Cruise Guide & Curiosities About Cruise Tour

Costa Cruise of the firm Venice coast ve Costa Smeralda what I did with the ships ship tours The questions that came to me during and after, my experiences and what I learned about it. cruise guide I wanted to wrap it up in this article. You will find the answers to whatever you wonder about the cruise tour in this article, enjoy reading!

What is a Cruise?

Prior to "What is a cruise ship?Let's start with the definition. We call cruise ships, which offer all kinds of opportunities such as accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, equipped with high service standards, and used for touristic purposes with a determined route, and in Turkish, we call it cruise. 

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Cruise?

I did not want to start this article without specifying a few important points that you should pay attention to when choosing a cruise.

• First of all, route selection is important when choosing a cruise. You don't have to insist on a ship departing from Turkey, there are wonderful cruise routes starting from wonderful countries such as Italy, Greece, Dubai, Norway. All you have to do is decide which destination interests you.
• Even if you start from Turkey or start from another country, if there are countries that require a visa on the ship's route, you need to get a visa from those countries (even if you don't get off the ship). If you are going to Schengen countries, a single Schengen visa is sufficient.
• When choosing your tour, double-check what's included in the package you buy, and what's extra, then you won't encounter any surprises on board.
• My advice is to research the company and ships of the ship you choose when choosing a cruise. When I went on my first cruise tour 10 years ago, I traveled for 4 days with a ship from Takadan. Although it is very nice to be in the sea, the small ship makes the shaking feel more, the activities are limited, and it can be difficult in many ways.

From which ports in Turkey do cruise ships depart?

With the opening of the Galataport Port in Istanbul, one of the most important cruise ports of our country, Istanbul, has been added to their routes again, and the cruise companies providing services around the world generally make routes that include the Greek Islands, departing from Istanbul. In our country, ports such as İzmir, Kuşadası, Bodrum, Antalya and Alanya also host cruise ships. 

Where is Galataport Istanbul, How to Go, What to Do? Check out my post too.

Types of Cabins for Cruise

Cruise ships have different types of cabins. When choosing your tour, you also need to determine your cabin type. I will explain the different cabin types and their features on the ship I boarded; Inner cabin, outer cabin, balcony cabin, suite, mini suite.

All cabin types have a comfortable bed, bathroom, wardrobe, television and toilet mirror.

Interior

Interior cabins are the cheapest type of room on cruises. Inner cabins are the rooms inside that do not face the sea. These rooms, which have no windows or balconies, are at the same level of comfort as the other rooms. If you have a budget constraint, you can save serious money by choosing an interior cabin. Since little time is spent in the room, why not?

Exterior Cabinet (Windowed)

The outer cabin is the name given to the cabins facing the outer part of the ship. These cabins do not have a balcony, they have windows, so you have a sea view.

Balcony Cabin

The balcony cabin has exactly the same features as the outer cabin. In addition, it has a balcony that two people can use comfortably, so I traveled in this cabin.

follows

The suite room is the largest and most comfortable room on the ship, as in hotels. Unlike other rooms, it has a dressing room, bathtub, coffee corner, a larger sitting area and a larger balcony. If you want to buy a suite cabin, I would like to remind you that you have to buy the ship's all-inclusive package.

Mini Suite

My favorite room type on the Costa Venezia ship was the mini suites. These are the rooms that are slightly larger in size than the interior/exterior/balcony cabins, which are standard rooms, and have the largest balcony as a balcony.

In the meantime, there are rooms with specially designed bathrooms and larger rooms for disabled passengers.

What is Required to Join the Cruise?

Cruise travel, where you can visit many places at once in the comfort of a five-star hotel, is a great alternative for those who do not want to relax, have fun and plan. Below you can see the documents required for a one-week cruise from Istanbul to two Greek Islands with Costa Venezia, the largest cruise ship that docked at Galataport. This list is valid for all cruise routes going out of the country.

