Bermuda

Hi girls! My DH and I are planning our first family vacay. Our daughter will be around six months old. We have done Europe, Hawaii, Greece and the majority of the islands. However, we have yet to explore Bermuda, Turks & Caicos, or St. Barts. Any opinions on these destinations?

We are leaning towards Bermuda since its such a short flight. Also, there are cruises that leave right out of the city. Any recs for a hotel or cruiseline? Or would anybody advise against going there with an infant?

I'm going to check with our TA, but thought I would get some feedback here as well. So excited for our first family trip! TIA!

Re: Bermuda

NCL goes to Bermuda from NYC, Royal Caribbean goes to Bermuda from Bayonne, NJ.

Re: Bermuda

I took the Celebrity Summit from Bayonne, NJ to Bermuda 7 days last summer and we had the best time ever!

Re: Bermuda

We just took our 2 and 4 year old girls on Celebrity's Summit out of Bayonne. I highly recommend it. It was fabulous. We just drove right to the Bayonne pier - you pull up to a big tent and the baggage handlers take all your thing right from your car -so you don't have to lug anything. We brought case of water, and some extra snacks and soy milk because DD#1 has a lot of food allergies (but it would be easy for a parent with a baby to bring your own pack and play, baby food, formula if needed etc.). We just carried on a small bag and our strollers. You then park right next to the building and walk right to check in and that is it. VERY easy. Much easier than flying. My parents have sailed from both the NY pier and Bayonne and feel that Bayonne is much easier esp because you don't need car service. Plus if you drive you don't have to worry about car service.

I would try to get a balcony cabin which would make your lives much easier. They don't allow non potty trained children in the pools but what I have seen and read is that many will be a small blow up pool (like the duck bath and fill it and place it between 2 lounge chairs - or a small blow up pool and use it on their balcony). We didn't use it but celebrity has a "toy box" with leap frog toys that you can check out and play with in the cabin (although if you drive you could just bring a bag and fill it with your own toys). If you get a balcony you could also have some meals out there where you wouldn't have to go to the dining room or fight the buffet. Which could be very relaxing. We ate breakfasts and most lunches on our veranda.

There is a lot to do in Bermuda. We went to an aquarium/zoo one day (it was raining part of the day). We found that the beach right off the pier (snorkel park) was very calm and great for little kids. We saw some parents with tiny round baby rafts pulling their child around.

We are going again this summer.

I believe RCCL has Bermuda cruise as well - but it is only 5 days (the Celebrity one is 7 days - 2 days down, 3 days in bermuda and then 1 day back). NCL also has a cruise to Bermuda out of NY.