Amsterdam and Bruges

Hello

We are going on our first cruise with P&O Oceana in December and have some questions about shore excursions/destinations we are hoping someone will be able to help us with :-)

1. We've been to Amsterdam before (not on a cruise). How do you get from the cruise ship to say Centraal Station? Do they lay on a shuttle bus or do you have to walk?

2. In Bruges we fancy going on a paid excusion but wanted to check where the coach drops you off in Bruges ... is it the BargePlein?

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Hello

 

 

 

2. In Bruges we fancy going on a paid excusion but wanted to check where the coach drops you off in Bruges ... is it the BargePlein?

Coaches aren't allowed into the narrow cobbled centre (any you see there will have dispensation for hotel groups & their luggage), so yes, ships' transfer coaches ("Bruges on you own" or similar name) drop at Bargeplein. You then walk over the pedestrian "little red bridge" to the centre, about 10 -15 min walk. Or a little local bus from Bargeplein (used to be €1) if you have walking difficulties or you're just plain lazy.;)

I'm guessing that an excursion rather than transfer will include sights outside the centre where there'll be no restriction.

Cheaper than ship's Bruges-on-your-own transfers are either a taxi from the quayside (€50 e/w but up to 6 can share) to Grotemarkt right in the centre, or the train. For the train you need taxi or ship's (free for some P&O passengers) shuttle to Blankenberge station, about 3 miles. Train costs about €6 return & takes 15 mins. Bruges station is just up the road from Bargeplein, again 10-15 min walk from centre. Main problem is that the train is hourly (still 11 mins past the hour?) and it's difficult to know when you'll get to Blankenberge, so the potential for up to 59 min. wait.

JB :)

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You may do better posting this in the P&O section as the answer may vary by cruise line

Thank you, will do. :)

Hi John,

That's brilliant, thank you for letting us know. We will look out for the little red bridge so we know we are walking in the right direction.:)

Hi John,

 

That's brilliant, thank you for letting us know. We will look out for the little red bridge so we know we are walking in the right direction.:)

Right by the coach stops, driver will point it out. Then just follow the herd. But check landmarks as you go or you'll get lost walking back. :p

JB :)

Centraal Station is 10 to 15 mins from the terminal- turn right and it's straight along the pavement.

Turn left, and there's a layby for the trams, which will take you to the station, past the first lot of canal boats then along the main street into Dam square.