7 best Bermuda cruises for 2024 and beyond
Those who live in the Northeast have long known the lure of cruising to Bermuda. Word is out that, like cruises to the Bahamas or the Caribbean, many cruise lines offer both long and short cruises that include a stop in Bermuda. Cruise lines are deploying some of their best ships to serve these routes — sometimes even their newest.
And what’s not to love about Bermuda? The archipelago encompasses a mere 21 square miles. Six main islands are connected by bridges, and all are encircled by pink sand beaches, coral reefs with genuine shipwrecks waiting for divers and even snorkelers to explore and surprisingly warm turquoise water, considering Bermuda’s subtropical location in the North Atlantic.
Many Bermuda itineraries include an overnight stay in port, providing greater flexibility for on-island activities than the few hours you typically get at other ports of call. It’s easy to book an excursion independent of the ship when you know there’s little risk of being left behind by an afternoon or evening departure. There are multiple beaches, restaurants and bars that you might never have the time to visit on a shorter stay.
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Many dedicated Bermuda cruises (those with Bermuda as their primary destination) leave from East Coast port cities like New York, Baltimore and Boston. Mainstream lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises operate Bermuda cruises. The Bermuda cruise season for most of these lines typically runs from early May to well into October, with a few outliers stretching the season all the way to the December holidays.
You’ll also find nondedicated cruises that stop in Bermuda as part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas or repositioning cruises.
We rounded up some of our favorite Bermuda itineraries that depart from the East Coast and offer something for every type of traveler. Whether you’ve cruised to Bermuda in the past or not, these are all worth considering.
6-, 7- or 14-night Bermuda cruise on MSC Meraviglia
Meraviglia offers a multiple-choice array of Bermuda cruises, all sailing from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in New York City’s Red Hook neighborhood.
The 5,714-passenger vessel is fully loaded with a water park and a high-tech mall-like promenade with an LED-illuminated ceiling. Guests looking for a more luxurious cruise can book a cabin in the MSC Yacht Club, which provides exclusive ship-within-a-ship amenities like a private pool and a lounge area.
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Meraviglia’s six- and seven-night Bermuda cruises include two nights docked in King’s Wharf on the southern portion of the Royal Naval Dockyard, where most Bermuda cruises dock. This allows guests ample time to fully explore the island’s nautical history at museums in Hamilton or to eat and drink their way through a few British pubs. The six-night sailing includes two sea days, while the seven-night cruises have three.
The 14-night cruises pair a six- or seven-night itinerary with either a cruise north to Canada and New England or one bound for the Bahamas. The southern version includes a stop at MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve private island with its spa treatments at the beach, cabana rentals and even late evening stays at the island, complete with beach bonfires and stargazing. MSC only operates these routes late in the season, in August and September.
Who should go: Fans of Big ships will be at home on Meraviglia. It’s among the largest ships currently cruising to Bermuda, offering the full megaship experience. The cruise itineraries offered on Meraviglia are for anyone looking for almost three full days in port in Bermuda and the ability to take advantage of an add-on itinerary that goes elsewhere. Even booking back-to-back cruises on most other lines only gets you two cruises to Bermuda, not a completely different itinerary as MSC offers.
Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites
9-night Bermuda and Perfect Day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas
This sailing might be an ideal cruise for honeymooners or couples of all ages. The itinerary pairs an overnight stay at King’s Wharf with a trip to the Bahamas that includes Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Vision of the Seas is an intimate ship by Royal Caribbean standards, carrying just over 2,000 passengers. However, it’s not light on Royal Caribbean-style fun, so expect a full array of stage shows and dance parties. There are a rock climbing wall and an adults-only Solarium pool, and dining choices include Giovanni’s Table and the line’s famous Chops Steakhouse.
The cruise includes a total of four sea days (because you know you need a vacation from your vacation), 23 hours in port in Bermuda and a stop in Nassau in the Bahamas, with a wrap-up at CocoCay for even more beach time. It’s a boatload of fun bundled into one package.
The ship is currently listed as sailing from Baltimore, but guests are advised directly of alternate port accommodations for their specific sailings.
Who should go: This is not a “quick escape” cruise. It’s a big cruise, perfect for an extended break from the world. While there are activities for kids on board, it’s a ship adults are more likely to enjoy — large enough to stay entertained but small enough to allow some quiet space on those long days at sea. In addition to ocean view and interior cabins, the ship has 229 balcony cabins and 97 suites, giving everyone plenty of options.
Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries
4-night Bermuda cruise from Manhattan on Carnival Venezia
Carnival Venezia offers the perfect opportunity to spend a night or three in New York City and then easily hop on a ship bound for Bermuda. You’ll get an initial sea day to recoup from your whirlwind visit to the Big Apple, followed by a beachy day in port at King’s Harbor and a final day at sea to enjoy all the ship offers.
Venezia carries just over 4,000 passengers at double occupancy. It was originally owned by Italy-based Costa Cruises, joining the Carnival fleet in 2023. (Carnival Corporation is the parent company of both Costa and Carnival.) It’s a bit of a hybrid. The vessel underwent an overhaul to add many of Carnival’s signature venues but kept some of the original Costa-aligned design. You’ll get all the Carnival fun surrounded by elegant Italian decor — specifically, Venetian decor with light colors accented by lots of gold and glass. There’s even a faux canal and a full-size gondola in the main dining room. The theme carries through right to the wall coverings and art in the cabins.
The ship features two pools (including one with a retractable roof in case the weather isn’t cooperating), a water park and an adults-only Serenity sundeck area with two whirlpool spas. In place of the exclusive Havana areas found on some Carnival ships, the Terrazza Carnevale area features a private sundeck and whirlpools for use only by guests staying in Terrazza cabins.
Who should go: Carnival Venezia’s short itinerary makes it ideal for a New York City/Bermuda combo trip. The ship works well for families or groups of adults traveling together, with plenty of activities around the clock for all ages. The ship has an abundance of budget-friendly interior and ocean-view cabins. However, with fewer than 1,000 balcony rooms and only 20 suites, guests looking for those options should book early because Carnival runs a rather short Bermuda season between late May and the end of September. Also, look for six- and seven-night options at the end of the season.
Related: America’s cruise line has gone Italian — or has it?
5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas
If you’re looking for a bit more time in Bermuda but can’t devote a whole week, this may be your cruise. Sailing from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey, means you don’t even have to go into Manhattan if you don’t care to explore the city. Five nights is a nice length for an escape cruise — just enough time to explore Bermuda and two full days at sea enjoying all the goodies on board the ship.
Liberty of the Seas is a workhorse in the Royal Caribbean fleet, featuring something designed to please every age or type of cruiser. It’s outfitted with the line’s iconic top-deck waterslides and FlowRider surf simulator. It also features an ice rink, parades in the massive interior promenade and even a pickleball court. The ship has an adults-only solarium if you’re looking for a quiet zone. There are more specialty eateries than you’re likely to be able to try out in five days, including the line’s elegant Chef’s Table experience.
Who should go: The ship is fantastic for anyone looking for a quick escape. A multigenerational family reunion, perhaps? There are enough cabin choices to please family members in the group with different sizes and budget needs. Liberty of the Seas is also a good choice for suite lovers. There are 120 suites on board, including a four-bedroom Family Villa and a handful of two-bedroom Family Grand suites.
Related: The best cruises from New York you can book in 2024 and 2025
7-night multiport Bermuda cruise on Oceania Insignia
For a completely different Bermuda cruise, Oceania Cruises has a couple of Bermuda cruises from Manhattan that include two overnights in the capital city of Hamilton before moving to the lesser-known port of St. George. A bonus port of call is in Newport, Rhode Island. Having the ship positioned somewhere other than King’s Wharf cruise port gives passengers easy access to shopping and dining in Hamilton and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. Catherine’s Fort in St. George without either an hourlong bus ride or a ferry crossing. Oceania doesn’t always cruise from U.S. ports, so when it does, you can often save big simply by not having international airfare to worry about.
Unlike the larger ships in the above-mentioned itineraries, Insignia only carries 670 passengers. Oceania offers luxurious accommodations and food that is some of the best at sea. Cabin categories are similar to mainstream lines, ranging from interior and ocean-view rooms to balcony cabins and suites. In most categories, you can expect slightly larger rooms than you’d find on a mainstream line. Special offer pricing typically includes Wi-Fi, some shore excursion credit and a house beverage package.
Who should go: Oceania cruises provide more of an adult-focused environment than most of the other lines. It offers regular cruises to Bermuda, making this an ideal cruise for seniors or adults escaping the kids and grands. Single travelers looking for an upscale cruise will find what they are looking for in Insignia’s solo cabins.
