Day 21 – Here we are in Istanbul

Istanbul, Bosporus

Sunday, 6 October 2013

Our last day on board the Seven Seas Mariner began with a a champagne caviar breakfast and then Turkish BBQ lunch.

It was just fantastic to be on deck to watch the Istanbul skyline come into view. After we docked about 2.00pm we had a fantastic vantage point across to the old city and up to the Galata Tower. Just amazing!

Our afternoon shore excursion was a cruise of the Bosporus which we’d chosen thinking it would give us a good overall perspective of Istanbul. We had a short bus ride to the ferry terminal where we picked up a private boat for the cold and windy trip up to the Bosporus bridge and the entrance to the Black Sea. 

We were thankful that we’d worn our windproof jackets! Most of this part of the tour focused on the houses of the rich and famous. Then a short stop at an excellent private museum – Sadberk Hanim – which had an excellent collection of ceramics but alas no photographs were allowed. Then back to the ship by bus, as the sun was setting, hearing stories of the terrible traffic jams in Istanbul!

We had dinner at Prime 7, which is arguably the best restaurant on board – Oysters Rockefeller, clam chowder and Main Lobster for me, while Anthony had tuna tartare and then a steak. It was a delicious meal and highlighted that this has indeed been a luxury cruise where the best of everything has been provided!

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