Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda
Bermuda cruises
Bermuda cruises sail from New York, New Jersey, Boston and Baltimore to a subtropical British island roughly 650 miles off North Carolina, known for pink-sand beaches, pastel towns and two or three full days docked at the Royal Naval Dockyard. Most trips last 5 to 7 nights and run from April to early November, with May and June offering warm, settled weather before the peak of hurricane season.
- Season: Mainly April to early November; best May and June, with warm seas into October. Few or no sailings December to February.
- Typical length: 5 to 7 nights, including two or three days docked in Bermuda
Photo: JoeyBagODonuts, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Season
- Mainly April to early November; best May and June, with warm seas into October. Few or no sailings December to February.
- Typical length
- 5 to 7 nights, including two or three days docked in Bermuda
- Best months
- May, Jun, Jul
- Main departure ports
- New York City, Bayonne (Cape Liberty), Boston
- Ports covered here
- 3
- Cruise lines
- 5 lines sail here
What a Bermuda cruise is like
For much of the East Coast, Bermuda is the rare island cruise that starts without a flight. Ships leave New York, Bayonne, Boston or Baltimore, cross the Gulf Stream in a day and a half to two days, and then stay put, usually docked at King’s Wharf for two or three days. That long stay is the big difference from a Caribbean cruise: you can watch the sunset from a beach bar, eat dinner ashore and explore at your own pace.
Despite the turquoise water, Bermuda isn’t in the Caribbean. It sits far out in the Atlantic at about the same latitude as Charleston, South Carolina, so it’s subtropical: summers are hot and humid, spring and fall are mild, and winter is too cool for most beachgoers. It’s also very British, with cricket, afternoon tea, driving on the left and a polished, safe and expensive feel.
Bermuda suits couples, families who want easy logistics and anyone who likes to explore without rushing back to the ship. Two things to know before you go: visitors can’t rent regular cars, and prices ashore are high. Plan on ferries and buses, pack beach gear and snacks from home, and budget generously for taxis and meals.
Best time to cruise Bermuda
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: No regular sailings
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Bermuda in JanuaryNo regular sailings
There are no regular Bermuda cruises in January, when the island is cool and breezy, with highs in the upper 60s °F and the North Atlantic at its stormiest between New York and the island. It’s the right time to plan, because balcony cabins on peak-season 7-night sailings are far easier to find months ahead.
Bermuda in FebruaryNo regular sailings
February is Bermuda’s off-season for cruising, with water in the mid-60s °F and frequent winter fronts making the Gulf Stream crossing rough. Golfers and walkers visit by air for the mild weather and quiet trails. If you’re planning a Mother’s Day or early-summer sailing, now is when to lock in a cabin.
Bermuda in MarchNo regular sailings
Cruise season hasn’t started yet, but March is when humpback whales pass Bermuda on their spring migration north, and white-tailed tropicbirds, the island’s beloved longtails, return to nest in the cliffs. Days are mild in the upper 60s °F, and the first ships usually appear in April.
Bermuda in AprilShoulder season
The first sailings of the season arrive, often in the second half of the month. Bermudians fly homemade kites on Good Friday, eating codfish cakes and hot cross buns, a lovely tradition if your timing lines up. Expect highs around 70 °F, cool water and breezy sea days, so pack a jacket for the crossing.
Bermuda in MayBest time to go
May is one of the best months: warm, mostly dry days in the mid-70s °F, blooming oleander and hibiscus, and no hurricane risk to speak of. Bermuda Day, a public holiday at the end of the month, brings a parade in Hamilton and is traditionally the first day locals swim. The sea is still brisk earlier in the month.
Bermuda in JuneBest time to go
June delivers warm beach weather, with highs around 80 °F, comfortable water for swimming and snorkeling, and calmer seas on the crossing. Hurricane season begins but storms near Bermuda this early are rare. Family demand picks up once Northeast schools let out late in the month, so book early for those weeks.
Bermuda in JulyBest time to go
July is hot and humid, with highs in the mid-80s °F and sea temperatures well into the 80s, ideal for long beach days at Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay. Late in the month or in early August, the island shuts down for Cup Match, a two-day cricket holiday with huge picnics. Summer sailings carry the most families.
