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Cartagena welcomes two giant cruise ships and a luxury yacht in triple port call
Three vessels with a capacity for almost 10,000 passengers visit Cartagena in just one day
Cartagena had one of its busiest cruise days of the year with the arrival of three very different vessels that brought thousands of visitors to the city.
The Mein Schiff 2, AIDAcosma and luxury yacht Emerald Sakara all called at the port on Wednesday October 14, with a combined passenger capacity of 9,648. For local shops, cafés, restaurants and other businesses, it was a busy day with most of the passengers streaming off the ships to wander around the historic port and stretch their legs.
How much could cruise passengers spend in Cartagena?
The potential economic impact varies considerably depending on which spending estimates are used. Figures from the Instituto de Turismo de la Región de Murcia (Itrem) put average spending at €49.46 per cruise passenger per stop in the Region in 2023. Adjusted for inflation, that's around €55 today.
If all 9,648 passengers spent that amount ashore, the total would reach approximately €530,000.
However, figures published by the Ayuntamiento de Cartagena in December 2024 put average spending at a much lower €19.10 per passenger. Using that estimate, the potential total would be around €184,000. Neither figure represents guaranteed income of course. The number of passengers on board, how many disembark and what they spend during their visit will all affect the final amount.
A giant cruise ship brings the biggest crowds
The AIDAcosma is expected to account for the largest share of Wednesday's visitors. Measuring 337 metres long, the ship entered service in February 2022 and has capacity for 6,654 passengers. It arrived at 10:00 am and is due to depart at 8:00 pm.
With 20 decks, 2,732 cabins, restaurants, a theatre and waterslides, it's practically a floating holiday resort. Its engines can run on liquefied natural gas as well as diesel.
The Mein Schiff 2 arrived earlier, at 8:00 am, and stayed around 10 hours docked at the port. The 316-metre vessel entered service in 2019 and has capacity for 2,894 passengers. Among its facilities are a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool and a 438-metre running track.
A luxury yacht rounds off the line-up
Completing the trio is the Emerald Sakara, which spent around 5 hours docked in Cartagena.
The 110-metre yacht began operating in August 2023 and accommodates just 100 guests in 50 cabins and suites, most with balconies. It also has 76 crew members.
All three vessels spent the afternoon in Cartagena, making Wednesday afternoon the busiest overlap of the day's cruise calls.
See also: Cartagena Christmas market returns to Plaza Juan XXIII in December
Image:Momenticos Portuarios de Cartagena
Address
Punic Wall Interpretation Centre, Calle de San Diego, s/n 30202 CARTAGENATel: 968 128 955
Oficina de turismo de Cartagena
Cartagena tourism information
Where to find basic tourism information and information about historical sites and places to visit in Cartagena, Spain.
Cartagena has a wealth of historical sites, including the Roman Theatre Museum, Archaeological Museum, ARQUA Subaquatic Archaeology Museum, Panoramic lift, Civil War Air raid Shelter and Military and Naval Museums, as well as Tourist Bus and Tourist Boat which ferries visitors across to the Fuerte de Navidad.
There is one main Tourist Information Office and 2 tourist information points, the main one being in the Muralla Púnica Interpretation centre in Calle de san Diego and the other next to the Civil War Air Raid Shelter and Panoramic lift.
The office in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the easiest place to pick up a map if you've come into the port from a cruise ship, and has a few basic 
leaflets, but not a lot else.
The information point for the Puerto de Culturas attractions is by the Panoramic lift and Civil War Air Raid shelter in Calle Gisbert, although maps and leaflets are available at any of 3 information points.
There is plenty of in depth information about Cartagena in the dedicated Cartagena section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every article page or by using the town search box at the top of the page. the introduction gives basic information about the city and then readers can select from the subjects below for information about the city, or the rest of the municipality.
Tourist Offices:
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Puertas de San José
Plaza Almirante Bastarreche s/n
Opening hours: weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00.
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Muralla Púnica
Calle de San Diego, 25
30202, Cartagena
Telephone 968 52 14 27
Click for map, Tourist information office Muralla Púnica.
Opening hours.
31st July to 15th September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
16th September to 4th November, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm.
5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
Punto de Informacion Turistica
This is on the side of the Palacio Consistorial in Cartagena ( The Town Hall)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento S/N
Cartagena, Spain
Tel 968 128 955
Click for map, Tourist Information point, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Opening hours
May to September: Monday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm and 5pm-7pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
October to April: Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
Cartagena - Punto de Información Turística Ascensor Panorámico
Calle Gisbert, 10
30202 CARTAGENA
Opening hours:
From 31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Semana Santa, Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 16th to 30th September (Cartagineses y Romanos) Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm.
From1st October to 4th November , Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
From 1st July to 15th September, Monday to sunday 10am to 8pm
Click for map, Panoramic Lift, Cartagena
