Docked overnight in Istanbul

[Ceepot]

I am wondering how busy the ship usually is when docked overnight. We shall be there on my husband's birthday. It is tempting to book a nice meal off the ship, but we have a few nights in Istanbul afterwards. I would prefer to stay onboard but not if it is deserted!

 

Many thanks

[rols]

Our one experience of docked overnight was 'quiet but not deserted'. People coming back for dinner on board in general came somewhat later than usual and at a guess 1/3 of the ship ate on land somewhere.

 

I rather liked it actually - can't think of any way I'd prefer to spend my birthday than on board with the full attention of the wait staff in the restaurant.

[jenidallas]

My experience with overnight ports on (St Petersburg, Istanbul, Denpasar) is that it's quieter than normal onboard - no Seabourn-team shows, etc.

 

A good percentage of the crew are allowed to leave the ship once they are done for the evening (I think it's 20% that must stay behind for emergencies) so while dinner functions well, the after-hours activities are less than as the crew wants everyone to drink up and go to bed so they can be off duty and go play. On the Baltic cruises, for example, the entertainment schedule might even rotate to where the guitarist has the night off (after dinner) one week and the singer/band the next.

 

Not basing this on speculation but actual conversations with crew who had invited us to join them for after-hours off ship activities. The crew apparently really looks forward to the overnight ports as it's their chance to dress up, go ashore, and act like regular young adults for a few hours!

[Emperor Norton]

...

 

Not basing this on speculation but actual conversations with crew who had invited us to join them for after-hours off ship activities. The crew apparently really looks forward to the overnight ports as it's their chance to dress up, go ashore, and act like regular young adults for a few hours!

 

I had the same experience in Bordeaux.:D

 

My suggestion is even if you're going to spend some extra days in Istanbul following the cruise go ahead and have dinner off the ship.