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Yep, that’s right, we’re going on a cruise – our first cruise ever! Our kids are grown (well, the baby is 17, but she’s a mature 17) and we are now free to start experiencing some of what this beautiful world has to offer – no kids, no critters, no bull. Bermuda, here we come!
Last year, while sitting on my deck enjoying Maine’s summer sunshine, I had a moment of pure clarity and confidence. These moments have been few and far between since turning 40 a few years back, so in that moment, I decided to take advantage and research a vacation. After a few hours of searching and researching, and reading and watching, I bit the bullet and pressed the “Book Now” button that secured us a spot on the Norwegian Joy this August. Not only did I book on a whim, I convinced our friends group to do the same. My husband and I, along with 4 of our favorite couples, get to experience the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Bermuda for the first time, together! A few from our group have cruised before, and they LOVED cruising. This will be everyone’s first time on NCL, and everyone’s first time in Bermuda. Needless to say, we may have to try our best to avoid being tossed overboard (or tossed in the brig), but I guarantee good times will be had.
From the moment we booked, I jumped head-first into researching all there is to know about going on a cruise and the island of Bermuda. Not gonna lie, I’m a bit of a knowledge whore. I. Like. To. Know. Things. ALL the things. All the tips and tricks for rookie cruisers will be mine! Moooowahaha! For best results, read the last couple lines again, in a villainous accent. Being the whore that I am (in your normal reading accent), you can be sure I exhausted our “Bermuda Bound” group chat with an influx of links to blogs, YouTube videos, reels, etc. You name it, I sent it. In all honesty, I’m currently hoping there will be something left to this vacation that will surprise and delight…I may have overdone it with the knowledge-whoring around.
Anyway, what I did find, I’ll share here. The links and tips, and products and hacks that some experienced cruisers decided us 1st-timers need to know about, will soon be yours! Go ahead and use your villainous accent on that line, too. Let’s check out the NCL Joy and see what Bermuda has to offer! Enjoy!
It’s easy to search and watch the top-rated videos from the biggest names on YouTube, but where’s the fun in that? This guy isn’t quite a YouTube sensation, yet, but he’s freakin’ hilarious. He does a great job going over the important things to know about the ship, itself, and some features the island has to offer. He does his thing with some dry wit added in, that you might have to pay close attention to in order to catch, and tries his best to include his somewhat reluctant-to-be-recorded wife. Since Crazy Cow Family is a bit of an underdog when it comes to clogging and YouTubing, we like to feature some other underdogs from time to time. Definitely Not Niko earns 5 stars from us!
When it comes to sightseeing, I’m not normally on the bandwagon. Crowds and me don’t mix. Because I had a lot of experience with social anxiety in my twenties, my Bermuda research included things to do that are off the beaten path. In other words, I want to sightsee with the party of 10 that I’ll be there with…and that’s about all. This blog post about Blue Hole Park offers all the necessary information, from location on the island, to cost to visit and local rules about swimming there. This is one sight that we’ve added to our island tour itinerary.
Because we’ll be docked at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda for 3 days, I found this little post to be quite informational. It’s categorized to make it easy to navigate, and the images are incredibly appealing. Included in this post are where to go, what to see, best places to eat, tips for friends getaways like ours, and sample itineraries. I know, I know, I said I like to feature the underdog, but this post has too much information to be ignored. Strike a pose, visit a church, take in the views, and explore 16 other must-dos while in Bermuda for 3 days.
Believe me when I say I watched a hundred videos looking for the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to the Norwegian Joy and NCL’s Bermuda cruises. La Lido Loca does a lot of talking in this video, with fewer recorded and photographic depictions of his experiences. Despite the lack of photographic evidence, his countdown of the worst and best features of the ship is numbered, and organized well. It’s quick, and gets straight to the point. He’s got himself a big following on YouTube, but I had to include this video in my favorites list…I mean, I couldn’t help it, I’m a sucker for a well-trimmed beard.
In my obsession to absorb all there is to know about this vacation, I stumbled upon this little gem. Yep, another underdog with 600-ish subscribers. Jaden’s video is a quick little compilation of all things embarkation to disembarkation on this NCL cruise to Bermuda.
This post is short and sweet. It’s not specific to the Norwegian Cruise Line or Bermuda, but that’s why I found it so interesting. Many of these items are items I wouldn’t have thought to bring, or even expected to be allowed to bring, but most are items I’ve purchased and have set aside for packing day. Did you know most cruise lines allow you to bring 1 bottle of unopened wine aboard? Seriously, water isn’t included in a drink package, but you can bring a refillable water bottle and the bartender will refill it for free. Who knew there was such a thing as reef-safe sunscreen?
This video is ALL about the ship! The Norwegian Joy gets rave reviews from all of the critics I’ve followed. There is so much to do on this ship! At the beginning of 2024, the Joy underwent some major renovations, including removing the laser tag adventure to improve the spa services. More room was made for luxury staterooms, as well. DETOURS does a great job making sure no leaf is left unturned!
Another post that’s pretty general as far as cruising goes. Many of the items the Clarks recommend are not on the previous list I raved about. This list is lengthy, but super inclusive. From waterproof phone cases to baby powder for sand removal, I’m sure glad someone decided to make of list of cruise essentials I wouldn’t have thought of. Some of the items on this list are kid-friendly, for those who plan to take the wee ones on their vacation with them. As for us, the men in our group might be more work than actual kiddos, so just the grown ups this time.
The excitement is building, again, as I sit here and share this information with you! I’m sure by the end of the day I’ll have several more great resources to share, but I’ll post them to our “Bermuda Bound” group chat first. Check back in the fall for the full run-down of how our vacation went, and keep an eye out for a link to our very own travel documentaries! Be forewarned, this group of friends is not your typical group…we’re loud and, often, inappropriate, and speak a very colorful language, but we are oh-so-much fun! Here’s to a great adventure! Knowledge Whore, over and out.
As always, remember to like, share, pin, subscribe, comment…ya know, all the things!
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