April 2026 — 7 Days
We recently sailed from Boston on the Norwegian Breakaway to Bermuda. This was our very first trip on Norwegian and also our very first time in Bermuda. We’re usually drawn to Europe and Caribbean cruising, so Boston to Bermuda wasn’t originally on our radar. This sailing came together when I was asked to escort a family group celebrating both an 80th birthday and a 50th birthday—so I jumped at the chance to go and celebrate with everyone. After spending 7 days onboard, here are my honest experiences.
Side Note: I won’t comment on debarkation for this cruise. We unfortunately sailed during a situation involving a crew member going overboard, and we also experienced major delays that were made worse by passenger behavior.
This was our first cruise departing from Boston, and for many in the group, it was also their first time sailing with Norwegian altogether. Like most of you, cruising out of Florida has been our normal routine. But with our group size—and especially for easier access for the birthday guest of honor—Boston made embarkation simpler and helped us start the celebration right away.
Boston is easy to access in a lot of ways: flying into Logan International Airport, Uber/taxi, drop-off, or even adding a pre-cruise night at one of the many hotels in the Seaport District.
My biggest complaint about embarkation was the lack of infrastructure. The Boston Cruise Terminal is not nearly as streamlined or tech-forward as ports like Miami or Port Canaveral. There was more standing in lines, standing outside, and getting shuffled around before actually boarding. It wasn’t terrible—but if you’re used to other major ports, you’ll absolutely notice the difference, especially if there’s a Wi-Fi issue while processing thousands of guests.
That said, our party arrived around 10:30 AM and we were onboard having lunch by 12:00 PM on the nose.
Bermuda was absolutely gorgeous, and my family and I definitely want to go back. The island is easy to navigate, the people are incredibly friendly, and the water is as blue—if not bluer—than much of the Caribbean. There are options for every activity level, from laid-back exploring to full adventure days.
One of the trip highlights was Dolphin Quest (swimming with the dolphins). Working with the group, I arranged this off-ship to help them save money, and we booked direct with Dolphin Quest. It’s also easily walkable from the dock—no transportation needed. For those who didn’t want to participate, they were able to explore the National Museum of Bermuda, which was fantastic. There’s so much history and so many artifacts to take in, and entry into Dolphin Quest includes museum access as well.
Other Bermuda highlights: the fried fish sandwich (we learned the real way is on raisin bread with cole slaw, cheese, and hot sauce), a stop at The Frog and Onion Pub for great drinks, apps, and a sing-along with a talented keyboardist, browsing the Clocktower Mall, visiting the Crystal Caves, and more. If you’re cruising NCL, make sure you take advantage of the free ferry service to reach spots beyond the Royal Navy Dockyard.
Hidden Gem We Found: Moongate Brewery
The group was almost split 50/50: some really liked the ship, while others felt it was just OK. Personally, I enjoyed it. I liked the layout, appreciated the dining and activity options, and enjoyed the overall Freestyle Cruising vibe.
Others didn’t share my enthusiasm. Their feedback was that the ship didn’t feel large enough, the layout felt crowded, pool space was limited, and entertainment felt minimal. One major dislike from almost everyone was the location of trivia, events, and things like dance class in the atrium. It made it hard to fit everyone, and if you needed to speak with Guest Services, the noise level could be a disaster.
The staff were attentive and handled the minor issues we experienced quickly. In one case, there was a mix-up with food that delayed the group eating at the same time. After I scanned the tabletop QR code and voiced my concerns, we returned to our staterooms to find chocolate-covered strawberries waiting for us. I thought that was a really nice touch.
Would I cruise this ship and cruise line again? Yes—but I might avoid April. The weather was so-so, and I’d love to experience Bermuda with warmer days and nights. That said, with April school vacation week, this itinerary is a great option for families planning a spring trip.
If you’re curious to learn more or would like help planning Bermuda (or booking Norwegian Cruise Line), please reach out. Leveraging Cruise Brothers’ standing with NCL, we often have great sailings and promotions available.
