No One Talks About THIS City, But I Love It! | Norwegian Dawn: 10 Day Solo Cruise

Welcome to Bruges, Belgium! With the Norwegian Down docked in Zeebrugge, you have the option to go to Bruges, Brussels or Ghent. Today, I spend the day in the beautiful city of Bruges and I like it a lot more than I expected! Beautiful clean city, friendly people, great weather and great beer! Enjoy!
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[@sheri1972]

Thank you Ben. Hope you continue to have beautiful weather with your upcoming travel.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@sheri1972 sunshine always make the day better 😁 thank you, Sheri!

[@dakotaz11]

How pretty! Sunshine, beautiful parks, clean streets, cheese, and beer. How much more do you need? I love that you are able to acknowledge the simple beauty of life! Keep those rose-coloured glasses on, Ben! Dawn

[@TravelWithBen121]

Sounds like the perfect day, Dawn! Sunshine is the key factor 😂

[@abrahamclott5604]

Love the guilty look on your face after ringing the bell

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@abrahamclott5604 the couple behind me laughed at me 😂

[@Tom-pw2ni]

What an amazing day you had in Bruges! It is a great town, so glad you had a great time!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Tom-pw2ni cheers Tom, I loved it!

[@jws1128]

well deserved 10,000 subscribers Congratulations as u said Amazing

[@TravelWithBen121]

Thanks so much, John! 😊

[@LoveGodnfamily]

Very beautiful. Glad you’re having fun. Have a great day. 😀

[@TravelWithBen121]

Always having fun, Judy 😊 thank you!

[@seebunlim]

Ooh what a beautiful city!!! Love the canals and the park. The huge cheese slabs remind me of Asterix comics! 🤣 What’s the difference between hamburgers and hamburger sliders? It’s a happy day - cheese, hamburgers, cake and ice cream! 😂 I learned something new today - the Captain doesn’t steer the ship at all 😮. Thanks for a great video ❤

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@seebunlim the cheese was great 😂 so many different samples. Hamburger sliders are just small burgers! Everyday is a happy day when it’s all you can eat 😝 it’s true, the captain doesn’t steer the ship! Thank you, Lim!

[@Eugenia-1982]

Have been lucky to visit Bruges and Brussels in 1995 and 2022. In 1995 both cities were wonderful now skip Brussels and spend more time Bruges. Loved the mussels, fries and waffles. Of course the chocolate was wonderful. Enjoyed your video.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Eugenia-1982 thank you, Eugenia! I was told Bruges is much better than Brussels 😂

[@matthewhildebrandt1901]

Wow! Bruges is beautiful! BIG difference from your last visit to Belgium. 😁 The Basilica of the Holy Blood was gorgeous! Still waiting to hear you do Karaoke, Ben...

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@matthewhildebrandt1901 I was so shocked, Matthew! Such a beautiful city! The basilica was amazing, I don’t know if I believe the story though 😂 there might be a 2 second clip coming up soon of come singing HAHA look out for it 👀

[@matthewhildebrandt1901]

@@TravelWithBen121 I don't know if I believe the story either. As a Christian, you'd think I would have heard something about the blood of Christ floating around out there! 😂 I'll be watching for that clip!

[@matthewhildebrandt1901]

Also, I already mentioned this awhile back, but I'm doing a Panama Canal cruise on the NCL Joy in Feb. 2025. One of the stops is in Columbia. Just saying... 😂

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@matthewhildebrandt1901 I think it’s a good story for the tourists 😂

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@matthewhildebrandt1901 HA keep your eyes open, I guess! 👩

[@Krypto64]

Looks to have been a great day. I was reminiscing with Steve about how much I loved Bruges but he claims that while he’s been, I haven’t. I have seen the film In Bruges, maybe that’s it. Or he’s gaslighting. So that’s Bruges on my bucket list. Loved your incredulity about the holy relic in the cathedral! I have been to Amsterdam several times, it’s never struck me as especially mucky - crowded, yeah, but clean enough. So roll on the next vlog!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Krypto64 cheers Martin, I was surprised at how much I liked Bruges! HA I think the basilica tells a good story 😝 Amsterdam coming soon!

[@breinich2]

I loved Bruges too, beautiful city and fascinating history. Glad you went and changed your opinion about Belgium

[@TravelWithBen121]

I didn’t really have an opinion to change, John! I’d never visited before so I didn’t know what to expect! I was pleasantly surprised 😊

[@danielgmaynard]

I love how the thing that draws you back to the ship is the prospect of cake. Ha ha! They better not run out of cake. I'll be there in Bruges in November on the NCL Encore.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@danielgmaynard HAHA it’s always there if you want it! Great, I recommend taking the bus to Bruges and buy the bus tickets in advanced! Cheers, Daniel 😁

[@maryleejohnson8168]

Ben, I am so glad you made it to Bruges on this cruise. This turned out to be my favorite city visited on my Norwegian Dawn cruise!

