Thoroughly explore the walled city of Cartagena, which the Spanish founded in 1533, and come away with a historical understanding of how the city has developed through the centuries. You will delve into Cartagena’s rich maritime history by browsing the naval museum, a repository of ships, military weaponry and even a letter from Christopher Columbus. An evening cruise will offer an actual maritime experience, while a look at the seemingly impenetrable 16th-century San Felipe Castle will reveal why UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage site.
DAY 1
After flying into Cartagena Airport, you will be met by a representative outside the arrivals area and transferred to your hotel, which is located in the San Isidro district.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with meals on your own.
Check-in at the hotel is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a captivating journey through Cartagena's history with a guided tour of the intriguing Caribbean Naval Museum. While delving into the treasures and artifacts housed within, you will gain insight into the Colombian navy and the region’s fascinating past.
You will then indulge in a delightful culinary experience by enjoying a traditional Colombian lunch in a local restaurant.
Following free time to relax back in the hotel, you will dine at the restaurant Rabo de Pez, whose menu is inspired by the rich coastal flavors of Colombia. Rabo de Pez offers an array of tantalizing seafood dishes infused with locally sourced spices.
Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for the evening.
DAY 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will explore some of Cartagena’s most iconic landmarks, including imposing San Felipe Castle and the colorful neighborhood of Getsemani. Their architecture will present you with deeper insights into the city’s storied past.
A leisurely lunch follows at Celele, an extraordinary restaurant where you can savor the flavors of Caribbean cuisine in a picturesque setting.
You will then enjoy several hours of free time back at the hotel before embarking on an evening cruise. With the city beautifully illuminated, Cartagena will look absolutely radiant.
DAY 4
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to the port of Cartagena to embark the ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
After arriving at the Cartagena airport, you will transfer to Bastion Hotel or similar, where you will spend a relaxing evening. Meals will be on your own today.
Although every effort will be made to have your room available before the 3:00pm check in, this cannot be guaranteed. If you are arriving early, you may wish to book an extra night to ensure that a room is ready upon your arrival.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on Page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
8:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:30am Guided tour of the Caribbean Naval Museum
12:00pm Transfer to the restaurant
12:30pm Lunch at the restaurant
2:00pm Transfer back to the hotel and free time to explore Cartagena at leisure
6:00pm Dinner at local Restaurant
Overnight at Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena or similar
DAY 3
8:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Visit San Felipe Castle and the Getsemani neighborhood
12:30pm Lunch at Celele
2:00pm Return to Cartagena and free time to enjoy the city on your own
5:00pm Transfer to the marina for a sunset boat tour
8:00pm Return to the hotel
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 4
8:00am Breakfast at the hotel
2:00pm Check out from the hotel
TBA Arrive at the port and embark the ship
Expected Weather
In Cartagena, the wet season is overcast; the dry season is windy and partly cloudy. It is hot and oppressive year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 76°F to 88°F and is rarely below 73°F or above 91°F.
What to Bring
We recommend light and pastel colors for the day. Cotton and linen are excellent materials to stay comfortable throughout your visit to Cartagena. Pack teeshirts and shorts to stay comfortable on the beach or on yacht excursions.
Local Currency
Colombian Peso
Electricity
Like the United States, Colombia uses Type A and Type B power plug sockets. Electrical sockets in Colombia have a standard of 110 V and a frequency of 60 Hz. The power outlets lay flat against the wall and have two long, thin prong openings for your appliance plug.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the Cruise Line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Foreign passengers entering Colombia must have a passport valid for at least 6 months past the day of arrival in Colombia. You must:
• Hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of country exit and with one blank visa page
• Hold proof of onward and return flights
• Hold all documents required for the next destination
• Hold documents showing proof of travel purpose (e.g. business cover or support letter, conference registrations, etc.)
• Hold proof of sufficient funds relative to your intended length of stay
• It is recommended that you confirm with your airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time or incorrect names on flight tickets will result in either denial of travel or ticket re-purchase and guests will be responsible for any fees incurred.
Accommodations
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Calle Del Torno 39-29, Barrio San Diego, Colombia, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar
Phone: +57 6056504700
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified in advance. If you are not notified of changes before departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program includes:
•Meet and greet service with English-speaking guide assistance
•3 nights at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena or similar on a bed and breakfast basis - Superior or Deluxe Room
•Venues entrances
•Lunch for Days 2 and 3
•Dinner on Day 2
•Sunset boat tour
•English-speaking guide
•Transfers per itinerary
•Transportation per itinerary
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
•Drinks and meals not mentioned above
•Personal expenses and hotel incidentals such as laundry, room service, and minibar
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Excess or overweight luggage fees
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
