N&PJ
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Hi Golfwidow100 and DavidandJulia
Many thanks for your help
Neil
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Hi Kate
We paid £251 for 2 including secure postage back to us. They arrived this morning so 5 day turnaround.
You need multiple entry as we visit two places Chennai & Cochin, if you are on the same leg as us. The visa lasts for a year as now the 6 month and 12 month are the same price.
Just look on it as a tourist tax!
Hi Jo-b
I've downloaded a sample form to ensure I have all the necessary info to hand before I complete the on-line form. I've obtained the Indian 'Reference', but I'm not sure about the UK 'Reference' - is this the cruise company, the TA or just a friend?
And what did you include under the heading 'Address of Place of Stay/Hotel?
Many hanks for your help.
Neil
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This Youtube video clip 'Istanbul Turkey Salipazari Pier Walking from Ship to City' is a useful guide to the exit from the cruise dock in Istanbul. I shows there is now a list of taxi fares as you exit the terminal.
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Hi Neil,
I've not had this problem, because on the one occasion I've been in that situation I arranged to leave luggage at the hotel we used pre-cruise. If you have a pre-cruise stay in Istanbul, I suggest you do the same - Turkish folk are very obliging.
Otherwise ............
There are left luggage facilities in Taksim http://bagaj.co/eng/#about-bagaj and at Sirkeci train station.
The one at Taksim is a short taxi ride from the new cruise terminal, but in the opposite direction to the main sights. Sirkeci train station is almost-certainly the better bet because it's very little further and much more convenient to the sights.
To get to Sirkeci train station you have two options.
Walk out of the port gate & head for the nearest tram stop. Take a tram heading to your left - it's the direction that virtually all cruisers will be going - and get off at Eminonou (first stop after the tram has crossed Galata Bridge)or the next one, Gulhane. They're both less than a ten minute walk from the station.
But the tram may be crowded & that's no fun with luggage - I know, I've done it :eek:
So because you have luggage, a taxi is much much easier. Unfortunately taxis at the port have a pretty dreadful reputation for ripping-off tourists with high fares (they won't use their meters). You can walk past them & hail a passing taxi in the street - for a longer taxi ride that's what I'd do, but it's only a five to ten minute ride from the port to the station so probably best to bite the bullet and use a port taxi. But do agree the fare before you get in - I don't know what's reasonable but I wouldn't agree to more than 10 euros or equivalent. You may have to start to walk away for them to quote their lowest price.
Tell the driver you want to go to the station's left-luggage lockers.
There are two sizes of left-luggage locker at the station. I've used the self-same type of locker elsewhere - automatic, but the instructions have always been in English, This website suggests that may not be the case in Istanbul, and explains how it works. Best to print-off & take it with you ;).
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/trans/Train/gar_lockers.html
For your day in Istanbul, probably it's best to then do as most tourists do. From the station, that 10-minutes-or-less walk to either Eminonou or Gulhane tram stop and take the tram up the hill to Sultanahmet, which is the stop after Gulhane. The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) and adjacent open hippodrome with its Egyptian obelisk are close to the tram stop, and the Roman cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) and the mosque-to-church-to-museum of Hagia Sophia (various spellings) are just yards away. Hagia Sophia is a beautiful building, well worth seeing the exterior but you may not have time to go into the museum - especially if there's a queue.
Topkapi Palace is down the hill from there (nearest tram stop Gulhane) but you cannot see it from the road, and visiting will take a big chunk of your time - a bare 90 minutes but preferably about 3 hours. So skip it, or if you're keen to tour it you'll need to skip other sights.
Alternatively work your way across the hill from Sultanahmet to the top entrance of the Grand Bazaar (Buyuk Carsi) (if you wanted to visit the Grand Bazaar first, you stay on the tram until Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı).
Walk down through the Grand Bazaar, then to the Spice Bazaar (aka Egyptian Bazaar). You are now back near the Galata Bridge, the waterfront, and train station.
