Well I just called X and was told that for the Connies embarkation point on Oct. 25th the post is a mouthful. Its;
Salipagari yolcu salonu.
Does anyone know how far this is from the Grand baazar/blue mosque area where we will be staying 3 days precruise?
Are cabs readily available here for disembarkation as we plan to self disembark? Thank you. Larry.

Doesn't sound like the same place that we docked a couple of years ago. That was Karakoy and sure looked like the main cruise port. It was close to the Sultanahmet area, but not walking close. It was across the Golden Horn. I remember a lot of taxis arround, so I don't think that will be an issue.

Hmmm. The gal at X said there is more than one port and this is the one she gave. We are staying in the Sultanahmet area. Thank you.

Ok I got it. What I said is the official address of the port. Karakoy is the name of the cruise ship terminal so basically they are the same. Thanks again. Larry

In July, a trip from Sultanhamet to the cruise port was 30 euros with www.istanbulairports.com. (It was 40 euros from the airport to our hotel, the Crowne Plaza.) Because of chaotic traffic and death defying taxi drivers in Istanbul, we felt this was the better option. Because most ships require you to depart in the worst of rush hour, I would be concerned about the actual cost with a taxi's meter running while stopped in traffic.

Actually our ship ports at 0700 on a Sunday and we have an 1130AM flight so hopefully it will be OK. I will check the website for a possible pick up at the dock. Thank you.

Jeff: Thanks for link. I have a P/U lined up for 30 Euros.

Jacketwatch, we are seriously thinking about booking last minute the cruise you are on. I am trying to work out airfares, etc. before making the final decision. The best flight I can get on the sixth would be at 10:50. That would really be pushing it, wouldn't it?
Later flights are super expensive. Probably just stay over another day, wouldn't you think?
Have you traveled in this part of the world before? We did a Greek Cruise last fall, and have wanted to go to Turkey for a long time. The cruise just looks too good to pass up.

Jeff, thanks for that information. If we go, I will also need it.
Any tips on Istanbul that you can think of?

Sass and jacket: be aware of this -
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/...acrifice-feast

ahhh, timing is everything eh? So, I'd be a little wary about tight connections. I'm actually getting off in Athens two days earlier 'cos I can't get the connection I need to Istanbul in time.

Yup, Sass, I'm on it too.

Hmmm. Well we leave Nov. 6th and have made arrangements for an 0730 P/U from the ship which ports at 0700. Kinda close I know but the plane leaves at 11:30 Am so hpoefully as we are not too far from the airport we will be OK.

Dogster,

Search on Istanbul and you will find several helpful posts from many Fodorites. We have traveled to Istanbul four times for a total of about 5 weeks. We have found that almost everything we wanted to see and do was within walking distance of the tram line. The tram, however crowded it may be, almost always if faster than a taxi, as well as being much calmer.

Also, you can easily get to Taksim square on the underground cable car from the northern terminus of the tram at Besikatas.

We have stayed in the Sultanhamet (sp?) area, Nisantansi and near Taksim. The most luxurious hotels are near Taksim or on the shore north of there. While the Hyatt and Intercontinental are exceptional properties, they are far from many of the places you would wish to visit. We have stayed in the newer parts of the city only to be convenient to conference centers. I would very much recommend staying in Sultanhamet for any vacation or touristic visit.

On our last visit we found the Kumkapi area. Reminiscent of Third Street in Santa Monica, or Quincy Market in Boston, without the stores you can find anywhere else, e.g. United Colors etc., it is filled with restaurants and bars. A great place to eat outdoors, just keep a water bottle handy with which to keep the cats under control. (Actual pouring or water appears to be unnecessary.)You can easily reach it from the Sultanhamet area by taxi, but if you have a dinner reservation many restaurants will provide a car service. It is more fun to get to the area and walk among the restaurants and talk to the "pullers-in" (an old New York expression) before making your selection. Think of it as the Grand Bazaar for dining.

We had exceptional experience with http://www.samyelitravel.com/. They provide tours in Istanbul and Kusadasi, and we have been very happy with them. In Istanbul, ask for Tanner, and in Kusadasi ask for Levant. They are both exceptional and very knowledgeable young men who will tailor the tour to your interests and needs.

Thank you Jeff - very generous advice. It's a great town, isn't it?

Hey, Dogster & jacketwatch,

DH & I will be sailing along with you. When I called a few minutes ago, they had only four cabins left, so it was pretty much down to the wire for making a decision. I booked. I have a love-hate relationship with last minute trips, but that is the way it often goes with us. At least, I only have about a month to worry about getting things done and things happening.

I am excited, but have a ton of work to do - haven't booked airline tickets yet. Have to get on cruisecritic and sign up for the rollcall and see about tours, etc. Jeff801, I'll be reading everything you've posted, and also looking for advice about Israel. I've studied maps and everything in Istanbul and Turkey, and have been to Ephesus, but Israel is a whole different ball game. Maybe I will ask DH to do that. It looks like getting a visa in Turkey is easy. What about Israel?

Excellent Sass. Welcome aboard.
Looks like two more for dinner, eh, jacket?

Sass: No visa needed for USA citizens. How about dinner with us and Dogster? We will hit one of the speciality restaurants. This is turning into a party now.

That would be great. Of all the good luck, to meet you two. Can't wait. We will be in cabin 7060.

Thats a date hun. We will be in 8099 and Dogster will be in 9074. Its getting better all da time.

Oh dear .... 3 of you now? and I thought it was going to be a riot with just Larry & Dogster.

Riot huh. Just maybe