Cruises
13/3/2024
At Port of Antwerp-Bruges, service is our flagship. Discover our services in this brochure.
DownloadArrivals and departures
Zeebrugge is the ideal tourist gateway to Flanders. As such, it is a popular port of call for cruise ships with a route in Western Europe, or for mini-cruises from the UK or in transit to the Norwegian fjords and the Baltic Sea. Some cruise companies also offer departure cruises from Zeebrugge.
The port welcomes around 180 cruise ships and nearly 500,000 passengers each year. More than three-quarters of the passengers are German or British.
Cruise terminal Zeebrugge
The main berth for cruise ships in Zeebrugge is the 'Zweedse' (Swedish) Quay (quay 702-705), along the Kustlaan, just before the Pierre Vandamme lock.
Cruise terminal ABC Tower
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. Visitors can park cars outside the terminal. Travelers departing on a cruise in Zeebrugge can park for free in a secure parking lot next to the ABC terminal building.
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 headquarters of the contractors Artes Depret.
Sustainability
Port of Antwerp-Bruges navigates towards a greener future as a cruise port through a range of sustainability initiatives:
Shore power
The first 16MW shore power installation will be available from 2027, supplying cruise ships with green electricity for emission-free mooring at the quay.
ESI@berth
Environmentally-friendly ships receive a discount on port rates based on their emissions report score.
Destination management
To limit pressure on tourism at the main tourist destination of Bruges, a maximum of 2 cruise ships are allowed to dock at Zeebrugge on any given day. Part of a new booking policy, this measure is aimed at spreading cruise calls and pax volumes as much as possible.
Electric port shuttle
For the transport of passengers and crew members, the switch to electric buses is well underway. Our first zero emission bus was deployed in November 2023.
Alternative fuels
The port continues to invest heavily in switching from fossil fuels to more eco-friendly alternatives. As part of a first transitional phase, we already offer LNG bunkering. In the future, ships will also be able to bunker new fuels such as methanol or hydrogen.
Quay infrastructure
Investments in new, wide fenders and additional bollards offer even greater safety for today’s cruise ships. The wider fenders will also allow improved value-added services such as luggage handling, provision of stores and waste reception.
Cruise ship spotting
At the start of the Zweedse Quay, next to the entrance to the Vandamme Lock, you get the best view of the big cruise ships from the roof of an expo container. For security reasons and out of respect for the passengers on board, it is not possible to visit a cruise ship.
An area for short stay parking is provided in the car park of the cruise building. As a visitor, you can park your car for free near the marina. There are always plenty of available spaces along the Rederskaai and the Graaf Jansdijk.
Tourist gateway
In addition to beautiful Bruges, which is a hotspot for cruise tourists just 20 minutes from Zeebrugge, there are a wide range of options for day-trippers to explore Flanders.
Just think of historic cities like Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp, charming seaside resorts like Blankenberge, Ostend and Knokke or the rich war history in Ypres or picturesque places including Damme and Lissewege.
Planning a tourist excursion
To go on a day trip as a cruise tourist, you can book an excursion directly with the shipping company. The excursion bus will be waiting for you at the ship, you will be accompanied by a guide during the excursion and brought back to the ship in time.
Overview of all transportation options
7/3/2024
You can also organise your own excursion. A free shuttle bus will take you from the ship to the terminal exit where you can choose public transport (tram and train) or a taxi.
DownloadCruise terminal Antwerp
More and more cruise ships and tourists are visiting Antwerp. The cruise ships dock in the city center 200 meters from the cathedral, at Het Steen. This historic castle, with a history of more than 800 years, now serves as the official visitor center of the city of Antwerp.
The cruise terminal at Steenplein is a five-minute walk from the historic city centre, the main shopping streets and a wide range of cafes and restaurants. From the raised promenade, you have an excellent view of the docked ships, and watching a ship set sail is a great experience.
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