Anyone been to Istanbul?

[AzEileen]

We have a Mediterranean cruise booked for September, 2008. This will be our 3rd on NCL. We haven't received much support from NCL for our questions about visa requirements for Turkey. Anyone been there on NCL and can give me the straight scoop? We will be cruising on the Jade, departing Istanbul on 9/19/08. Thanks!

[BeachBumMama]

You might try to find out if there is a roll call for your sailing. If you click on Boards at the top of this page you'll be taken to the main board of cruise critic. Scroll down to find Roll Calls, find your ship and sailing date. It may not be quite active yet and if you can't find one you can always start your own Roll Call and others on that sailing will join.

 

Hope that can help a little. If not, maybe try the government passport site to see if there are answers there?

 

Have fun!:)

 

Oh, wanted to add, welcome to the boards!:)

[Ms belp]

My sister and her husband were there. What do you want to know and I'll ask her tomorrow. Also, as previous poster suggested, consult the government websites to get more information.

[BeachBumMama]

Just wanted to add that you can always ask your question about visa requirements on a Roll Call that isn't yours if there isn't one for your specific cruise.

[nhtraveler313]

We're going on the Jade from Istanbul in November, and I did some research on the boards about a visa (check out the ports of call section). The consensus is that getting it at the airport in Istanbul is the easiest way to go. You pay $20 cash (US) at a table for a visa stamp before you go to the passport check line. And you need exact change. (I'd doublecheck the price in the fall.)

 

You can get it ahead of time by mail, but you have to send them your passport and fill out paperwork; it seems like much more of a hassle. If you live near D.C. or a city where there's a Turkish consulate, it might be easy to get one in person. But most posts said the line for the visa at the airport was only 5 or 10 minutes

[sjbdtz]

It's $20 for US citizens, $60 for others..... you should get your Visa requirements from the Turkish government, not the cruiseline!

 

You pay the fee CASH ONLY (no credit cards) at any port-of-entry.

[aussiecruzer]

Hi, welcome to the CC boards! We are booked on the same cruise as you - why don't you join the roll call at

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=581448

 

We're from Australia, not USA, but it seems that as the above posters say, you obtain your visa after landing at the airport. Look forward to meeting you and chatting on the roll call.:)

[garycarla]

After you visit the Roll Calls - a real must, you should also visit the PORTS OF CALLS boards for great information.

[bubbachief]

Get it at the airport. $20 and very easy, takes no time at all.