'Floating cities' set to make 2026 the best year for Cartagena Port

Cartagena is expecting more than 200 cruise ship calls and over 285,000 passengers, with the largest 'floating cities' bringing record numbers

Cartagena described 2025 as the best cruise year ever recorded and 2026 is set to be even better. The port of Cartagena is projecting more than 200 cruise ship calls in 2026, bringing over 285,000 cruise passengers to the city. It will be a new all-time high if forecasts are met.

The Port of Cartagena has pointed out that the focus still remains on quality, premium and luxury cruises. They will also continue to strengthen the link between the port and the city itself.

Cartagena's cruise calendar is looking busy. New cruise lines are arriving, thirteen ships will make their first-ever call, and sustainability continues to play a bigger role in operations. 

The 'floating cities' arriving in Cartagena

A big part of this record-breaking year comes from the largest cruise ships, the so-called 'floating cities', each carrying more than 4,000 passengers. Up to ten different ships, accounting for 21 calls, are scheduled to dock in Cartagena in 2026. These huge ships make a big impression on the city and hopefully, they will impact the local economy as well.

Leading the pack is the AIDACosma, a regular visitor to Cartagena, which will make several calls with more than 6,700 passengers on board each time. Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), it is one of the more environmentally friendly ships of its size.

Next comes the Harmony of the Seas (6,400 passengers), followed closely by the Norwegian Escape (5,218) and the Sun Princess (5,189). Other large ships include the Norwegian Epic (5,074), Costa Diadema (4,947), Sky Princess (4,610), Mein Schiff Flow (3,984), Celebrity Xcel (3,950) and Costa Favolosa (3,800).

These giants of the sea, combined with new cruise lines, first-time calls, double and triple ship days, and a year-round programme show us why 2026 is shaping up to be Cartagena's best cruise year yet.

Check out the Cartagena Port's full cruise schedule

Image 1: Puerto de Cartagena
Image 2: CC/AK-Bino