Columbia

[tgptmp]

We are stopping in Cartigena, Columbia on our next cruise. But all I hear is that it is a dangerous port. What is your experience there? We like to go on our own but have thought that we may do a Ship Sponsored adventure there. What do you think?

[tgptmp]

On our next cruise we are stopping in Cartigena, Columbia. Everything I read indicates that it is not a safe port. What is your experience there?:cool:

[maxamuus]

There is this :

 

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today,document.write(Date()+".") Fri Sep 14 08:26:37 2007.

COLOMBIA

 

June 04, 2007

This Travel Warning updates ongoing security concerns in Colombia and reminds American citizens of those concerns. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued January 18, 2006.

 

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Violence by narcoterrorist groups and other criminals continues to affect all parts of the country, urban and rural.

 

Violence has continued to decrease markedly in most urban areas, including Bogotá, Medellin, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. The level of violence in Cali, Buenaventura, and the surrounding areas remains high, largely as a result of the illicit drug trade. Many rural areas of Colombia remain extremely dangerous due to the presence of narcoterrorists and Colombian government operations against them.

 

Terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), and other criminal organizations, continue to kidnap civilians for ransom or as political bargaining chips. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. The FARC have held three American official contractors hostage since February 2003. Although the U.S. government places the highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped Americans, it is U.S. policy not to make concessions to or strike deals with kidnappers. Consequently, the U.S. government’s ability to assist kidnapping victims is limited.

 

U.S. government officials and their families in Colombia are permitted to travel to major cities in the country, but only by air. They are not allowed to use inter- or intra-city bus transportation. They also are not permitted to travel by road outside of urban areas at night. All Americans in Colombia are urged to follow these precautions.

 

As the Department develops information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threats through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens should consult warden messages for Colombia at http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc093.shtml, as well as the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Colombia and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. U.S. travelers can also get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada or on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

[takemewithyou]

I have read that Cartegena is safe to be out and about during the day. We are going on HAL and stopping there. To be safe, I have booked a tour of the city through the cruise line. The city apparently has some beautiful old Spanish architecture and I would like to see all the history that this port has to offer. I have read that they have uniformed officers at the port for security. The ship docks, (again from what I have read), in an industrial section - you can't walk to nice areas from there. You must hire a cab or take a scheduled tour to get anywhere nice. I think if you take a tour through your cruise line, you will be fine. They will keep you safe. Take very little with you in the way of money (small amount of cah and maybe one credit card) and don't wear flashy jewelry.

 

Have fun and good luck! :)

[2112]

Just for future reference, there is no U in Colombia. This might help you when doing research.

[AuntieAnne]

I was in Cartegena six years ago. I had the same idea--to wander around and shop. I was warned against it and glad I took the ship's tour. I have never seen such aggressive and menacing beggers. Even the guards couldn't keep them totally at bay. Things could have changed , but to be on the safe side, stick with a tour group at least at first.

[Keith1010]

Just take the ships shore excursion.

 

I have been there before. The country is beautiful and there are many very nice people. Unfortunately, though there are some not so good people who can ruin things for everyone else. Don't take chances by being out on your own.

 

And tourists are perfect targets.

 

Keith

[Laoghaire]

It's Helen and Ed checking in with you all. As you can tell, our Brilliance OTS cruise was changed to a "re-run" of our last December's sail on the Empress OTS. During that cruise we met a delightful couple at our table. They are ex-pats from the Washington D.C. area, living now in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We kept up our friendship with e-mails, and in February sometime, they suggested we sail with them on the Empress again, next January 14th. We had such an enjoyable time with them, we cancelled the Brilliance and booked the Empress OTS. We will be staying with them for a 3 day pre-cruise.

 

I really had mixed felings about cancelling the Brilliance. I was looking forward to cruising the Radiance class, having done the Radiance OTS before, and looked forward to meeting you all. But our San Juan friend has a medical condition that precludes flying, so they couldn't fly to Miami for the Panama Canal trip.

 

All in all, it sounds like you are getting a great group together. We shall think of you guys and dolls in January, and will be looking forward to cruise reports when you return.

 

As you can see, we did book a Panama Canal cruise on the Norwegian Sun for April. The cost for the 19 day in a balcony was too good to pass up. We sail from Miami to Vancouver, B.C. It's not RCI, but it will have to do!

 

I look forward to a cruise report!!!

 

Helen and Ed