lizyland

We will be docking in Istanbul at 4pm in July with an overnight stay departing the next day at 2 pm. Can anyone recommend how to break down the sites so we can see the most. Has anyone else done anything similar? We are worried about traffic so hoping to do something our first day since we do not have a full day.

Appreciate any guidance!

FYI - we are a group of 7 - my husband, my parents and my three children

We are traveling with my parents and three children looking for a private tour in Istabul. We have an overnight stop and want to do some touring when we dock and then the next morning for 6 hours before we have to be back to the boat. We are a group of 7 so a private tour is our best option. Can anyone recommend a company they have used?

Also, the crew on this boat is beyond amazing!!!

Just got off yesterday. It was the best 12 days!! The only port that we had a problem was in Marseille. Our cruise was the first one the pull into Marseille. They kept pushing the shuttle on us saying cabs were more expensive. Cabs were plentiful when we got off the boat and were considerable cheaper. Which wasn't the issue. We were told the bus would run ever 20 minutes. When we wanted to return back to the boat 4 buses came over 1 hour and 15 minutes dropping off people and would not pick anyone up saying it was the break time. So we stood in the heat waiting for a bus without a contact for royal caribbean. We did see a royal caribbean tour pass by and asked her to contact the boat and she said absolutely not. Finally, after an hour and 30 minutes a bus came by and we demanded he take us back to the port. At this time there was over 100 people waiting. A cab would have been cheaper and much faster option. The area was also not the safest. In the two hours we walked around the old port - my purse was attempted to be snatched twice - once the tried to create a distraction by climbing in a dumpster so we would look over there, the other time a man ran by close and bumped into me. My husband went into use a restroom while we were sitting at a cafe and a man came and sat the my table and started begging for money until I called a server over to ask him to leave. It was a very uncomfortable feeling or place. Will definitely skip next time. Every other port was beyond amazing!!!!

Getting off in Santorini was not the problem. The tenders were efficient and took us to the base of the cable car. The problem was the return the cable car broke down and we had already purchased our ticket for the cable car. Apparently it is very common for it to break down. We did have to walk down the donkey path. It was very slippery and it was dangerous. If you have any elderly or any health concerns I would advise taking the ferry from Oia back to the tender. There are far fewer steps down and there are no donkeys on the trail. We did see on our trip down several people having to be carried. It eventually was fixed but it took at least two plus hours and we were the only boat in there that day.

Please do not let it deter you from going. It was the most beautiful port. It was our favorite. Our pictures look like postcards. It was absolutely amazing!!!!

Just got off this boat yesterday. The crew on this boat is fantastic! They made the trip amazing!!! The ports were incredible with the exception of Marseille. I hope that Captain Marsk is still on board. He is the most fantastic captain I have ever seen! He is so present and involved with the crew and passengers even playing volleyball on days at sea. It was the most amazing 12 days!! You will certainly enjoy every minute of it!!!

We are going this August with friends. If all goes well we will do August 2019 with the kids! Would love to hear some feedback of people who have done it!

Hi,

This is my first time posting!

My family was supposed to sail on the Escape this afternoon. I am currently 9 weeks pregnant.

At first when I called to find out they had told me that I would have a 1 year credit to use the funds. When I asked what the minimum age was they said 6 months. My new baby would not be 6 months by the time my credit would expire. I asked them to find out if there was a way to extend it by a few months. The next day I received a phone call stating that I would have two years from the date of sail for the credit.

We were all set to go until Wednesday when St. Thomas was added to the watch list. I currently have two bummed kids who were excited to go away for the week. It stinks to have to unpack suitcases but not worth the risk!

I was truly impressed with the way it was handled and that's why we will continue to travel NCL.

I just hope my parents and brother have a great week without us!