[@TravelWithBen121]

That you, Mary Lee! Bruges ended up being my favorite port this cruise too! 😁

[@raymondjohnson5957]

I mean really Ben I wish we were on a tour with you every day!! Maybe someday!!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@raymondjohnson5957 cheers, Raymond 😁

[@ReneeinVirginia]

There must be a big belief in the cloth that the keep it sooo protected. 2 hrs & 5 euros! Or just a tourist gimmick. I'll definitely research it. Beautiful city. And MICKEY shirt!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@ReneeinVirginia I think it’s the second one, Renee 😂 Mickey shirt to match the Mickey paintings 😝

[@anda1anda2]

I "think" that when you mentioned Brugges before, I did say that it was a beautiful city full of flowers, and probably forgot the fascinating buildings.

[@TravelWithBen121]

It’s a beautiful city, Anda! Lots of flowers and parks in the sunshine 😊

[@electriclady111]

I think that Belgian beer is the best in the world. I’m not a big fan of beer but I could drink Belgian beer every day. Have fun!

[@TravelWithBen121]

It was great, Barbara! Made the day even better 😊

[@Pantherjonvideos]

So much fun! Bruges is a neat city! I visited it like 25 years ago when I went on a tour out of Germany when I was stationed there in the military! Neat stuff! BTW, you didn't miss anything by not seeing the cloth with 'Jesus' Blood', I saw it back then and it was rather underwhelming...Also, CONGRATS on breaking the 10K mark! Way to go Ben!!!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Pantherjonvideos cheers, Jon! Bruges was great, very surprising! HA I don’t think the story is very believable but you never know!

[@GDJason]

What a beautiful city! Love cities with canals, especially if I can get on a boat. I often think about the people that live in places I travel and how their lives are in a place that I wanted to visit. I also think about the tourists that I see in my city, I've lived here long enough to take things for granted so sometimes my initial thoughts are "why would anyone come here", and wonder if people that live in the places I travel to think that about me.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@GDJason the canals make the city so unique! I think about the locals everytime I visit a new place 😂 I think everyone takes the place they live for granted. People living in NYC or London definitely don’t appreciate it as much as tourists do because they’re so used to it. It’s just human nature and we can’t control it! Thank you for watching early, Jason!

[@kevinlindsey9799]

Been following you for several months. I found you as you did a similar itinerary that I'm doing in November. I'm doing a transatlantic cruise solo. You stopped in Lisbon on your trip which was our original plan, however, it got changed to Bruges. I was scared since your last video you only stayed in Zeebrugge but as I researched Bruges I am now even more excited to experience this port. Seeing your video today cemented my excitement. Thanks for sharing. By the way I sail mostly NCL so enjoy your takes on that cruise line and seeing all the locations on the ships that I'm so familiar makes me nostalgic and wanting to go again sooner. Thanks again.

[@TravelWithBen121]

I’ve never cruised to Lisbon, Kevin! I’ve cruised to the Azores but not Lisbon. Bruges was great, a must visit when docked at Zeebrugge! Make sure you book the bus to Bruges in advanced. NCL is great, beautiful ships! Thank you for watching 😊

[@kevinlindsey9799]

@@TravelWithBen121 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4qqeHabqt6haM0si=mmzgin6_S6mbk5C4

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Thanks for this great travel log, Ben! What a clean city without being covered in graffiti like so many European Capital cities. Berlin has about the worst filth that I’ve seen.

[@TravelWithBen121]

I totally agree, Mitchell! No graffiti or trash in sight. Nice people, great weather and beautiful buildings! 😊

[@deba175]

I love your videos I agree with you on take time to do your own thing and yes after a few cruises to Caribbean that's probably enough unless you just love a beach !

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@deba175 thank you, Deb! I love the beach too but I can’t imagine going to the same beach over and over again when there are many other options 😁

[@Krypto64]

I thought that was a brave thing to say, Ben. But it’s true, so many Americans never seem to go anywhere but the Caribbean, which is very samey. The risk takers try Alaska, which I liked, but Norway has scenery AND history. Still, as you say, people like what they like.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@Krypto64 people do whatever they want 😁

[@isabelfaye3052]

Beautiful place, I’ll never see it in my life time. :( 😂 thanks for sharing. ❤❤❤

[@TravelWithBen121]

You never know, Isabel! 😊

[@anniefitt8623]

I do enjoy the on-shore port days! Hey, Ben, I’d love if you showed any dogs across you come across!