Others may suggest various other permutations of sights & routes - there's no right or wrong, and it also depends on your priorities.
Ataturk airport is an extremely variable 30 to 60 minutes by road, depending on traffic. Again be wary of just hailing a taxi. Most folk pre-book a taxi over the internet, at a cost of around 25 euros or equivalent - no payment with booking, you pay the driver in lire or euros.
You'll not have a base as a pick-up point, which might make it tricky to pre-book - I guess the best bet is to quote a hotel near Sirkeci station as a pick-up point. No personal knowledge, but the closest (2-minute walk) that I found on Booking.com is http://www.booking.com/hotel/tr/esen.en-us.html?aid=303948;label=istanbul-vKpQzEuT1NdWhW7mNYNwjQS63753941781%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap12260%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg;sid=8e2a8fcba33028c235b27ecb33d7ef90;dcid=1;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0&
But since you'll start at Sirkesi station, there is the option of taking a direct commuter train from the station to Yesilkoy, very close to the airport. Found a post on an internet blog which suggests it, here's the relevant bit:
"....... take the commuter train to Yesilkoy from Sirkeci station. (1.5 lira.) From Yesilkoy you can get a taxi to the airport. The commuter train follows the coast and you can see - from the windows - the old/undeveloped part of Sultanahmet and beyond, the fishing boats and tankers in the marmara sea, and the end of the city wall."
No personal experience, & you may want to research it a little deeper. But I just might try that myself next time. :)
Whatever route you take to the airport, do allow plenty of time for Istanbul's notorious traffic or for any complications if you take the train.
Super city, one of my favourites.
You'll be kicking yourselves that you didn't give yourselves an extra day or two. ;)
JB :)
Hi again JB
What is the procedure for disembarking in Istanbul? I guess I am right to assume that there will be a customs/immigration process to go through - how long will this normally take and will it be available for early disembarkation if the ship docks at 06.00 and we get off by 07.00?
Many thanks once again for your help
Neil
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Hi Neil,
I've not had this problem, because on the one occasion I've been in that situation I arranged to leave luggage at the hotel we used pre-cruise. If you have a pre-cruise stay in Istanbul, I suggest you do the same - Turkish folk are very obliging.
Otherwise ............
There are left luggage facilities in Taksim http://bagaj.co/eng/#about-bagaj and at Sirkeci train station.
The one at Taksim is a short taxi ride from the new cruise terminal, but in the opposite direction to the main sights. Sirkeci train station is almost-certainly the better bet because it's very little further and much more convenient to the sights.
To get to Sirkeci train station you have two options.
Walk out of the port gate & head for the nearest tram stop. Take a tram heading to your left - it's the direction that virtually all cruisers will be going - and get off at Eminonou (first stop after the tram has crossed Galata Bridge)or the next one, Gulhane. They're both less than a ten minute walk from the station.
But the tram may be crowded & that's no fun with luggage - I know, I've done it :eek:
So because you have luggage, a taxi is much much easier. Unfortunately taxis at the port have a pretty dreadful reputation for ripping-off tourists with high fares (they won't use their meters). You can walk past them & hail a passing taxi in the street - for a longer taxi ride that's what I'd do, but it's only a five to ten minute ride from the port to the station so probably best to bite the bullet and use a port taxi. But do agree the fare before you get in - I don't know what's reasonable but I wouldn't agree to more than 10 euros or equivalent. You may have to start to walk away for them to quote their lowest price.
Tell the driver you want to go to the station's left-luggage lockers.
There are two sizes of left-luggage locker at the station. I've used the self-same type of locker elsewhere - automatic, but the instructions have always been in English, This website suggests that may not be the case in Istanbul, and explains how it works. Best to print-off & take it with you ;).
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/trans/Train/gar_lockers.html
For your day in Istanbul, probably it's best to then do as most tourists do. From the station, that 10-minutes-or-less walk to either Eminonou or Gulhane tram stop and take the tram up the hill to Sultanahmet, which is the stop after Gulhane. The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) and adjacent open hippodrome with its Egyptian obelisk are close to the tram stop, and the Roman cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) and the mosque-to-church-to-museum of Hagia Sophia (various spellings) are just yards away. Hagia Sophia is a beautiful building, well worth seeing the exterior but you may not have time to go into the museum - especially if there's a queue.
