We are cruising on Oceania next spring and are curious if anyone has had experience with private airport transfers in Istanbul and Venice. I see many listed on the internet, but would like personal recommendations from anyone. Four of us need to get to the ship in Istanbul and from the ship in Venice. Thanks

chaslin - We did the exact same itinerary in 9/06 on the Nautica and used private transport at both ports. The one for Istanbul was arranged through Transbalkan Travel -www.transbalkan.net and we used Venice Limosine www.venice-limousine.com for Venice. Both were great and I certainly recommend them. We flew into Istanbul and they were right there as you come through security with a sign with our name on it. Assisted in luggage pick up too. Venice they were literally at the bottom of the gangway waiting for us - drove us to where you pick up your luggage, assisted with pick up and on to the airport.

Any questions - let me know. It's a great itinerary - you'll really enjoy it.

When we took an Oceania cruise that started in Venice, we were at the San Basillio dock; we just got a cab at the airport, which we shared with another couple who we met in the cab line. I think it cost under 40 Euro.

In venice are you going straight to the ship from the airport or to a hotel? My wife & I just walked down to the dock from the airport and caught the water bus and went to where we wanted to go(a stop in Venice for our hotel) that night and then when we were ready to catch the ship we did the same for that. It's easy and a lot cheaper than any taxie. We are seniors and we handled our luggage just fine. You can also catch a watert taxie there. Good cruiseing.

dear chaslin ,
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check out their informative site turkeyexplorers.com