Cartegena, Spain Excursions?

[Toulou]

So, I see that the Trolly Train thru Cartegena offers an €8 price for a 1 hour tour...you just pay them on the trolly. I am wondering why it is that Disney uses the same trolly (only one company) for a $74 excursion? Does anyone have experience on this excursion OR going directly with the company instead? Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

[RedHead0186]

So, I see that the Trolly Train thru Cartegena offers an €8 price for a 1 hour tour...you just pay them on the trolly. I am wondering why it is that Disney uses the same trolly (only one company) for a $74 excursion? Does anyone have experience on this excursion OR going directly with the company instead? Your help is greatly appreciated!

Could it be that DCL provides transportation to the trolly (not familiar with this so excuse my ignorance if that's not applicable)?

My friend and I sailed a California Coast cruise on Princess a few years ago, and wanted to see the San Diego Zoo. We could have booked the excursion through Princess, but it was, like $75/person, but included zoo entrance and motorcoach transportation. Tickets for the zoo were around $50, so we decided to just grab rideshares to/from the zoo. Some of it might also just be overhead, but clearly it was a bit pricier through Princess because the transportation was included.

 

[Toulou]

Could it be that DCL provides transportation to the trolly (not familiar with this so excuse my ignorance if that's not applicable).

My friend and I sailed a California Coast cruise on Princess a few years ago, and wanted to see the San Diego Zoo. We could have booked the excursion through Princess, but it was, like $75/person, but included zoo entrance and motorcoach transportation. Tickets for the zoo were around $50, so we decided to just grab rideshares to/from the zoo. Some of it might also just be overhead, but clearly it was a bit pricier through Princess because the

 

[Toulou]

Well...it looks like the p/u is right at the pier. I'm just trying to see if anyone did this tour and how...

I'm so spot on with booking directly thru the company. It sounds as though you did the right thing...It always is best to be adventurous!

 

[RedHead0186]

Well...it looks like the p/u is right at the pier. I'm just trying to see if anyone did this tour and how...

I'm so spot on with booking directly thru the company. It sounds as though you did the right thing...It always is best to be adventurous!

Yeah, sorry I can't help specifically with that. Was just providing my own observation of price difference between direct booking and going through the cruise company. Hopefully someone can give you more specific information about this tour!

 

[Toulou]

Yeah, sorry I can't help specifically with that. Was just providing my own observation of price difference between direct booking and going through the cruise company. Hopefully someone can give you more specific information about this tour!

Thanks!

 

[lilsonicfan]

Cartagena was a very easy port to DIY. We were only there for something like 6.5 hours in 2019 (extended from 5.5 hours). Super easy walk to the Roman museum/theatre. I wouldn't hesitate to do something on your own vs booking through DCL, especially if the port day isn't long.

 

[lilsonicfan]

PS: totally not uncommon for DCL to charge way more for the same excursion, but wow, $74 USD....which comes with the privilege of first being herded into a group where everyone is wearing the same sticker

 

[EVMac7]

Well...it looks like the p/u is right at the pier. I'm just trying to see if anyone did this tour and how...

I'm so spot on with booking directly thru the company. It sounds as though you did the right thing...It always is best to be adventurous!

I currently have this activity booked for the ETA but am seriously thinking of cancelling it and chancing doing a walk on since the mark up by Disney is almost E60 ?? How is that cost justified .
Thanks for identifying that the actual excursion seems to be being offered by the same company

 

[JAM9842]

Cartagena was a very easy port to DIY. We were only there for something like 6.5 hours in 2019 (extended from 5.5 hours). Super easy walk to the Roman museum/theatre. I wouldn't hesitate to do something on your own vs booking through DCL, especially if the port day isn't long.

This is great to hear, that is our plan when we are in that port next month.

 

[lilsonicfan]

This is great to hear, that is our plan when we are in that port next month.

It was so pretty and clean, I loved it. We went to a churreria for churros and chocolate, so good. I think we passed by the Roman forum museum but maybe it wasn’t open, can’t remember. But the Roman theatre museum was well worth the visit.

A lot of DCL groups were being herded around on tours

 

[msmama]

I did the trolley tour!

I didn't look into doing it on my own so had no idea how much it "really" cost, but it was one of the cheaper options offered by Disney. It was walking distance from the pier (I feel like we maybe crossed a street, but could be misremembering).

It was fine, took us through town and honestly it didn't seem like there was much to the city - not like other places, anyway. We wound our way up some windy streets to a nice lookout (a castle, maybe?) with a great view of the ship back in the water (and some very loud peacocks). The guide was quite knowledgable.

I would say, make sure you are comparing the same tours. I do remember seeing other trolly trains around town, but the ones that were with us at the lookout (by far the best part of the tour) were the Disney ones.

 

[Toulou]

I currently have this activity booked for the ETA but am seriously thinking of cancelling it and chancing doing a walk on since the mark up by Disney is almost E60 ?? How is that cost justified .
Thanks for identifying that the actual excursion seems to be being offered by the same company

Yes...I was on it...I have since cancelled...time to pray a little...lol I can't justify it. Maybe I am missing something but it is the last stop on this cruise and I will walk it off! Besides...maybe I will buy a new loungefly bag on the cruise instead!!

 

[JAM9842]

It was so pretty and clean, I loved it. We went to a churreria for churros and chocolate, so good. I think we passed by the Roman forum museum but maybe it wasn’t open, can’t remember. But the Roman theatre museum was well worth the visit.

A lot of DCL groups were being herded around on tours

We are all looking forward to the Roman Museum!

 

[lilsonicfan]

I did a trip report for the 2019 EBTA (that part is finished, at least) here in case it’s of any use https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...mediterranean-cruise-update-8-3-2022.3752910/

 

[Toulou]

FYI: If you are planning to go to the Roman Theater Museum, you may want to purchase in advance, they say there is a long line in the morning. I just did...it was easy! https://puertodeculturas.cartagena.es/compra_entradas_nuevo.asp It is only €6 per adult...AND it has all the other places in Cartagena you would want to visit...can purchase all together...directly! (Wow...This is exciting...I need to calm down. It's time for lunch!)

 

[Toulou]

It was so pretty and clean, I loved it. We went to a churreria for churros and chocolate, so good. I think we passed by the Roman forum museum but maybe it wasn’t open, can’t remember. But the Roman theatre museum was well worth the visit.

A lot of DCL groups were being herded around on tours

Hi! I loved your trip log...I too was on the 2019 EBTA! I thought I did alot, until...lol
Cartagena was not on my list then so...refresh my brain, lol, what is the difference between the two, forum museum vs. Theater museum? Dear heavens I hope I purchased the right one?

 

[lilsonicfan]

Hi! I loved your trip log...I too was on the 2019 EBTA! I thought I did alot, until...lol
Cartagena was not on my list then so...refresh my brain, lol, what is the difference between the two, forum museum vs. Theater museum? Dear heavens I hope I purchased the right one?

I'm trying to remember why we didn't go to the Forum museum https://puertodeculturas.cartagena.es/ficha_barrio_foro.asp?idioma=2
and it's not ringing a bell - I know we walked by it because the pics look familiar.

But the Roman theatre museum is more popular, I'm sure. https://puertodeculturas.cartagena.es/ficha_teatro_romano.asp

 

[Toulou]

I'm trying to remember why we didn't go to the Forum museum https://puertodeculturas.cartagena.es/ficha_barrio_foro.asp?idioma=2
and it's not ringing a bell - I know we walked by it because the pics look familiar.

But the Roman theatre museum is more popular, I'm

 

[Toulou]

Yes...Roman Theater. Got it!