Serenade of the Seas.

Sailing from the port for the first time, the Royal Caribbean International vessel is set to offer a series of seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean between October 2025 and April 2026.

The itineraries feature visits to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, as well as Colón in Panama – where guests can also board the ship.

According to a press release from ProColombia, the new itineraries have been open for bookings since late July.

“This announcement represents a significant opportunity to continue attracting international travelers to Cartagena, who can begin their adventure aboard one of the company’s cruises directly from our city,” said Carmen Caballero, president of Procolombia.

“The fact that such a prestigious company as Royal Caribbean once again chooses Cartagena as a departure port reflects the confidence of the cruise line thanks to the great experience they had in the 2023-24 season, the growth, and the strength of the cruise industry in Colombia,” she added.

In late 2023, Royal Caribbean marked its return to Latin America following an eight-year gap with the Rhapsody of the Seas sailing from Colón and Cartagena.

Along with other developments, the operation pushed up the cruise figures at the Colombian port, ProColombia said.

The 2023-24 season ended with a three percent increase in the number of calls, making Cartagena as the most active destination in Colombia.

The port has received 97 percent of the total cruise passengers visiting the country, the promotion agency added.

“The cruise industry in Colombia continues to rise, and the choice of Cartagena as a departure port for Royal Caribbean is a clear sign of the country’s appeal and potential in this sector,” added Caballero.

Alberto Muñoz, vice president of Royal Caribbean International for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted the key factors that led to the choice of the city as a homeport for the Serenade of the Seas.

“Cartagena was selected due to its strategic geographical location, its rich history and culture, and its growing popularity as an international tourism destination,” he said.

“The city offers convenient access for both Latin American and international travelers, facilitating the integration of attractive itineraries that explore the Caribbean and beyond. Additionally, we had a very positive experience during our last season onboard the Rhapsody of the Seas.”