Topkapi Palace is down the hill from there (nearest tram stop Gulhane) but you cannot see it from the road, and visiting will take a big chunk of your time - a bare 90 minutes but preferably about 3 hours. So skip it, or if you're keen to tour it you'll need to skip other sights.
Alternatively work your way across the hill from Sultanahmet to the top entrance of the Grand Bazaar (Buyuk Carsi) (if you wanted to visit the Grand Bazaar first, you stay on the tram until Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı).
Walk down through the Grand Bazaar, then to the Spice Bazaar (aka Egyptian Bazaar). You are now back near the Galata Bridge, the waterfront, and train station.
Others may suggest various other permutations of sights & routes - there's no right or wrong, and it also depends on your priorities.
Ataturk airport is an extremely variable 30 to 60 minutes by road, depending on traffic. Again be wary of just hailing a taxi. Most folk pre-book a taxi over the internet, at a cost of around 25 euros or equivalent - no payment with booking, you pay the driver in lire or euros.
You'll not have a base as a pick-up point, which might make it tricky to pre-book - I guess the best bet is to quote a hotel near Sirkeci station as a pick-up point. No personal knowledge, but the closest (2-minute walk) that I found on Booking.com is http://www.booking.com/hotel/tr/esen.en-us.html?aid=303948;label=istanbul-vKpQzEuT1NdWhW7mNYNwjQS63753941781%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap12260%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg;sid=8e2a8fcba33028c235b27ecb33d7ef90;dcid=1;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0&
But since you'll start at Sirkesi station, there is the option of taking a direct commuter train from the station to Yesilkoy, very close to the airport. Found a post on an internet blog which suggests it, here's the relevant bit:
"....... take the commuter train to Yesilkoy from Sirkeci station. (1.5 lira.) From Yesilkoy you can get a taxi to the airport. The commuter train follows the coast and you can see - from the windows - the old/undeveloped part of Sultanahmet and beyond, the fishing boats and tankers in the marmara sea, and the end of the city wall."
No personal experience, & you may want to research it a little deeper. But I just might try that myself next time. :)
Whatever route you take to the airport, do allow plenty of time for Istanbul's notorious traffic or for any complications if you take the train.
Super city, one of my favourites.
You'll be kicking yourselves that you didn't give yourselves an extra day or two. ;)
JB :)
Dear JB
Thank you so very much for your help. You are indeed a mine of information and I echo exactly what Maddle has said.
It now makes me feel so much better equipped to plan our disembarkation and our limited time in Istanbul. We did want to spend a few extra days there, but unfortunately on this occasion we couldn't - we will just have go back there at some early stage in the future.
Best wishes
Neil
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Dear John Bull and Keith1010
Our cruise disembarks in Istanbul (ship docks at 06.00 on a Sunday) and our flight back to the UK is not until 20.30. It will be our first visit to Istanbul and we want to make the most of the limited time we will have on the day.
The ship does have a disembarkation tour but that gets us to Attaturk airport early afternoon, meaning we will be 'kicking our heels' at the airport for 5-6 hrs, and the tour doesn't really do what we would want to do (carpet factory visit, etc).
Do you have any suggestions you could offer as what options we could pursue to: leave our luggage somewhere; make the most of the day; travel (by what means) to the airport in time for check-in.
Any help you could offer would be great as my wife and I are struggling to come up with a workable plan.