Bermuda in AugustGood time to go
August is the warmest month, and the water is at its best for snorkeling wrecks and reefs. Hurricane activity rises, and Bermuda sits in a part of the Atlantic where many storms curve north, so the occasional sailing is delayed or rerouted. Fares soften once schools return toward the end of the month.
Bermuda in SeptemberGood time to go
September is Bermuda’s riskiest month for hurricanes, and several notable storms have passed close by in recent decades. The island’s strict building codes mean recovery is usually quick, but your cruise may lose a day or swap direction. Beaches are quieter, the sea stays warm, and fares are lower than in summer.
Bermuda in OctoberGood time to go
Early October often brings lovely weather, with highs in the upper 70s °F and the ocean still warm from summer, though storm risk lingers. Crowds are thin and fares good value. By late in the month the crossing becomes breezier and cooler as autumn weather systems start moving off the East Coast.
Bermuda in NovemberShoulder season
A handful of final sailings run into early November before ships head south for the winter. Days are pleasant, around the low 70s °F, but swimming starts to feel cool, and the sea crossing can be rough as North Atlantic fronts strengthen. Hurricane season officially ends on November 30.
Bermuda in DecemberNo regular sailings
December has no regular Bermuda cruises, as ships move to Florida for the Caribbean season. On the island, the holidays bring a Christmas boat parade and festive lights, but you’d need to fly. Use the month to compare next year’s departures from New York, Boston and Baltimore.
Average weather across Bermuda ports
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5111 | 5311 | 5714 | 6418 | 7122 | 7826 | 8429 | 8429 | 8027 | 7222 | 6317 | 5513 |
| Low °F (°C) | 426 | 426 | 457 | 5111 | 6015 | 6720 | 7323 | 7323 | 6920 | 6116 | 5111 | 468 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.2106 | 3.692 | 3.897 | 3.691 | 3.896 | 4.1103 | 4.1103 | 3.9100 | 4.2107 | 4.6117 | 3.793 | 4.6118 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Bermuda cruise highlights
- 1
Horseshoe Bay Beach
Bermuda’s most famous beach curves along the south shore in Southampton Parish, with pale pink sand and limestone rocks to scramble around. Follow the coastal trail east to quieter coves such as Chaplin Bay and on to Warwick Long Bay. Buses from Dockyard stop on the main road above the beach.
- 2
Royal Naval Dockyard
Where most ships dock, the former Royal Navy base is a destination in itself: the National Museum of Bermuda fills the old fortress and Commissioner’s House, the Clocktower Mall sells local crafts and rum cakes, and Snorkel Park Beach is a short stroll from the gangway.
- 3
Historic St. George’s
Founded in 1612, St. George’s is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow lanes, St. Peter’s Church, the Unfinished Church and Fort St. Catherine. Tobacco Bay, a sheltered snorkel spot among limestone rocks, is a short walk from town, and seasonal ferries from Dockyard make it an easy day.
- 4
Hamilton and the Great Sound
Bermuda’s small capital has Front Street’s pastel shops and cafés, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and harbor views across the Great Sound. Fast ferries from Dockyard reach Hamilton in roughly 20 minutes, a scenic ride past islands and moored sailboats.
- 5
Crystal and Fantasy Caves
Floating pontoon walkways cross clear underground lakes beneath stalactites at these limestone caves in Hamilton Parish. Tours are short, so many visitors pair them with nearby Blue Hole Park or a stop at the Swizzle Inn, which claims to have invented Bermuda’s rum swizzle.
- 6
Railway Trail and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
The Bermuda Railway Trail follows the bed of a long-gone railway across much of the island, ideal for walking or a rented e-bike. Climb the 185 steps of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, one of the oldest cast-iron lighthouses in the world, for a sweeping view over the south shore.
- 7
Shipwreck snorkeling
The reefs ringing Bermuda have claimed hundreds of ships over the centuries. Glass-bottom and snorkel boats from Dockyard and Hamilton visit wrecks such as HMS Vixen and shallow reef gardens. The water is warmest and calmest for snorkeling from June to September.
