Visiting Istanbul & Epheses on Celebrity Reflection.

[cruzlvr4545]

Looked up Visas for this trip & Us Gov, & Turkish web site both say no Visa required for cruise ship passengers visiting less than 72 hours.

 

Anyone have any other experiences? I also assume you need to go ashore with ship sponsored excursions. Again, anyone have experience here?

 

cruzlvr4545

[dwhe]

Looked up Visas for this trip & Us Gov, & Turkish web site both say no Visa required for cruise ship passengers visiting less than 72 hours.

 

Anyone have any other experiences? I also assume you need to go ashore with ship sponsored excursions. Again, anyone have experience here?

 

cruzlvr4545

 

No need for visas, plus you can book with who ever you like, there are no restrictions.

 

Try a dinner out in Istanbul in the evening, the entertainment is generally fantastic.

Edited December 5, 2014 by dwhe

[ghstudio]

Looked up Visas for this trip & Us Gov, & Turkish web site both say no Visa required for cruise ship passengers visiting less than 72 hours.

 

Anyone have any other experiences? I also assume you need to go ashore with ship sponsored excursions. Again, anyone have experience here?

 

cruzlvr4545

 

That is correct for US Citizens....if someone is from a different country, they need to check their visa requirements.

 

You don't need to take a ship's tour at all...you can actually just walk off the ship and do any touring or shopping you want...DIY tour in a taxi or hire a local guide.

[C-Dragons]

We were on Reflection in October of this year and stopped in both ports. No Visas are required. We booked a private tour in Istanbul which was wonderful. Hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we did! :)

[villageneighbor]

Looked up Visas for this trip & Us Gov, & Turkish web site both say no Visa required for cruise ship passengers visiting less than 72 hours.

 

Anyone have any other experiences? I also assume you need to go ashore with ship sponsored excursions. Again, anyone have experience here?

 

cruzlvr4545

 

Istanbul is an easy to navigate city, if you like walking and DIY.

Their tram (mass transit) is easy to navigate is fairly close to port and will take you near the spice market, grand bazaar, topkapi palace, blue mosque.

 

Also one of our favorites from this stop was on the second day getting up very early and doing a Turkish bath at cemberlitas Hamami near grand bazaar.There was only 2 other women in when I was there. Very relaxing and Excellent scrub down.

Edited December 5, 2014 by villageneighbor
Name of topkapi palace got replaced with topspin

[suntan]

Looked up Visas for this trip & Us Gov, & Turkish web site both say no Visa required for cruise ship passengers visiting less than 72 hours.

 

Anyone have any other experiences? I also assume you need to go ashore with ship sponsored excursions. Again, anyone have experience here?

 

cruzlvr4545

 

No visa required for Canadian and U.S. citizens. Citizens from other countries should check first. We were in Ephesus, Turkey in September and did the ship's excursion of Ancient Ephesus - great tour, great tour guide. As others have posted you can do private tours. Check the Europe board for recommendations. I hope you enjoy our cruise as much as we did.

[steamboats]

Exacxtly, no visa required for cruise ship passengers being on a port stop (BTW it´s also valid for German and other European countries).

 

You need a visa when your cruise starts in Istanbul and you fly into Turkey (not valid for EU citizens).

 

steamboats