• You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months,
• If there are countries on your route that require visas from Turkish citizens, you must have a visa.
• If you have a green passport, you do not need a visa,
• Turkish Citizens are required to pay a departure fee of 150 TL,
• If there is a request from the ship you have booked, you should check-in online like a plane before boarding the ship.

Then give your hand, don't eat or have fun on the ship, new discoveries at every stop!

Advice for Schengen Visa Applicants Be sure to check out my post.

Embarkation Procedures

The Costa Venezia cruise ship I was on was departing from Istanbul. Cruises departing from Istanbul depart from Galataport Port. In fact, we stayed anchored in the port for 1.5 days. The lower floor of Galataport shopping center is the harbor entrance. To board the ship, you must have your passport ready and submit your online check-in documents for the ship you will board.

If you do not want to carry your baggage to the ship yourself, you deliver your baggage at the port entrance as in the plane. Your luggage is delivered to your room after you board the ship.

Your passport is taken by the staff when you board the ship and is not given again until the tour ends (this may vary depending on the country or cruise company you are visiting). Instead, you are given a personalized card, and now this card is your everything. You can disembark and return from the ship by showing this card at the ports you visit. The package you purchased for the cruise, the services you can use, and your food and beverage rights are also defined on this card. So it would be better if you don't lose your card.

While getting off the ship, your passport is delivered again, when we checked, we saw that our passport was stamped at the ports we stopped. Even though we didn't see it, our passport made some visits.

Disembarking at Ports

The most tempting part of traveling with a cruise is going to another port, another city every day. Of course, you do not have to get off at the ports, you can stay on the ship if you wish. But if you want to get off at the port while you are gone, you can enter/exit the port by reading/showing the card given to you.

On the days when the ship docked at the port, you can visit the port by yourself or buy an extra tour from the ship.

Food and Drink on the Cruise

Ship tours are generally sold including breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea-coffee and snacks. When you spend a lot of time on the ship during cruise tours, one of the things that the ships stand out for is their food, and the food is generally good. The food at the restaurants included in the package on the ship I was on was also very successful. Additionally, for those looking for a change, there are restaurants on large ships where you can get extra service beyond the scope of the package.

The tea, coffee and soft drinks next to the soft drink on board are included in the package. However, if you want to buy alcohol, you have to buy an extra beverage package. The way these packages are sold differs from ship to ship. When choosing your ship, I recommend that you also check the prices of your beverage rights and additional packages.

There are also options to pamper yourself on board, such as breakfast in your room. You can also see these services in the extra packages on the ship you board.

On Board Events

When you travel by cruise ship, some days are spent entirely at sea. Everything has been thought for the ship passengers to spend these days to the fullest.

Are you wondering what's going on on the Costa Venezia, a giant 5260 meter long 324 storey ship with 15 people on which I traveled? There were days when I took 16 steps while walking inside the ship, I may not even have discovered it all in 7 days.

🚢 2 Pools
🚢 2 Jacuzzis
🚢 A huge water park
🚢 Zipline platform
🚢 Indoor and outdoor sports fields
🚢 Dance, competition and activity areas
🚢 Wax Museum
🚢 Art Gallery
🚢 Show Halls
🚢 Shows
🚢 Shops
🚢 13 Restaurants
🚢 7 Bars
🚢 Extra Tours
🚢 Parties

As can be seen from the list, there are many activities suitable for all tastes and all ages on board. Throughout the day, there are activities such as dances, competitions and shows with certain hours in different areas. If you do not want to mingle with the crowd, sunbathing or swimming in the pool are among your alternatives.

Every evening, a leaflet is left in the mailbox at the door of your room about what activities are available in which hall for the next day. If you wish, you can see all the events from this brochure or via the mobile application of the ship you board (if any) and choose the ones that interest you.

If you ask what is your favorite activity on the ship, watching the sunrise and sunset over the sea in different ports while sipping my drink.

