Are you heading out on a Disney Cruise to Bermuda soon? Lucky you! I have been fortunate enough to travel twice with Disney Cruise Line to Bermuda, and they have been two of my favorite vacations! I can offer loads of tips for a Disney Bermuda cruise.
As a travel advisor, I get many questions about how to prepare for a Disney Cruise, so I hope to answer many of them here. Be sure to sign up for my free packing list below as you prepare for your voyage and, now, let’s get to answering your questions.
Where is the departure port for a Disney cruise to Bermuda?
The departure port for a Disney Cruise Line voyage to Bermuda is housed at the Manhatten Cruise Terminal. If you are taking a ride share or a taxi, be sure to provide them with the address, as there are other ports in the area. The Manhattan Cruise Terminal can be found at 711 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10019.
Can you park at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?
Driving can be tricky in New York City, but enough parking can be found at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal if you are a brave soul. Current pricing is $35 for up to 10 hours or $40 for overnight parking per day.
What can we do before our cruise out of New York City?
Of course, loads of options for the entire family abound for adventure in New York City before and after your cruise. Consider arriving in NYC at least one day ahead of your cruise to explore and ensure you arrive in plenty of time for your cruise check-in.
Here are a few of our favorite pre-cruise activities in New York City:
- See a Broadway show. If you are flexible on which show you see and want to save some money, consider lining up early at the TKTS booth. The TKTS can be found on Duffy Square in Times Square, on Broadway at 47th Street. You can snag discounted, day of tickets, sometimes as much as 50% off. You can also try the TodayTix app to see if you can find some options online.
- Take a stroll or carriage ride through Central Park.
- Do you enjoy museums? Check out the American Museum of National History for dinosaur bones, minerals, and ocean animals. Are you an art lover? Visit the Museum of Modern Art.
- Take a trip to the top of the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock.
- Visit Times Square and the Broadway Theater District.
- Eat at the delicious restaurants!
- Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
What hotels can you pre-book with Disney Cruise Line in New York City?
Currently, Disney Cruise Line is offering a pre-cruise or post-cruise stay at the New York Marriott Marquis. The NY Marriott Marquis is located in Times Square, near Broadway and 45th Street. You can easily explore the city, as the hotel is close to Radio City Music Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Empire State Building, the Broadway theater district, and Central Park.
It is about 2 miles from the cruise port, making it a great pre and post-cruise location. Of course, there are plenty of options in the New York City area. Just make sure you check the location and reviews of your hotel choice before you book, or check with your travel advisor!
Which transportation options are available to the port?
If you are staying in the NYC area, you have several transport options from your hotel to the port. Ride-share options like Lyft and Uber are easily accessible via the app. Check to compare pricing before you book. You can also hail a taxi or use the Curb app to request one. Hotel guests can also request that the front doormen help them find a taxi to the port.
What is the port of call in Bermuda?
King’s Wharf, Bermuda is the port of call in Bermuda. The entire island is only 21 square miles, so easily accessible for cruise visitors.
Which shore excursions are available in Bermuda?
Bermuda shore excursions offer lots of ways for guests to explore the island. Here are a few of our favorites!
- Explore the South Shore Beaches, like Horseshoe Bay Beach, to check out the pink sand and beautiful blue water.
- Enjoy scuba diving or snorkeling? Check out all that lives below the surface of the water in Bermuda! If you want to stay dry, check out the glass bottom boats!
- If you want to stick close to the ship’s port area, the Royal Naval Dockyard has stores, the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the Bermuda Maritime Museum, or a little dip in their water park.
- On our last visit, we visited the Crystal Caves and they were amazing! Definitely worth the short drive from the port.
- Visit historic St. George or shop in the capital city, Hamilton.
Do I need to book a shore excursion with Disney Cruise Line?
If you book a shore excursion with DCL, they will wait for you, if delayed during your time off of the ship. If you book on your own, you do take the risk of being left if you don’t return by all aboard time. Leave yourself plenty enough time to get back onto the ship.
I have booked port adventure options with DCL and on my own. You can save a significant amount of money booking on your own if you are willing to take the risk. With Bermuda being a small island, I thought it was worth the risk, but at the end of the day, it depends on your comfort level.
What is the weather in Bermuda?
The weather is generally mild in Bermuda. Bermuda lies about 650 miles off of the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean. Temperatures generally range between 60-85 degrees, depending on the time of year.
During January, February, and March, you may find more rainy days with an average of 11-13 days with precipitation during the winter months. It can be chilly and rainy in New York, depending on your departure month, so be sure to pack layers and waterproof jackets. One of my best tips for a Disney Bermuda cruise includes checking a weather app for the forecast about 7-9 days before your cruise to get the most updated forecast before you start packing.
Does a Bermuda cruise sail to Castaway Cay?
No, a Bermuda cruise does not sail to Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, as it is far north of Castaway Cay and the Bahamas. It is different from Bahamian, Eastern Caribbean, and Western Caribbean sailings, located further south.
What should we do during an At Sea Day on Disney Cruise Line?
There are plenty of things to do to fill an entire day on a Disney ship! Check the personal navigator on the Disney Cruise Line app for a complete list of times, activities, and locations. A few of our favorite ideas include:
- Checking out the kids club! A day may include a visit from Disney characters, crafting, video games, dance parties, and more!
- Spending time at the splash pad or pools while watching a great Disney movie on the huge Funnel Vision screen.
- Meet your favorite characters that have different meeting spots throughout the entire ship.
- Order room service and enjoy it on the verandah or while you watch a movie in your stateroom.
- Shop for some great Disney Cruise Line merch in the stores on board.
- Take part in trivia, Bingo, or an animation class.
- Adults can enjoy spa treatments while kids are in the kids’ clubs!
Which type of stateroom should I book for a DCL cruise to Bermuda?
Disney Cruise ships include Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Treasure, Disney Wish, and more to come! Disney Cruise Line offers three types of staterooms: verandah (balcony rooms), oceanview (porthole view), and inside (no view). If you have the budget, my favorite cabin type and the best option is the verandah room. It is so lovely to sit outside on your balcony sailing over the high seas and while in your ports of call. If you have connecting verandah staterooms, your stateroom host can open up the verandahs between your rooms to expand your outdoor seating area.
If budget is an issue, consider a deluxe family oceanview stateroom or a standard inside stateroom. Any stateroom on a Disney Cruise is a great choice – you are on a fantastic cruise! I prefer deck 5 or above, as close to midship as possible. Staying in the central area of the ship can prevent motion sickness and enables you to move around the ship easily.
Should I book with a travel agent for a Disney cruise?
It’s always great to book a Disney Cruise with a travel agent who specializes in Disney. We can help you with our expert advice and offer plenty of tips for a Disney Bermuda cruise. Agents can find the best itinerary and sail date for families, select a great stateroom, understand rotational dining, and give suggestions for port excursions. We can also help you find the top deals and apply any special cruise deals to your Disney cruise. Need an onboard credit? Check with us to see what our agency offers during your sailing!
I hope this post gave you plenty of great tips for a Disney Bermuda cruise! Keep reading for more travel advice from my experience as a travel advisor and mom of four kids. Sign up for my free packing newsletter as you prep for your next great adventure! Thanks for reading.
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