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.
Spain
Cartagena Cruise Port
Cartagena is a solid port day with regular dockside arrivals and lighter cruise traffic throughout the year, but concentrated in April, October, and November.
Usually docks
Usually quiet
~9h typical visit
Smaller ships
What to expect in Cartagena
How much time will you have?
About 9h is typical
Most cruises spend 7h 30m 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 overlap on roughly 16% of days, so most dates should feel manageable.
- Typical day: ~2,100 passengers
- Busy day: 5,350+ passengers
- Multiple ships on 16% of days
Check your date
September 2026
Jump
Quieter
Busier
Ships
Sun
Mon
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Thu
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Sat
Where Cartagena fits into a cruise
Cartagena is most commonly visited on Western Mediterranean itineraries, often alongside Málaga and Ibiza .
Commonly arrives from
Cartagena
Commonly continues to
When to cruise to Cartagena
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from April, October, and November.
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from April, October, and November.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Visits
13
6
13
59
36
13
22
29
15
78
59
12
Who sails here?
Ships visiting Cartagena typically carry around 1,218 guests, with Costa Diadema, Silver Ray, and Azura calling most often.
Most frequently visiting ships
- 1 Costa Diadema 10 calls
- 2 Silver Ray 9 calls
- 3 Azura 8 calls
- 4 Oceania Insignia 8 calls
- 5 Oceania Allura 7 calls
- 6 Regal Princess 7 calls
Next port calls
Sep 24 Silver Ray
Sep 26 Seven Seas Voyager
Oct 2 Emerald Sakara · Silver Ray
Oct 4 Oceania Insignia · Aurora
Oct 5 Costa Diadema
Cruises that visit Cartagena
Once the port-day tradeoffs look right for you, here are some good sailings that feature Cartagena.
Queen Victoria
Civitavecchia (Rome) → Palma de Mallorca → La Coruña (A Coruña) → Southampton
Oct 5 · 11 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 5
About average
$1,023 oceanview · $93/night
Brilliance of the Seas
Fort Lauderdale → Nassau → Valencia → Barcelona
Apr 23 · 15 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 14
About average
$1,056 oceanview · $70/night
Celebrity Ascent
Fort Lauderdale → Kings Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) → Málaga → Civitavecchia (Rome)
Apr 19 · 14 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 13
About average
$1,319 inside · $94/night
Oosterdam
Barcelona → Cartagena → Málaga → Fort Lauderdale
Nov 4 · 14 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 2
Good value
$2,519 suite · $180/night
11% below typical · 6-month low
Norwegian Escape
Barcelona → Marseille → Las Palmas de Gran Canaria → Port Canaveral
Oct 28 · 16 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 4
Good value
$1,449 balcony · $91/night
15% below typical
Celebrity Constellation
Civitavecchia (Rome) → Valencia → Philipsburg → San Juan
Nov 2 · 15 nights
Visits Cartagena on day 4
Good value
$846 oceanview · $56/night
15% below typical · 6-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 Mediterranean Repositioning via Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena & Lisboa
From $1,023
$1,023
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Transatlantic Crossing via Nassau, Tangier & Cadiz
From $946
$946
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Transatlantic Crossing: Kings Wharf & Ponta Delgada
From $1,319
$1,319
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Transatlantic Crossing via Cartagena & Málaga
From $1,043
$1,043
·
2 upcoming sailings
·
2 ships
2 upcoming sailings
2 ships
View itinerary →
Western Mediterranean Circuit via Cartagena, Motril & Tangier
From $1,099
$1,099
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Transatlantic Crossing via Valencia, Cartagena & Tangier
From $846
$846
·
1 upcoming sailing
·
1 ship
1 upcoming sailing
1 ship
View itinerary →
Related ports near Cartagena
Compare nearby cruise ports with active sailing coverage.
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.
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
Short answers for common search intent around the best time to visit, itinerary patterns, and how to compare cruises that include Cartagena.
What is the best time to visit Cartagena on a cruise?
The best time to visit Cartagena depends on both schedule density and live pricing. Use the calendar above to compare exact port-call dates and the featured cruises section to see which sailings currently stand out.
When is Cartagena busiest for cruise traffic?
Traffic patterns are still building as more schedules get indexed. Jibhop will surface the busiest months as upcoming port-call coverage expands.
Which cruise itineraries usually include Cartagena?
Common upcoming itinerary families that include Cartagena include Western Mediterranean Repositioning via Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena & Lisboa, Transatlantic Crossing via Nassau, Tangier & Cadiz, and Transatlantic Crossing: Kings Wharf & Ponta Delgada. Open any itinerary card to compare route mix, next departures, and which sailings look strongest on price.
How should I compare cruises that visit Cartagena?
Start with the best cruises section to see today's strongest pricing signals, then use the port-call calendar to find the exact visit dates that fit your trip. Once you narrow the timing, compare itineraries and ships rather than choosing on this stop alone.
Plan your route
Explore cruises that visit Cartagena
See itineraries, compare routes, and find the best way to include Cartagena in your trip.