A Mini Cruise from Southampton to Zeebrugge: 3 Nights on P&O Aurora

There is something rather special about setting off on a cruise from Southampton. Within hours, the everyday routine is behind you, the sea stretches out ahead, and suddenly you’re on holiday.

Our P&O cruise took us from Southampton to Zeebrugge for three nights aboard Aurora, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy a taste of cruising, good food and a day exploring Belgium.

P&O Cruises’ Aurora is a smaller and more traditional ship that first entered service in April 2000.

Aurora has a very different feel from some of the enormous modern cruise ships. Rather than feeling like a floating resort, she retains a more classic cruise ship atmosphere. There is a sense of character about her, with plenty of comfortable spaces to sit, relax and simply watch the world go by.

We stayed in a GE grade balcony cabin, which was a great choice for a short cruise. Having our own balcony meant we could step outside and take in the changing views as we sailed.

For me, having a balcony really adds something to the cruising experience. There’s nothing quite like opening the door in the morning and being greeted by the sea.

Food and Drinks Onboard

During our time onboard, we ate at both The Beach House and Sindhu, giving us two very different dining experiences.

The Beach House has a more relaxed atmosphere and was perfect for enjoying a casual meal. Sindhu, meanwhile, offered a more refined dining experience, with its Indian-inspired menu and elegant surroundings.

Of course, a cruise wouldn’t be complete without finding somewhere to enjoy a drink.

We spent some time in Anderson’s Bar, which quickly became one of our favourite places onboard to sit down with a drink and unwind. It was the perfect spot to relax after a day of exploring or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the ship as the evening got underway.

A Day in Zeebrugge

After enjoying our time at sea, we arrived in Zeebrugge, Belgium.

Rather than spending the day in Bruges, we decided to take the coach transfer to nearby Blankenberge.

The journey was straightforward, and before long we arrived in this popular Belgian seaside resort.

Blankenberge has a very different character from Bruges. Instead of medieval streets and historic buildings, the focus here is very much on the coast, with the long esplanade providing plenty of opportunities for a stroll while taking in the seaside atmosphere.

We spent our time wandering around the town and along the esplanade, taking in the sights and enjoying the Belgian seaside atmosphere.

No visit to Belgium would be complete without sampling some of the local food and drinks, so we made sure to experience a few of the local flavours during our visit.

Eventually, it was time to make our way back to the coach and return to Aurora.

Three Nights of Cruising

Our three nights aboard Aurora gave us a lovely taste of what P&O cruising has to offer.

From relaxing on our balcony and enjoying the traditional atmosphere of the ship, to eating at The Beach House and Sindhu and having drinks in Anderson’s Bar, there was plenty to keep us entertained onboard.

Then there was our day in Belgium, where Blankenberge provided a chance to get off the ship, sample some local food and drinks and enjoy a walk along the coast.

What I particularly enjoyed about this cruise was the balance. Three nights was long enough to feel like a proper break without requiring a huge amount of time away, and the combination of time onboard and a day exploring ashore made it feel like we had experienced a lot in a relatively short trip.