Cartagena plans to break its record for cruise tourism in 2022, with 218 calls, more than 30 percent more than in 2019, which was the best year in history for cruise tourism, and with 170,000 passengers, taking into account that the ships will continue to operate at 50 percent of their capacity, as reported by the president of the Port Authority, Yolanda Muñoz, in a meeting with the media.
“2022 will be a great year for cruise tourism in Cartagena, with ships arriving every month of the year and a forecast of 36 double and 16 triple port calls, demonstrating that we have modern and efficient infrastructure, a safe Cruise Terminal with COVID-19 certification, and docks ready to welcome passengers at any time of the year,” highlighted Muñoz, who was accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, Marcos Ortuño, the Councilor for Tourism of the Cartagena City Council, Cristina Pérez, the CEO of Cruise News Group, Virginia López, and the Head of Business Development of the APC, Fernando Muñoz.
This year, 2022, we will welcome four cruise lines for the first time: Carnival Cruises, Scenic Cruises, Tradewind Voyages, and Vantage Cruise Line, along with 26 ships. Seventeen ships are scheduled to visit during January and February, including two double calls on February 25th and 14th.
Regarding cruises in 2021, the Port closed with “79 calls and 70,000 cruise passengers plus 50,000 crew members, meaning 120,000 people arrived in Cartagena” in a year where the reactivation of cruise tourism began in June. “These figures position us as a preferred destination, as the great capital of the Mediterranean that Cartagena is,” stated the president of the Port Authority of Cartagena (APC).
Muñoz also reported that “we have received 11 new ships and two new shipping companies” that have placed their trust in us during a very difficult time for the sector, which has had to adapt quickly to a health crisis that kept them idle for more than a year.
Councilor Marcos Ortuño stated that “40 percent of tourism to Cartagena arrives through its port, and 95 percent of cruise ship passengers stay in the city.” The most visited sites are the Roman Theatre, the Castle of La Concepción (accessible via the panoramic elevator, which offers stunning city views), and the Roman Forum district.
The commercial work of the APC, always hand in hand with the City Council and the Autonomous Community, and consolidating Cartagena as a destination, allows us to say that "we are on the path to economic reactivation".
“Cartagena, Takes You on Cruises” begins this afternoon
This afternoon, at 4 p.m., the commercial event “Cartagena, takes you on a Cruise” begins, which will be held until Sunday in the El Batel auditorium, organized by the Port Authority, Cartagena City Council and the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, with the collaboration of CruiseNews Media Group.
In the presentation, Yolanda Muñoz indicated that “we have organized this with great care, where we want to strongly demonstrate that Cartagena is a leading cruise destination in the Mediterranean, alongside the main shipping companies, and we have created an informative space to bring citizens closer to the largest selection of international cruises with the best ships, all destinations, and incredible offers to plan their holidays.”.
For her part, Virginia López, CEO of Cruise News Group, praised the Port of Cartagena's commitment to organizing the event and highlighted that "Cartagena's selection as a cruise destination is not a coincidence, but rather a result of its tourism excellence, which has earned the trust of shipping companies that return year after year, adding new ports of call and new ships.".
Eight shipping companies will participate this weekend: Royal, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Princess Cruises, Cunard and CroisiEurope, in addition to the travel agency sector of the Region.
Attendees will have the chance to win a cruise (one drawing per day) and can receive discounts on their next cruise. There will also be gifts for everyone. In addition, to support local businesses and restaurants, José Díaz will have an Asian food stand on Saturday and Sunday for all attendees to enjoy.
The event schedule will begin on Friday, December 17, from 4 to 7 pm and will continue on Saturday the 18th, from 10:30 am to 2 pm and from 4 to 7 pm, and will end on Sunday the 19th from 10:30 am to 2 pm.
