Interested in Med. Cruise in spring 2014

[Plantcrone]

Hi-I'm new to cruising and going on my first cruise in December 2013 to the Caribbean, courtesy of my daughter and son in law. We are going as a family and I'm sharing a suite with my 8 year old grand daughter..which is great for me.

 

I have always wanted to see Istanbul-I was so disappointed when The Orient Express quit running because that was a 'Bucket List" thing for me..now the closest I can come is a cruise from Italy to Turkey. At least thats what I'm thinking.

 

Has anyone done this tour? I'm thinking a 10 to 14 day..I want time in ports to see things. I don't want to have to rush around! Due to medical issues, it's no longer ideal for me to travel alone..last time I was on vacation (Last year) I fell and broke my hip, time before that I fell and broke my wrist. So now I am careful and have decided to travel in a group when possible..it's a knock to my independence.

 

I'm only 70 and still active and love to watercolor. I wanted to watercolor paint pictures of Saint Sophia i9n Istanbul so much. I've seen several pictures in a class I take and think it would be a wonderful and fulfilling experience.

 

I would like to hear others experiences with this kind of trip, what you saw, what line you were on, attractions, must see's and negatives.

 

Looking for a LOT of input here.

 

Thanks: Elle (aka PlantCrone) in the Great NorthWest.

[Tom47]

Hi-I'm new to cruising and going on my first cruise in December 2013 to the Caribbean, courtesy of my daughter and son in law. We are going as a family and I'm sharing a suite with my 8 year old grand daughter..which is great for me.

 

I have always wanted to see Istanbul-I was so disappointed when The Orient Express quit running because that was a 'Bucket List" thing for me..now the closest I can come is a cruise from Italy to Turkey. At least thats what I'm thinking.

 

Has anyone done this tour? I'm thinking a 10 to 14 day..I want time in ports to see things. I don't want to have to rush around! Due to medical issues, it's no longer ideal for me to travel alone..last time I was on vacation (Last year) I fell and broke my hip, time before that I fell and broke my wrist. So now I am careful and have decided to travel in a group when possible..it's a knock to my independence.

 

I'm only 70 and still active and love to watercolor. I wanted to watercolor paint pictures of Saint Sophia i9n Istanbul so much. I've seen several pictures in a class I take and think it would be a wonderful and fulfilling experience.

 

I would like to hear others experiences with this kind of trip, what you saw, what line you were on, attractions, must see's and negatives.

 

Looking for a LOT of input here.

 

Thanks: Elle (aka PlantCrone) in the Great NorthWest.

Hi

There is a company Society of Intl Railway Travelers which does run shorter versions of the Orient Express, but very expensive. See irtsociety.com

 

As for cruises, we have done 1 Royal cruise starting/ending Barcelona, which stopped in Istanbul, and have another Med cruise booked

Tom:)

Edited October 30, 2013 by Tom47
typo

[Dancer Bob]

It takes a lot more than one cruise ship visit to see Istanbul, even an overnight stop. From what you say about medical issues, I don't think you´ll find Istanbul an easy city to navigate. Maybe best to find a travel agent who specialises in handicap travel.

[CasaM]

We've done a Med. cruise each year since 2007, when DH retired, so we've been to many ports including Istanbul. You can't see everything in one trip, but you can see some wonderful things and always have the opportunity to return on future cruises. We went on RCI and did the ship's tour in Istanbul, which was a full day and included the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace (without harem room), and lunch. It was a wonderful day - alot of walking but nothing too strenuous.

 

You can probably consider 3 options for a cruise.

1. Either start or end in Istanbul, which would give you more time in the city.

2. Get a ship that overnights in Istanbul for a little more time.

3. Just a one day stop in Istanbul with either a ship's tour or private guide.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Istanbul and hope you get to fulfill your dream and go there!

 

Also, Ephesus was a highlight stop for us with the terrace houses. If you can find a ship that does Istanbul plus Izmir or Kusadasi, which gives access to Ephesus, I would definitely do that.

