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Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard): when your ship stops here

The old navy yard is the port and the first sight; then Hamilton by ferry or the pink south shore beaches by bus; St. George's is the long trip.

Facts checked Nov 2, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Ships in Bermuda tie up at the Royal Naval Dockyard on Ireland Island, at the north west tip of the islands; cruise lines call it King's Wharf. The Royal Navy began building it in 1813 with convicts shipped from Britain and Ireland, the last of them withdrawn in 1863, and ran it for well over 150 years before closing most of it in 1958 and the last base in 1995. Today it is Bermuda's main cruise port: the ferry to Hamilton, the capital, takes 15 to 20 minutes, and buses 7 and 8 run the length of the island.

Sources: Wikipedia: Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda; Go To Bermuda (Bermuda Tourism Authority): Royal Naval Dockyard; Go To Bermuda (Bermuda Tourism Authority): Bermuda ferry schedule; Government of Bermuda: Bermuda bus system

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Dockyard itself

    The National Museum of Bermuda fills the Keep, the 10 acre citadel of the old yard, with the Commissioner's House of the 1820s on top, the first house in the world built on a frame of prefabricated cast iron, with a view over the whole Dockyard. The Clocktower Mall, in the old clock tower building, has more than 20 Bermudian shops, and Snorkel Park Beach is at the Dockyard as well.

    Tip: The museum is the one thing here you can do with no bus, no ferry and no clock. Start with it if the weather turns.

    Sources: Wikipedia: National Museum of Bermuda; Wikipedia: Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda; Go To Bermuda (Bermuda Tourism Authority): Royal Naval Dockyard

  2. 2. Hamilton by ferry

    The Blue Route ferry runs from the Dockyard to Hamilton, the capital, in 15 to 20 minutes. On Wednesday evenings extra boats run for cruise passengers going to Harbour Nights in Hamilton.

    Tip: Check the last boat back before you get on the first one; the ferry timetable changes between summer and winter.

    Source: Go To Bermuda (Bermuda Tourism Authority): Bermuda ferry schedule

  3. 3. The south shore by bus 7

    Bus route 7 from the Dockyard runs past the South Shore beaches and the lighthouse on its way to Hamilton. Horseshoe Bay, in Southampton parish, has a lifeguard in summer from 10 to 6, a cafe and showers. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, made of cast iron in 1844 and one of the first of its kind, is 36 m (118 feet) tall with its light 108 m (354 feet) above the sea, and 185 steps in eight flights to the top.

    Tip: Route 7 is the beach bus; route 8 goes the inland way by Middle Road. Both end at the Dockyard, so check which one brings you back in time.

    Sources: Government of Bermuda: Bermuda bus system; Wikipedia: Horseshoe Bay Beach; Wikipedia: Gibbs Hill Lighthouse

What to skip

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Royal Naval Dockyard

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Royal Naval Dockyard, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 2, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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