Day 9 - Hamilton, Bermuda

18th Jan 2020

The islands, shaped like a fishhook, became a key strategic outpost from American independence to the Cold War. Bermuda had occupied a useful position astride the homeward leg taken by many European vessels from the New World since before its settlement by England in 1609.

At the tip of their ‘barb,’ the Royal Naval Dockyard was a powerful symbol of seafaring might. This huge complex officially closed as a military institution in 1951, and the restored Commissioner’s House is now filled with various nautical exhibits, while many of the old barracks and warehouse buildings now house local potters and ceramicists. It’s well worth a look around.

Hamilton is the capital city of Bermuda. Along the harbour, Front Street features pastel-coloured colonial buildings and high-end shops. The stone Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity has a tower with city views. The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute offers ocean discovery exhibits. Northeast is the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, home to sharks and turtles.

Land Ho!

At  long last we awoke this morning to a view of land, trees and one of the forts at the tip of Bermuda.  The passage into our berth being rather circuitous due to reefs and shallows.

The Commissioners House

Many passengers in a great rush to get ashore to catch the ferry to Hamilton.  No such rush for us, a delightful leisurely start on a much quieter ship.  Then ashore for a walk round the dockyard area looking in at the shops, the glassworks and the old Naval warehouse buildings.  The day remained sunny with a fresh slightly cool breeze and the sea a fantastic turquoise and blue though nowhere to test the water temperature, all a bit dockish and the only beach fenced off!

Back on board to sit in the sun, in a sheltered area, very pleasant.

Sailaway to start our 860 nm to Port Canaveral, catching up hopefully most of the lost time, just one sea day instead of two.

This evening cocktails for the passengers “doing the whole thing”, with a really nice buffet of nibbly bits, no need for dinner tonight.  Full voyage passengers currently 880, with 440 more joining in Fort Lauderdale, I’m not sure how it counts as a full voyage if you don’t do the Atlantic!

Then to the theatre for “The 4 D’s”, a male quartet singing harmony numbers, all the old favourites plus a couple of more unusual choices.