Your cruise
Carnival Firenze · 5-night Bermuda round trip from New York
Sep 13 – Sep 18 · 5 nights ·
Day 1 New York (board) · Day 2 at sea · Day 3–4 Bermuda · Day 5 at sea · Day 6 New York (step off)
What you do Soar over the greatest skyline on earth in a private helicopter, banking past the Empire State Building, One World Trade, and the Statue of Liberty. Few experiences in travel match Manhattan seen from the air — utterly bucket-list.
What to expect After a brief safety and harness fitting at the FlyNYON terminal near the West 30th Street Heliport, you lift off over the Hudson River and arc around lower Manhattan, passing Lady Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the glittering midtown canyon. The flight lasts 15–20 minutes of pure exhilaration. Pilots narrate landmarks throughout, and complimentary photo editing is available post-flight.
Good to know Book the earliest available morning slot for the clearest light and calmest air. The heliport is a 10-minute taxi from Midtown cruise terminals. Flights operate weather-permitting; confirm same-day status before heading over. Pre-book well in advance — doors-off seats sell out weeks ahead.
Versus the ship tour Doors-off open-door helicopters offer unobstructed 360° photography and a visceral rush impossible from any ground vantage point — a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime perspective on the most photographed skyline in the world.
What you do Step into the most visually arresting observation experience in New York: a four-floor immersive art installation atop a supertall skyscraper with floor-to-ceiling glass, infinity mirrors, and unrivalled Midtown panoramas. Bucket-list by design.
What to expect Ride glass elevators to 1,401 feet above Grand Central Terminal, then move through mirrored rooms, levitating glass floors, and a reflective pool installation, all framing razor-sharp views of the Empire State Building at eye level and the Hudson beyond. The AIRE experience adds a glass cube extending 65 feet beyond the building's edge. Multilingual guides and audio tours are available, and the rooftop terrace AFTER allows open-air champagne moments.
Good to know Located at 45 East 42nd Street — a 5-minute walk from Grand Central, easily reached by taxi from any Manhattan cruise terminal in under 20 minutes. Book a timed-entry ticket online to skip queues entirely. Allow 90 minutes minimum. All-aboard is typically early evening, so a morning or lunchtime visit is ideal.
Versus the ship tour Summit One Vanderbilt combines SHoP Architects' glass-and-steel spectacle with Kenzo Digital's immersive art — it's not merely an observation deck but a full sensory event, unique in the world and brand-new compared to legacy decks.
book direct with Summit One Vanderbilt (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Climb inside Lady Liberty herself — all the way to the crown — for a once-in-a-lifetime, permit-only experience, then cross to Ellis Island for a deeply moving exploration of America's immigrant story. Genuinely exclusive: only 240 crown tickets are issued per day.
What to expect Board the official ferry from Battery Park and land on Liberty Island, where a ranger-led orientation precedes your ascent through the monument's double-helix staircase. At the crown, 25 tiny windows frame the harbor 250 feet below in an intimate, hushed moment unlike anything at the base. The return leg stops at Ellis Island, where the vast Registry Room and interactive immigration archive allow you to trace family histories across generations.
Good to know Crown tickets must be reserved months in advance at statuecruises.com — do not leave this to port day. The full round-trip takes 4–5 hours; check your all-aboard time carefully. Battery Park is 15 minutes by taxi from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and 10 minutes from Manhattan terminals. Wear comfortable shoes for the narrow spiral stair.
Versus the ship tour Crown access is strictly limited by the National Park Service to 240 visitors per day — an allocation that makes this one of the most coveted monument experiences in the world. The 354-step climb rewards with a view through the original wrought-iron framework directly across New York Harbor.
book direct with Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (National Park Service / Statue Cruises official) → · the full guide →
What you do Descend into the most profoundly moving museum in America — built into the very footprints of the Twin Towers — with a private expert guide who transforms a visit from sightseeing into something deeply personal and historically resonant.
What to expect Begin at the twin reflecting pools, whose names of the fallen are etched in bronze at eye level — an architectural act of remembrance that stops every visitor in their tracks. Descend to the museum's bedrock level, where original World Trade Center foundations and the 'Last Column' recovered from Ground Zero anchor the narrative. Galleries move through the morning of September 11 with extraordinary audio, artefact, and testimony. Allow 2.5–3 hours to experience it fully and with the gravity it deserves.
