Panama Canal Cruise

[lovetotraveltx]

After a few recommendations we decided to do Disney's Port Adventure in Cartagena: CT-23 Taste of Cartagena. It includes 2 free hours in old town. Would like to do lunch. Has anyone eaten lunch in the old city/town and can recommend a restaurant or two? Thank you!

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Having been there twice, I didn't feel " safe" in the city. I felt ok at the monastery, the views were stunning, but not safe in the town. I think most head for the jewellery shops they are safe and the only damage is to your credit card!

 

[GPaLarry]

When we stopped there in 2008 (EBPC on the Magic, yes, the Magic). Only a month before did Cartagena open up to cruise lines (drug issues) and the vendors, on our excursion touring the city, made up for it by hounding us continually, even pounding on our bus window and waving jewelry and other junk. It was my least favorite port after eight DCL cruises...hope I never go back. Some of the city seemed safe but others were sketchy. Hope things have changed since then.

 

[JanDave]

We were on the Wonder for the wbpc in 2015 and 2016. Cartagena was our least favorite port. In 2015, we were on a private tour and vendors hounded us as well as other DCL guests on DCL tours. In 2016, we stayed on the ship. Cartagena is beautiful, but I would have lunch back on board the Wonder.

 

[Simba One]

Not super safe of not on excursion.

 

[xavier2001]

We did a private tour in Cartagena this April, after reading other's experiences with the group tours I think it was money well spent. I felt very comfortable with our tour guide as she lived in and was very familiar with the city and knew the best way to get rid of the vendors. There were some but they were not pushy. We opted to eat back on board the ship but I'm sure she would have made a great recommendation if we had wanted lunch. Their website is http://www.cartagenatour.com/_index.php if interested. I wrote a trip report that goes into further detail about our day in Cartagena, it was one of our favorite ports!

 

[SnowWhite2]

I did that tour in Nov 2017. The worst experience on any DCL sponsored excursion. The "Chiquita" ladies started to verbally assault my DH when he was taking a picture of the fort and they happened to be in it (they were everywhere). They wanted money for having their picture taken. One of the other tour operators stepped in before it got physical (on their end). Then when we were doing our tour of the city the vendors would walk in between all of the people on the tour and the tour guide trying to sell hats, watches, jewelry, ice cream, etc....It was very hard to hear what the guide was saying. When we had our two hours of free time we went to the Hard Rock restaurant where we felt safe. When we go again in Feb, we won't get off the ship.

 

[cyclenut]

I do not recommend the Taste of Cartagena. It's one of the most popular and they pack people in. Several different buses, all trying to go to the same places. There were crowds, guides talking over each other, etc.

Be aware that there are many street vendors that appear very aggressive. If you don't talk to them and just wave them off politely, they will still follow you around but they won't bother you. It's part of the culture as that's how many people make their living. They are everywhere. it didn't bother me too much, but it bothers some people a lot. Nothing Disney or anyone else can do about it. Be prepared.

I loved the history and the views but not the oppressive heat and humidity or the crowds. Would recommend almost anything else.

 

[GPaLarry]

The other thing we could not understand in this city is that, at some sites, they have what appear to be historic artwork hanging outside in the heat, humidity and sun...yikes!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Thanks all. So nobody stopped for a local lunch. Would love to at least see the city once, so indecisive now!

 

[xavier2001]

Thanks all. So nobody stopped for a local lunch. Would love to at least see the city once, so indecisive now!

It is a beautiful city with rich history. Yes it’s hot and yes they’re are vendors, don’t let that stop you, just choose your port adventure wisely. I found trip advisor to be of great help in researching excursions.

 

[vakamalua]

We did a really great tour arranged by Lee Miles. Our guide was terrific. We were picked up beside the ship; it was just the two of us in a mini-van with AC. We beat all the crowded tour buses to each site like La Popa Monastery and the fort. We had the Monastery to ourselves. We walked through the old town with our guide learning history and popping into little squares and churches.

The best part was that I told our guide at the beginning that I only wanted to buy a hat so he kept all the vendors away from us and showed me a great stall to find what I wanted.

http://www.destinationcartagena.com/PrivateToursinCartagena

Cartagena is beautiful and historic--don't miss it!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Would you mind if I used your link for the tour ?

 

[Cruising Engineer]

WE did the Taste of Cartagena a few years back. Yes the monastery is beautiful, but dozens of tour buses all going to the same place at the same time. It rained the entire time we returned to town to do some souvenir shopping. Never saw a vendor selling umbrellas. Wasted opportunity. The guide kept telling us to keep together and don't get separated. We went back to the ship for lunch.

 

[vakamalua]

Would you mind if I used your link for the tour ?

Go for it...