Markanddonna

Most people on the NCL Epic on Nov 10, 2022 had a rather nightmarish experience in Istanbul getting back to port. The traffic back to ship between 4:30- 6:00 was gridlocked. We were on a private tour and with the guide, all exited the van and fast walked back to the ship. Some with medical issues couldn't keep up with the group so the guide left us on our own to get a wheelchair for one lady. All just got off the van in the middle of the street since no one was moving for quite some time. The ship excursions were about 90 minutes late. We were wisely advised by our guide to NOT go to the Blue Mosque because it is covered in most places due to renovation. We went first to the Topaki Palace, had lunch at a fast food cafeteria, stood in line for Hagia Sophia and then did the Grand Bazaar. Skip the hippodrome which is really nothing more than a park with two pillars. The crew knew about this port and so they took the tram. If I ever went back, I would take the tram and walk. Do some research on exactly how to do this. Some friends who did a private tour were stranded with their guide by their driver and they walked three hours to the ship. Taxis during rush hour are as useless as vans or buses. Others on the NCL excursions told us that their large groups struggled to stay together in the crowds and were often separated. One bus got "stuck" with wheelchair people who were abandoned by their NCL driver. Istanbul was a nightmare at times. We wrote to the company and they said that day was unusually crowded, but our ship was only half full and the only other ship was a small one. What would the port be like if you had several ships in port? Not a good experience. BTW, Hagia Sophia, despite the very long lines, was the only place I really thought was worthwhile.

We had the "watch the video" and then report with your cell phone to your muster area inside the ship on Nov 3, 2022 on the NCL Epic.

We did just that and also managed to help a few others who were suffering with some issues that were non Covid related. Moral of the story: bring your own medicine based on your history and the possibilities of illness on a cruise ship.

We disembarked on Nov 15th from the NCL Epic. Not only were there absolutely zero meds of any sort available in their gift shop, ALL of the stores were empty of any products for the first eight days. Their vendor changed and the shops were ALL empty. So, just a warning. Pack essential meds for fever, cough, colds, diarrhea, etc. Your only option is to use a pharmacy at a port or pay for an expensive doctor visit onboard the ship. I recall someone else mentioning this and don't know if all cruise lines are moving in the direction.

We visited Hagia Sophia in Istanbul recently. Because the weather is a bit colder now, the dress code isn't an issue. We also had to take off our shoes and store then in open shelves or place them in a bag to carry around. Women had to cover their hair. A pashmina worked just fine.

Trying to avoid large crowds of students, families and children is quite tricky. Some people on CC seem to think that spring break weeks for their own region apply everywhere else. I've noted that you need to be careful looking at random weeks from mid January and then President's Day week to the week after Easter. We were on a cruise in Feb 2020 that attracted many families and children over President's Day. As a former teacher, I can assure you that many parents have no hesitation taking their kids out of school for a week +, especially over this holiday. Then, you have to Google Yeshiva partial charters for their winter break times. In 2023, groups who follow kosher eating regulations partially charter cruises on mainstream cruiselines. In 2023, you will find the NCL Epic from Jan 22-29 and the RCL Wonder OTS from Jan 12- 29 partially chartered for kosher groups (typically Yeshiva groups from NY and NJ.) I would avoid those as some favorite dining and other rooms and venues will be closed off to the other passengers. I have read some reviews about this and would recommend avoiding these sailings. BTW, unless you are aware of these charters, the cruise lines don't inform you about them.

Was on Epic for twelve days recently in early November. I would rate their entertainment as ordinary. We didn't go to Priscilla since we don't celebrate the drag queen culture. There was a warning about the show in the daily. I guess that puts us in the "easily offended" category. Burn the floor and the Epic Beatles were probably the best offerings. The Polish violinist was very good. The lounge acts were not memorable. This was a very port intenive cruise, so folks were tired, especially since several ports were late arrivals. Ship was only half full.