Typical Bermuda itineraries
- 1
7-night Bermuda cruise from New York or Cape Liberty
About two days at sea each way and three days docked at King’s Wharf. Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are regulars on this route in season.
- 2
5-night round trip from New York, Boston or Baltimore
A shorter version with two days in Bermuda, ideal if you can’t take a full week off. Baltimore sailings add a little extra time at sea.
- 3
Bermuda combined with other ports
Some longer sailings pair Bermuda with Port Canaveral, the Bahamas or New England, and spring and fall transatlantic repositioning voyages sometimes stop for a day.
- 4
Small and luxury ships to Hamilton or St. George’s
Smaller ships can sometimes dock in Hamilton or St. George’s instead of the Dockyard, putting you right on Front Street or the UNESCO town square.
Bermuda ports of call
King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard)
King’s Wharf, at the Royal Naval Dockyard on Bermuda’s West End, is where most big cruise ships dock in Bermuda, often for two or three days. The dockyard itself has a fortress museum, shops and a beach, and ferries and buses connect you to Hamilton, St. George’s and Bermuda’s famous pink-sand beaches, including Horseshoe Bay.
Hamilton
Hamilton is Bermuda’s small, elegant capital, and smaller cruise ships can dock right on Front Street, steps from shops, cafés and the harbor. Most big ships dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard instead, and their passengers reach Hamilton by a scenic 20-minute ferry. The city is a base for the Botanical Gardens, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and South Shore beaches.
St. George's
St. George’s, founded in 1612, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited English towns in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage site at Bermuda’s eastern end. Only small ships can dock here; most cruisers arrive by ferry or bus from the Dockyard to wander its narrow lanes, historic churches and forts, and to swim at nearby Tobacco Bay.
New York City
Departure port
Bayonne (Cape Liberty)
Departure port
Boston
Departure port
Baltimore
Departure port
Where Bermuda cruises start
Cruise lines that sail Bermuda
Bermuda cruise tips
- Visitors can’t rent regular cars. Buy a multi-day transportation pass for the island’s ferries and pink-and-blue buses; scooters and small two-seat electric minicars are available, but traffic drives on the left on narrow roads.
- Plan ferries around your day. The fast ferry from Dockyard to Hamilton is quickest, seasonal service runs to St. George’s, and lines for the first boats can be long when ships are docked.
- Prices ashore are among the highest anywhere you’ll cruise. Take beach towels, sunscreen and water from the ship, and eat lunch where locals do, such as a fish sandwich from a takeout counter.
- Pack a light jacket even in summer. Sea days crossing the Gulf Stream can be cool and windy, especially in April, May and October.
- The Bermudian dollar is tied one-to-one to the US dollar, and US currency and cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Bermuda cruises: FAQs
How long is a cruise to Bermuda?
Usually 5 to 7 nights from the Northeast. A 7-night trip typically has about two sea days each way and three days docked in Bermuda; a 5-night trip gives you about two days on the island.
When is the best time to cruise to Bermuda?
May and June, for warm, settled weather and low hurricane risk. July and August are hottest, with the warmest water, while September and October are quieter and still warm but fall in the busiest part of hurricane season.
Do I need a passport for a Bermuda cruise?
A passport is strongly recommended for US citizens and required for Canadians. Some lines accept a birth certificate and photo ID for US citizens on round trips from US ports, so check your cruise line’s exact rules.
Can you rent a car in Bermuda?
No. Visitors can’t rent regular cars. Ferries, buses and taxis make it easy to get around, and scooters and small electric two-seaters can be rented for those comfortable driving on the left.
Where do cruise ships dock in Bermuda?
Most dock at King’s Wharf in the Royal Naval Dockyard, at the island’s western tip. Ferries and buses connect it to Hamilton, St. George’s and the south-shore beaches. Some smaller ships dock in Hamilton or St. George’s.
Which cruise line is best for Bermuda?
Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity offer the most regular Bermuda sailings from New York and New Jersey, with Carnival and others also sailing from Baltimore or New York. Choose by departure port first, then by ship style.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.