Cruise News

Those who prefer to travel to Bermuda by sea instead of by air got a welcome surprise last week, when Carnival Cruise Lines announced that it would be significantly expanding its presence to the mid-Atlantic archipelago. According to USA Today's Cruise Log with Gene Sloan, Carnival will increase its Bermuda departures from one this year to 16 in 2011, the most the cruise line has ever offered. In addition to offering itineraries from New York, Baltimore and Norfolk, Virginia, Carnival will also begin sailing from Charleston where the line would be the first offering Bermuda cruises from the South Carolina city. Even better, the expansion allows Carnival to offer six, seven and eight-day cruises from its east coast ports from April through November: From Baltimore, the Carnival Pride will offer seven-day cruises; from New York, the Miracle will offer seven- and eight-day departures; from Norfolk, the Glory will offer six-day cruises; and from Charleston, the Fantasy will offer six-day sailings. All 16 cruises will dock at King’s Wharf on the island’s west end, which means you'll be within walking distance of the Bermuda Maritime Museum (where you can explore the fully restored Commissioner's House), Dolphin Quest (where you can swim with live dolphins in a sheltered lagoon) and the Frog & Onion Pub (where you can sample handcrafted beers from the Dockyard Brewing Company). For more visit Carnival.com/Bermuda.