I'll have to go over my photos for some of your questions. We were there two days before the terrorist attack. It was so chaotic. I can't imagine what we would have done if we had to deal with that extra stressor. A woman in our tour group was assaulted on her way back from lunch right outside Hagia Sophia. Teenagers attempting to knock her down and steal her purse. They were not successful, but she was quite traumatized.

What time of year? We were there two weeks ago and it gets dark early. Wouldn't want to walk down in the dark!

I think you have the mosques mixed up. The blue mosque is under rennovation. We were advised to skip it. Hagia Sophia has the long lines but is spectacular and worth it.

I was in istanbul last week with a private excursion. The tram is the way to go. People had very bad experiences with Ncl excursions. They arrived back about ninety minutes late because of the extreme gridlock around rush hour. Our tour saw the most important sites. The line to Hagia Sophia was at least an hour. Reports were that the Blue Mosque isn't worth it because of renovation. skip the hippodrome. It is now just a park. The gridlock back to port was so bad that everyone deserted the van and fast walked back to ship. I knew the ncl buses were far behind so wasn't worried. When we got back, we heard many stories of disappointment, problems, and even a guide and his people being deserted by the van driver. Taking a taxi back would not have helped. If you have ant mobility problems, you need to do a ship excursion. Because the ship was delayed, we got to our next port mid afternnon. This made for unsafe walking at the sites in the dark. A few frustrating days.

Ncl epic won't allow door decorations. First time i saw this restriction.

I just finished a port intensive cruise, 12 day with only one sea day. Problems erupted when the ship was late to port, making the next day also late. For example, we arrived in Patmos about 3:00 which is not good for a tender port with sites that are dark creating a dangerous situation. Istanbul was an absolute nightmare unless you diy on the tram. I never saw such gridlock in my life. We all got off the van in the middle of the street and walked to the ship. Crazy.

We like to dance, but are not wonderful ballroom dancers. In the last few years, we are considered good dancers. Shows you how sad ski!led dancing is today.😅

Airlines have different rules, so we can't generaluze. Even if you pick the flights, things can still go wrong as you have to count on their cs. You can't change with the airline. I would always try to book your own.

Be sure to officially log out each time you use the internet. Wait until you see the log of used minutes. A lot of people chewed up their minutes by not fully logging out.

The Epic had a lot of problems with ports and cancelations, etc. I think people just wanted to eat, see a bit of entertainment, and then go to slt. People getting sick didn't help

Port intensive cruises, not much socializing. Caribbean and that sort ,more socializing

Check the country. In Israel, for example, you always need to carry your passport and special immigration card.

We used GTI in 2019 and in November 2022. It was easy filling two vans from the roll call. Those ship tours are so inferior. We heard abour horror stories in Istanbul being left behind. Fifty is too many people to control.

We booked a private tour with Guided Tours Israel because we had been with them before three times. We had two vans of 13 and15 people with different guides. I arranged for a special accommodation with the interview process and we were on time gettinf off in Ashdod. So much better than the more expensive ship excursions with large groups.

Remember how Ncl asked for our passports for Greece after we had been to Santorini and Athens? I asked and they said someone???? made an error. Greece or Ncl. I'm guessing ncl. We did mostly private excursions or DIY like in Catania and Rhodes. The rain made everything a mess in Nap!es. We enjoyed most aspects of the cruise, but it taxed our patience with timing and ports. It

In 2019, we did a similar sailing on NCL to Israel. They had a coup!e of immigration officers onboard who did the passport interview days ahead of Israel. I am wondering if Ncl didn't have this to cut back $. We had British officers several days in advance in May before England. Doing this on the day of Ashdod was horrible and stressful. Some people didn't finish up until 1:00. After the Greek passport mistake, the timing in Istanbul and Patmos, I wonder if they know what they are doing.

You can barely hear the ring when you are righr in front of them.

Glad we tightened the social circle. Someone on our cruise posted they tested positive for Covid, post cruise. Our roll call didn't have a meet and greet and all the usual social gatherings. We learned last May on a transatlantic to not play cards with others, etc. Lots of Covid on that sailing. Someday we will be back to normal!