Cartagena, Columbia - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

MNmomof4 · 05-29-2009, 07:32 PM

Anyone done an excursion here?

LuLu · 06-01-2009, 06:51 PM

Cartagena is one port of call I'd ABSOLUTELY recommend some excursion offered by the ship!

We didn't see anything we really wanted to do but didn't want to just stay on the ship so we took the tour of the city by bus the ship offered.

Modern air conditioned mini tour buses were used and we had a wonderful driver. We made a couple of stops in the Old City to get out and explore an old church, a fort, and craft store. Various points of interest were pointed out along the way.

Also, in the newer section we stopped at a nice well guarded rather small two-story mall. There was a great store to buy Colombian coffee. Some bought emeralds there at a jewelry store. We only bought some coffee and Coke ... the drink, not the drug!

The city is huge and crowded. At a stop light a gang of teens ran out and began banging on our windows and rocking our bus. A police car pretty much followed us around the entire tour so when this happened a couple of other police cars quickly appeared and disbursed the gang.

While they do seem to make every effort to keep tourist safe, it's not someplace I want to be wondering around On-My-Own!

Char · 06-01-2009, 09:14 PM

We are scheduled to be there from noon til 8PM but don't plan to leave the ship. It is too risky for elderly folks like us.

MNmomof4 · 06-01-2009, 11:24 PM

Thanks everyone..I still have 19 months to figure things out...but I cant help getting excited

LuLu · 06-02-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNmomof4

Thanks everyone..I still have 19 months to figure things out...but I cant help getting excited

For sure stay excited! You'll be fine in Cartagena if you stick with one of the shore excursions offered by the ship.

Where else do you have port stops?

patsea · 06-02-2009, 11:51 AM

we will be in colon, panama; grand cayman; limon, costa rica; labadee

LuLu · 06-04-2009, 06:35 PM

Pat & All on your itinerary!

You might want to consider this book:

"Panama Canal By Cruise Ship"

(Book written for CRUISERS going through the Panama Canal)http://www.cruiselinefans.com/panama-canal/41017-book-written-cruisers-going-through-panama-canal.html

It contains very good sections on ALL of your ports of call except Labadee.

MNmomof4 · 06-04-2009, 06:45 PM

Great info! Thanks LuLu

patsea · 06-04-2009, 06:52 PM

thanks lulu - i'll get on it.

LuLu · 06-05-2009, 05:03 PM

Glad the info was at least a little bit helpful!

Do hope you'll check out the book ... way better than I expected!