Zeebrugge Cruise Port With a Stroller: What It’s Like Visiting With Kids

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A large “BLANKENBERGE” sign stretches along the promenade near tram tracks, with a carousel behind and people walking and biking nearby. It’s a popular seaside stop during Belgian coastal visits. — Blankenberge was the town closest to the Zeebrugge cruise port and Disney Cruise Line offered free shuttles to guests.

The Zeebrugge cruise port was one of our stops on Disney Cruise Line’s European Dream sailing in September 2024. I was traveling as the only adult with my two toddlers, ages one and three at the time, on a 7-night itinerary out of Southampton that included both Zeebrugge, Belgium and Hamburg, Germany.

Originally, Zeebrugge was only supposed to be a single-day stop. But due to protests in Amsterdam, Disney rerouted us, and we ended up docking overnight in Zeebrugge instead. That gave us a rare chance to spend two full days in port, and it ended up being a lovely, low-key highlight of the trip.

This post covers exactly what it was like visiting Zeebrugge cruise port with a stroller, including how easy it was to explore Blankenberge and Bruges with kids, what transportation looked like, and my honest thoughts on accessibility throughout both cities.

For the full story of our Disney Dream cruise with toddlers, you can read my full review here.

Docking at Zeebrugge: What to Expect

A parent pushes a double stroller with two toddlers up the gangway to board a Disney Cruise Line ship at the Zeebrugge cruise port. Other passengers walk ahead, with the ship's hull visible in the background. — The gangway in Zeebrugge was just wide enough to push the double stroller up and down.

Our ship docked at what Disney labeled the “Brussels Cruise Port,” but heads-up—Brussels is actually about two hours away by car. If you want to visit, you’ll need to arrange an excursion or private transport. We decided to skip it this time around.

Instead, we focused on Blankenberge and Bruges. Disney Cruise Line offered continuous free shuttles into Blankenberge, as well as paid excursions into Bruges. We ended up using both options.

There was no cruise terminal building like in some ports. Disembarkation was handled by a mobile gangplank, which fit our double stroller just fine. There was only room for one direction of traffic at a time, so we had to wait until no one was coming up before heading down.

At the base of the gangplank, buses waited on the pavement, with labeled signs showing which were heading into town or to excursions. All were stroller-friendly, though I did have to fold the stroller before boarding.

🚢 Curious what to expect in Zeebrugge? Cruise Port IQ’s Zeebrugge page covers how to get into town, where to explore, and what to watch for—so you can cruise in with confidence. 🚢

Day 1: Exploring Blankenberge (Without the Kids)

A rainy street scene in Blankenberge shows pedestrians with umbrellas walking down a modern shopping street toward a church in the distance. Reflections shimmer on the wet pavement. — The streets in Blankenberge were wide and smooth, easy to push a stroller around!

I’ll be honest: on our first day in port, I left the kids onboard in the nursery and kids club and ventured off the ship by myself. But I still scoped out how Blankenberge would work with our double stroller and took notes for families visiting with young kids.

The free shuttle into Blankenberge was just a standard coach bus. Folding the stroller and helping toddlers board would have been manageable, even if I had been bringing the kids with me.

Once in town, Blankenberge felt very stroller-friendly for walking. The sidewalks and streets were smooth, wide, and in great condition. However, I did notice that most shops and cafes were small and sometimes had steps at the entrance. So if you plan to stop inside, expect to either fold the stroller or leave it parked outside.

There were also sandy beaches nearby. On our fall visit, they were closed and empty, but if you’re visiting in warmer months and plan to head to the sand—I’d recommend leaving the stroller behind. There wasn’t a secure place to leave the stroller, and sand tends to wreak havoc on stroller wheels.

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Cover of the Travel Documents Checklist for Families from Fairytale Travel Guide, featuring two children looking out an airplane window.

Day 2: Bruges With Kids

Two toddlers sit in a double stroller on a cobblestone path beside a canal in Bruges, with pink flowers in bloom and mist hanging over the water. A peaceful early morning scene in the city. — We absolutely loved Bruges. This city was pure magic.

