azamara cruises, azamara journey, bermuda

Hamilton, Front Street

Leaving St. George at 6:30am, we are about 2 hours in route to the other side of the Bermuda Islands to the capital and largest city, Hamilton. There are two piers used for Hamilton. The downtown Hamilton dock can accommodate two small ships in the 700/1000-passenger size. The piers at "The Dockyards", also known as King's Wharf, accommodate larger ships. The Dockyards is a relatively new development, with shopping, dining and entertainment venues. It is approximately 25 minutes by ferry service from the Docklands to Hamilton, and approximately 45 minutes to St. George. If you have enough time in Bermuda, regardless of where you stay, you should see all three areas.

When arriving at the downtown Hamilton docks, you are literally steps away from Front Street, one of the major streets through downtown. Here you'll find everything from t-shirt shops, to tacky sports bars, expensive nightclubs and high-end fashion outlets. There's a duty free liquor store just across from the main Ferry terminal. If you'd like to take home the ingredients for your own "Dark and Stormy", or some Goslings Black Seal Bermudian Rum, go see the folks at the duty free shop. If you are onboard a ship, they will even deliver your purchases to the ship for you!

We had arranged a private car tour of the island this morning.  We disembarked the ship and quickly found our driver and were on our way.  After a quick Hamilton city tour, we turned north past Victoria Park and left the city.  About 10 minutes later we were once again at water's edge, this time on the north coast of the island,  Turning toward St George, our driver showed us the beautiful harbors and bays around Harrington Sound and Tuckers Town.  Circling the sound, we continued along the South Road, passing the Pink Beach Club and the Fairmont Southhampton as well as the popular beach at Horseshoe Bay.  Our tour around the island was completed by a visit to the Dockyards and a return along Hamilton Bay, directly across from where the ship was docked.   

"Destination Dockyards" happens each Tuesday evening during the summer at the Dockyards. The area is turned into a huge street fair, with street vendors and free performances by local talent. If there happens to be a large ship docked, you might even be lucky enough to see some of their on-board talent during this street festival. While in the Dockyards, don't miss the Frog and Onion Pub if you'd like to sample some of the only Bermuda brewed beer. There's also a new dolphin experience that is getting great reviews at Dockyards. Plus plenty of shopping, both high end fashion and the typical t-shirt/shorts/swimming appear shops.