The oldest city in the New World, founded in 1533, Cartagena was the safety deposit box of the Spanish Main—gold, silver and emeralds bound for Madrid flowed through here, and actually, rather a few remained! See San Felipe, the fortress that guarded it all, then do a little plundering of your own on the dazzling Bocagrande.

The Cruise Ship Terminal of Cartagena started at the end of the 1960s. But only since port privatization in December 1993 the marketing and promotion efforts have shown a significant growth from 30.000 passenger disembarked in 1993 to 200.000 in year 2000 and with an estimate for year 2005 of 800,000 arriving passengers. Cartagena de Indias offers a great development potential thanks to its location in the Caribbean and because of the historical and cultural attractiveness. The Cruise Ship Terminal is located in a bay of safe waters, 45’ deep, with all year natural protection and tropical sunny weather The access channel es 150 meters wide and properly signed by lighted beacons and land marks. The terminal has nine docking sites with prime conditions to guarantee safe operations to all visitors and cruise ships. The port can provide all ships services of drinking water, waste recollection, sea provisions and fuel supplies. The port is located within the urban area of the city: Less than two miles from the historical site, five miles from the Rafael Nuñez International Airport and four miles from main shopping center area. For passengers it offers a comfortable stay with specially designed facilities in a natural environment full of tropical exotic plants and birds for leisure and relaxing. A Dutty Free Store is available and a variety of handcrafts, souvenirs, Colombian coffee, emeralds and many more. City tours Phone calls and internet access Photo shop 24 hours a day all year services

DURATION:  Approximately 2 hours
PRICE:   $34 per person

Board a beautiful Spanish galleon (a replica of a 17th-century sailing ship) for a two-hour cruisetour of the Inner Bay at Cartagena. You'll pass the port of Muelles El Bosque and the statue of the Virgin in the middle of the bay. View the Fort of Manzanillo, which guards the eastern entrance to the Inner Bay. Conditions permitting, continue by the Bocagrande beaches and the city walls. Enjoy refreshments and a folkloric show en route.

DURATION:  Approximately 4 hours
PRICE:   $49 per person

Board a motorboat and pass the island of Tierra Bomba and various fishing villages, as well as the Forts of San Fernando and San José de Bocachica. You're headed to Barú, 30 minutes away from Cartagena. Spend about two hours swimming and snorkeling in the warm sea water (snorkeling equipment is NOT included).

NOTES:
Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel, sunscreen and aquasocks or waterproof sandals. Water and soft drinks included.

DURATION:  Approximately 4 hours
PRICE:   $39 Adult   $19 Child

Once a preferred target for pirates until construction of an impressive fortress, Cartagena earned the reputation as the treasure chest of the Spanish Main. Travel by bus past the Manga residential area's restored mansions. Visit the monastery with its ornate, 22-karat gold foil altar and a lovely, flower-filled courtyard, then stop at the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, a 17th-century work of Spanish Military engineering.

At Las Bovedas (The Dungeons), there's time for handicraft shopping. Pass through Simón Bolivar Square and the Inquisition Palace before continuing on to the Church of San Pedro Claver-the patron saint of slaves. After a short folkloric show and a soft drink in the old walled city, continue to the modern residential area of Bocagrande, famous for its variety of emeralds, handicrafts and leather goods shops.

NOTES:
Guests may choose to remain in town for more extensive shopping and return to the ship on their own.

DURATION:  Approximately 6 hours
PRICE:   $69 per person

Enjoy a scenic speedboat ride from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands, located 24 miles to the south of Cartagena and designated as a National Park. Your first stop will be at Isla del Sol for a welcome beverage and fresh fruit.

Next, you will sightsee around the islands by boat and visit the local aquarium at Isla de San Martin. Enjoy the show with dolphins and sharks before lunch at Isla del Sol. Relax and enjoy the swimming pool and beach area.

NOTES:
Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel.

DURATION:  Approximately 3 and a half hours
PRICE:   $39 Adult   $29 Child

This tour explores the magnificient city of Cartagena and departs directly from the pier. Being one of the most important ports in Colonial times for transporting gold and other precious cargo to Spain, Cartagena was always under attack by pirates and corsairs. Fed up with the constant pillaging of the city, the Spanish crown fortified the city by constructing an impressive and massive system of walls and fortresses around the city, (today know as the Old City), and it's surrounding area. Upon leaving the pier, the tour first drives through the residential area of Magna, where you can admire the beautiful mansions built in Republican style architecture at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The tour will then proceed to the Monastery of "La Popa", the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas an old fort, Las Bovedas "The Dungeons", and the Navy Museum which will house a folkloric show and some refreshments. This unique tour ends back at the pier. Passengers wishing to interrupt the tour and remain in town may do so. However, return transportation to the ship will be their responsibility.

DURATION:  Approximately 2 1/2 hours
PRICE:   $29 Adult   $14 Child

Travel by motorcoach to Santiago's Bastion, and begin your walking tour along San Juan de Dios Street with charming colonial architecture. Continue to Custom Plaza-a commercial center dating back to colonial times-and the Plaza de la Proclamacion to admire the Cathedral and the original headquarters of the colonial Spanish government.

Watch for the statue of Simón Bolivar, as well as the Inquisition Palace and all the history it implies. Stroll through the Dungeons, which in the colonial times were used as a military barracks and a munitions depot, but now local artisans display their arts and handicrafts here.

NOTES:
Much of the tour will be spent outdoors in the direct sun. The Old Town streets are brick, and are some times uneven.