Making the most of Zeebrugge
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The ship docks in the Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge, an industrial port with some passenger ship facilities. About 2 kilometers from Blankenberg. 15 km from Brugge (Bruges). The Port Authorities provide a free shuttle bus from your cruise ship to the port exit. You have to take this bus as you are not allowed to walk in the port itself.
On the Rederskaai stands the eight-story ABC Tower, a reference to "Artes-Brugge-Cruise". The two lower floors serve as the reception and embarkation areas for cruise passengers. Visitors can meet up with family, friends or acquaintances who are passengers on a cruise ship calling at Zeebrugge. Everyone on board the cruise ship can take the free shuttle bus up to the cruise building. Visitors can park cars outside the terminal. On the top floor, travellers and visitors can enjoy stunning views at the rooftop restaurant Njord. The building also houses a visitors' centre, a knowledge centre of the Provincial Development Corporation (POM) and…
The gangways are quite steep, depending on the tide, so make sure you take an extra precaution. Guests with mobility issues will be assisted by the Assistance team onboard.
There is much to see and do in Brugge, so do take an early train!
To get to Brugge you can take the train from Blankenberg. The ticket one-way to Bruges costs 3 €, in the weekends even less. There is a train every hour, in the morning and evening every half hour. Check the return times of the trains before you venture into Brugge. Times may differ in the weekends. The trip is only 15 minutes. There is a tram service from dock to train. The tram costs you 3 euro per person from the driver or €7 day pass in Spar shop close to tram stop opposite the church. Validate ticket on entry to tram at machine and press button 1. The tram runs every 15 minutes. Where the port shuttle drops you off, turn right and walk…
The all day ticket is good on the bus #40 to Brugge and back so no reason to take the train. The whole journey from the ship takes 1 hour. Schedule.
As of 2016 a two way shuttle service from Zeebrugge to Brugge and back is operational for the Cruise Passengers. Euro 25 for a return ticket. It is still a 15 minute. but pleasant walk from the drop off point to the center of Brugge.
Often cruise lines offer a shuttle to Blankenberg train station at an inflated price of 10 euro but Holland America has a free shuttle to Blankenberg dropping off passengers across the street from the train station. From there, you can get a one way train ticket for 6 Euro.
If you are part of a larger group a taxi is another option, fixed price 62 Euro one way.
Zeebrugge itself has not much to offer.
Zeebrugge and Blankenberg, get off a Blankenberg Pier tram Station, are small coastal tourist towns, which if the wheather is inclement, will be boring to visit.
Getting around
For a leisure day along the coast take the Coastal Tram a public transport service connecting the cities and towns along the entire Belgian (West Flanders) coast. 7 Euro for a day pass if bought from the Spar shop close to the tram stop. If bought from the driver it will be 2 Euro more.
Bruges tours
Nearby places
Bruges incredibly well-preserved medieval architecture makes it one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Europe. Besides architecture, sites to see include several museums. First is the Groeninge Museum, with six centuries of paintings from different styles, including works by Jan van Eyck, a Flemish Primitive painter. The Memling museum is also not to be missed, with the wooden Shrine of St. Ursula. Also, the only work of art by Michelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime, can be seen in the Church of our Lady. The Chapel of the Holy Blood also displays an ampul reputed to contain the blood of Christ. Of course a visit to Bruges…
The train station is about 800 meters from city center and is a pleasant walk on the cobble stoned streets.
Every 5 minutes, a public bus runs up and down between the train station and the centre of Bruges. This is a relaxed way to travel to and from the city centre. Buses running to the city centre stop within walking distance of the main shopping streets, historic buildings and museums.
Food and shopping
Chocolate and Lace stores are all over town!
Money
Euro
Staying connected
In Brugge mainly Dutch spoken, however English is well mastered.
Wifi is free in the town of Blankenberg
Opening Hours and
Stores in general 9am - 18pm Mon-Sat. Some (larger) stores stay open later. Almost all stores are closed on Sundays, except in tourist area as Brugge and the main coastal towns.