Good to know Located at 180 Greenwich Street in lower Manhattan — 10 minutes by taxi from Manhattan cruise terminals. Book timed-entry tickets online to avoid queues. The museum is emotionally intense; it is not recommended for very young children. A ground-level café allows reflection time after. Open daily; last entry 2 hours before closing.
Versus the ship tour A private or small-group guide unlocks stories and artefacts — the Last Column, the Survivors' Staircase, the photographic archive — that self-guided visitors routinely miss, transforming the experience into a nuanced, profoundly human narrative rather than a crowd-navigated exhibit.
book direct with 9/11 Memorial & Museum (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Circumnavigate the entire island of Manhattan aboard the legendary Circle Line, passing over 100 landmarks — from the Statue of Liberty to Yankee Stadium — with live expert narration. The single best orientation New York offers, and a classic for good reason.
What to expect Departing from Pier 83 at West 42nd Street, the vessel sweeps south down the Hudson past the Intrepid, One World Trade, and Battery Park, then rounds the tip of Manhattan and travels north up the East River past the Brooklyn Bridge, the UN Headquarters, and the Queensboro Bridge before completing the loop via the Harlem River. Expert narrators weave architecture, history, and neighbourhood stories throughout. The open upper deck is ideal for photography; the enclosed lower deck has a full bar.
Good to know Pier 83 is a 15-minute taxi or rideshare from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and 5 minutes from Midtown terminals. The full circumnavigation takes 2.5 hours — check your all-aboard time. The Best of NYC tour departs multiple times daily; book the morning departure for optimal light. Arrive 30 minutes early to secure upper-deck position.
Versus the ship tour Circle Line's full island circumnavigation is the only way to see all five boroughs simultaneously from the water — the perspective that made New York's skyline world-famous. The 2.5-hour narrated arc delivers the kind of wide-angle context no land tour can match.
book direct with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Experience one of the world's greatest art collections — 5,000 years of human creativity across 2 million objects — guided by a museum insider who tailors the journey to your passions. A private Met tour is the cultural summit of any New York visit.
What to expect Enter through the Great Hall on Fifth Avenue and immediately feel the scale of one of the world's largest art museums. Your private guide — a trained docent or specialist — leads you through handpicked galleries at a civilised pace, pausing on individual masterworks for extended conversation rather than hurried commentary. Highlights might include the Temple of Dendur (an actual Egyptian temple inside a glass pavilion), Vermeer's intimate canvases, or the rooftop café terrace with its sweeping Central Park panorama. Two to three focused hours far outweighs six hours alone.
Good to know Located on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street — a 20-minute taxi from Midtown cruise terminals. Book private group tours well in advance via the Met's Group Visits office. General admission tickets can be purchased on arrival, but private experiences require advance arrangement. Allow a minimum of 2.5–3 hours. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Versus the ship tour A private curator or docent transforms 2 million objects from overwhelming to revelatory — curating a personal journey through the Egyptian Wing, the European Masters, the Arms & Armour Hall, or the rooftop sculpture garden based entirely on your interests. This is access and expertise that cannot be replicated independently.
book direct with The Metropolitan Museum of Art (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Soar over the greatest skyline on earth in a private helicopter, banking past the Empire State Building, One World Trade, and the Statue of Liberty. Few experiences in travel match Manhattan seen from the air — utterly bucket-list.
What to expect After a brief safety and harness fitting at the FlyNYON terminal near the West 30th Street Heliport, you lift off over the Hudson River and arc around lower Manhattan, passing Lady Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the glittering midtown canyon. The flight lasts 15–20 minutes of pure exhilaration. Pilots narrate landmarks throughout, and complimentary photo editing is available post-flight.
Good to know Book the earliest available morning slot for the clearest light and calmest air. The heliport is a 10-minute taxi from Midtown cruise terminals. Flights operate weather-permitting; confirm same-day status before heading over. Pre-book well in advance — doors-off seats sell out weeks ahead.
Versus the ship tour Doors-off open-door helicopters offer unobstructed 360° photography and a visceral rush impossible from any ground vantage point — a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime perspective on the most photographed skyline in the world.
What you do Step into the most visually arresting observation experience in New York: a four-floor immersive art installation atop a supertall skyscraper with floor-to-ceiling glass, infinity mirrors, and unrivalled Midtown panoramas. Bucket-list by design.
What to expect Ride glass elevators to 1,401 feet above Grand Central Terminal, then move through mirrored rooms, levitating glass floors, and a reflective pool installation, all framing razor-sharp views of the Empire State Building at eye level and the Hudson beyond. The AIRE experience adds a glass cube extending 65 feet beyond the building's edge. Multilingual guides and audio tours are available, and the rooftop terrace AFTER allows open-air champagne moments.
