Getting ashore
Cartagena is usually a dock stop.
Most ships dock at Cartagena, which usually makes the day simpler: walk off the ship, meet your tour, and get back on board without tender queues.
Colombia
Cartagena Cruise Port
Cartagena is a solid port day with regular dockside arrivals and moderate cruise traffic throughout the year, but concentrated in December through January.
Usually docks
Moderate traffic
~8h typical visit
Mid-size ships
What to expect in Cartagena
How much time will you have?
About 8h is typical
Most cruises spend 7h to 9h in Cartagena, which makes it a solid port day compared with many stops.
How busy does Cartagena get?
Some dates are noticeably busier than others.
Multiple ships are in port on roughly 21% of days, so the exact date can change the port experience considerably.
- Typical day: ~3,200 passengers
- Busy day: 7,250+ passengers
- Multiple ships on 21% of days
Check your date
October 2026
Jump
Quieter
Busier
Ships
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Where Cartagena fits into a cruise
Cartagena is most commonly visited on ABC Islands itineraries, often alongside Colón (Panama Canal) and Oranjestad .
Commonly arrives from
Cartagena
Commonly continues to
When to cruise to Cartagena
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from December through January.
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from December through January.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Visits
128
66
92
85
21
16
12
16
14
45
37
105
Who sails here?
Ships visiting Cartagena typically carry around 1,994 guests, with Grandeur of the Seas, MSC Poesia, and Nieuw Amsterdam calling most often.
Most frequently visiting ships
- 1 Grandeur of the Seas 39 calls
- 2 MSC Poesia 27 calls
- 3 Nieuw Amsterdam 14 calls
- 4 Vasco Da Gama 14 calls
- 5 Norwegian Sun 13 calls
- 6 Caribbean Princess 8 calls
Next port calls
Nov 1 Grandeur of the Seas
Nov 4 Caribbean Princess
Nov 5 MSC Poesia
Nov 8 Grandeur of the Seas
Nov 10 Brilliant Lady
Cruises that visit Cartagena
Seven Seas Splendor
Miami → Cozumel → Cartagena → Panama City
Jan 12, 2027 · 14 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 13
$15,699 suite · $1,121/night
29% below typical · 3-month low
Vasco Da Gama
Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Mindelo → Colón (Panama Canal) → Panama City
Nov 12, 2026 · 35 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 30
$4,658 oceanview · $133/night
50% below typical · Price trending down
Vasco Da Gama
Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Mindelo → Arica → San Antonio
Nov 12, 2026 · 53 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 30
$7,150 oceanview · $135/night
50% below typical · Price trending down
Norwegian Sun
Miami → Great Stirrup Cay → Georgetown, Grand Cayman → Miami
Nov 29, 2026 · 11 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 5
$769 interior · $70/night
31% below typical · 3-month low
Celebrity Summit
Tampa → George Town, Great Exuma Island → Cartagena → Los Angeles
Apr 18, 2027 · 15 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 5
$1,793 interior · $120/night
44% below typical · Price trending down
Norwegian Sun
Miami → Great Stirrup Cay → Puerto Limón → Miami
Dec 21, 2026 · 12 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 8
$4,789 suite · $399/night
56% below typical · 3-month lowCruise routes that include Cartagena
These route families show how cruise lines usually package Cartagena, so you can compare the whole trip instead of judging this stop by itself.
Western Caribbean
Cozumel → Costa Maya → Harvest Caye + 5 more
From Miami · Next Jan 12
From $15,699 suite · $1,121/night
Best departure: 29% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Southern Caribbean
Mindelo → Belém → Fort-de-France + 20 more
From Santa Cruz de Tenerife · 53 nights · Next Nov 12
From $7,150 oceanview · $135/night
Best departure: 50% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Southern Caribbean
Mindelo → Belém → Santana Pt / Macapá + 14 more
From Santa Cruz de Tenerife · 35 nights · Next Nov 12
From $4,658 oceanview · $133/night
Best departure: 50% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Panama Canal · Western Caribbean
Great Stirrup Cay → Cartagena → Panama Canal + 4 more
From Miami · 11 nights · Next Nov 18
From $2,039 suite · $185/night
Best departure: 31% below typical
2 upcoming departures · 1 ship
Panama Canal · Bahamas
George Town, Great Exuma Island → Cartagena → Colón + 3 more
From Tampa · 15 nights · Next Apr 18
From $1,793 interior · $120/night
Best departure: 44% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
ABC Islands · Southern Caribbean
Cartagena → Oranjestad → Willemstad
From Colón (Panama Canal) · 7 nights · Next Oct 25
From $1,028 interior · $147/night
Best departure: 14% below typical
25 upcoming departures · 1 ship
Related ports near Cartagena
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
FAQ about cruises visiting Cartagena
Which cruise itineraries usually include Cartagena?
Cruises that call at Cartagena often follow itineraries such as Transatlantic Crossing: Cozumel, Costa Maya & Harvest Caye, Transatlantic Crossing via Mindelo, Belém & Fort-de-France, and World Cruises Repositioning: Mindelo, Belém & Devil's Island.
Plan your route
Explore cruises that visit Cartagena
See itineraries, compare routes, and find the best way to include Cartagena in your trip.