Cartagena Cruises, Spain
Tucked in a deep bay guarded by two cliff-top fortresses, this Spanish gem is steeped in history. In the 18th century it became a major Spanish naval base and reminders of its seafaring past can be seen down in the port, where you’ll find a prototype submarine.
• Take a wide-eyed walk through the city, which flaunts splendid reminders of its golden age. Don’t miss the city’s castle, Castillo de la Concepcion, which offers up great views over Cartagena.
• Head for Murcia, the regional capital city and an open-air museum whose centrepiece is a beautiful cathedral. It’s particularly famous for its two ornate side chapels – the Gothic Capilla de los Velez and the Renaissance Capilla del Junteron. Simply breathtaking.
• See the famous La Manga Strip, a strip of land which separates the Mediterranean Sea from Mar Menor, Europe’s largest lagoon.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions

Easy Cartagena
See the famous La Manga Strip, one of the most unique places in Europe. Soak up superb views of the strip from the comfort of your coach and stop at the best viewpoint for pictures. To give you a taster of what to expect, La Manga is 21 kilometres long and 500 metres wide and translates as 'the sleeve’ in Spanish. This strip of land separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor or ‘small sea’ - in fact, its Europe’s largest lagoon. You’ll then carry onto Cavanna beach area before taking in the highlights of Cartagena while your guide and driver do all the work. Pass by La Manga Club Complex, it’s been voted Europe’s top golf resort three times in the past four years. A final stop will be made at the Calle Mayor street for some more free time and even a local coffee called ‘Asiatic coffee’. Made from local liqueur "43", coffee, condensed milk and cinnamon, it’s a must. The Calle Mayor is the main high street, where there’s plenty of shopping opportunities before returning to the ship.

La Manga Beach Transfer
Pack your swimmers – we’re off to the coast. The La Manga strip has more than 44 kilometres of beaches and we’ll be making a beeline for one of the biggest. The flat, sandy shores are a perfect place for a chilled-out day in the sunshine. And when it’s time to cool off, you’ll be spoilt for choice. As well as the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, you can swim in the Mar Menor, or ‘little sea’. It’s a lagoon created by a thin strip of land that stretches for 13 miles. The shallow water warms up in the summer months, so it’s a great swimming spot for the kids. Just make sure you drag them away in time for the coach back.

Cartagena by trolley train
Monuments, military buildings and modernist palaces all feature on this 90-minute guided tour of Cartagena, which you'll experience from a seat on a trolley train. You'll board the train straight from the port, then set off on your sightseeing adventure. The tour offers a complete overview of the city, thanks to a knowledgeable guide, who will point out the most interesting and popular areas and highlights as you go. Spot timeworn relics dating back to Roman, Muslim and Arab rule. The train will also pass along the sea wall where you can enjoy views of the port, as well as going to Parque Torres for a photostop. Then hop back on the trolley train for the return journey back to the port.