Good to know Located at 45 East 42nd Street — a 5-minute walk from Grand Central, easily reached by taxi from any Manhattan cruise terminal in under 20 minutes. Book a timed-entry ticket online to skip queues entirely. Allow 90 minutes minimum. All-aboard is typically early evening, so a morning or lunchtime visit is ideal.
Versus the ship tour Summit One Vanderbilt combines SHoP Architects' glass-and-steel spectacle with Kenzo Digital's immersive art — it's not merely an observation deck but a full sensory event, unique in the world and brand-new compared to legacy decks.
book direct with Summit One Vanderbilt (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Climb inside Lady Liberty herself — all the way to the crown — for a once-in-a-lifetime, permit-only experience, then cross to Ellis Island for a deeply moving exploration of America's immigrant story. Genuinely exclusive: only 240 crown tickets are issued per day.
What to expect Board the official ferry from Battery Park and land on Liberty Island, where a ranger-led orientation precedes your ascent through the monument's double-helix staircase. At the crown, 25 tiny windows frame the harbor 250 feet below in an intimate, hushed moment unlike anything at the base. The return leg stops at Ellis Island, where the vast Registry Room and interactive immigration archive allow you to trace family histories across generations.
Good to know Crown tickets must be reserved months in advance at statuecruises.com — do not leave this to port day. The full round-trip takes 4–5 hours; check your all-aboard time carefully. Battery Park is 15 minutes by taxi from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and 10 minutes from Manhattan terminals. Wear comfortable shoes for the narrow spiral stair.
Versus the ship tour Crown access is strictly limited by the National Park Service to 240 visitors per day — an allocation that makes this one of the most coveted monument experiences in the world. The 354-step climb rewards with a view through the original wrought-iron framework directly across New York Harbor.
book direct with Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (National Park Service / Statue Cruises official) → · the full guide →
What you do Descend into the most profoundly moving museum in America — built into the very footprints of the Twin Towers — with a private expert guide who transforms a visit from sightseeing into something deeply personal and historically resonant.
What to expect Begin at the twin reflecting pools, whose names of the fallen are etched in bronze at eye level — an architectural act of remembrance that stops every visitor in their tracks. Descend to the museum's bedrock level, where original World Trade Center foundations and the 'Last Column' recovered from Ground Zero anchor the narrative. Galleries move through the morning of September 11 with extraordinary audio, artefact, and testimony. Allow 2.5–3 hours to experience it fully and with the gravity it deserves.
Good to know Located at 180 Greenwich Street in lower Manhattan — 10 minutes by taxi from Manhattan cruise terminals. Book timed-entry tickets online to avoid queues. The museum is emotionally intense; it is not recommended for very young children. A ground-level café allows reflection time after. Open daily; last entry 2 hours before closing.
Versus the ship tour A private or small-group guide unlocks stories and artefacts — the Last Column, the Survivors' Staircase, the photographic archive — that self-guided visitors routinely miss, transforming the experience into a nuanced, profoundly human narrative rather than a crowd-navigated exhibit.
book direct with 9/11 Memorial & Museum (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Circumnavigate the entire island of Manhattan aboard the legendary Circle Line, passing over 100 landmarks — from the Statue of Liberty to Yankee Stadium — with live expert narration. The single best orientation New York offers, and a classic for good reason.
What to expect Departing from Pier 83 at West 42nd Street, the vessel sweeps south down the Hudson past the Intrepid, One World Trade, and Battery Park, then rounds the tip of Manhattan and travels north up the East River past the Brooklyn Bridge, the UN Headquarters, and the Queensboro Bridge before completing the loop via the Harlem River. Expert narrators weave architecture, history, and neighbourhood stories throughout. The open upper deck is ideal for photography; the enclosed lower deck has a full bar.
Good to know Pier 83 is a 15-minute taxi or rideshare from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and 5 minutes from Midtown terminals. The full circumnavigation takes 2.5 hours — check your all-aboard time. The Best of NYC tour departs multiple times daily; book the morning departure for optimal light. Arrive 30 minutes early to secure upper-deck position.
