also at the dock. Our portside suite looked out over the harbor, so we had a great view of the sailboats, speedboats, kayaks, and other harbor activity. Passengers in the suites on the starboard side of the Seven Seas Navigator could enjoy watching the other tourists strolling on Front Street below or check out the numerous bars along the harbor from the comfort of their Seven Seas Navigator suite. We strolled the city and walked to see the famous pink Princess Hotel. My parents had stayed there in the 1980s, and the historic hotel was as lovely as ever.
Neither of us had visited Bermuda before, so we decided to spend our first day ashore just exploring the island. We rode the excellent bus system, marveling at the spectacular beaches, resorts, and homes. We couldn't believe the obvious prosperity and cleanliness of this island paradise. Every twist and turn of the winding road to the west end revealed another marvelous beach. We carried our snorkeling gear, and finally ended up at a small, picturesque beach on the southwest side of the island. The beach was almost deserted, and we struck up a conversation with a couple from Vancouver, Canada, who were living on a sailboat at the dockyard.
Our second day in Hamilton, we took a Seven Seas Navigator half-day snorkeling shore excursion on a catamaran named the Restless Native. The catamaran served some excellent fresh, hot cookies, and our guide was a native of Bermuda who provided us a great deal of information about the history of Bermuda and its people. The snorkeling was good, and the water temperature was just right and beautifully clear. There were numerous rocky caves along the cove filled with lobsters. Ronnie enjoyed picking up golf balls off the shallow sandy bottom. We thought maybe there was a golf course nearby, but our guide told us that many people enjoyed using the ocean as a driving range! It was a great shore excursion, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys snorkeling and sailing.
After two nights in Hamilton, the Seven Seas Navigator sailed early Sunday morning to St. George on the eastern end of Bermuda. The first thing we saw in St. George was the Town Crier standing on the dock to greet us.
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