Extra Tours On Board

While traveling with a cruise ship, you reach a new port almost every day. You can go out and tour by yourself at the ports you reach, or you can buy an extra tour from the ship. If you have a brochure left in your room in the event area or if you have a ship, you can look at the tour options through the mobile application and buy the tour that interests you. When you take a tour from the ship, tour buses are waiting for you at the point where you get off at the port and your ship returns without leaving the port.

What to Wear on Board

Of course, when you join the ship tour, you can take whatever you take on a normal vacation with you. You can spend most of your daytime on the ship in a swimsuit-bikini.

However, since the restaurants on the ship are stylish, there are parties held after dinner, and the last dinner on the ship is like a special gala, you can take stylish clothes with you for the evenings. Of course, there is no need to exaggerate, but you will see passengers wearing evening dresses and high heels.

For example, concept parties such as a latin party one night and a white party one night are organized. It would be nice to buy clothes suitable for those nights. Otherwise, you can stay colorful while everyone is dressed in white at the white party.

Internet Use on Board

There are a few issues I want to warn about the internet while going on a cruise.

First of all, you can use the internet package of your GSM line in Turkey while the ship is in Turkish waters. However, make sure that your phone is not roaming, otherwise you may have to pay very high phone bills because your phone catches a foreign GSM operator. One solution is to define one of your GSM operator's international packages before boarding the ship. Even if you catch a foreign line, you will be billed within the package, it will save you a little bit.

Internet service is also available on board. You can buy one of the different package options according to your needs, but I cannot say that the ship's internet works very efficiently while sailing at sea. This is not a method I would recommend as the prices are also high.

Why should we choose a cruise with a cruise?

Let's clearly define the pros and cons of traveling with Cruise. 

Pros of cruise travel;

• We receive luxury, comfortable, five-star hotel service. We get five-star hotel service at a much more affordable price than hotels of the same quality. 
• You know how much you will pay for what at first, there are no surprise costs. 
• A travel method that offers the opportunity to see many places in a short time without getting tired. 
• We have the opportunity to see a new place by changing places every day without the hassle of collecting and unloading luggage. 
• The first thing you see when you wake up in the morning and the last thing you see before going to bed at night is a magnificent sea view. For example; While anchored in Galataport port in Istanbul, you witness the most beautiful views of the world. Moreover, if you want to stay in a hotel in Istanbul with that comfort and view, you have to pay a fortune. 
• All kinds of facilities are offered, from ship pools to sports fields, various restaurants and bars. 
• Since all-inclusive packages are offered, you don't have to worry about spending a lot of money on what I eat at the destinations. And the food in general is very good. 
• I can guarantee that you will have a lot of fun, especially if you come with a large group of friends. 
• You may make many new friends traveling with you as the ship sails for long hours. 

The old days of cruise travel;

• The ship spends a very short time in the ports where it stops. For this reason, it is not possible to travel to the fullest, it is useful to go prepared for this. 
• You don't feel the shaking mostly because you are traveling with big ships, but you do feel the shaking in very choppy and windy times. 
• Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on cruises, if you have a furry friend, you will have to leave them at home. 
• Depending on the weather and sea conditions, there may be situations where you cannot go to the places you see on the route. If the sea is too choppy, that route may be canceled because it cannot approach some ports. Be prepared for such changes.

What You Need to Know When Traveling on a Cruise Ship 

Knowing the following before you go on a cruise will increase your travel comfort;

• You should definitely check the ship's route and clarify your passport and visa needs a few months before your trip. Just like you need to have a valid passport and Schengen visa if you are going on a tour that includes the Greek Islands. 
• You are given a special card when boarding the ship. You use this card to enter and exit the ship from the destinations you visit. 
• You cannot spend on board with cash or credit card. When boarding the ship, you are given a card that defines the service package you purchased, and if you want to purchase extra services, it is also defined on this card. You must carry this card with you throughout your trip, and have it read during boarding and disembarkation.
• Internet can be a bit of a problem during the cruise. You can buy an internet package from the ship, but the connection may not be very good. It would be good to plan to meet your internet needs in the ports you dock. 
• At the ports where the ship stops, you can buy extra tours from the ship or plan your own trip. If you are planning your own trip, it will be efficient in terms of time management to do your research beforehand. 
• The biggest prejudice about cruise tours is that it is a holiday for the elderly. However, I have confirmed with my experience that it is a form of travel that appeals to almost everyone, such as honeymoon couples, families with children, groups of friends, and those who want to have a girl-girl vacation. 
• Unlike a classic holiday, everyone dresses very stylishly for dinner on a cruise holiday. On some ships, a gala dinner is organized and the passengers meet the captain. Therefore, do not forget to take a few stylish clothes with you. 
• There are all kinds of activities as you will be sailing for long hours on the ship. Do not forget to bring your belongings such as your swimsuit, if you are doing sports, your sports clothes. 

