sk99

We came back from port intensive 11 days cruise on Le Bougainville with only one sea day. The cruise was great, the ship is beautiful but small. During our cruise we had ONE pretty amateur show by 3 performers and 3-4 lectures. For 150 people there are couple of public areas, pool with just 12 lounges (6 in smocking area). There was almost nothing to do in the evening. Again, we enjoyed the cruise, but I can’t imagine spending many sea days on such ship.

We got visas, took me 5 minutes, it was harder to get thru to the website. Anyways, no one looked at our visas, but when we arrived to Istanbul the officer asked if we have them. He did not ask to see them. My guess: maybe they have them online when they check.

Thank you Cruisemom42, I think just to be safe we will get a visa. I will try to remember to report back on this link about our experience.

My apologies, but in that link it only refers to arrival by ship, it has nothing about leaving by plane, am I missing something: Tourists who arrive in Turkey on a cruise ship do not require an Turkey eVisa if they are only planning to visit the city that their ship docks at and their visit does not exceed 3 days (72 hours). Visitors on longer stays or who intend to travel beyond the port city may need to apply for a visa or an eVisa depending on their nationality.

That is what I thought initially, but cruise representative from Ponant confirmed that we do not have to obtain visa, she said that we will be getting Turkey entry stamp in our passports on disembarkation, she sent us an email with link to the following: - U.S. citizens traveling on cruise ships can enter visa-free for a maximum of 72 hours with permission from authorities at the port of entry. - Get entry and exit stamps. You must have a Turkish entry stamp to fly domestically. Get an exit stamp in your passport when leaving the country or you may face difficulties re-entering Turkey in the future and a fine. I’m just trying to confirm if there cruisers with the first hand experience.

I’m getting a contradictory messages about Turkey visa requirements, looking for a help from fellow travelers with personal experience. We are disembarking the ship in Istanbul and staying overnight in the hotel. We are flying out the next day. Do we need to get visas? TIA

PCR requirement is back to 72 hours.

Thank you zqvol, we are booked with one recommended on TripAdvisor.

We changed our mind about having a car. The idea was to be able to transfer to our hotel and also to be able to cool down (we will be there in July). Our new plan is to get a taxi to our hotel in the Old city and go sightseeing. Any recommendations for a tour guide would be appreciated.

Four of us will be in Istanbul for a full day, looking for recommendations for a private guide with a car to meet us at the port and show us Istanbul. Thank you in advance.