Many thanks for your help
Neil
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Hi Neil,
I would agree that Kemal Ataturk airport in Istanbul is not a place I would want to spend any more hours than absolutely necessary in. It's chaotic....and just wait until you see the baggage security checks! Been to Istanbul a few times now and trust me, the best way to arrive and depart is by ship! :D
We stayed on in Istanbul after our AZ cruise last September and we used taxi's to get us to the hotel and then to the airport after our stay. Our hotel advised us that a taxi would be cheaper than booking the hotel shuttle. I think we were overcharged for the taxi from the pier to our hotel, but the charge from our hotel to the airport seemed pretty reasonable. We had an early morning flight so the traffic was OK. Other people have said that the trams are very convenient to get around the city if you are staying there. I have never used the metro in Istanbul...and I'm by no means a cautious traveller, but I wouldn't do it.
Maybe AZ will do an early transfer to the airport and then I think there would be a shuttle bus from the airport into the city and there must be a "Left Luggage" facility for your cases. You won't be able to book in for your flight until about 2 hours before take off. If AZ doesn't do the early transfer for you then I would think your best option would be to get a taxi early morning from the dock straight to the airport, leave your cases in the LL facility and then shuttle bus it into the city and back to the airport for your late flight. Just remember that busy Istanbul traffic and leave plenty of time to catch your flight!
Istanbul is a great city and if I only had limited time there I would choose to visit The Cisterns and The Grand Bazaar or Hagia Sophia.
Many thanks for this Lottie.
Neil
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Lottie A, Can I please jump onto this thread and ask you about Istanbul? We are on the same cruise as Welshfamily and our return flight home from Istanbul is late in the evening (20.30pm). The Azamara debarkation tour of the city would get us to the airport at about 3pm, meaning we will be stuck in the airport for 7 or more hours. From what I have heard it is not one of the best airports to be stuck in - is that your experience?
We are looking at other options for the dekarkation day in Istanbul which may involve us transferring to the airport under our own steam - in the past have you used taxis to the airport, or the metro, or the airport bus service? if so which do you prefer.
Many thanks for your help
Neil
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We have booked a fly-cruise with Azamara for mid August and are told by our TA that we may not be given our flight details until 7-14 days before we cruise.
I find this extraordinary and probably would not have booked the cruise had I known this at the outset.
Is this normal practice with Azamara?
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If you do decide to take the train from Termini, I would suggest that you book in advance for one of the inter-city trains and pay the few (and it is only a few) extra euros to upgrade to first class, you will have an allocated seat and lots of room for luggage. The trenitalia website is comprehensive and relatively easy to use, with English translations.
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The train is a great option, especially if you pre-book an Intercity express from Roma Termini to Civitaveccia. You can book on line at the Trenitalia web-site and for a couple extra Euros you can travel 1st Class with guaranteed seats and plenty of space for you and your luggage. We did the journey one month ago and the price for two was 22 Euros.
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Great shot--we're on the British Isles cruise in 2015 and will be visiting Liverpool. Can't wait! Love to be able to walk off the ship and straight into the action.
You won't be disappointed with your day in Liverpool. We live close by so are perhaps biased, but having cruised to many destinations across the world, we genuinely believe that Liverpool offers one of the very best cruise experiences. Within short walking distance of the terminal are fabulous architecture, museums, historical dockyards, some of the best shopping in Europe, and of course the Beatles.
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Ships dock at the new marina. you could walk but it is a ways - just follow the water front clockwise. Our ship (Oceania Nautica) had a shuttle from the ship to the port entrance and then a shuttle bus to OldTown / Esplanade area. We strolled through Old Town - very crowded and hot.
Thank for the heads-up.
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Hello everyone - my husband and I just returned from the 7-day Inaugural voyage of the brand new Regal Princess. I've been posting reviews of our cruise on the Princess forum, but I am posting the Greece (and soon Mykonos) reviews here too.
You can view all of my Corfu and Mykonos photos on Flickr.
If anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to help!
Day 3 – Corfu
I was excited to wake up to yet another glorious sunrise, and to be arriving for our very first visit to a Greek Island. I’ve always wanted to visit the islands, and had assumed they would all look, and be, very similar. I found out on this cruise that I was very wrong.
[/url]Once again we headed up to the Horizon Terrace, and picked up our breakfast from the buffet. The views, as always, were beautiful.
