Bruges

[Gillypat]

Port of call Zeebrugge, Is it worth taking the ships tour to Bruges on a Sunday, and if so is it best to do a 4 and half hour trip or a 7 hour trip, both free time with nothing organised once there .

[CPT Trips]

If the times you mentioned are departure from ship to arrival back at the ship, I would opt for the longer. There is much to see and taste in Bruges.

 

Also, visit here - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=233

Edited March 14, 2015 by CPT Trips

[John Bull]

Port of call Zeebrugge, Is it worth taking the ships tour to Bruges on a Sunday, and if so is it best to do a 4 and half hour trip or a 7 hour trip, both free time with nothing organised once there .

 

Most certainly worthwhile. Offices & some non-tourist shops (eg stationers) will be closed but the town will be very much open, alive & buzzing.

 

Be aware that large buses aren't allowed into the cobbled centre, you'll be dropped at the drop-point on Bargeweg, near the coach-park. From there it's a 15 minute walk over the "little red bridge" & through Minnewater Park, but if you can't / won't walk there's a little bus costing about 1 euro which shuttles to the town.

If you're back early for the return, there's a super little barge-cafe between coach park & drop point, you'll see it from the bus on your right.

 

Most folk take a taxi from the pier (expensive at 50 euros e/w, but convenient) or ship's shuttle to Blankenberge station to take the train (15 minute train ride, costs about 6 euros return but the train only runs once every hour).

Both are perhaps rather more flexible than pre-booking a ship's on-your-own transfer. If the weather's fine make it the full 7 hours, if it's wet 4.5 hrs may well be long enough (for instance the canal boat trips are all open boats). How are your weather-forecasting skills? ;)

 

JB :)

[Gillypat]

Thanks for that very informative information, will give it some thought.

[SwissDave]

Have arranged to share a mini bus type taxi with 14 others in the past. It made the cost very reasonable and as it was a small bus it was allowed right in to the middle of Bruges so was very convenient.

 

I would suggest finding the roll call for your cruise (if you haven't already) as there will probably be others wanting to do the same thing.

[lamchops]

Port of call Zeebrugge, Is it worth taking the ships tour to Bruges on a Sunday, and if so is it best to do a 4 and half hour trip or a 7 hour trip, both free time with nothing organised once there .

 

I recommend that you find a way to get to Bruges as Zeebruges had nothing interesting to offer.:(

[138east]

Go to your roll call and see if you can find others to share a taxi with. Be sure to prebook it. I ended up in Zeebrugge on a TA which was booked after final payment and that's what I did. From listening to others experiences, this was absolutely the best choice.

 

1) we had 8 people in the small van, so 6.50€ plus tip each way.

2) Because of the van size, driver was able to drop us off and pick us up right in the town square.

3) we docked at noon, so we did 1-5 pm. During that time took a canal boat ride (IMO a must), saw the Bruge Madonna, and wandered the streets exploring shops and buying chocolate. Did not do any museums.

4) went back to the town square with plenty of time to have coffee and wait in a cafe by the taxi pickup point.

 

Four hours was an enjoyable amount of time. Seven hours sounds like a bit much on a Sunday. I'd research what is open - Sunday midday or afternoon might be the best timeframe. The canal boats will probably be running, the church with the Madonna will be open, and cafes will be open.

 

I loved this port and would go back again. I used Tom's port guide for a walking tour map and it was great.

[Hlitner]

You have to ask yourself, do you need a tour to walk around the streets of a compact walled city or are you capable of doing this on your own. Bruges is a special place and DW and I were so impressed with the town that we later returned for an extended stay in a charming B&B. As to a port day, your first priority should be to get from the port at Zebruges to Bruges (sometimes spelled Brugges). We have done it with the train (it can be a pain depending on the docking location) and with a shared taxi (a great option). Some of the cruise lines offer a reasonably priced shuttle bus service, but unfortunately many cruise lines see any excursion (or even shuttle bus) as a major profit center.

 

Hank

[138east]

I agree that arranging to get from the port to downtown Bruges is the priority. Research the taxi companies that can take 8 people, pick a length of time that suits you, and make a reservation. Then post on your roll call to get more people. "If you build it, they will come".

 

On my TA a lot of folks didn't pay attention to booking Bruge transportation and they were really scrambling at the end because all the vans were booked.

[CPT Trips]

I don't think Sunday will be an issue. A few years back we visited Brugges on Easter Sunday. We were able to see all the sights, had to book the canal trip a couple hours in advance but that was the only issue. The canal boats are a must!