LionLauren

Thank you Jem12 for the helpful hints re: departing Istanbul!

Hope you had a wonderful vacation on the Journey (despite the taxi issue, which would be very unsettling).

Thank you all for your advice! Yes, seems like private car is the way to go and not to the airport first. There are some highly reviewed online we have seen. We will be sure to allow plenty of time, the traffic sounds horrendous!

Many thanks again for the feedback.

Lauren

Thank you Bonnie, and WelshFamily!

We had called to ask about a day hotel endorsed by Azamara and/or the possibility of late debarkation, and the representative over the phone said no to both, but I understand we may receive different info once we are on the ship ;) Sounds like a private car is the way to go ... I will inquire on roll call too. Enjoy your cruise WelshFamily! Thank you for your kind offer and please do let me know if you see that it would be easy to leave luggage at the airport in Istanbul.

Hello friends,

We debark the Azamara Journey in Istanbul and don't need to be at the airport until 2 PM for a 4 PM flight. The ship offers a Land Discovery with airport transfer, but only for those with flights leaving after 5 PM. Do any of you have experience booking a tour like this, and will they let you leave early with your luggage and taxi to the airport on own? Or, does anyone have suggestions for a day hotel or luggage storage option while we explore Istanbul on our own? We have been advised we will be off the ship by 9:30 at the latest.

Many thanks,

Lauren

Thank you all for the advice. Glad to hear Azamara already has some gluten free baked goods in rotation (financiers, muffins, yum!) In addition to the advance notification, we will seek out the Maitre D upon arrival. Hopefully he/she will also be able to assist us with specialty restaurant reservations and alerting those venues.

thanks again!

Hello fellow cruisers,

I am so excited for our Honeymoon cruise on the Azamara Journey this summer. This will be my first time on Azamara (!!), but more importantly, my first time on any cruise/large vacation since being diagnosed with celiac 6 months ago and having to follow a strict gluten free diet. I know I need to alert the cruise line well in advance; any other tips or experiences from fellow gf cruisers? We are big foodies so hope to enjoy specialty restaurants, chef's table, and casual dining in addition to MDR.

We will be spending a couple days in Athens prior to departure, and several days back in Santorini post-cruise, so tips for those destinations appreciated as well.

Many thanks,

Lauren

long time lurker/first time poster