Istanbul

[hopefultraveller]

I have only seen one accessible tour of Istanbul, which did not include entry into anything. Do P and O do an accessible shuttle and if so where do they drop off. Thanks.

[Manoverboard]

Hello and welcome

There are two terminals that P&O can logically use, one is closer to the Gelata(?) Bridge and the main highlights whereas the other one is about a mile further up the waterline but in the same general area.

I have no direct knowledge about suitable P&O excursions but I can advise you that you could get a yellow taxi to just about anywhere for less than 15 TL in Istanbul.

[hopefultraveller]

Thanks Manoverboard. If past eperience is anything to go by, P and O will berth as far out as possible!

[Capt Black]

When we were in Istanbul last year there was no shuttle at all.

[Manoverboard]

When we were in Istanbul last year there was no shuttle at all.

Agreed and this applies to both docking locations but is a shuttle available for people with mobility issues ?

[hopefultraveller]

Were there shuttles of any kind in the other Black Sea ports Capt. Black?

[Manoverboard]

The ' link ' below will take you within a ' click ' of all P&O's Shuttle Buses.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/on-sh ... nformation

[Capt Black]

Were there shuttles of any kind in the other Black Sea ports Capt. Black?

Didn't need one at Odessa, but the only way to get into town on foot is by using the Potemkin Steps.

Yalta didn't have a shuttle service, a walk into town takes about 5 minutes.

There was however a shuttle at Constanza which dropped us off in the main town square. Took about 10 minutes, and you see most of the "sights", though not the waterfront Cazino - Not a lot in Constanza (it was a Sunday), we actually walked back to the ship. You do have to walk along a long road within the port, but it was paved.

[lioness]

When we did Istanbul and the Black Sea, we did a Viator tour of Istabul. It was less than the P&O one, they picked us up at the dock. There were only 2 other couples - 6 of us in a minibus. The tour guide was brilliant. He also got called on his mobile to say that the crowds in the Blue Mosque from the cruise ships were bad, so to do hagia Sophia first, which we did. when we got to the Blue Mosque, it was empty! It included lunch. I would recommend it to anyone.

[hopefultraveller]

Actually, I was thinking that a taxi up to the Blue Mosque area would be just as good as all the top sites are near each other I gather. Is this easy to do and how much do you think it would cost?

[Manoverboard]

Actually, I was thinking that a taxi up to the Blue Mosque area would be just as good as all the top sites are near each other I gather. Is this easy to do and how much do you think it would cost?

It depends where you dock but in our experience you can get to the majority of the highlights for TL10-15.

ps .. TL is the local money, as in Turkish Lira.

[hopefultraveller]

That sounds OK. I assume there are lots of taxis around the port area and in the popular tourist areas?

[Manoverboard]

Zillions of them ... we opt for the yellow ones but note that they cannot pull over on the wrong side of the street, nor do they all speak English so take a map / pic / print out in Turkish plus the Port Address for the return trip

[hopefultraveller]

Thank you all. This has been very helpful.