NCL Bermuda excursions: are they worth it?
We compared NCL's own shore excursion prices in Bermuda with the five most relevant independent tours of the same type on GetYourGuide. Across 6 tour types the ship charges about +6% more, and the ship is cheaper for food & tasting.
Ship price vs independent price by tour type
| Tour type | NCL priceper adult | Independentper person | Savingper person | Safe to go independent? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City / island toure.g. "Quintessential Bermuda &" | $128€115 · $69–$148 · 6 options | $108$79–$207 · top 5 | $21+19% ship markup | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Catamaran / sail & snorkele.g. "Catamaran Coral Reef Sno" | $133€119 · $99–$148 · 4 options | $113$96–$113 · top 3 | $20+17% ship markup | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Submarine / glass-bottome.g. "Glass Bottom Boat & Sigh" | $108€97 · $89–$128 · 2 options | $91$79–$108 · top 3 | $18+20% ship markup | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Snorkel toure.g. "Bermuda Shipwreck Snorke" | $128€115 · $118–$306 · 7 options | $113$108–$130 · top 3 | $15+13% ship markup | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Nature / waterfall / parke.g. "Aquarium, Caves & Highli" | $168€150 · $138–$266 · 3 options | $159$113–$207 · top 3 | $9+5% ship markup | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Food & tastinge.g. "Gosling's Sunset Rum Cru" | $99€88 · 1 option | $134$102–$169 · top 5 | −$35-26% ship markup | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Dolphin & marine encountere.g. "Bermuda Dolphin Encounte" | $296€265 · 1 option | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| ATV / buggy / jeepe.g. "Timeless Trail Electric" | $266€238 · 1 option | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Fishinge.g. "Atlantic Reef Fishing" | $197€177 · $197–$197 · 2 options | $1531 match | too few matches | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Kayak / paddlee.g. "Wild West Kayak" | $168€150 · $138–$197 · 2 options | $1191 match | too few matches | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Beach break / beach clube.g. "Secluded Beach Escape" | $163€146 · $128–$227 · 6 options | $1131 match | too few matches | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Ruins / historye.g. "St. George Historic Home" | $148€132 · $118–$256 · 3 options | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Party / sunset cruisee.g. "'White Hot' Catamaran Su" | $99€88 · 1 option | $961 match | too few matches | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
Ship price is the median "starting at" adult price of NCL's excursions of that type, recorded 2026-11-02. Independent price is the median per-person price of the top GetYourGuide results of the same type (checked 2026-11-02). Family of 4 multiplies the per-person gap by four; child prices are often lower on both sides. How we compare.
NCL prices were read from NCL's European website in euros on 2026-11-02 and converted at the ECB reference rate of 1 EUR = 1.1172 USD (2026-10-30). NCL's US site may show slightly different dollar prices.
What to check when comparing
- City / island tour: City and island tours vary from short trolley loops to full-day drives, so compare durations too.
- Nature / waterfall / park: Theme-park and national-park trips vary a lot in what the ticket covers. Check whether transport and entry fees are included on both sides.
- Dolphin & marine encounter: Dolphin programs range from a short encounter to a full swim, and price follows the time in the water. Compare like-for-like programs.
- Beach break / beach club: Ship beach breaks usually include the round-trip transfer and often lunch and drinks. Many independent beach-club passes cover entry and a chair only, so add a taxi when you compare.
- Ruins / history: Ruins trips differ most in how far they go: a nearby site and a full-day mainland trip both count here.
Is it safe to book independently in Bermuda?
Ships here dock alongside. All-aboard is normally 30 minutes before departure on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL and MSC (check your daily planner). Plan to be back at the pier at least 60 minutes before the ship sails.
Every tour type here scores 5/5: transfers are short and there is no tender queue. Still book a tour that finishes at least an hour before all-aboard.
How far is the pier from the main sights?
| From the pier to | Straight line | Approx. travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Bay | 8.2 km | ~25 min by road |
| Hamilton | 6.2 km | ~20 min by road |
| St. George's | 16.0 km | ~40 min by road |
| Crystal Caves | 12.5 km | ~30 min by road |
Distances are measured from King's Wharf, Royal Naval Dockyard. Travel times are estimates for normal traffic, not including ferries or tender queues.
Ships often stay overnight, which lowers the risk of independent tours. Ferries to Hamilton take about 20 minutes.
Questions
Are NCL excursions in Bermuda worth it?
On price alone, usually about even: comparable independent tours cost $8 less per person on average. The ship's main advantage is the guarantee that it will wait for its own tours if they run late.
Is it safe to book an independent excursion in Bermuda?
Most popular tours start within a short ride of the pier, so the risk is low if you finish an hour before all-aboard.
How far is the Bermuda cruise pier from Horseshoe Bay?
About 8.2 km in a straight line, roughly 25 minutes by road.
Work out your family's saving All cruise lines in Bermuda · All NCL ports