Related: The 3 types of Oceania Cruises ships, explained
5- and 7-night new ship Bermuda cruise on Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a longer Bermuda season than most other mainstream lines, often sailing five- and seven-night itineraries from both Manhattan and Boston nine months of the year. Look for Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Joy in 2024, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Jewel in 2025 and Norwegian Breakaway in 2026. Those are great choices, but we zoomed in on this opportunity to preview a shiny new ship in August and September of 2025, when the newest Prima Class ship, Norwegian Aqua, sails to Bermuda for a brief run.
The five-night cruises dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard overnight. The seven-night itineraries offer two nights and almost three full days in port.
Aqua is expected to be larger than earlier Prima Class ships, carrying roughly 3,500 passengers. Norwegian is particularly good at squeezing megaship attractions into slightly smaller ships than the newly built ships of its competitors like Royal Caribbean or MSC, which have ships that carry closer to 6,000 passengers. Expect to experience the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster, three infinity pools and four infinity hot tubs, plus Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship suite category called The Haven, which comes with perks like a 24-hour butler and a private sundeck, pool and lounge.
Who should go: New ship lovers and NCL aficionados will likely flock to Manhattan to enjoy an early look at Aqua. Cruises to Bermuda on any Norwegian ship mean not only a fabulous time in port exploring Bermuda but fun of all sorts on board the ship. This could be an ideal cruise for those who’ve already experienced Bermuda and can spend every minute enjoying the new ship.
7-night Bermuda cruise on Celebrity Eclipse or Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity Cruises offers a big-ship experience for those looking for fewer waterslides and frenetic fun. That doesn’t mean there won’t be children on board, though, as Celebrity offers activities for kids and teens of all ages. What Celebrity does best is provide spaces and activities designed with vacationing adults in mind.
The cruises depart from Bayonne, New Jersey, and include three sea days and three full days in Bermuda. With two nights docked at King’s Wharf, it’s plenty of time to explore Bermuda your way and enjoy the ship on the way there and back. Eclipse and Silhouette are sister ships in Celebrity’s Solstice Class, each carrying fewer than 3,000 guests. They are elegant in design, with features you won’t find on any other ship at sea. Eclipse offers a Hot Glass Studio where you can make your own glass souvenir. The upper decks of both ships feature real grass lawns, hosting boccie tournaments. Guests can reserve cabanas on the lawn or lounge in giant beanbags in the grass, watching movies on a big screen.
Both ships feature an adults-only Solarium, a gelateria and multiple specialty dining options, and almost 50% of the cabins have verandas. With nooks like The Hideaway near the elevator banks on Decks 7 and 8, the outdoor promenade on Deck 5, plus a forward-facing relaxation lounge and the Spa Verandah on Decks 11 and 12, respectively, Celebrity seems to have mastered the art of providing spaces to escape the masses.
Who should go: This cruise is a sure bet for couples who either already love Bermuda or are eager to become better acquainted with it, thanks to the extended port visit. Golfers and scuba divers can delight in three full days spent on their pastimes. There are multiple dive shops in Bermuda, offering boat dives and guided shore dives, along with gear rental. Golfers have their pick of seven world-class courses, some with club rentals. This is not a cruise for those who seek a new port every day.
Bonus: Other Bermuda cruises to consider
If you don’t mind a short port call in Bermuda instead of a night or two stay, a few itineraries can accommodate you. Some transatlantic sailings to and from Northern Europe or the Mediterranean stop in Bermuda. Examples include Celebrity Apex transitioning from Southampton, England, to Fort Lauderdale on a 12-night itinerary that includes Bermuda and Regent Seven Seas Mariner from Barcelona to Miami on a 14-night cruise.
Norwegian Prima has a whopper of a holiday cruise that stops in Bermuda. It’s a 12-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary round-trip from Manhattan with a one-day stop in Bermuda with six other ports of call, including St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Tortola. If you’d like someone else to do all the cooking during the holidays, this would be a fun cruise to consider.
There are several one-hit Bermuda wonders to consider, including sailings on Windstar Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Silversea Cruises. All of these are ideal for luxury cruisers wanting to add Bermuda to their list of ports of call. Most are point-to-point sailings, with the exception of Regent Seven Seas, which offers a round-trip from Miami.
Bottom line
Bermuda is one of the few beachy cruise destinations where staying in port overnight is the norm. The lack of an end-of-day time crunch makes cruising there an attractive and relaxing proposition for many, especially those who live on the East Coast.
You can enjoy a weeklong vacation or escape for as little as four nights. Try a new cruise line or try a different itinerary on your favorite ship. Combine your cruise with a visit to the Big Apple. Any way you want to do it, there is a Bermuda cruise to fit your style.
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