[@TravelWithBen121]

I love exploring ports too, Annie! I’ll try and meet some dogs 😁

[@carolleiter6027]

Bruge is pretty. Its clean and quiet. So whats the difference between Belgium fries and French fries? Whoever started them and whatever you call them I dont care, I love them. Lol 🍟

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@carolleiter6027 it’s actually the American’s fault that they’re called French fries even though they were from Belgium 😂 it was the American soldiers that first started to call them French fries because the area of Belgium that first started to sell them spoke French! Interesting history if you have time to read about it, Carol 😁

[@JustShelby888]

You seem so happy in this video, I needed that dose of positivity today. 😊 market with the band and free cheese seems like a mood lifter. Maybe the beer helps you 😝 i’m curious with all the people riding bikes, was there anywhere to rent bikes when you got off the cruise ship. Because I prefer to bike over walk sometimes. And,I agree with you, even though my only cruise experience so far has been in the Caribbean and Mexico. People should get out and see the rest of the world. But there’s a lot of islands. I haven’t seen in the Caribbean. Plus, I found out, especially a lot of people that live here in Florida and cruise a lot. They like to try out different ships so sometimes they’re just going for the ship and not the destination . But I don’t fly at all, so all my travel is going to be by cruise ship. I was actually looking last night at some transpacific cruises to get over to Asia. Maybe in a couple years I’ll make that happen.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@JustShelby888 I was very happy this day, Shelby! I think it was the shock of how beautiful the city was or it was the Belgium beer 😂 Yes, there were lots of bike rental places! It would have been fun to ride around the city in the sunshine. I actually felt a little bit bad after I said people should stop going to the Caribbean 😝 people can do whatever makes them happy but I’m just saying, there’s so many options out there! I agree with you that many people cruise just for the ship so the ports are not important. A cruise to Asia would be great! There’s some amazing ports over there! Thank you for watching early, Shelby!

[@JustShelby888]

@@TravelWithBen121 don’t feel bad , everybody has their opinion. I’m quite opinionated myself. And I grew up in Japan, so it’ll be like going home. But I definitely want to get over to Thailand for a while and probably do some extended. Stay there. And I love having access to the videos are late,. Can’t wait to see the rest of the series.

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@JustShelby888 Thailand and Japan…. Interesting 😇 thanks again, Shelby! I enjoy reading your comments 😁

[@1flames952]

Thanks for the tour. Love these self guided tours you do. Will be there next August. Where do you catch that bus? Did you book in advance?

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@1flames952 I booked the bus with Viator, definitely book in advanced! www.viator.com/en-GB/tours/Bruges/Return-Cruise-Shuttle-Service-from-Zeebrugge-to-Bruges/d4836-22540P1

[@gjoy4183]

I only went through Bruge on my way from Amsterdam to Paris on train. I did get to see Brussels. I think they make special lace there.

[@gjoy4183]

Thank you for the post of name, but can you put it as GJoy? I think you may have left the "G" out. Thanks a bunch!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@gjoy4183 I was told that Bruges is a lot better than Brussels 😝 next time I’ll see for myself!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@gjoy4183 yes, Joy! I’ll change it in the next video 😁 sorry about that and thank you for your support!

[@mariapapacharalambous2416]

Tipsy in bruge Tim 😂 touch beer and cheese

[@TravelWithBen121]

It was a great day, Maria 😂

[@mariapapacharalambous2416]

To much not "touch"🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SNAPVegan]

Hi Ben, Cathy from Indiana, USA here. 🤝. I would love to see the DNA analysis on that cloth!

[@TravelWithBen121]

Me too, Cathy 😂 maybe they’ll do it for 5 euros!

[@SNAPVegan]

Lol. Don't hold your breath. 😂​@@TravelWithBen121

[@raymondjohnson5957]

Hey Ben. Do you ever plan on going on icon of the seas which is Royal Caribbean? If you do let me know, and I will be there as well!!

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@raymondjohnson5957 I’d love to!

[@anda1anda2]

Brussels to me is a regular big city. I was there the last time as part of a group of diplomats, so our thing to see and attend was NATO headquarters.

[@TravelWithBen121]

I was told to go to Bruges and not Brussels 😂

[@anda1anda2]

Did you not film Le Havre, due to your last time there was less than favourable, including a bus strike?

[@TravelWithBen121]

I didn’t get off the ship in Le Havre, Anda! I did film a video but it will be uploaded later 😊

[@amesavis]

you are so handsome and pleasant

[@TravelWithBen121]

@@amesavis thank you 😁

[@andybaker2456]

Just to point out mate that Zeebrugge is pronounced Zee-broo-gah, not Zeebroozh. It's a Flemish word. 😉

[@TravelWithBen121]

Cheers, Andy!

[@cmcgovern]

@@TravelWithBen121to be even more pedantic, it’s “Zay-brug-eh” - double-e in Flemish is pronounced “ay”, “brug” rhymes with “jug” and the “eh” at the end is pronounced but without any emphasis.

[@np7360]

How much was the bus?

[@TravelWithBen121]

$20 👍