On day two, we took a Disney Cruise Line half-day excursion to Bruges. It wasn’t a guided tour—just a round-trip bus that dropped us off in the city and picked us up a few hours later. The drive was about 15 minutes, and the bus driver gave us fun little tidbits about Bruges history as we rode.

When boarding, they stored our folded stroller underneath the bus, which made the ride much easier.

First Stop: Playground Time

A toddler squats in the sand in front of a colorful wooden playground with slides and climbing structures, surrounded by trees. The playground offers a perfect break for young kids visiting Bruges. — My kids absolutely loved this huge playground in Bruges.

We were dropped off right at the Historic Centre of Brugge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with stunning medieval architecture.

Naturally, my kids wanted to play—so we headed to Kids Playground Astridpark, located at 51.205623, 3.232434 inside Koningin Astridpark. This spot was a massive sandy playground with loads of climbing structures, dig areas, and space to run.

It was also right next to Heilige Magdalenakerk, a breathtaking historic Catholic church. The setting felt incredibly peaceful.

Two quick notes:

The playground had no fence and was bordered by roads, so I stayed close to the kids the entire time.
With all the sand, cleanup was a bit intense before we moved on—bring wipes!

Here’s a quick look at the playground—tons of space, plenty of sand, and lots to climb. It was the perfect spot for the kids to burn off some energy (and for me to catch my breath).

Bathroom Breaks in Bruges

Public bathrooms in Bruges aren’t free—they cost around €1 per person, so carry euro coins with you. You can search “toilets” on Google Maps, and many are clearly marked with pricing.

Our first attempt (at the back of Heilige Magdalenakerk) was closed. We eventually used the Openbaar Toilet closer to the main square. It was down a small set of stairs, so I left the stroller parked outside and felt perfectly safe doing so. The attendant let all three of us in for one euro.

We also made a second stop later at the Cloth Halls restrooms behind Belfort—same price, same setup.

Wandering Bruges With a Stroller

A young boy eats a Belgian waffle while sitting in a double stroller next to his sleeping sister, outside a shop in Bruges. The moment captures the charm of travel with toddlers (and snacks). — Nothing better than Belgium waffles, hot off the press!

After the park and potty breaks, we just wandered. We got Belgian waffles, tried hot dogs and fries from the vendor near Belfort, and picked up some chocolate souvenirs (naturally).

While there were a few cobblestone streets—as you’d expect in a historic city—we didn’t have any trouble with our Zoe Twin+. It handled the bumps like a champ, and the sidewalks were mostly smooth and easy to navigate. I did spot a few cafes and boutiques that would’ve required folding the stroller or parking it outside, but there was plenty to explore without needing to go indoors.

When it was time to head back, we met our bus at the same drop-off point. Once again, the driver stowed the stroller beneath the coach.

Reboarding at Zeebrugge Cruise Port

Returning to the ship was slightly more involved than other ports. The excursion bus dropped us off at a small passport control building at the entrance to the port.

From there:

We went through security and passport check.
I had to take the kids out of the stroller.
Then we boarded a second, smaller shuttle bus that drove us the final leg back to the ship.

Nothing difficult. Just a few extra steps that slowed things down with two toddlers and a stroller.

Is Zeebrugge Cruise Port Good With Kids?

If you’re planning to visit Zeebrugge cruise port with a stroller, know this: it’s easy, manageable, and actually kind of a hidden gem for families.

Whether you’re staying nearby in Blankenberge or venturing into Bruges with a stroller, both spots were surprisingly accessible. Some cafes and restrooms required folding or parking the stroller, but nothing felt limiting. Even as the only adult with two toddlers, I never once wished I had left the kids onboard instead.

Bruges especially charmed us, from the medieval buildings to the toddler-approved playgrounds. I’d return in a heartbeat.

Have questions about this post or want help thinking through the logistics for your own trip? Join my free Facebook community for parents planning family travel. You can ask questions, share what you’re working through, and get real-life advice from other parents who understand how many little details go into traveling with kids.