Versus the ship tour Circle Line's full island circumnavigation is the only way to see all five boroughs simultaneously from the water — the perspective that made New York's skyline world-famous. The 2.5-hour narrated arc delivers the kind of wide-angle context no land tour can match.
book direct with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Experience one of the world's greatest art collections — 5,000 years of human creativity across 2 million objects — guided by a museum insider who tailors the journey to your passions. A private Met tour is the cultural summit of any New York visit.
What to expect Enter through the Great Hall on Fifth Avenue and immediately feel the scale of one of the world's largest art museums. Your private guide — a trained docent or specialist — leads you through handpicked galleries at a civilised pace, pausing on individual masterworks for extended conversation rather than hurried commentary. Highlights might include the Temple of Dendur (an actual Egyptian temple inside a glass pavilion), Vermeer's intimate canvases, or the rooftop café terrace with its sweeping Central Park panorama. Two to three focused hours far outweighs six hours alone.
Good to know Located on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street — a 20-minute taxi from Midtown cruise terminals. Book private group tours well in advance via the Met's Group Visits office. General admission tickets can be purchased on arrival, but private experiences require advance arrangement. Allow a minimum of 2.5–3 hours. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Versus the ship tour A private curator or docent transforms 2 million objects from overwhelming to revelatory — curating a personal journey through the Egyptian Wing, the European Masters, the Arms & Armour Hall, or the rooftop sculpture garden based entirely on your interests. This is access and expertise that cannot be replicated independently.
book direct with The Metropolitan Museum of Art (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Sail Bermuda's impossibly turquoise waters aboard a sleek catamaran, snorkeling living coral reefs teeming with parrotfish and sergeant majors. A true bucket-list afternoon on one of the Atlantic's most spectacular island chains.
What to expect You'll depart from King's Wharf or Hamilton Harbour on a gleaming catamaran, cocktail in hand as the pink-sand coastline slides by. At anchor over the reef, the crew briefs you personally and stays in the water alongside you. Expect brilliantly clear visibility, an abundance of reef fish, and the kind of golden-hour return sail that ends up as your screensaver.
Good to know Half-day tours typically run 3–4 hours — comfortable with most all-aboard times. Book directly via their website well in advance for summer sailings; private charters require more lead time. Gear and light refreshments included.
Versus the ship tour Restless Native is Bermuda's most celebrated local catamaran operator — small, convivial groups, open bar, and crew who know every reef patch and hidden cove by heart. The laid-back, unhurried pace turns snorkeling into a true discovery rather than a tick-box activity.
book direct with Restless Native Charters → · the full guide →
What you do Descend into Bermuda's most jaw-dropping secret: ancient limestone caves draped in stalactites and lit by glowing crystal-clear pools suspended above the ocean. Rated 4.3 stars by over 2,100 visitors — and utterly unlike anything above ground.
What to expect You descend a winding staircase into cathedral silence, emerging onto a floating pontoon above a perfectly still underground lake. Stalactites hang within arm's reach, reflecting in water so clear it appears bottomless. The Fantasy Cave next door adds a second chamber of coral-pink formations and dramatic lighting. The combined tour takes roughly 1.5 hours.
Good to know Located in Hamilton Parish — a 25-minute taxi or scooter ride from King's Wharf. Book the combo ticket online in advance to guarantee your preferred time slot. Wear flat, closed-toe shoes; the pathways are slightly damp. Easily back before all-aboard with time to spare.
Versus the ship tour Booking direct means you choose your entry time and avoid the mid-morning rush. A knowledgeable local guide explains the geological story — 30-million-year formations — at your own pace, with time to photograph the ethereal pontoon walkway suspended over the luminous blue pool.
book direct with Crystal Caves Bermuda (Official) → · the full guide →
What you do Step onto Horseshoe Bay — consistently ranked among the world's finest beaches — where blush-pink sand meets crashing Atlantic surf and turquoise coves beg to be explored. Rated 4.7 stars by nearly 4,000 visitors; a genuine once-in-a-lifetime beach day.
What to expect Your guide leads you along the clifftop South Shore Park trail, revealing secret pocket coves flanked by limestone arches and cedar groves. Horseshoe Bay's famous pink sand — coloured by crushed coral and red foraminifera — glows most vividly in morning light. Snorkelling equipment can be rented on-site; the rocky headlands shelter excellent reef fish habitat.
Good to know A private mini-bus tour from Island Tour Centre runs USD 750 for up to 6 guests for 3 hours — excellent value split across a group. Alternatively, a shared guided tour starts at USD 80 pp. Horseshoe Bay is ~30 minutes from King's Wharf by cab or ferry + taxi. Pre-book your tour slot to secure the best morning timing.
