In Belgium, the port of Zeebrugge will have a brand new terminal building for turnarounds open to the cruise industry by 2018.

While the port is mainly a transit port, there is significant hotel and transport infrastructure that could provide a solid homeport base.

A port spokesperson told Cruise Industry News that 168 ships will call in 2017, and 144 have applied for berth space for 2018.

He also said the port offers fee reductions on passenger volume, which is benefiting AIDA the most as the German line has year-round calls.

As for the new terminal building, it will have an improved staging area for transportation, according to port literature, with bus parking and 17 taxi lines.

Cruise passengers, officers and crew will arrive on the first floor, with separate arrival and departure areas. The second floor will house a large waiting area with full catering facilities and the ability to be flexed into a mixed-use space on non-cruise days. It is set to carry the name Terminal Zeebrugge.