Cartagena, Colombia Port Reviews

Yes hop on hop off got to see old city Cartagena with guided tour! Excellent

Visited: Feb 15, 2019

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Princess had a great tour, beautiful country.

Visited: Apr 10, 2018

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Took an excursion from the ship. Was for 4 hours..they did drive us around then took us to the old part of town…left us on our own for 1 1/2 hours. We sat down on a bench ..due to heat and there was really nothing to see after 30 minutes. A vendor selling necklace…ear rings… dresses..cigars.. pictures…magnets..came up to us about every minute for an hour. All we said for an hour was No Thank you….No thank you. No Fun.

We were on the NCL Pearl in March 2017. This was by far the most frustrating shore tour we have ever been on. We chose the carriage ride through the city thinking it would be informative and relaxing. We were told by the tour guide to first look no one in the eye. Uneasy feeling....red flag moment!! After being seated in our carriage and before even leaving the curb we were approached by hawkers selling hats and jewelry. As the ride progressed through the city several hawkers would jump on the carriage and get in your face. One of the carriages in the convoy also got in a confrontation with a bicyclist having a knock down drag out fight in the street. It was very stressful and unnerving to see. When we got to the shopping part of the tour we were told to only go in one certain store and NOT the others! Obviously the tour guide was getting a kick back from that selected store. He ( the tour guide ) even had words with me because he saw me purchasing official soccer shirts from a street vendor for my grandsons. I explained that soccer shirts were not for purchase in the store he directed us to and that was my choice to buy from a street vendor. He was right in my face about it. I have been on several cruises and have never felt threatened or treated as we were in Cartagena. If we ever stop at that port on another cruise I will stay onboard. I'm traumatized and scarred for life.

Surprisingly wonderful port! We did the hop on/hop off, and it was worth every penny! If you're polite but instant with the vendors they will leave you alone. We got a city overview then did the walking tour of the walled city. There is a small gift shop and animal center right at the Port where we saw monkeys, peacocks, parrots, toucans, flamingos, and an anteater. It's worth a visit, even if you don't want to do an excursion. We traveled in January and it was still very, very hot. Plan accordingly.

Seems Columbia has come a long way since the drug cartel days. Perhaps with improved government tourism will continue to grow.

Visited: Dec 07, 2018

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You will be accosted by aggressive pan handlers and street merchants.

Visited: Feb 16, 2017

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The history is very interesting, we took a walking tour of the old city that has a blockade around it. Also a trolley tour of other sites. We were only there about 4 hours. Peddlers are constantly coming up to tourists trying to cell their wares, which got quite annoying.

Visited: Jan 27, 2018

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Best port on Cruise. We did an excursion

Visited: Feb 25, 2018

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LOVED Columbia! this was my favorite port! the excursion selection was great and had plenty to choose from. I was amazing seeing the Colombian culture and history.

Visited: Jan 27, 2018

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