Mini cruises are a great if you are new to cruising and would like to sample cruising before committing to a longer holiday onboard. Many cruise ships feature mini cruises to some of northern Europe’s nicest cities such as Bruges, Paris and some of the Channel Islands.

Zeebrugge (Bruges)

Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium, is distinguished by its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings. Its port, Zeebrugge, is an important center for fishing and European trade. In the city center’s Burg square, the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall) has an ornate carved ceiling. Nearby, Markt square features a 13th-century belfry with a 47-bell carillon and 83m tower with panoramic views.

• Tidal variance: High tidal variance will restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even, this is a working port so cannot do your own thing. There is a shuttle that will take you to the port entrance which is accessible.
• Distance to main town: Blankenberge is closest town, 4 miles
• Accessibility of main town paving: Mostly flat, a lot of streets are cobblestones, the terrain can be uneven, most pavements not have dropped kerbs.
• Public transport: Trains run from Blankenbrge to Ghent and Bruges. Generally wheelchair accessible
• Shopping areas: Shopping streets in Blankenberge (mainly chocolatiers) more variety of shops in Bruges.
• Accessible places of interest: Groeninge Museum: Dijver 12, Bruges open times 09:30am to 17:00pm (closed Mondays) Entrance fee; approximately €8 per person. Memling Museum; Mariastraat 38 Bruges opening times 09:30am to 17:00pm (closed Mondays) Entrance fee; approximately €8 per person.

St Peter Port, Guernsey

St. Peter Port is a town and one of the ten parishes on the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. It is the capital of the Bailiwick of Guernsey as well as the main port. The population in 2019 was 18,958

Important information this port will always be a tender port, the tenders run very regularly and the harbour also helps by using their own larger tender. This means you will need to be able to step up and onto the tender. The water conditions can be a little rough, so if unsteady could be risky and the Captain may decide you cannot use it and their decision is final. On other occasions it’s too rough to use a tender, so they will just anchor off and all stay on board.

• Tidal variance: Ship will not be along side and passengers will require independent mobility, in order to step on and off the tender.
• Accessibility around port: Uphill walk, 20 meters to Flat area.
• Distance to main town: Approximately 300 meters
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is hilly, However main shops are accessible and most of the pavements have dropped kerbs.
• Accessible toilets: Located at the harbour. A key is required from the information centre.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Some narrow pavements, the high street and the new market area have cobble streets.
• Public transport: Mainly accessible, Euro taxi can take 1 wheelchair user and larger adapted vehicles are available on request.
• Shopping areas: Approximately 300 meters
• Accessible places of interest: Guernsey Museum, Aquarium, Guernsey Tapestry, Guernsey Tourist Board can provide an excellent guide to Guernsey.

Le Havre

Le Havre is an urban French commune and city in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. It is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the river Seine on the Channel southwest of the Pays de Caux, very close to the Prime Meridian.

• Tidal variance: High tidal variance will restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 3km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is flat and most pavements do not have dropped kerbs.
• Accessible toilets: Located at the town hall and Espace Coty Shopping Centre.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: None.
• Public transport: Not accessible
• Shopping areas: Approximately 3km
• Accessible places of interest: The Malraux Museum, Espace Coty; covered shopping centre located in the city centre.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a major port city in the Dutch province of South Holland. The Maritime Museum’s vintage ships and exhibits trace the city’s seafaring history. The 17th-century Delfshaven neighborhood is home to canalside shopping and Pilgrim Fathers Church, where pilgrims worshiped before sailing to America. After being almost completely reconstructed following WWII, the city is now known for bold, modern architecture.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 600 meters over the Aerasmus Bridge.
• Accessibility of main town paving: Flat, most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: In the terminal.
• Public transport: Generally wheelchair accessible, in the city accessible transport is clearly marked with ITS.
• Shopping areas: Approximately 600 meters
• Accessible places of interest: Markthal Food Square, Koopgoot Shopping Centre, Numerous museums around the city such as, Museum Boijamas Van Beuningen, The Nature History Museum and Dutch Photography Museum.