Cartagena Expands Cruise Capacity With City Integration Plan

The Port of Cartagena in Spain is actively welcoming cruise tourism and has ample room for growth, with strong support from the local community, according to Hortensia Sánchez, head of business development at the port authority. The port, which marked its 150th anniversary earlier this year, recently hosted the 66th General Assembly of MedCruise.

“We work in close coordination with the city to ensure a sustainable, balanced development that benefits both residents and visitors,” Sánchez told Cruise Industry News.

She noted that the port authority is currently remodeling the waterfront area to better integrate it with the city and improve the overall experience for cruise passengers.

“We expect to begin construction on several projects by the end of the year to enhance the cruise passenger experience,” Sánchez explained. “This will include reorganizing pedestrian and vehicle traffic, removing pavement height differences and adding dedicated lanes for buses, service vehicles, scooters and bicycles.

“A key goal is to open up unobstructed views of the historic Carlos III Wall and build a commercial and cultural gallery with shaded seating, water features, landscaped areas and local tourism showcases for an accessible, welcoming and visually appealing waterfront for all.

“The project reflects the city’s commitment to creating a vibrant port area that serves both visitors and residents alike,” she added.

Looking ahead to 2025, Cartagena expects 188 cruise ship calls and approximately 250,000 passengers. While ships call year-round, peak activity is concentrated in the spring and fall seasons, with 67 vessels scheduled for October and November alone.

This year’s busiest day was July 17, when the AIDAstella, Arcadia, and Crown Princess were all in port simultaneously.

Several new ships will be calling at Cartagena for the first time, including Mein Schiff Relax, Sylvia Earle, Viking Vela, Luminara, Allura, and Star Princess, scheduled for this fall.

The port is equipped to handle vessels of all sizes. While the largest ship to visit so far has been Wonder of the Seas in 2022, Sánchez noted that the even longer Legend of the Seas is expected to make its debut call in 2026.