Colombia projects cruise growth in a season with emerging destinations

Some 220 calls from 30 cruise lines carrying an estimated 334,000 passengers are expected in the just-beginning 2023/24 season.

Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises and AIDA Cruises are among the operators sending ships.

Established and emerging ports

Cruises will call at Cartagena and Santa Marta, while Buenaventura on the Colombian Pacific will receive its first expedition ship from Plantours in November.

Meanwhile, efforts are being coordinated with local communities and authorities in Cabo de la Vela on a plan to receive four calls from Emerald Cruises, Noble Caledonia and Hurtigruten during the first half of 2024.

Hidden gems

'This achievement is the result of our strategy to explore and promote non-traditional destinations that are emerging as hidden gems with immense potential to captivate and enchant cruise passengers,' said Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia, the country's promotion agency, part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. 'This commitment confirms our dedication to diversification and innovation in the cruise industry, offering travelers unforgettable experiences in places that have not yet been fully discovered.'

In 2022, with the collaboration of ProColombia and other partners, ports in Sapzurro, Capurganá and the Gulf of Morrosquillo were opened to cruise ships. Lindblad Expeditions arrived in the second half of the year and continued calling into 2023.

ProColombia expects cruising to have an economic impact close to $50m this season.