[griffy116]

My first trip to Europe was a Med cruise last summer. We started the trip in Rome and spent 3 days there, then boarded the ship in Civitavecchia. We didn't visit Istanbul, but we did get to see Ephesus and it was truly amazing. We used a private car and guide for our excursions which gave us a very distinct advantage, even on those that were more physically fit. The private car was able to get us much closer and much earlier than the swarm of tourists in each location, giving us more time to explore a bit slower, made for less walking by getting us to areas not possible for the large buses and the tips from the drivers were fantastic. In Turkey, everyone was sweltering in the heat. Our driver had a chest filled with bottles of ice cold water for us. I would definitely recommend this for your trip. We also used the private car for transport from the airport to the hotel, hotel to cruise ship, ship back to hotel and then finally for the hotel to the airport. No dragging the luggage or bruises and bumps from the luggage either. When in Rome, we used a centrally located hotel and forgot about the advice that walking everywhere was the way to go. We used taxi's and I don't think we ever paid more than 5 euros. This also gave us more time, no feeling of rushing, less exhaustion. My daughter and son-in-law went to Rome a few years prior and spent a week there. She was amazed at the fact that we saw everything in 3 days that it took them a week to see...and more. On the last morning, everyone was sprinting to the airport, dragging luggage and pulling their hair out. We leisurely exited the ship after fueling up on breakfast and additional coffee. Walked to the end of the tent where our driver awaited us. He drove us to the hotel, where they took care of our luggage while we went to some of our favorite shops, did a bit more sightseeing and had a bit of lunch. By the time we returned, our room was ready. We had a wonderful evening at a great restaurant and the next morning, our driver once again met us, scooped up our luggage and whisked us to the airport, putting us in exactly the spot we needed. We put the 20 somethings to shame in the evenings when discussing what we had seen during the day. No need to tell them our secret...lol. Best trip of our life.

[dorisis]

Unlike North America, European and Asian cities are not handicapped friendly. You would probably enjoy yout excursions more if they were done privately rather than thru the ship. You should be able to hire a driver who will take you to see whatever sights you want. ships tours are usually on large busses(hard to get on and off) and you might have trouble keeping up with the other tourers ( I know I do.)

 

If you have a balance problem take along a cane or a walker. If the walker has a seat you can stop and rest and sit for a minute or more. Med cruises stop almost everyday at a different port and you will need to pace yourself.

 

Enjoy your grandchild and see the world thru her eyes.

[middlehaitch]

Hi Elle, It's me :) and I have been to Istanbul!

You would love it. I didn't know you had taken up throwing yourself on the floor and breaking bones so I have to ask how is your walking now your hip is healed?

I was emailed a cruise today with an itinerary I just loved and would think it might suit you:-

12 night Black Sea and Greek Isle cruise Sept 20 2014 on the Celebrity Constellation.

It starts in Istanbul, day 2) at sea; 3)Yalta, Ukraine; 4)Sevastopol, Ukraine; 5 & 6) Odessa, Ukraine; 7)Burgas, Bulgaria; 8)Bosphorus Straight (cruising); 9)Mykanos, Greece; 10)Athens, Greece; 11)Ephesus, Turkey; 12)Istanbul, Turkey; 13)Istanbul, Turkey.

We did a Med cruise in '09 and it just did a one day stop in Istanbul which I don't think would suit you as the port is quite a distance from the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace and you do need time to see them and the Blue Mosque.

Celebrity do a 7 night cruise from Istanbul which also might suit as you could then spend a couple of extra days in istanbul. I have the name of a lovely little hotel in the old town which we loved staying in. this one goes to Rome, via Mykanos, Athens, Valletta, Catania, and Salerno.

Sorry I am giving you just Celebrity info but it is the cruise line I like and use.

For the first cruise I mentioned it is offered at a reduced rate by an online TA so I can't mention it but if you are interested let me know and I will forward the email to you.

You can email me if you wish -the address below can be clicked on.

Cheers, h.

Hope there is a pic of the Hagia Sophia from our little hotel below.

Edited December 17, 2013 by middlehaitch

[iancal]

Just go!

 

Istanbul is wonderful. And for that matter so is all of Turkey, Greece, Italy, etc.

 

Don't sweat the details or spend time dwelling on all the reasons why you should not go. Confirm the cruise and spend the rest of you time reading about the port stops.

[SharkByte]

Elle,

 

Look for a Cruise w/ a land option, "CruiseTour". If your looking for a cruise to remember, check Regent. When I was Med Cruise shopping they had an Istanbul w/ pre cruise land tour. Don't let the price shock you. Keep in mind when they say "ALL" inclusive, it means "ALL"!!! (air, hotels, excursions, ground transfers, baggage handling, specialty restaurants, cocktails... pool attendant to clean your shades...no kidding) ALL INCLUSIVE. w/ their crew to guest ratio, you will never want. I requested the hot tubs to be open for a late evening soak and they accommodated me. I do not work for or have any ties to the line. Spent 17 days in 2012, we had 138 excursions to choose from. Their smaller ships go where others can't, and spend more time in port. Was by far the best to date!!!

 

Wishing you All the Best,