Thanks to the work done in previous years, Cartagena hopes to close out a record-breaking 2022 after the pandemic-induced hiatus, while preparing for the future with new infrastructure.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 62 – September 2022
The intense work done to break with the seasonality of tourism has borne fruit in Cartagena, where the number of ships has increased during the winter months, so that in 2022 it is expected to receive 200 calls with 200,000 passengers, considering that the ships are not at 100% of their total occupancy.
More and more days are passing when two or more ships dock on the same day, something that will happen more than 40 times this year. This year has been marked by the visit of the Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, belonging to Royal Caribbean, on May 1st, and which will return to the city on November 2nd on its farewell Mediterranean voyage before crossing the Atlantic to Port Canaveral.
Norwegian Cruise Line will also visit the port of Cartagena with the first calls of the Norwegian Dawn, Gem and Getaway in the city, and Carnival, Scenic, Tradewind Voyages and Vantage will also make their debut.
The year will close on December 22 with the visit of the Aidastella, which will also be in charge of opening 2023 on January 4.
New infrastructure for the future
The Cartagena Port Authority continues to work on improving its infrastructure and facilities, and for this reason launched the Plaza Mayor Project at the beginning of the year, with the aim of highlighting the historical and archaeological heritage of the city and integrating it into the daily life of the city.
Plaza Mayor covers 243,000 m2 of seafront where rest areas, landscaped pergolas, efficient lighting will be installed, and of course, the historical and archaeological heritage will be highlighted.
The works began in January of this year in a first phase that covers from the Whale's Tail to the old Chamber of Commerce building, enabling commercial premises to transform the seafront into a lively and innovative space that facilitates the port-city integration.
In 2022 it will receive 200 stopovers with 200,000 passengers.
The Plaza de Héroes de Cavite will be restored as a rest area, with the removal of curbs and the landscaping of the area with benches and native Mediterranean vegetation, enhancing one of Cartagena's main squares and restoring its former charm. The asphalt separating Héroes de Cavite from the waterfront will also be removed, and paving will be laid to integrate the Plaza del Ayuntamiento with the port into a single, unified area.
The drafting of the Phase 4 projects, from the Paseo de la Marina to the Cruise Terminal, and the Phase 5 project, the sports park, has already begun. Phase 4 will reorganize pedestrian routes, create a passenger pick-up area for buses at the Cruise Terminal, and construct a shopping arcade geared towards cruise passengers.
Cartagena at Seatrade Cruise Med in Malaga.
The Cartagena Port Authority will participate in the upcoming Seatrade Cruise Med trade fair, which will be held in Malaga on September 14th and 15th. They will be located in the MedCruise MC3 Pavilion, at stand number 430.
Cartagena is a city with over 3,000 years of history and a strategic geographical location in the Mediterranean. Its Cruise Terminal offers a 700-meter-long docking pier with a 12-meter draft, allowing two ships to dock simultaneously. The city center is just 200 meters from the Cruise Terminal.
The Plaza Mayor project, already underway, will transform the entire seafront.
At the Port of Cartagena's stand, visitors will be able to see prominent figures from the city's history: Carthaginians and Romans, protagonists of the city's most famous festivals. Visitors will also be able to sample "Asiano" coffee, a unique brew that requires special preparation with ingredients such as Licor 43, produced in Cartagena.
Carthaginians and Romans Festival, the last week of September.
This festival, declared of International Tourist Interest in 2017, commemorates the capture of the city by Roman troops in 209 BC. For ten days, troops and legions represent scenes from the history of the city, such as its founding, the oracle of the Goddess Tanit, the weddings of Hannibal and Himilce, battles, parades and much more.
Undoubtedly, quite a spectacle for cruise ship passengers visiting the city during those days.
Asian Coffee and Licor 43.
The Asian coffee is an ancient drink that dates back to the 19th century when sailors from Asia would order coffee with condensed milk and brandy upon arriving in Cartagena. The original recipe evolved into the current Asian coffee, which includes Licor 43, cinnamon, lemon peel, and coffee beans, in a perfect combination of the flavor, life, and history of Cartagena.
Cruise ship arrivals have been made less seasonal, with ships now arriving in the city in every month of the year.
Licor 43 is the top-selling Spanish liqueur in over 70 countries worldwide. Its name comes from its 43 ingredients, and to discover how it's produced, you can visit Experiencia 43, a themed space dedicated to the brand's history, present, and future.
