Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Cristobal -- how safe?

[LiricaBound]

This will probably get moved but I didn't see either port on the Ports of Call board. For those that have been to these ports, what was your experience like and what did you do? MSC doesn't provide any information on shore excursions and I'm leery of just going off on our own. We are sailing 12/18 with DH and DD (12). Would like to do something educational but not boring. We are adventurous and in pretty good shape, so walking/hiking isn't a biggie (though I'm not trying to exert myself too much :p ). Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[wrp96]

Cristobal would be covered under the Panama Canal board. Really you shouldn't leave that port on your own unless you are on a shore excursion.

[spongerob]

Cristobal is perfectly safe on your own as long as you have an armed escort.

 

Let me be a little more clear. This is one of the scariest places I've seen.

[LiricaBound]

Cristobal is perfectly safe on your own as long as you have an armed escort.

 

Let me be a little more clear. This is one of the scariest places I've seen.

 

:eek: Alrighty then...I reckon that clears that up! Here's hoping decent shore excursions are offered through MSC. My husband is a retired Navy SEAL, but no longer carries his MP-5, so we definitely won't be roaming about on our own in Cristobal.

 

But lemme ask you...what makes this place so scary? Drugs? Thieves? Murder rate high? Kidnappings? I know I could look these things up, I'm just curious as to what you actually saw. Thanks for your reply BTW.

[kitty9]

Cristobal and Cartegena are overtaken with the whole drug cartel business with lots of kidnappings, robberies and anything else----just downright scary and the need for bulletproof vests was something I thought about. I just don't understand why cruise lines still go to these places.

[CameliaRose]

Hello LiricaBound,

My family is on the same sailing, including my 13 year old daughter and 15 year old son. Our girls will probably find each other right quick. I've also found little or no info on these ports but it sounds like the terminal itself at Cristobal is fairly interesting.

CameliaRose

[isujim]

Posters are 100% right on Cristobal..........every cruise book I've ever seen says do not leave the secured terminal area.........unless you are on a cruise ship excursion.

[GORDONCHICK]

Shopping at the pier is completely safe and plenty of good bargains. There should be some dancers to greet you at the port and will perform for quite a while.

 

But as others have said, I wouldn't leave the terminal. It's a beautiful country, but can be very dangerous.

[patnjohn]

To add the above post, the dancers are very young girls (13-14) that are topless.

[LiricaBound]

Hello LiricaBound,

My family is on the same sailing, including my 13 year old daughter and 15 year old son. Our girls will probably find each other right quick. I've also found little or no info on these ports but it sounds like the terminal itself at Cristobal is fairly interesting.

CameliaRose

 

Hello Camelia, it is so good to hear from someone else on this cruise! I just emailed CoachSoftball, whose family will also be sailing with us. I certainly hope we have a better experience than some posters have had with MSC. We have an open mind and don't have any preconceived notions. I've been on two other cruises with Princess but I understand this will be different and that's okay by me!

 

Not too keen on the idea of hopping off the ship in Cartagena and shopping in the terminal though. Was hoping to do some sightseeeing so hopefully the ship will offer armed tour guides! :eek:

 

Looking forward to chatting with you more!

 

~Whitney

[CameliaRose]

Hi Whitney,

 

We should plan to introduce our girls, especially since there apparently may be minimal teen activities. My email is joy-@pacbell.net

I'm arranging some private tours at some of the ports and you might want to join us. I agree about Cartegena, I'm not planning on doing more than the terminal in Cristobal, but in Cartegena we certainly hope to see the sights.

 

A.

[MississippiMom]

I hope you don't mind me jumping in here, but the title of your thread caught my eye. It has been over thirty years since I, personally, visited Colombia, however, I have family that visits more regularly. It is my understanding that when the cruise ships arrive, that the military/police (not sure which one) are very visible all over the streets and the roof tops. Whether or not that makes you comfortable, is something that you will have to decide on your own.

 

My husband and I happened to have been cruising out of Buenos Aires, Argentina during a time frame when they were having a lot of financial and politicial turmoil. It was very intimidating to see all of the armed military all over the streets. (Tanks were driving down the interstate with us.) We did not feel safe to wander the streets of downtown (even though I speak Spanish), and waited in a hotel conference room until the bus took us over to the cruise ship terminal. That is what most of the passengers did, because it was quite scary for us "gringos."

 

I will say that the beaches in both Santa Marta and Cartagena would be lovely to see, if you feel comfortable going. Also, Cartagena has a lot of history and there are a lot of things to see. (I would take a cruise ship sponsored tour there.)

[cruzeluver]

Don't stay on the ship in Cartagena! Its a beautiful place, with rich history and very friendly locals. I cannot imagine being there and not seeing it!

[burm]

The old city of Cartagena is beautiful and intriguing. We took a ship's tour (they gave us headsets so we could hear every word the guide said - when he faded out we knew we had wandered too far and better scurry back.) When the tour was over we had them drop us off at the gates to the old city and we wandered around on our own. We would love to go back an spend more time there.