barbara

We will be on a cruise in August which stops for one day each in Antwerp and Zeebrugge. We have enjoyed reading Myriam's suggestions. We would appreciate any on either stop, particularly Zeebrugge as we have not found any comments on that city in the forum.

adina

Bruges is very easily accessible from Zeebrugge which is its port.

Kristy

Barbara: <BR> <BR>Are you cruising on the Royal Princess? <BR>We have a very similar tour schedule except that our cruise is in June! <BR>If you are on the Royal Princess, have you cruised on her before, or is anyone else reading this forum able to offer an opinion about this ship? This is our first time on the Princess Line, although we have cruised Europe before. <BR>I don't know if you have received the port excursion book yet, but they do list quite a few things to do in each port, all for a price of course. We have researched doing similar tours on our own for less expense, and I have gotten some great responses from people using this forum who tend to be the do-it-yourself adventurer types. Although <BR>we enjoy cruising, we avoid the big group tour mentality and find things to do on our own in each port. If you are on Royal Princess, I could easily fill you in on our trip when we return, since you are not traveling until August. <BR> <BR>Kristy

Myriam

<BR>Hi Barbara, <BR>Zeebrugge is a seaport and in the town itself there is not much to see. But you are very close to Knokke-Heist, one of the most fancy seaside resorts in Belgium. Knokke-Heist is devided in 3 parts: Heist, Knokke and Le Zoute. Heist is the less attractive, Knokke will be very crowded in August and Le Zoute is the most exclusive with its white painted country houses, expensive boutiques, Jaguars & Porsches riding off and on. In short: the place to see and to be seen. At the end of Le Zoute (why not rent a bike for a half day?)you have the bird sanctuary "Het Zwin" located in the dunes along the sea where it is very calm and quiet, perfect for a walk or bike ride. <BR> <BR>There is a coastal tram that goes very often, especially in July and August when it is vacation in Belgium, and from Zeebrugge to Knokke it will take only 10 min. until the terminal station. <BR> <BR>TIP: go to one of the Ciska tearooms for a waffle. Every resident in Knokke can show you the way. The tearooms are a bit more inland so you will need a bike or a car. <BR> <BR>Email me if you want more info. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

jmm

Nothing much to see in Zeebrugge BUT Bruges (Brugge) is a very short train trip away (about 15 minutes) GO THERE - it is a wonderful medaeval town ( old buildings,canals, art galleries - much more interesting than the rather tacky seaside towns on the coast.

barbara

Thanks for all your good input. It makes sense that Zeebrugge is only a port but close to other spots. We have been on the Royal Princess twice, but this time we will be on the Renaissance R6. We like this itinerary since we are in port all but 2 days of the cruise and we love to go off on our own and not take organized tours. Thanks again.