ARRIVAL - PRECRUISE INFO We are a 60ish couple from Texas. Having been to Istanbul a couple of times, we arrived two days early to look around on our own. We stayed at the Hotel Niles and used the hotel's taxi service which was efficient and pleasant. The hotel is not fancy, but the price is good and everything was as advertised, and as reviewed on Tripadvisor. The rooftop restaurant was good (breakfast included) and we were able to take our own drinks up there in the evening. It was enjoyable to meet a number other travellers there. The hotel staff was particularly helpful.

The hotel is located very near the Grand Bazaar and within close walking distance of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It is also very close to the Tram. We spent time in the market, and since it was Ramadan, we spent both evenings we were there around the stalls set up for breaking the fast. We ate at the stalls.

EMBARKATION Embarkation would have been fine had our taxi driver taken us to the right port entrance... Since he didn't we got to haul our luggage (on wheels) about 3/4 mile to the Jade, then exit the port and get in line for the Jade. NCL embarkation was fine. We got there about noon and our aft minisuite was ready, so we dropped off our bags and ate lunch in the buffet. Read more