We had rented a car with Royal Car Rentals, reserving a small manual transmission car for 40 Euros, including tax and insurance. We were off the ship by 8:30, and easily found the rental car agency in the port building. They greeted us by name (I guess no one else on our ship had reserved a car), and the paperwork was quickly completed. They did ask, very politely, if we would mind paying cash as the rental was only for one day. We had expected this as I had read that in Greece credit cards are not always welcome. We did pay with cash. The young woman then showed us, on a map, a suggested tour for the day including the sights to see and in which order. We followed her advice and it worked out perfectly. Then she took us to our car which was small, quite new and very clean. She, and all the staff at Royal were so friendly and helpful and I highly recommend them to anyone interested in booking a car on Corfu.
Following her directions, we set out for Paleokastritsa Beach, an easy 20-30 minute drive. The roads were good, and not busy. Driving in Corfu was very easy, unless you have a problem with VERY twisty roads (I got a bit car sick at one point).
Paleokastritsa Beach was quiet and beautiful. We parked in a parking lot and took a few photos, then got back in the car and headed up the hill to the monastery. Many were walking, but it is a very steep walk (and it was already feeling quite warm). A German woman at the bottom of the hill stuck out her thumb as we approached, and we stopped to let her in and give her a ride to the top. She was very appreciative and we made a little conversation on the way up.
The views from the monastery were great, and the monastery was worth a brief visit. We are serious animal lovers, so we liked seeing the many cats and one dog hanging around the monastery, but it was also a bit sad as they were all in very rough shape with open sores and wounds, and filthy. The dog’s fur was all matted. None of the animals seemed bothered about the hordes of people there, but they were also not at all interested in any affection or attention. There were even a few tiny kittens. After a quick tour around the grounds and a peek into the building, we walked back to the car to continue our tour.
I had planned that we would stop at La Grotta for a coffee or cold drink. We found it without too much trouble and parked. There were many steps of varying sizes on the way down, and when we finally reached La Grotta, it was closed :-( We could have swam or stayed there, but it was definitely not open. They are apparently usually open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond, but it just looked like they hadn’t yet opened for the season. I was disappointed, because the view really was beautiful. So we hiked back up (whew!) and got back in the car.
Our next suggested stop was another monastery. We didn’t actually find it, but we enjoyed the drive and did end up at a beautiful, almost deserted beach. We took a little walk, then got back in the car to drive up the very steep road we had just driven down. We continued on Achillion Palace. The palace and grounds looked lovely, but there were already many cars and tour buses, and we didn’t really feel we had time to do the palace justice, so we kept driving. We decided to head back to the town of Corfu to find lunch.
On the way to Corfu we stopped at one point so I could take a photo of Mouse Island. While doing that I spotted a bar/restaurant that looked like it had a spectacular view. So, we parked and walked in. It was almost empty, and we sat facing out to the island. It was an absolutely incredible view. The staff were friendly, the bathrooms very clean, the white wine and beer cold and dirt cheap – I loved this place! So if you’re heading to Corfu and have a car, stop by the Pontikonisi Café overlooking Mouse Island!
I could have stayed all afternoon at the Pontikonisi Café, but it was time to move on. The drive into the town of Corfu was quick and interesting. You can’t drive into the centre of the town, but there is a large parking lot on the water. We were lucky enough to find a spot in the shade, and then we just started to walk the narrow, charming streets. Eventually we stopped at a “the oldest Greek restaurant in Corfu”, Aegli, for lunch. Our waiter was very charming and prompt. We sat outside and enjoyed delicious Greek food and some rose wine. All very good and very inexpensive.
After lunch we just walked around the very picturesque streets, and I took a lot of photos. Corfu didn’t look like what I had expected, instead for some reason it reminded me quite a lot of Havana, Cuba which I loved when we visited four years ago.
Finally we headed back to the car, back to Royal Rental Car (who greeted us like long lost family) and back to the ship.
