Bermuda Port Village - Craft Market, Arts Center, Glassworks

[JLMoran]

I just had a pin show up for me on Pinterest that gives this guide to the Royal Naval Dockyard. It looks like this port village is a lot different than what we found standard in the Caribbean, as there is the Museum of Bermuda, a dolphin center adjacent to that, a craft market and arts center, a glassworks, and a lot more!

We have a tradition in our family of buying a Christmas tree ornament from every place we visit for vacations, and I also like to pick up artwork from time to time as our vacation budget allows, as the walls of our house are still kind of on the bare side, even 20 years later, and most of the artwork we have hung up is from places we've traveled to. @WAAAYTOOO, @coneyraven, or anyone else who's been there recently -- how are those two stores as far as the quality of what's offered and the pricing? Is it the usual ridiculous markup and we'd still be better served finding a place in Hamilton or St. George or elsewhere? Is there haggling at these stores in the Royal Naval Dockyard, or are the prices fixed? Since the description of these places says that everything is made by locals, I'm assuming it won't be the sort of stuff I'll find in any other port or back at home, but I'd still rather not overpay if it can be avoided.

Also, will these places ship to my home address, and if yes are the prices usually reasonable? If I happened to purchase some piece of artwork that was large and/or fragile, I'd rather not have to try and lug that off the ship along with our luggage, or risk breaking it in transit back to the ship from port, or going from the ship back to the parking garage.

[twangster]

This simple Xmas ball was found right in the security building at the dockyard just before walking onto the pier.  That may vary depending what section of the pier your end up at.  It was pretty cheap but it also isn't super fancy.  There were different colors. 

There are quite a few shops in the "mall".  Some of them are pricey but the value of art is very personal. 

 

[coneyraven]

Bermuda, as a whole, is relatively expensive because of most items being shipped in.  Now, do they gouge you at the Dockyard?  I don't think so.  Things are spread out between locally owned shops in the area, and, in the Clocktower Mall.  We've picked up T-shirts, Magnets, Christmas Ornaments from many of them.  In fact, I found the T-shirts in the Clocktower Mall shops to be reasonably priced.. The first picture is of the Clocktower Mall.  The second Picture is of the Dockyard area (you can see a corner of the CT Mall in the upper right corner).  The "ringed" building that has the green space in the middle, has shops, a bakery, a bar/restaurant (Frog & Onion) and a movie theatre taking up pretty much 3 of the 4 sides.  The bottom of the port area (what appears to be a fort) is where you'll find the museum, the dolphin experience, and other historical buildings.

[coneyraven]

On 6/16/2018 at 11:40 AM, twangster said:

This simple Xmas ball was found right in the security building at the dockyard just before walking onto the pier.  That may vary depending what section of the pier your end up at.  It was pretty cheap but it also isn't super fancy.  There were different colors. 

There are quite a few shops in the "mall".  Some of them are pricey but the value of art is very personal. 

 

Ahh yes, the Carole Holding store .....

[WAAAYTOOO]

Coneyraven said it perfectly.  While the merchandise at the Dockyard is pricey, it is also quality for the most part.  This is NOT like a bunch of Caribbean shopping huts.  These are true artisan  shops so I would think that, as long as you're prepared for the prices, you will be fine.  I purchased a lovely linen wrap a number of years ago b/c I had forgotten to bring one from home (and it is COLD in the ship casinos !!) and to this day it is my favorite even though I have dozens of wraps.

[Sweety]

On 6/16/2018 at 9:49 AM, JLMoran said:

I just had a pin show up for me on Pinterest that gives this guide to the Royal Naval Dockyard. It looks like this port village is a lot different than what we found standard in the Caribbean, as there is the Museum of Bermuda, a dolphin center adjacent to that, a craft market and arts center, a glassworks, and a lot more!

We have a tradition in our family of buying a Christmas tree ornament from every place we visit for vacations, and I also like to pick up artwork from time to time as our vacation budget allows, as the walls of our house are still kind of on the bare side, even 20 years later, and most of the artwork we have hung up is from places we've traveled to. @WAAAYTOOO, @coneyraven, or anyone else who's been there recently -- how are those two stores as far as the quality of what's offered and the pricing? Is it the usual ridiculous markup and we'd still be better served finding a place in Hamilton or St. George or elsewhere? Is there haggling at these stores in the Royal Naval Dockyard, or are the prices fixed? Since the description of these places says that everything is made by locals, I'm assuming it won't be the sort of stuff I'll find in any other port or back at home, but I'd still rather not overpay if it can be avoided.

Also, will these places ship to my home address, and if yes are the prices usually reasonable? If I happened to purchase some piece of artwork that was large and/or fragile, I'd rather not have to try and lug that off the ship along with our luggage, or risk breaking it in transit back to the ship from port, or going from the ship back to the parking garage.

I will be going to Bermuda June 21. We have a Royal excursion to Hamilton. I will be willingly to shop  and let you know the prices.

[JLMoran]

1 hour ago, Sweety said:

I will be willingly to shop  and let you know the prices.

Thanks, @Sweety! Glad you're willing to fall on that sword for me! 

[Sweety]

2 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Thanks, @Sweety! Glad you're willing to fall on that sword for me! 

my excursion to Hamilton is 5 hours for 78.  the regular prices is 108.

[JLMoran]

5 minutes ago, Sweety said:

my excursion to Hamilton is 5 hours for 78.  the regular prices is 108.

Is your ship only there for part of the day, rather than an overnight? Everything I've read indicates that it's pretty straightforward and inexpensive to get to Hamilton on your own from the Royal Navy Dockyard, either by water taxi or bus, and either one travels pretty regularly and isn't that long of a trip. Just curious why the ship-sponsored excursion.

[Sweety]

2 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Is your ship only there for part of the day, rather than an overnight? Everything I've read indicates that it's pretty straightforward and inexpensive to get to Hamilton on your own from the Royal Navy Dockyard, either by water taxi or bus, and either one travels pretty regularly and isn't that long of a trip. Just curious why the ship-sponsored excursion.

We are doing an overnight stay in Bermuda. My father is 80.

[Sweety]

The excursion we took in Bermuda was the mini bus for 5 hours. The best excursion every. We saw the PGA golf course is beautiful. We went to Horseshoe Bay beach. The sand was so soft. The beautiful waters, the nice people and Grofrey our excursion guide. We went to Hamilton on Sunday and everything was closed. I would take this excursion again. Will post pictures later.