In 1999, we decided to take a cruise, either to the Caribbean or some other location. By visiting the travel agency in Essex, Md. one day, the agent recommended we perhaps try Bermuda since Baltimore now had facilities for cruise ships at the Dundalk Marine Terminal. We booked for a 1 week cruise for May 1999 going to Bermuda on the Celebrity "Horizon". The Horizon wasn't too huge and our agent said we would be treated well since there wouldn't be crowded conditions onboard. The only problem with the Dundalk terminal was the lack of stevedores to handle luggage. Our luggage was already tagged and had to carry it ourselves to the staging area. The same problem existed when returning after our seven day cruise, we had to struggle getting our luggage out and to the waiting vehicle where Karla was waiting with her car. She had also taken us to the terminal on the previous Sunday night.
Luckily the ship completed the trip down the Chesapeake Bay during the night and we were on the ocean that Monday morning. There were many things to do onboard such as visiting the upper deck bars, along with shows during the day and night in the large theatre area. Dining is always the greatest experience and we met up with other passengers who sat at our table the remaining time while at sea and in port in Bermuda. The Horizon docked at Kings Wharf Berrmuda which was OK but very few shops. We took a one day bus tour of Bermuda the day the ship moved over to Hamilton and met it there that afternoon. The tour was great and since this was Mary's first time to Bermuda, she got to see the caverns, Horseshoe Beach, zoo and where some movie stars lived. The next day, we were able to shop the many stores in Hamilton where gold is much cheaper than in the USA. Take a look at the photos which show our two trips to Bermuda in 1999 and 2007.
In 2007, since Mary belonged to a small quilting group, it was decided they all take a cruise to Bermuda along with their husbands of course. This time it was on the Royal Caribbean "Grandeur of the Sea" which left out of Baltimore since a port was established near Fort McHenry. The Grandeur is a huge ship and was somewhat disappointed in it's selection of stewards and it's food variations. This time the ship docked at Kings Wharf and remained there for the entire week making it necessary to ferry back and forth to other interesting spots, especially Hamilton or Saint Georges. We had purchased a balcony room which was nice since a person can sit outside and enjoy the air. While the ship is at sea however, a slight salty mist makes it uncomfortable after a short time. There were so many people clamoring to eat a meal in the main cafeteria that getting up early enough to be seated in the main resaturant was much easier. The selection of foods compared to other cruise ships was lacking in variety such as smoked salmon, steamed snails and other desirable eats. Entertainment was somewhat OK but didn't venture to see most shows. Our next trip to Bermuda will be via air with a direct flight from Baltimore or better yet, a flight to the Caribean.
