VintageCheap

There is a taxi starter/tour sales operation in the port right as you exit. Lots of English.

Yes. There is a taxi starter operation and cab parking /staging lot right as you leave the zoo/port. They have access to vans. They love (!) to sell tours. You can bypass the starters and walk out and flag down a cab also all over.

Lots of taxis. Figure $20 +/- to Old Town a bit of a haul. Taxis are happy to take dollars. The average store or restaurant may not be able to handle dollars. Most/all take credit cards. Pesos are sold right in the port /zoo area.

Cabs Old Town to the ship were $20 + tip. It is a distance. Fuel and car prices (I looked this up) in Columbia are the same as Miami. So the $1.59 fare idea seems very low. The walk is long, hot and uninteresting. The cool stuff is over in Old Town.

We not see any entry formalities or passport checks on our over night port stop in December. Cruise passengers on a port stop are IMHO usually not entering the country. If you fly in to embark, or a cruise terminates there, that is an entry.

The Duvall Loop City Bus is free and goes in a large well defined loop. It will not, like some city busses, take you off to places that are good for commuters, etc. (Note there are several paid bus/trolley services as well). We walked around the marina area (get off the ship, go straight and left), DW found a nice quilt/fabric shop. We always have lunch at the Southernmmost Beach Cafe, which feels like the Bahamas.

Has anyone seen a daily planner you could post?

Yes the authorities put a ton of work into making the port shopping area tidy and safe. They had a dedicated police team and lots of private security and checked IDs going in. They did seem to have a good coffee selection right there. The hand made crafts looked to be of good quality.

I am developing a secret plan. How to get to back to sea and palm trees- Key West, Nassau and Cozumel by ship, as cheaply as possible. No suites, butlers, or second mortgage. Low expectations. We are (I am LOL) non demanding. Cheap back to backs are a hoot- who else finds "zeroing out" fun? Celebrity Summit is lovely, is this a cheaper option? I even saw a library on the deck plan?

Figure eight weeks for expedited renewal. You can usually find someone in a call center to tell you a passport is not needed or an expired one is fine. Good luck with that 😉

We are tucked in ahead of Valiant Lady. Tugs galore. This docking would be much less chill in 30-40 knot gusts. What a nice cruise. Seventeen days this time with the Connie cruise last week was a good start. Would a month be better- yes. The Chocolate Babka is yummy. Not too sweet. Having them make /knead it in front of you reduces "it's frozen" rumors you hear. Latin Night Four Aft. Note to self- work on Salsa- less stomping more hips. We tried the Merengue routine we learned on board. We got in two Country Two Step dances - only works if everyone is counter clockwise on the outside, or stationary in the middle of the floor. The lobby DJ is pretty good. There is not an obvious dance floor- maybe in front of reception?

On the way in. Tug secured starboard bow. Wind 16 mph from the east.

Yes. More than once.

I am not seeing sustained 39 + MPH winds in the marine forecast early tomorrow which are needed to close the port.

The Oceanview Cafe continues to impress - a yummy Dulce De Leche pastry earlier and Shawarma just now. Dancing is good -we saw the first night production show and had lessons from the cast all week. The plan to head back to Miami at six knots has worked - the sturdy ship is riding well in the ten foot seas.