Cruises from Cartagena

On Sunday, December 17, passengers boarded the first cruise to kick off this 2023-2024 season at the Cartagena de Indias Cruise Terminal. 

939 passengers boarded the Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship, which had already picked up 1,491 passengers from Panama.

To launch these operations, an event was held with the cruise line’s senior executives, including Alberto Muñoz, Commercial Vice President LATAM; Jaime Castillo, VP Global Port Operations; André Pousada, VP Government Relations; and Preston Carnahan, Director of Tourism Destination Development.
 
During this season, 11,200 passengers are expected to board in Cartagena during 
14 weekly operations that will run until April with itineraries that include Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Panama, and, of course, the possibility of departing from and arriving to the wonderful city of Cartagena. 

 

Cartagena expects 37 cruises in December

In terms of cruise tourism in the city of Cartagena, 37 arrivals at port—with about 79,606 passengers and 29,479 crew members, for an estimated 109,085 total visitors—are expected in December, for an estimated economic impact on the local economy of more than US $11 million. 

One of December’s highlights is that 7 ships are scheduled to stay overnight. The day with the most expected arrivals at port is December 28, with 5 cruise ships. 

 

More cruises in the new year 

For the month of January, 45 cruise ships are expected to arrive—with 133,194 visitors, including 96,210 passengers and 36,984 crew members, depending on each ship’s capacity—generating an economic impact of US $14.1 million. Without a doubt, January is one of the months with the most cruise activity in Cartagena, representing 26.5% of the visitors expected during the season. 

A special record is also expected to be broken this month, as 6 cruise ships will be arriving at our terminal on January 31. 

 

In January, Cartagena comes alive with cultures from around the world 

Two memorable events with longstanding traditions take place in Cartagena in January, and both have become great attractions for tourists and visitors from different destinations. 

These include the Cartagena International Music Festival, which takes place from January 5 to 13, and the Hay Festival, which takes place from January 25 to 28 and boasts the best in literature.  These are perfect plans for cruise passengers who love fine arts. 

Cartagena, deemed the world’s best cultural city by the 2023 Travelbook Awards

 

The German magazine Travelbook, which specializes in travel and tourism, recognizes Cartagena as the world’s best cultural city. With this recognition, Cartagena has received 16 awards that accredit its cultural richness and tourism potential, including: First place in the ranking of the world’s most spectacular walled cities, according to Wanderlust Travel magazine; the leading cruise port in South America, according to the World Travel Awards; and the third most desirable city in the world, according to the Wanderlust Travel Awards. 

Check out that news story here
 

Ancestral knowledge that enhances beauty

The town of Mompox, located in the department of Bolívar, is widely recognized for its goldsmithing—its specialty being the art of filigree. Jewelers from this area are exceptional artists who have mastered this ancient practice that enhances the beauty of countless women around the world. This precious jewelry is delivered straight from the workshops in Mompox to our Casa Cruceros shop, where you can find the perfect accessory for your next special occasion.

Check out the catalog here and discover our wide range of 100% Colombian products. 

 

Port Oasis EcoPark’s Special Guest - the Whistling Toucan 

The Whistling Toucan, also called white-breasted toucan or red-billed toucan, has a beak between 14 and 18cm long and feeds on fruits, flowers, and nectar. This species nests in tree hollows where the female lays 2 to 4 eggs that the couple incubates for 14 or 15 days. 

 

Do you want to see them? Visit us at Port Oasis EcoPark 

Port Oasis EcoPark is an exclusive space in our Cartagena Cruise Terminal that has more than 700 animals of 70 different species—mainly different types of birds—so that locals and tourists can enjoy birdwatching and spotting other local wildlife.