Versus the ship tour Island Tour Centre's expert local guides take you beyond the main beach into the hidden coves — Jobson's Cove (rated 4.8 stars), Warwick Long Bay, and Stonehole Bay — that most visitors never find. A private or small-group format means the guide stays flexible around your pace and interests.
book direct with Island Tour Centre Bermuda → · the full guide →
What you do Wade into a protected lagoon steps from the cruise pier for an intimate, expert-led dolphin encounter at one of the world's most respected marine education programs. Rated 4.7 stars — a profoundly moving experience for adults and families alike.
What to expect You'll don a wetsuit and enter a calm, sheltered saltwater lagoon where Atlantic bottlenose dolphins glide past with curious intelligence. Trainers explain dolphin biology, communication, and Dolphin Quest's ongoing research as you interact — touching, feeding, and swimming alongside the animals. The post-session debrief and photo package make an indelible keepsake.
Good to know Located at the Royal Naval Dockyard — within easy walking distance of the King's Wharf cruise terminal. Book directly on the Dolphin Quest website as far in advance as possible; slots sell out quickly in peak season. Allow 1.5–2 hours total including check-in and photos. Ideal before exploring the Dockyard's galleries and restaurants.
Versus the ship tour Dolphin Quest is located literally inside the Royal Naval Dockyard — no transfers, no waiting. Their marine biologist trainers deliver genuine conservation education alongside the in-water interaction, making this far more than a swim: it's an immersive wildlife experience with scientific depth.
book direct with Dolphin Quest Bermuda (Official) → · the full guide →
What you do Taste Bermuda's layered culinary identity — rum swizzles, fish chowder, codfish cakes, and Portuguese-influenced bites — on an intimate guided evening food tour through Hamilton's most characterful bars, kitchens, and local haunts.
What to expect The tour winds through Hamilton's pastel-painted streets as dusk falls, stopping at a rotating cast of intimate restaurants, rum bars, and heritage eateries. You'll sample Bermuda fish chowder laced with sherry pepper, bite into warm codfish cakes, and sip a properly made Dark 'n' Stormy using genuine Gosling's Black Seal rum. Groups are kept deliberately small, allowing genuine conversation with chefs and owners.
Good to know Bermuda cruise ships typically dock at King's Wharf — take the 20-minute ferry to Hamilton (runs roughly hourly; approx. USD 5 each way). The After Hours tour is an evening experience, so confirm your ship's overnight or late all-aboard schedule before booking. Book directly via Island Tour Centre's website.
Versus the ship tour This is a small-group, locally curated evening experience that takes you beyond the tourist trail into the bars and kitchens that Bermudians actually love. The guide is a storyteller as much as a host — every bite comes with the cultural context that turns a meal into a memory.
book direct with Island Tour Centre Bermuda (Bermuda Food Tours) → · the full guide →
What you do Cover Bermuda's most iconic landmarks — Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the Botanical Gardens, historic St. George's, and the pink-sand coast — in a fully customised private tour with an expert local guide. The definitive, unhurried way to understand this extraordinary island.
What to expect Your private guide collects you at the pier and charts a course through 400 years of Bermudian history. At Gibbs Hill Lighthouse — the world's oldest cast-iron lighthouse — you climb 185 steps for a panoramic view stretching to the outer reef line. The Botanical Gardens deliver acres of sub-tropical colour and the charming Camden House. In St. George's (a UNESCO World Heritage town), your guide brings the colonial-era streets to life with stories of privateers, Prohibition rum-running, and the island's unique Anglo-Caribbean identity.
Good to know Book via ToursByLocals and communicate your must-see list during the pre-tour consultation. A 5–6 hour private tour comfortably fits a King's Wharf port day with time to return before all-aboard. Groups of 2–6 make the per-person cost highly competitive for the quality of experience delivered.
Versus the ship tour Every itinerary is built around your interests in consultation with your guide before the day. You travel in a private vehicle, stop when and where you wish, and benefit from the kind of insider knowledge — family histories, architectural detail, off-map viewpoints — that only a lifelong resident can offer.
book direct with ToursByLocals Bermuda (Expert Local Guides) → · the full guide →
Before you sail · near New York
Fly in at least a day early — every seasoned cruiser does, so a delay never costs you the ship. This is what is worth that day within reach of the port.
The same trip, elevated
The same gateway on a more luxurious line — lead-in fare per person, same fare as booking direct.