Thanks for your great review. We have been to Corfu a few times before, but this will be our first by cruise ship. Can I ask does the ship dock in Corfu town, and is the town walkable from the pier?
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After their contract, do they move ship as a troup, or individually?
On a recent cruise the Headliners cast members took part in a question and answer session with us and they told us all about the rigorous selection criteria, training at the special Carnival academy, how shows are put together, how they look after their costumes and how they quickly change them during the shows, and in answer to your question, how their contracts are organised. I found it surprising that after their tour of duty on a particular ship, the troupe is disbanded - some being offered contracts on other ships and some leaving to go their own way and do their own thing.
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We used Spb on our visit to St Pete's and I have to say they were excellent, however the biggest plus-point was that we had no standing in line at any of the venues, our guide was able to take us straight in. The lines at the Hermitage in particular can get very long.
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Hi I've tried posting this on the ports of call forum but got no reply. In my head (although I've never been) I've termed this a 'non destination' (cf Vigo) this might not be fair and I'd be glad to hear that is the case - but I have also heard there is a beach in easy reach - with 2 kids this seems a good option - can I get to the beach by public transport or affordable taxi run??? Or should I just stay on board??
Hi Blitznbobs
It would be a shame not to go ashore in Ferrol. I haven't been to the beaches near to Ferrol, but for me the Maritime museum is not to be missed - not sure how old your children are but they may be interested in the naval history of Ferrol.
The Armada set sail from there - Franco was born there - it is the start of the Camino Inglese (the 'English Way' - the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela).
Its also quite a pleasant shopping center and there are some really good Tapas bars, although I guess with the children in tow you won't be able to visit them - we enjoyed a fabulous afternoon in one tapas bar with the locals, and the bill came to 8 euros for several glasses of wine and several Tapas.
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Can't say I have ever tried to use vouchers for actual cruises, but do use them with Airmiles, which has now become Avios, to book the Grand Harour Hotel at Southampton. This has been quite a money-saver for us, as we have to travel from the Midlands, so tend to travel th night before. Don't know if this is of any help!
Thanks for that. We used to convert our Tesco vouchers to Airmiles and have had some great flight deals, however I have never been sure about Avios. Are they worth having?
Regards
Neil
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Has anyone actually used Tesco Clubcard vouchers as part payment for a Royal Caribbean cruise? The Clubcard website says that the vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other RCI offer, yet all RCI cruises have some kind of offer attached to them.
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Biaria
Can I please ask if there is a stop for the hop-on, hop-off buses near to where the cruise ships dock? or would we need to get a taxi, or walk, into the town to find them?
Many thanks
Neil
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Rudeness isn't the sole perogative of the supposed 'upper classes', or the elderly.
Last October we sailed from Vancouver down the western seaboard.
There were two lines for boarding - one for US/Canadian citizens and one for 'other' nationalities. We were in the latter line when a youngish american lady passed us with her partner in their rapidly moving line, we overheard her say "I didn't think there would be so many foreigners on this cruise". One knows ones place, doesn't one.
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Thank you so much - the photos are wonderful. A visit to the gardens is definately a must do!
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:rolleyes: You Guys are so helpful, so can I ask you another question please?
On our Celebrity Mercury cruise from Vancouver in mid October we will be calling at Victoria for a day. We have spent time in Victoria in the past but have never visited Butchart Gardens. Will the gardens still be worth visiting in October?
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Where is there internet access or an internet cafe? Everything I've read about printing airline boarding passes & checking in online on the ship on the last night is long connection time & iffy. We are spending the day on the HOHO with our flight at 9PM, so would have ample time. Is there a location at Canada Place or Granville Island? Thanks for all the wonderful help from all you Canadians.:)
A good site for identifying wireless internet access spots (cafes etc.) anywhere is hotspot-directory.com
Helsinki Excursion
in Ask a Cruise Question
Posted
It also has a great pub by the road bridge over the river, that serves excellent beers and food. Lovely to sit on the terrace overlooking the river with a good beer.