Cartagena welcomes nearly 9,000 cruise passengers in busy weekend

The emblematic Port of Cartagena experienced a fun and bustling weekend along with the arrival of five cruise ships, which brought nearly 9,000 visitors to the shining Costa Calida hub. The event consolidated Cartagena’s position as one of the key destinations for cruise tourism not only on the Murcian coastline, but in the whole of Spain and the Mediterranean.

Five cruise ships and thousands of passengers: Cartagena’s busy weekend

The cruise ships, bringing more than 8,800 passengers to the lively coast, arrived over the weekend of Saturday, April 25. The first to arrive was the Celebrity Constellation, from Celebrity Cruises, followed by the Club Med 2 (recognised as the biggest commercial sailing cruise ship active today), from Club Med; the Silver Ray, from Silversea Cruises; the Costa Favolosa, from Costa Cruises; and the Allura, from Oceania Cruises.

The large number of passengers arriving over the weekend in Cartagena provided the city with a boost for its appeal as a desirable port, as well as its cultural offerings and historical heritage. In particular, the historic centre of Cartagena saw an uptick for visitor numbers, helping out local establishments with tourist spending and interest.

Cartagena projected to surpass visitor records this year

Last year, Cartagena surpassed 257,000 cruise ship passengers, and this year, the Costa Calida city is forecast to welcome more than 285,000 passengers and nearly 200 port calls, representing an all-time record for the emblematic port.

Why the Port of Cartagena is a leading destination on the Mediterranean

With stunning and fascinating historical structures and locations, delicious Mediterranean gastronomic offerings, and a wealth of experiences including film festivals, live music, hiking, hidden coves, sports tourism, and more, it is no wonder that visitors are flocking to Cartagena more than ever before. When it comes to cruise ship experiences, Cartagena has once more put itself in the spotlight for visitors looking for a bit of everything: from inland culture and history to a relaxing drink by the beach.