cartegena, columbia

[trishu]

does anyone know anything about this port? our cruise line cancelled cozemel and substituted cartegena. any suggestion on what to do?

[tazmanaf]

I'm hoping to find out about this port too. It's a scheduled stop on our cruise next January.

[RetiredFL]

We've been switched too, any info as to where the ships dock,etc would be appreciated

[General Max]

We are going there April 28, 2007 on the HAL Noordam. http://www.caribenet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=90 will give you some information on the port.

[GoldieAZ]

We will be there on the Lirica in early April and planning on taking the CITY TOUR with the MSC cruise tours, assuming it is the safest. We have heard wonderful things about visiting the city, in spite of the political dangers that exist. DH wants to just stay on the ship, but I am more adventurous and have read more on these boards from previous folks. Will certainly keep up with current events prior to our sailing, and willing to cancel at a moments notice if needed.

 

GoldieAZ

[General Max]

Is anyone else concerned about going to Cartagena? We will be there only during daylight hours.

[Bodger]

We were there in the winter of 2001. We did a tour that went to the old fortress, which was fine as I recall. We also walked in the town area a bit as part of the tour, it may have been an old church we went to.

 

They had what were called 'tourist police', fellows in military uniforms with serious looking weapons. That was a little ominous, but then a year later, after 9/11 I saw the same thing in the Fort Lauderdale airport!

 

We also went to a shopping area that was in some old jail and got a great deal on a cotton table cloth (US$15). While we sat in the little bus waiting to leave I read the package that said it was polyester. We laughed, it was still a great deal and we have had a lot of use out of it and my wife says it is great to wash. (Take your table dimensions with you.)

 

An interesting port but I wouldn't do any touring on my own.

 

Bodger

[LHT28]

We were there in Feb and took a ship's tour.

Most place you stop are street vendors that are very persistant...if you can get past this there are some good places to see.

The fort, La popa a monestery on top of the hill with a fantastic view ..we went to the artisan marketplace for shopping got some coffee beans there for a good price.

Most of the tours seem to want you to shop for emeralds... so be warned.

There were some shops at the end of the dock though we didn't have time to have a look.

[A Sixth?]

We were there in January 2004 and just grabbed a local tour guy which worked out great for us. It was 1/4 the cost of a ship tour and we never felt one bit unsafe. In fact, we even stopped at a local cafe for a snack and a beer and blended in with the locals, never hassled once.

 

 

[General Max]

We were there in January 2004 and just grabbed a local tour guy which worked out great for us. It was 1/4 the cost of a ship tour and we never felt one bit unsafe. In fact, we even stopped at a local cafe for a snack and a beer and blended in with the locals, never hassled once.

 

 

 

Are the pictures from Cartegena? They are very nice.

[spearmint]

We are going there April 28, 2007 on the HAL Noordam. http://www.caribenet.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=90 will give you some information on the port.

 

This is a very worthwhile site. Thanks a lot.

[nancycoop1]

Does anyone have any suggestins for a tour guide for Cartagena? Thanks

[Floridiana]

Check the Colombia section of the destinations. It has tour guide information.

[llary]

We LOVED Cartegena. We took a cab to the old walled section of town. Reminds me of the French Qtr in New Orleans. Great balconies, flowers, architecture. Take a carraige ride through the narrow streets. Stroll the top of the wall for the view. Lots of tourists and a police presence. Seemed safe on our own.

[argentinita]

We were there in November 2010. The entrance to the Bay of Cartagena is a must and the view at night is spectacular. We shared a taxi with another couple to the fort of San Felipe de Barajas. They said the fee was set at $ 20. After toured the fort walked to the walled city, about 30 minutes, which would never do. It was too hot! We could not breathe! The walled city is beautiful. We visited the clock tower, the palace of the Inquisition, the Gold Museum, the Cathedral, the 'Gertrudis' by Botero, toured the streets with their balconies. Then we stopped a taxi to return the port, the driver did not know what to charge fee and charge $ 5 for the trip! At night it is beautiful to see all the buildings from the bay.

[LHT28]

The Columbia port forum is at

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=500

[argentinita]

The Columbia port forum is at

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=500

 

Yes, the thread is 5 years old, but there is a question in August 2012.

May need to be moved to the right place to not make mistakes. :cool:

[Keith1010]

There is a lot of information about this port of call on the Cartagena, Colombia Port Of Call Board.

 

Keith