Embarkation time in Istanbul October 24

[KBrote]

We are leaving for a 10 day cruise on Sirena from Istanbul on October 24, 2023. The time listed for sailing is 6:00pm. We arrive in Istanbul the previous afternoon and plan to explore as much as we can that afternoon and evening. I would also like to set up a half day walking tour the morning of sailing. Our hotel can hold our luggage. Our hotel is a 15 min drive to the cruise terminal. I know the cruise terminal is newer and some taxis and other drivers have experienced confusion at drop off. My question is would we have time to do a 4 hour walking tour from about 9:00 - 1:00pm and then get to the ship by 2:00? We have never been to Istanbul and want to maximize our time We don't care about getting on the ship early and having lunch. We'll be on the ship for 10 days so we want as much time in Istanbul as possible. Thanks!

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

11 minutes ago, KBrote said:

We are leaving for a 10 day cruise on Sirena from Istanbul on October 24, 2023. The time listed for sailing is 6:00pm. We arrive in Istanbul the previous afternoon and plan to explore as much as we can that afternoon and evening. I would also like to set up a half day walking tour the morning of sailing. Our hotel can hold our luggage. Our hotel is a 15 min drive to the cruise terminal. I know the cruise terminal is newer and some taxis and other drivers have experienced confusion at drop off. My question is would we have time to do a 4 hour walking tour from about 9:00 - 1:00pm and then get to the ship by 2:00? We have never been to Istanbul and want to maximize our time We don't care about getting on the ship early and having lunch. We'll be on the ship for 10 days so we want as much time in Istanbul as possible. Thanks!

You probably read my post about how Galataport was not ready for prime time in May.  However, I think you'll have plenty of time to get to the port and check in by 2, maybe 3 at the very latest, which is OK.  We stayed in a hotel in Sultanahmet and the hotel told us it was only 10 minutes to the port.  Going over the Galata bridge was very, very slow, but even so, we got to the port in maybe 20 minutes at the most.  And then spent 10 minutes getting to where we were checked in.  But hopefully those days are past.  Once there, Galataport did a good job checking us in, maybe 15-20 minutes in two stages and another 5 to walk up the ramps and board the ship.  And going later, I imagine you'll have no lines/wait.  They may have a dog checking luggage, but the dog check line moved reasonably fast. 
So I agree, spend the time in Istanbul.  As long as you get on board no later than 4, you should be fine in terms of allowing O to do their ship clearance and also a safety drill. (I hear O is going back to fairly normal safety drills before they leave, but if so, I'm guessing for a 6 PM departure, it will be done at 5.)  

And if you board before 4 you can likely get a snack at either or both of Waves and The Terrace. And Istanbul's sail out is fairly scenic, too (especially if there's still daylight in October) - so you can watch that.

 

[KBrote]

Thank you so much. This is very helpful. I will contact my hotel about a taxi to the port terminal and hopefully they can get one that is familiar with the process. I think we will plan to leave our hotel no later than 2:30. Can't wait!