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Cartagena de Indias has commenced its 2026-2027 cruise season, during which the arrival of over 416,050 visitors is projected, including transit passengers, embarking passengers, and crew members. This activity is expected to generate an estimated economic impact of USD 49,432,784 for the Colombian city, reaffirming the importance of the cruise industry for local tourism and economy.
Operations will enter a more dynamic phase starting in October, with a more frequent presence of vessels at the Cartagena Cruise Terminal.
Over 152 days of operation, the port will receive 173 calls from 37 cruise lines, solidifying its position as the country's main cruise destination and one of the most important in the Southern Caribbean. The season also reaffirms the confidence of shipping companies in the city and the appeal of its history, culture, and tourist offerings for international travelers.
Of the projected visitors, 249,402 will be transit passengers, 133,048 will be crew members, and 33,600 will be passengers starting their journey from Cartagena, thus strengthening the city's participation not only as a destination but also as an embarkation port for the international cruise industry.
The season includes 47 dates with multiple calls and 15 with ships overnighting in the city. One of its main novelties will be the first-time arrival in Cartagena of five vessels: Le Laperouse from Ponant; Blue Sapphire from Anez Selectum Blu Cruises; Ambience from Ambassador Cruise Line; Seven Seas Prestige from Regent Seven Seas Cruises; and Explora III.
The latter, making its inaugural call, is the first in the Explora Journeys fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and has a capacity for approximately 922 passengers and 463 crew members.
In addition to the arrival of new ships, there are dates with high operational simultaneity, with 36 dates where two cruise ships will be handled on the same day and 11 where three vessels will coincide. This handling capacity demonstrates the robustness of Cartagena's port infrastructure and logistical efficiency in meeting the demands of the international cruise industry.
Furthermore, the 15 dates with overnighting ships will allow visitors to extend their stay in Cartagena and generate greater opportunities for the various actors in the city's tourism chain.
"At the Cartagena Cruise Terminal, we approach each season as a commitment to our city. Beyond the numbers, we work to ensure that each arrival strengthens international confidence, boosts the local economy, and reflects the pride of being from Cartagena. Our port not only receives ships: it opens its doors to progress and more opportunities for Cartagena and for Colombia," stated María Emilia Bonillas, coordinator of the Cartagena Cruise Terminal.
With this same operational capacity, the Cartagena Cruise Terminal continues to be an international stage and further strengthens its position as a cruise homeport. For this season, 30 embarkations are scheduled.
Every Sunday until April 2027, the operation of Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas will continue to be handled, with 28 departures from the city, in addition to the embarkations of National Geographic Quest from National Geographic Cruises and Crystal Serenity from Crystal Cruises.
This operation represents an additional contribution to the local economy and boosts the chain of tourism services, such as hotels, air and ground transportation, gastronomy, and commerce, while generating new growth opportunities for the various actors linked to the sector.
The start of the 2026-2027 season thus marks a new period for cruise activity in Cartagena, with an operation that expands the presence of international lines and vessels and strengthens the city's connection with the main Caribbean cruise circuits. In turn, the growth of embarkation operations and overnight stays contributes to expanding the reach of this industry and its impact on the city's tourism and economic dynamics.
