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Zeebrugge


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There's nothing in Zeebrugge.

 

But check out the kusttram (coastal tram)

https://www.delijn.be/en/kusttram/

https://www.belgiancoast.co.uk/en/inspiration/coastal-tram

It goes from Knokke (up-market resort near the Dutch border) past the port gate, to Blankenberge (another resort),  Ostend (fishing & ferry port and resort), and beyond to De Panne (another resort, near the French border). It runs every ten minutes, and the easiest is an all-day ticket currently costing €9

Ostend would make a pleasant & lazy day, though the tram ride on this section isn't scenic because the dunes block the view of the sea.

Just beyond Ostend, at Raversijde, is a preserved part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall. It was used in both world wars and has relics of both so it's a kinda "one-stop shop" for an insight into both wars. But you need to be decently mobile -  you'll see the fortifications before the "Raversijde" Domain tram stop, but you then have to take a path over the dunes to the entrance, which is on a lane behind the dunes  - about a 15 minute walk.

Or just before central Ostend get off at "Oostende Duin en Zee", a 5 - 10 min walk to Fort Napoleon

 https://www.belgiancoast.co.uk/en/do/fort-napoleon

(check whether the fort has re-opened before you travel)

 

Or take the train from Blankenberge to Ghent. Popular with tourists, but we've not been there.

 

JB :classic_smile:

Edited by John Bull
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We've been to Zeebrugge several times and the first time I took the tram west to Blankenberge.  It's both a resort town and historic village.  There is a large dike protecting the village and atop it are many hotels, a casino, restaurants.  We were there in their off-season so the beautiful, expansive beach was not being used so could easily walk out to water's edge.  The old town is small and very quaint--I bought some Belgian chocolates there <g>.  The second time I took the train east to Knokke.  Couldn't have been more different!  It's a well-settled town and well-heeled, I'd say, with its upscale shops etc.  I walked around several neighborhoods as it was spring and things were abloom.  Lovely.  There is also a massive church not far from the tram stop with a pipe organ which was being played while I was there.  The tram stop is maybe a long block from the gate in/out of the port area in Zeebrugge.  

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“We've been to Zeebrugge several times and the first time I took the tram west to Blankenberge.  It's both a resort town and historic village.  There is a large dike protecting the village and atop it are many hotels, a casino, restaurants.  We were there in their off-season so the beautiful, expansive beach was not being used so could easily walk out to water's edge.  The old town is small and very quaint--I bought some Belgian chocolates there <g>.  The second time I took the train east to Knokke.  Couldn't have been more different!  It's a well-settled town and well-heeled, I'd say, with its upscale shops etc.  I walked around several neighborhoods as it was spring and things were abloom.  Lovely.  There is also a massive church not far from the tram stop with a pipe organ which was being played while I was there.  The tram stop is maybe a long block from the gate in/out of the port area in Zeebrugge.”

 

Thanks BarbinMitch for this useful info.  Hopefully I will get to experience the train at some point, as my anticipated stop there on 7 May won’t be happening now.  I’ll be on the I’ll-fated NCL Getaway.  

 
I planned a nice leisurely, less than full, transatlantic with a few interesting stops.  However, first we get the refugees from the Oasis transatlantic 😜😀 and we are now an almost full ship, then... they shorten the cruise by two days, chopping out Zeebrugge and Le Havre.  Very disappointing.  
 
But... a day cruising is better than a day of housework 🤩
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On 4/21/2019 at 10:30 AM, Cazz said:

“We've been to Zeebrugge several times and the first time I took the tram west to Blankenberge.  It's both a resort town and historic village.  There is a large dike protecting the village and atop it are many hotels, a casino, restaurants.  We were there in their off-season so the beautiful, expansive beach was not being used so could easily walk out to water's edge.  The old town is small and very quaint--I bought some Belgian chocolates there <g>.  The second time I took the train east to Knokke.  Couldn't have been more different!  It's a well-settled town and well-heeled, I'd say, with its upscale shops etc.  I walked around several neighborhoods as it was spring and things were abloom.  Lovely.  There is also a massive church not far from the tram stop with a pipe organ which was being played while I was there.  The tram stop is maybe a long block from the gate in/out of the port area in Zeebrugge.”

 

Thanks BarbinMitch for this useful info.  Hopefully I will get to experience the train at some point, as my anticipated stop there on 7 May won’t be happening now.  I’ll be on the I’ll-fated NCL Getaway.  

 
I planned a nice leisurely, less than full, transatlantic with a few interesting stops.  However, first we get the refugees from the Oasis transatlantic 😜😀 and we are now an almost full ship, then... they shorten the cruise by two days, chopping out Zeebrugge and Le Havre.  Very disappointing.  
 
But... a day cruising is better than a day of housework 🤩

That would be very disappointing.   Why did they shorten the cruise by 2 days?

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18 hours ago, Wayfairers said:

That would be very disappointing.   Why did they shorten the cruise by 2 days?

 

Dry dock for some refurbishment was planned for after this cruise, but Norwegian have not said why they have brought it forward and kicked us off two days early.

 

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On 4/22/2019 at 11:00 PM, Wayfairers said:

That would be very disappointing.   Why did they shorten the cruise by 2 days?

 

Yay!  Well, what da ya know!  We’ve had the Zeebrugge and Le Havre ports added back.  So I’ll be taking the tram after all 😁😁

We’re missing out the Ponta Delgado and Portland ports instead, so still cut short by the two days.

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21 hours ago, Cazz said:

 

Yay!  Well, what da ya know!  We’ve had the Zeebrugge and Le Havre ports added back.  So I’ll be taking the tram after all 😁😁

We’re missing out the Ponta Delgado and Portland ports instead, so still cut short by the two days.

HAHA......they can’t make up their minds.  Ponta Delgado would be nice, but I guess you can’t have everything.  Enjoy!!

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1 hour ago, Earl Rosebery said:

On our second visit to Zeebruges we opted for a ships tour to Ypres.  There  were 3 Battles of Ypres in WW1.  The museum and memorials are awe inspiring.

 

We did this tour too, very good and we also had plenty of free time in the pretty town too.

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On 4/21/2019 at 11:30 AM, Cazz said:

. . .

I planned a nice leisurely, less than full, transatlantic with a few interesting stops.  However, first we get the refugees from the Oasis transatlantic 😜😀 and we are now an almost full ship, then... they shorten the cruise by two days, chopping out Zeebrugge and Le Havre.  Very disappointing.  
 
But... a day cruising is better than a day of housework 🤩

So sorry to hear what's happened to your itinerary.  I don't think that ever happened to us, except perhaps doing North Atlantic TAs in the fall when weather can be a problem, causing us to miss a few ports.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Does the shuttle stop right at the ship or outside the gates? How much walking is required? I’m on the “Ill fated and crowded” Getaway and they did not rebook my shore excursions as promised so it is either the shuttle or a 9th day on the ship.

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