Princess Cruise Arriving in zeebrugge
 

Am I correct ? Is Zeebrugge the port city for ships arrving in Brugge? Princess claims that they have busses to Brugge; however, we have to walk from outside the town to the center (about a mile) to and from their bus. It's difficult to get information on this from the cruise line and I wonder if anyone reading this can tell give me the correct info on this. Thanks.

Yes, Zeebrugge is the port closest to Brugge. Where does Princess state that the buses drop you off? Is it at the main railway station just outside old town Brugge? If so, that is reasonable since many of the cobblestone streets in the old town would not accommodate buses. Although cars are allowed, I don't remember any buses. If the drop off point is the train station, then I think that is quite reasonable. Anywhere just outside the main ring road around old town Brugge is reasonable since almost all areas within the ring are lovely to walk. I guess it depends how much time you have.

Hi

We have just returned from a Princess cruise (Sun Princess) around Australia. If you have booked the cruise you will have been given details on how to log on to your account online. From this you will be able to view your itinerary and if my memory serves me you can ascertain the port details. The Princess company provided shuttle buses for connections at all ports of call i.e we were not left stranded to make out own connection arrangements. If it helps you can read my blog on our Sun Princess cruise here - http://worldinabag.blogspot.com/. Photos of the ship here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/37104551@N08/show/

Normally all buses from cruiseships to Bruges drop off their passengers on the border of the old town, just next to the Minnewater Park or on "t Zand", a square just west of the city center. A big tourbus simply cannot enter the city because of size AND city regulations. Smaller busses can only get into the old city, to drop of tourists with luggage at their hotel. The small and winding cobblestone streets are a definate no-can-do for buses. Often buses literally get stuck in the streets and need to be town out. From both used drop off points, all major things to see in Bruges are within 1 mile. And it is difficult to walk more then 50 meters without noticing another marvel on your way: sitting in a bus would be a major limitation, to be able to fully enjoy this city.

Zeebruges is the port for Bruges. It is very close. As you may already know, Bruges was a port until the river silted up. You tour bus will drop you off at the train station or very close to it, or 't Zand Square that Frank mentioned.
Walking, it is about ten minutes from 't Zand and twenty minutes from the train station to the city center.

There are commuter buses that go to these major squares and other stops in Bruges, and from the train station right to the old town center, from very early morning until very late in the evening. They are perhaps 2/3 the size of a big tour bus. Bus #1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 14, & 16 go directly to Market Square and cost 1.50 euro.

You can also get taxis from the station to the town center. They are about 8 euro.

Another option is renting a bike at the train station, but I don't remember the hours. I found the bike hard at first on the cobblestones and it took a bit of time adjusting.

With only one day, If you are dropped at t-Zand, I would just walk. If you are dropped very near the train station, and the weather is nice, you can also just walk. If not, grab a taxi or the bus straight to the city center.

In the city center, there are horse drawn carriages that you might enjoy, and you can also take a short boat trip on the canal to see more of the city.