Cartagena shattered its cruise tourism record during the 2025-2026 season. The city generated between $59 million and $60 million in economic impact. This achievement consolidates Cartagena as the primary cruise hub in the southern Caribbean.
Historic Numbers Drive Economic Boom
The 2025-2026 cruise season delivered 365,214 visitors across 182 port calls. This figure represents a 26.17% increase compared to the previous season. Royal Caribbean extended its weekly embarkation operations through April 2027. More than 80,000 passengers embarked from Cartagena during this operational period.
Cartagena now serves as the most active embarkation point for Latin American passengers. These travelers choose Cartagena because they can cruise without a US visa. The Serenade of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas operate 36 port calls. Together, these vessels move approximately 82,800 combined embarking and disembarking passengers.
Local Businesses Thrive from Cruise Influx
Restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops experience increased patronage from cruise visitors. Local artisans also benefit from higher foot traffic in the city. Tour operators, taxi drivers, and street vendors gain revenue from influx tourists. Hotel occupancy rates reached 81.28% during the holiday season. This represents a 4.3 percentage point increase from the previous season.
The economic ripple effect extends across hospitality, retail, transportation, and gastronomy sectors. Twenty-nine scheduled overnight stays allow cruisers to enjoy Cartagena’s nightlife. These extended visits increase average expenditure and boost economic impact significantly. Air connectivity also improved through charter flights from Mexico and other countries.
Cartagena Competes with Top Caribbean Ports
Cartagena positions itself as a competitive alternative Miami, San Juan, and Panama. The city hosts 36 international cruise lines including Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. Disney Cruise Line, MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages also operate here. Holland America Line joins these prestigious cruise operators in Cartagena.
Thirty-six cruise lines will visit the city during this season. The terminal expects 22 overnight stays and 51 dates with double ship arrivals. Nine dates feature triple ship arrivals while two dates host quadruple arrivals. This operational density demonstrates Cartagena’s capacity as a major maritime logistics hub.
What’s Next for Cruise Tourism
Projections for 2026 indicate 200 escalas and more than 285,000 cruise passengers. The Authority Portuaria expects 42 different ships, with premium and luxury segments growing. These high-end vessels bring passengers with greater purchasing power. The premium segment creates elevated economic impact for the city.
Cartagena’s strategy focuses on quality rather than just volume growth. This approach distinguishes the city from other Caribbean cruise destinations. The city strengthens its position as a continental tourism and logistics hub. Officials confirm Cartagena is prepared to welcome all these visitors.
The cruise reactivation has boosted overall tourism in Colombia significantly. Colombia positions itself as a competitive destination in the Caribbean region. This success supports the national tourism promotion strategy effectively.
Lastly, AmaWaterways offers luxury 7-night river cruises on Colombia’s Magdalena River between Barranquilla and Cartagena aboard the intimate AmaMagdalena (60 passengers) and AmaMelodia (64 passengers) ships. With multiple weekly departures scheduled throughout 2026, approximately 420-450 river tour guests travel this route per week across both vessels.
Fitch Ratings: Cartagena AA(col) and Barranquilla AAA(col) Attract Global Investors
Fitch Ratings has confirmed Cartagena’s AA(col) credit rating and upgraded Barranquilla to AAA(col), sending a powerful signal of stability to foreign investors and expats. Cartagena and Barranquilla now stand out as two of the financially strongest cities on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
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