A Day in Ghent – Shore Excursion from Zeebrugge with NCL

While sailing on the beautiful Norwegian Aqua, we docked in Zeebrugge and opted for a shore excursion to the charming Belgian city of Ghent. Having all visited Bruges several times (I was only there last September on a Disney cruise!), we decided to try something different—and I’m so glad we did! We booked the organised tour through NCL at $61.00 per person. It was a five-hour trip in total, with a comfortable coach ride of around an hour each way. Once in Ghent, we were dropped off near the city and hopped on a boat that shuttled us right into the heart of town. With some free time to explore, we did what any visitor to Belgium has to do—tucked into some delicious Belgian waffles and sampled local beer in the sunshine. After that, we boarded a lovely electric boat for a guided canal tour. The guide was incredibly informative, and with the sun shining, it was the perfect way to see Ghent from the water. Ghent is a city full of character and history. Even in a short visit, there’s plenty to catch your eye—from the medieval Gravensteen Castle to the trio of towers that define the skyline: St. Nicholas’ Church, the Belfry of Ghent, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece. The canals, cobbled streets, and buzzing squares make it a joy to wander. It was a great alternative to Bruges and gave us a fresh perspective on Belgium’s history and architecture. I’d highly recommend this excursion if you're docking in Zeebrugge and fancy something a little different!