Has the liveaboard community been wrongly penalised for freedom ?

[giolconda]

If it's Cartagena Spain I can only agree with you. The Marina staff where out telling us to go away before we got anywhere near the entrance, we never even got a look in ! But at the commercial dock we where treated with such courtesy and friendliness ( thankfully as a force 8 was blowinging ) and about a third of the fees at the Marina. If memorary serves the person in charge was called Barbara, delightful girl.

 

[Grehan]

How long ago was this?
I can only say when we passed through in summer 2004, that we thought the marina (then it was only the area to left/west of the marina office) was fine, the staff were friendly and helpful (we arrived at the tail end of quite a stiff blow) and the town itself fantastic. It was one of the places we passed through all too briefly and always wanted to return to, but never did.

 

[giolconda]

Hi,
It was June 2006 when we went to Cartagena and we were gesticulated that we was not welcome. Room was not a problem as we went and checked once berthed. It was not just ourselves as others were forced to come and berth in the Com Dock. This was ok in general except for the treck to the facilities and a little uncomfortable because of the wash from the ferry traffic.
Must agree totally with you about the town, stunning place.
Would not be put off, we would go back for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Anonymous]

We've stopped in Cartagena several times and the staff have been fine. There are actually two marinas now; the older one to the west and a new one to the east by the fuel berth....used to be a SuperYacht marina but they presumably didn't get enough SuperYachts and they've re-jigged it for mortal vessels. One of the oddities of Cartagena is the strong southerly winds; in the old (west) marina most of the berths on the finger pontoons are taken by long-term berth holders and there are only a few gaps. The alternative is along the Town Quay. Unfortunately in a strong southerly you get pinned onto that and unless your freeboard is very high you can be badly damaged. It can be difficult to get a larger yacht onto some of the fingers. I can understand why they might send people away. The new marina (east) is much easier, cheaper but further from the shopping centre (but closer to Carrefour).

 

[Alyssa]

Echo comments above about Cartagena. We were there in 2008 and stayed in the new marina to the East which was originally built by a Dutch outfit to attract super yachts. Cartagena is a great place but not really a "super yacht" location, hence is now geared to us lesser mortals. Call "Yacht Port Cartagena" on Ch 09 on entering the harbour. Very helpful staff and relatively cheap (end May/beg June). Cheaper than the "old" marina there and more sheltered.

 

[JonJon]

I think the problem with Cartagena in June is the old marina has a regatta there and they have to squeeze in a lot of visiting participating boats every year so you do get waived off at this time. Usually plenty of room in the Yacht Port tho. I loved it there great place - staff very friendly normally.

 

[giolconda]

I was only commenting on our experience but I am pleased to hear it must have been a one off. I hope it has not put anyone off because we thought it to be the jewel of that area.

It could have been the SuperYacht berth that we were on, we just presumed the size of it all that it was for commercial vessels. It was to the East but there was not any finger pontoons and it was very open to the weather and wash.

As I have said lovely people that dealt with us and superb place to visit !