What Cruise Travelers Should Know
Bermuda operates on extended port stays — most ships dock for two or three nights rather than a single day, which changes how you plan. You can cover a lot of ground without rushing.
The Dockyard itself has the National Museum of Bermuda (housed in the old fortifications, with a dolphin facility and the Commissioner's House), a glass-blowing studio, the Frog and Onion Pub in the old cooperage, and the clocktower mall. It's a pleasant half-day on its own, especially if you visit the museum.
To reach the rest of Bermuda, the ferry is the best option. The Sea Express ferry to Hamilton (the capital) takes about 20 minutes and drops you in the center of town near shops, the Bermuda Aquarium, and connections to the East End. Ferries to St. George's (the original capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) take about 45 minutes. Scooters and e-bikes are available to rent at the Dockyard for independent exploration.
Pink sand beaches: Horseshoe Bay (the most photographed) and Elbow Beach are on the South Shore, about 45 minutes from the Dockyard by scooter or 30 minutes by taxi. Both are worth the trip on a clear day.
A Fortress Built by Convict Labor
Britain established the Royal Naval Dockyard in 1809, after the American Revolution made Halifax a less reliable base for Atlantic operations. The location — at the far western end of Bermuda, behind a chain of islets — was well-protected from storms and enemy attack. Construction was slow and brutal; much of the work was done by convicts transported from Britain, housed in decommissioned prison ships moored in the harbor.
The Dockyard served as the headquarters of the North America and West Indies Station through two World Wars. It was finally handed over to the Bermudian government in 1951 as the Royal Navy reduced its global footprint. The old buildings were restored beginning in the 1980s, and the Dockyard reopened as a tourism and cultural center, eventually becoming the island's main cruise terminal.
Getting Around Bermuda
**Ferry:** The Sea Express is the best way to reach Hamilton or St. George's. Ferries depart from the Dockyard terminal on a fixed schedule; buy tickets with a transport pass or exact change. A one-day pass covers unlimited ferry and bus travel — worth it if you're doing more than one leg.
**Scooter:** Bermuda is a scooter island. Rental shops at the Dockyard rent mopeds and e-bikes by the day. Drive on the left. Helmets are mandatory. The South Shore Road to Horseshoe Bay is a classic scooter route through rolling pastel-colored neighborhoods.
**Taxi:** Taxis are metered and regulated. Expensive by most standards, but convenient for beach runs if you don't want to scooter. Split the cost with others from the ship.
**Bus:** Public buses cover the entire island on a route network. Slower than taxis or scooters but cheap if you have the transport pass.
Tipping in Bermuda
Bermuda uses the Bermudian dollar, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. US currency is accepted everywhere. Tipping norms are similar to the US.
- **Restaurants:** 15–20% is standard; check whether a service charge has been added first. - **Taxis:** 15%; Bermuda taxis are metered and the drivers are licensed guides — tip generously if they narrate the trip. - **Scooter and bike rental:** No tipping expected. - **Tour guides:** USD $10–15 per person for a half-day tour.