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It is worth snorkeling around these ruins as it is one of few ruins not protected by a ban on swimmers. For those who prefer to explore terrestrial history, there are also ruins from the Byzantine period on the island of Haci Halil. This noisy place, in which the magical call to prayer several times a day manages to overcome the sound of honking cars, is a great place to add a pre- or post-cruise stay. On a Holland America Line cruise, explore Turkey, a country that for millennia has straddled East and West, Christianity and Islam, independence and invasion. Experience Istanbul’s magnificent Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.
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Why Cruise to Turkey With Celebrity Cruises
Don't miss the Library of Celsus or the Scholastica Baths — their dozen ancient marble toilets are a unique sight from antiquity. Not only are they shaded, but you get a sense of what ancient life was like and can see the restoration work in progress. Better yet, head over to the cafe and bar at the Museum of Modern Art, which is also within easy walking distance. Get a delicious doner kebab made with succulent slow-roasted meat served in a wrap or pita with yogurt, tomato sauce and butter or try a collection of meze, or appetizers, like fava or muhammara.
Istanbul Cruise Port Guide
Our luxury Turkey cruises sail from May through October, allowing you to enjoy the shoulder and summer seasons in Europe. Itineraries range from 10 to 12 nights and visit between seven to ten different ports. Cruises depart from Rome, Athens, or Barcelona and spend two to four nights at sea, which gives you plenty of time to experience the highlights of this gorgeous region of the world. Spend a day exploring Istanbul’s most famous landmarks, such as the Hagia Sophia, a spectacular 6th-century building that has served as a mosque, Eastern Orthodox church, and Catholic cathedral throughout its storied history. Or step inside the neighboring Blue Mosque, a grand domed structure built during the Ottoman Empire which still serves as a popular place of worship today.
Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Istanbul
Different from an all inclusive resort, you wake up at a new port throughout your vacation rather than the same scenery. Within the Fethiye Gulf are the five islands that make up the tiny archipelago of Yassica. The islands are all close together and believed to have joined once, as indicated by ancient ruins under the water.
Best Deals to Istanbul, Turkey
Discover spectacular destinations while surrounded in the utmost luxury and comfort aboard our award-winning ships. Enjoy unlimited entertainment options, like Broadway-level shows in the Theatre and live music in the onboard bars and lounges. Sign up for thrilling shore excursions, where you’ll step inside ancient ruins and explore new cities under the guidance of knowledgeable tour guides.
Another great food possibility is a balik ekmek, a popular sandwich that's made with grilled fish, onions, and lettuce. Tilt your head back and prepare to be captivated by the dazzling building known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque or the Blue Mosque. The walls are covered with more than 20,000 hand-painted blue tiles that catch the natural light at the perfect moment from more than 200 windows.
More about Istanbul
Ferry travel is popular with Istanbul residents and provides both waterside views and a relaxed journey to various destinations across the city. In a bustling city like Istanbul, expect traffic and congestion on the highways. History lovers will find plenty to occupy their time during their Istanbul cruise, like touring the Blue Mosque or the Basilica Cistern. See the Hagia Sophia, one of the most enduring and famous sights in all of Istanbul. Shop and haggle at the Grand Bazaar, or make a day of admiring artisanal goods at the Kadıköy Produce Market just a ferry ride away.
Visit (Kusadasi) Ephesus, where one of the earliest Christian churches took root. Spend a day cruising the Dardanelles between the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. Relax on a sunny beach in Marmaris, once a safe haven for Alexander the Great.
Related Cruises
In Istanbul's bazaars and many tourist shops, sellers can be quite brazenly and annoyingly persistent. When shopping for rugs, know that it's customary for the seller to offer shoppers cups of tea. It's considered good manners to accept, particularly if you are genuinely shopping (as opposed to browsing casually). A geographic and metaphoric melding of East and West, Istanbul is the world's only city covering two continents.
When you think of Turkey you might imagine towering domed mosques, ancient bazaars and Cappadocia’s balloons, but head south from Istanbul and you’ll wind up in a perfect little paradise. Welcome to Turkey’s Aegean coastline, a place dotted with fishing villages and secret coves, where life is lived at the laidback pace of approximately 10 knots an hour. Whether you’re exploring sunken cities, Byzantine ruins or the crystal-clear depths, a cruising trip to Turkey does not disappoint – and that’s before you even experience the world-famous hospitality. To say Turkey has a rich history is an understatement; the coastline and islands are covered with ancient sites, many of which are now found in abandoned locations.
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The main language spoken here is Turkish, though you may hear English at major sights in town as tourism from English-speaking countries is common. It’s easy to get lost in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, which offers some of the biggest bargains from Turkish artisans in the city. You can make an all-day affair of shopping here or simply go for the people watching. The Bazaar is one of the few places remaining in Istanbul where the art of haggling is welcomed and encouraged.
A Turkish blue eye, meant to ward off the evil eye, makes a great souvenir. Also consider a traditional Turkish kilim (a woven carpet) or a more luxurious knotted carpet. Cruise to Ephesus and look for handmade tiles and pottery in the Iznik design, with floral-inspired geometric patterns. Prices are negotiable, and the first offer by the vendor will be at least double what you should pay.
Head to the Grand Bazaar and try your hand at haggling with the locals over spices, textiles and more. These include several nights stay in a hotel or a land tour before or after your cruise. Most visitors will have tried sis kebab (grilled meat on a skewer) and doner kebab (meat shaved from a vertical skewer) before arriving in Turkey. Be sure to try kofte, spiced lamb or beef meatballs served with yogurt dipping sauce. Have a few meze (appetizers) to get your vegetable fix — great options include grilled eggplant salad and cicek dolmasi, fried squash flowers stuffed with raisins and rice. ATMs are scattered around the city, and paying with cash at restaurants is preferred.
We believe the best moments on the road are those where you get to mingle with the locals, learn a little about the culture and history of each destination and make discoveries you won't find in any guide book. We call these real life experiences, the kind you can only get with a local leader showing you the way. The tea gardens in Istanbul, known as çay bahçesis, are a social fixture in Turkish society.
The Bosporus runs through the center; Europe lies to the west, Asia to the east. Walk from Ephesus' Lower Gate to the village of Selcuk, where you can visit what's said to be the burial site of John the Apostle at the Basilica of St. John. About five miles from here lies the House of the Virgin Mary, which traditions holds as the last place she lived.
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