Panama Canal Transit – Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the ports on the cruise that I would like to return to visit, especially as we only had a few hours in port and I chose the wrong tour to do, sail around the Bay of Cartagena on a Spanish Galleon. Whilst the bay is very interesting, if I was to do a similar tour in the future I would try to hire a boat and explore the bay that way.

374
400

448
425
440

466
Navigator is on the left, the Norwegian Jewel is the small monstrosity on the right. The Jewel had a similar itinerary to us and we were both docked in multiple ports during the cruise. We even transited the canal at the same time.
443
455

446
456

From the ship and the galleon the city itself looked to be an interesting mix of modern and colonial buildings, also everything I have read about the place indicates that is great place to explore. Will have to get back there!

CTG-004   BAY CRUISE ON A SPANISH GALLEON

Journey back in time to the days of the Spanish Main during this cruise on the Bay of Cartagena aboard a replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon.

After receiving your safety instructions from your guide, you will depart the pier aboard a beautiful replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon for a 2-hour cruise on the Bay of Cartagena.  Throughout the cruise, your guide will point out sites of interest and inform you about Cartagena’s history.

As you glide along the bay, you will have an opportunity to observe the area from the perspective of the pirates and seafarers that plied these waters long ago.  You will see the massive ramparts originally built to protect Cartagena, the beautiful clock tower marking the entrance to the Walled City and Cartagena’s dramatic skyline, which is dominated by the domes of the Church of San Pedro Claver.  Next, you will pass by Fort Manzanillo, which guards the eastern entrance to the inner bay, then make a loop between Tierrabomba Island and the Castillogrande Peninsula.  Weather permitting, your boat will continue past the beaches of Bocagrande.

Your cruise will include a folkloric dance and drumming show, along with complimentary beer, soft drinks and bottled water served on board.  Guests are encouraged to bring cameras, as there will be plenty of photo opportunities.

Following your cruise, you will be returned to the pier

478
These guys have traveled along way!! Checkout the flag that they are sailing under.
469
484

                

482

485
486
489
491
495
501

      

505

509
509-2
520
522

  Whilst sailing around the bay I spotted some strange looking submersibles and semi-submersibles. The Colombian and US anti drug smuggling agencies caught the smugglers associated with these vessels and have put them on show with a new paint job to show off their successes.

496
523

 

497

Cartagena is Navy town as well and is home to a number of the Columbian Navy’s ships and submarines.

471
472
525
534

 

540
544
549
556

After the cruise on the Galleon I still had an hour or so before I had to return to the ship before our early afternoon departure so I decided to checkout the bird sanctuary and I am glad that I did.

562
565

  This Macaw was not camera shy!

569
572
573
574

593

589

 

598

581
584
585

603
The galleon that we sailed on around the bay

 


Discover more from Oz's Travels

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Hiya, please leave comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

Please subscribe if you would like updates

Discover more from Oz's Travels

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading