Galataport (Istanbul) for walking-impaired cruisers

[shmabbies]

Have read a lot of negatives about the amount of walking required in Istanbul's relatively new cruise terminal, Galataport - but no one has offered any information about how to deal with this.  The consensus is that such a new facility should have services available - I've read & re-read the Galataport website but (maybe it's me) I can't find a word about availability of wheelchairs, even benches for taking a break.  Every post seems to mention the large amount of walking.   We are embarking there in a few weeks and I'm beginning to get very concerned, not only about the embarkation process, but about an excursion we've booked for the next day which sounds like we may have to do "the walk" all over again to exit the terminal and then re-enter after the excursion.  We've embarked and disembarked in Istanbul in years past but all were before Galataport and frankly the "old way" sounds as if it were much more user-friendly.  Hopefully someone will tell me I'm missing something!

[edinburgher]

21 hours ago, shmabbies said:

Have read a lot of negatives about the amount of walking required in Istanbul's relatively new cruise terminal, Galataport - but no one has offered any information about how to deal with this. 

As nobody has replie, offering you a few suggestions.

 

Tthere have been a number of past threads which included the word Galataport and some may be useful, I do not know.  Choose which to read from these:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=galataport&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

 

Contact the Istanbul Tourist Office and ask about disabled facilities or services at Galataport.

 

Check the official Galataport website for similar info.

 

try YouTube and search for Galataport as these days, everything and anything can be found on there and you might be lucky.

 

Try an internet search along the lines of "disabled facilities and/or services at Galataport cruise terminal"

 

[edinburgher]

21 hours ago, shmabbies said:

but about an excursion we've booked for the next day which sounds like we may have to do "the walk" all over again to exit the terminal and then re-enter after the excursion

And you may or may not have to take the excursion on foot in addition to the terminal walking, unless you have been lucky to find an excursion in a vehicle?

[edinburgher]

On 2/28/2024 at 5:19 PM, shmabbies said:

I can't find a word about availability of wheelchairs, even benches for taking a break.

shmabbies, should you find any relevant info by whatever means, perhaps you would consider adding it to this thread at some point as it could be helpful to others travelling there in the future.😀

[bookbabe]

We will be at Galataport late next week, and can look around for info if no one has posted anything by then.  At the very least, I can take a few pics to add to the thread.

[shmabbies]

Edinburgher, of course I will relate my experiences and information.  I'm really amazed at the lack.  My two theories are:  I'm worried for nothing (best option) OR people who have experienced it are still so exhausted they can't even post.   Like bookbabe, I will be at the port next week - too late for her to provide any information for me, and too late for me to provide any information for her.  BUT we can help others!

[bookbabe]

22 hours ago, shmabbies said:

Edinburgher, of course I will relate my experiences and information.  I'm really amazed at the lack.  My two theories are:  I'm worried for nothing (best option) OR people who have experienced it are still so exhausted they can't even post.   Like bookbabe, I will be at the port next week - too late for her to provide any information for me, and too late for me to provide any information for her.  BUT we can help others!

I’m on Viking Saturn, boarding March 13…I’ll try to post something that evening if there’s a chance you’ll see it before boarding.  If not, I’ll probably wait until the next evening after we’ve left Istanbul. 😉

 

[edinburgher]

On 3/4/2024 at 2:02 PM, bookbabe said:

 like bookbabe, I will be at the port next week

 

15 minutes ago, bookbabe said:

I’m on Viking Saturn, boarding March 13

BON VOYAGE to both!😀😀

Edited March 5 by edinburgher

[cruisemom42]

On 3/4/2024 at 10:21 AM, shmabbies said:

Edinburgher, of course I will relate my experiences and information.  I'm really amazed at the lack.  My two theories are:  I'm worried for nothing (best option) OR people who have experienced it are still so exhausted they can't even post.   Like bookbabe, I will be at the port next week - too late for her to provide any information for me, and too late for me to provide any information for her.  BUT we can help others!

 

I was there in October of last year but I've hesitated to reply because I'm not sure I can add much. The new port is very large, more like an airport than the typical cruise port. It seems like they have routed passengers in convoluted ways in order to keep a "secure" zone, since there are many non-cruise passengers in the area (visiting the shops, restaurants, museums, etc.)

 

We had to traipse a long route even to get where tour buses are located. We didn't embark or disembark (final) the ship at this port, so can only speak to it as a port visit. 

 

The only thing I can say is that there ARE elevators but sometimes you have to look for them. I did not specifically look for them, but I think I remember some seats or benches along the way. And although I was looking for a TI spot to ask about ATMs in the building, I could not find one. I didn't look for wheelchair assistance or anything like that.

 

Sorry I can't be more helpful. We were on a small ship and there was another large ship in port with us. I think each of us had different paths through the building (!!)

 

I returned there about 10 days later to disembark, expecting the worst, but as it turned out the new facility seemed to be overbooked and we (a small ship) ended up docking at a very old port that I had thought was closed years ago (beside Topkapi Palace). I was amazed. Everything looked like it hadn't been used in years, lol. But it was certainly easy to get to our buses for transfers elsewhere...

 

 

 

 

 

[shmabbies]

 

55 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

I returned there about 10 days later to disembark, expecting the worst, but as it turned out the new facility seemed to be overbooked and we (a small ship) ended up docking at a very old port that I had thought was closed years ago (beside Topkapi Palace). I was amazed. Everything looked like it hadn't been used in years, lol. But it was certainly easy to get to our buses for transfers elsewhere...

 

 

 

 

 

Cruisemom42, you have added another wrinkle.  We received our final documents that contained at least one error, including that we must obtain a Turkish visa - this after they sent out an e-mail after the first of the year telling us visas were no longer required (which we knew from independent sources) - but the final docs caused my blood pressure to rise.

 

Another potential inaccuracy is that this is our embarkation location per aforesaid docs:  Yeni Yolcu Terminali Salipazari/Findikli Meclisi Mebusan Caddesi Salpazar Liman Sahas 1 numaral Yolcu Salonu Beyolu Istanbul, Turkey.  If the embarkation location were Galataport, why not just say Galataport.  I do not believe this is Galataport's address - but I'm not sure - which means either we are possibly at the small old port you mention OR it's a failure to update the docs to reflect Galataport.  I'm pretty sure when we sailed from Istanbul years ago, we were at the old port near Topkapi Palace that you mention, and I totally agree that it was an easy location to access.  All I can say is I'm glad we purchased a ship transfer BUT I'm still concerned about the amount of walking.  Thank you for your input!

[shmabbies]

4 hours ago, bookbabe said:

I’m on Viking Saturn, boarding March 13…I’ll try to post something that evening if there’s a chance you’ll see it before boarding.  If not, I’ll probably wait until the next evening after we’ve left Istanbul. 😉

 

 

Bookbabe, we're on the same cruise!  

[cruisemom42]

11 minutes ago, shmabbies said:

Another potential inaccuracy is that this is our embarkation location per aforesaid docs:  Yeni Yolcu Terminali Salipazari/Findikli Meclisi Mebusan Caddesi Salpazar Liman Sahas 1 numaral Yolcu Salonu Beyolu Istanbul, Turkey.  If the embarkation location were Galataport, why not just say Galataport.  I do not believe this is Galataport's address

 

Yes, that is concerning...

 

I googled the address you provided, thinking that perhaps it was the address for the previous port (NOT the one I docked at near Topkapi, but the one that preceded Galataport near Galata Tower. But no, it looks like a different place altogether, closer to the Dolmabahçe Palace (north of Galataport).

 

I would definitely reach out to your cruise line for clarification, especially as it is your embarkation port.

[shmabbies]

5 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

But no, it looks like a different place altogether, closer to the Dolmabahçe Palace (north of Galataport).

 

I would definitely reach out to your cruise line for clarification, especially as it is your embarkation port.

 

Actually, after I typed and submitted my post, I told Mr. Shmabbies about it, and he corrected me and said that years ago it WAS Dolmabahce Palace that we were docked nearby (and walked over to), not Topkapi, so I think the address provided by Viking IS that old port and WOULD BE a great alternative.  As far as checking with Viking, they are often clueless, so I don't think I would learn anything from them, and we did purchase a ship transfer from airport to port, so as long as THE TRANSFER DRIVER knows where he's going, the amount of walking is going to be what it is.  Since we don't sail until the next day, I guess I can take my time!

[cruisemom42]

2 minutes ago, shmabbies said:

and we did purchase a ship transfer from airport to port, so as long as THE TRANSFER DRIVER knows where he's going, the amount of walking is going to be what it is.  Since we don't sail until the next day, I guess I can take my time!

 

Good luck -- as I said, I wish I could be more helpful. I too looked at all the official info (and videos) online before going there but there is still not a lot of "user experience", I guess.

 

[shmabbies]

8 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Good luck -- as I said, I wish I could be more helpful. I too looked at all the official info (and videos) online before going there but there is still not a lot of "user experience", I guess.

 

 

Yeah the videos are depressing AND seeing the long concrete corridors really doesn't tell you much about distances.  But I'm not going to let anyone hurry me on embarkation day.  AND even though we booked an included excursion the next day, if I have to walk all the way back out again (this time with time pressures to keep up with the excursion) and then walk all the way back in again after the excursion (with time pressures for sailaway), I just won't do the excursion (which I will be really angry about as it's something I really want to do).  BTW - do you remember me from our discussions MANY years ago (pre Arab spring and pre Covid) about doing a multi-day felucca on the Nile?  Did you ever get to do that?  

[bookbabe]

1 hour ago, shmabbies said:

 

Actually, after I typed and submitted my post, I told Mr. Shmabbies about it, and he corrected me and said that years ago it WAS Dolmabahce Palace that we were docked nearby (and walked over to), not Topkapi, so I think the address provided by Viking IS that old port and WOULD BE a great alternative.  As far as checking with Viking, they are often clueless, so I don't think I would learn anything from them, and we did purchase a ship transfer from airport to port, so as long as THE TRANSFER DRIVER knows where he's going, the amount of walking is going to be what it is.  Since we don't sail until the next day, I guess I can take my time!

We’re on the pre-stay, I’ll ask the Viking rep which port when we get at the hotel and post here to let you know if it’s Galataport or not.  I hope it is.  Our embarkation day plan was to drop our bags and then head back out to do some shopping at the multitude of stores the website says are at Galataport, but that’s not going to work if we’re at some other port.

 

Editing to add, my final docs show this:

VIKING SATURN
Yeni Yolcu Terminali Salipazari/Findikli
Meclisi Mebusan Caddesi Salpazar Liman Sahas 1 numaral Yolcu Salonu Beyolu

Istanbul, Turkey

Anyone know where that is?

 

Edited March 5 by bookbabe

[shmabbies]

10 minutes ago, bookbabe said:

 I hope it is.  Our embarkation day plan was to drop our bags and then head back out to do some shopping at the multitude of stores the website says are at Galataport, but that’s not going to work if we’re at some other port.

 

 

I guess we're at opposite wishes!  One of us will be happy!  Have a great time, especially if you haven't been to Istanbul before.  It's a great city!

[bookbabe]

1 minute ago, shmabbies said:

 

I guess we're at opposite wishes!  One of us will be happy!  Have a great time, especially if you haven't been to Istanbul before.  It's a great city!

We haven’t been there before, thus the pre-stay.  The whole Med is new to us, so it’s going to be very exciting.  How long are you on board for?  We are actually doing a back-to-back, and eventually disembark Saturn in Bergen, after 36 days.

[cruisemom42]

54 minutes ago, shmabbies said:

 

Yeah the videos are depressing AND seeing the long concrete corridors really doesn't tell you much about distances.  But I'm not going to let anyone hurry me on embarkation day.  AND even though we booked an included excursion the next day, if I have to walk all the way back out again (this time with time pressures to keep up with the excursion) and then walk all the way back in again after the excursion (with time pressures for sailaway), I just won't do the excursion (which I will be really angry about as it's something I really want to do).  BTW - do you remember me from our discussions MANY years ago (pre Arab spring and pre Covid) about doing a multi-day felucca on the Nile?  Did you ever get to do that?  

 

Oh my goodness, that was YOU? I remember the discussions but didn't remember the username. 

 

Never got to do it; I haven't been back to Egypt since right before the Arab Spring....but I am trying to talk a friend into doing a stint on the old "steamer" down the Nile, the S.S. Sudan:  https://thirdeyetraveller.com/agatha-christie-nile-cruise-steam-ship-sudan-death-on-the-nile/

 

Safe travels!

[shmabbies]

4 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Oh my goodness, that was YOU? I remember the discussions but didn't remember the username. 

 

Never got to do it; I haven't been back to Egypt since right before the Arab Spring....but I am trying to talk a friend into doing a stint on the old "steamer" down the Nile, the S.S. Sudan:  https://thirdeyetraveller.com/agatha-christie-nile-cruise-steam-ship-sudan-death-on-the-nile/

 

Safe travels!

 

Yes, that was me (a little worse for the wear).   I will have to check out your link, that sounds very cool.  I'm not totally sure I'm ready for Egypt yet, at least as in depth as what we had planned because we've been there so many times and want to see things way beyond the "norm."  We had a 100% private tour booked at the time of the Arab spring, obviously we cancelled it, and haven't been back since.  It's Mr. Shmabbies favorite country in the world.  Good luck to both of us in getting there!

[shmabbies]

15 minutes ago, bookbabe said:

We haven’t been there before, thus the pre-stay.  The whole Med is new to us, so it’s going to be very exciting.  How long are you on board for?  We are actually doing a back-to-back, and eventually disembark Saturn in Bergen, after 36 days.

 

The back-to-back sounds lovely.  I have a 91 year old mother and we do animal rescue work, so being away that long is not possible, but we've been to the Med and this part of Europe lots and lots of times.  Been to every port on this cruise multiple times.  We disembark in Rome, way before you, and consider ourselves very fortunate to be able to do that much.  You'll have a great time!  

[Hlitner]

On 3/5/2024 at 2:17 PM, cruisemom42 said:

 

Oh my goodness, that was YOU? I remember the discussions but didn't remember the username. 

 

Never got to do it; I haven't been back to Egypt since right before the Arab Spring....but I am trying to talk a friend into doing a stint on the old "steamer" down the Nile, the S.S. Sudan: w

 

Safe travels!

That does sound amazing!  We have spent some time in Egypt (traveled all over the country) but that Nile cruise sounds really enticing.   We have cruised between Luxor and Aswan, but it was on a much (very much) newer river boat.

 

Hank

[bookbabe]

@shmabbies

 

Saturn is at Galataport.  According to the Viking rep at the hotel, there is mobility assistance, just ask any staff member there and they can facilitate.  Hopefully his info about there being assistance is correct, and someone at the port will be able to help when you get there.

 

Also of note, IST airport is huge and modern, emphasis on the huge.  They have golf carts pre-customs to help with the distances as well as the usual wheelchair escorts (plus one really cool wheelchair/Segway combo unit that looked like a lot of fun).  The distance from the gate to customs is long, as is baggage claim to the Viking bus.  Baggage handlers will take your check bags on a cart from baggage claim to the bus if you have a transfer booked.  They were pulling off all the bags with the red luggage tags and putting them to one side, so if you aren’t taking a Viking transfer you may want to skip the red Viking tag.

[shmabbies]

Thanks bookbabe.  Have been to the new Istanbul airport before but only between flights, never left it, so I know the distances are epic.   Mixed bag that we don't handle our own luggage from baggage claim (no pun intended).  Part of me wants it on my person, and part of me knows it's better someone else is wrangling it.  I'm not confident of assistance at Galataport - finding a staff member may be easier said than done!  But - we'll know shortly!  Thank you again for your persistence in trying to assist.  Have a great cruise!!