Knowing the pros, cons and what you need to pay attention to, you can be sure that you will enjoy your trip at the highest level when you join the cruise. 

Cruise Routes

You can travel by cruise to almost any place with sea or river. You do not need to choose a ship from Turkey to make a cruise. You can also make a travel plan by going to the location where the route starts and joining the ship from there. 

If we count the most popular cruise routes in the world; Norwegian Fjords, Danube, Greek Islands, Caribbean and Cuba, Alaska, Patagonia, Mediterranean (Western and Southern Europe), Dubai and UAE, Seychelles, Hawaiian Islands, Baltics, Antarctica, Transatlantic.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cruise

If you have any other questions, let's meet in the comments.

7 Nights Turkish Coast & Greek Islands Tour with Costa Venezia

The tour of the Costa Cruise company I mentioned throughout the article, in which I participated, was in the form of Istanbul>Kusadasi>Rhodes>Crete>Istanbul. There are also routes from Istanbul to Athens. Both options start and end in Istanbul.

@costacrusisoffical You can see my cruise route with a summary below;

Day 1 – Embark from Istanbul at 17:00 at the latest.
You can take a tour of Istanbul in the evening.

Day 2 – Istanbul.
You can visit Istanbul by yourself or buy a tour from the ship. Today is the day to visit Istanbul.

Day 3 – Journey from Istanbul to Kusadasi.
We spend the whole day on the ship, at sea, and reach Kusadasi in the evening.

Day 4 – Kusadasi.
You can visit Kusadasi or its surroundings by yourself or buy a tour from the ship. The ship stays in the port until the evening hours.

Day 5 – Rhodes.
You can tour Rhodes by yourself or buy a tour from the ship. The ship stays in the port until the evening hours.

Places to Visit in Rhodes

Day 6 – Crete.
You can tour Crete by yourself or buy a tour from the ship. The ship stays in the port until the evening hours.

Day 7 – Journey from Crete to Istanbul.
The whole day is spent on the ship, at sea, fortunately there is a lot to do on the ship. You can check my previous reels.

8th Day – 08:00 Arrival in Istanbul.
You can leave your room around 08:00 and stay on the ship until the afternoon.

This tour does not only take passengers from Turkey, it has passengers from many parts of Europe such as Italian, German and French. They come to see Istanbul and Turkey. It is also preferred by our expats.

It is necessary to evaluate a cruise tour differently, instead of spending a week in an ordinary hotel, sleeping in the comfort of a five-star hotel in the sea, waking up, traveling, waking up in a different place every day -even in Turkey- is a very different and wonderful experience.

Costa company has ship routes in many parts of the world. One-week programs start from 349 euros all inclusive. Prices vary depending on the destination, room type and room service you receive. The price of our room with balcony is 649 Euro, unlimited drink package is 220 Euro, daily service fee is 11 Euro for every day.

In addition, if you want to take an extra tour where you stop at the ports, the prices vary according to the tour type, starting from 35 Euros.

I can say that the route Istanbul>Kusadasi>Rhodes>Crete>Istanbul with the Costa Venezia ship of Costa Cruise company was one of the most beautiful holidays I have spent. Millet on your head!

Costa Venezia Cruise Photos

You can see all the photos I used on the cruise guide page below. All photos and usage rights belong to me, cannot be used without permission.