Do I need to obtain a visa for Turkey

[ts]

I will be traveling on the Navigator or the seas on Oct. 20 and one of the ports will be Istanbul Turkey. I have a passport but I read that Turkey also requires a visa. Will the cruise lines provide this. Also what will the weather be like in Istanbul on Oct 26. Will it still be warm. I heard that it gets cold in November and since this is the end October - I'm not sure what I should pack. We will be there for two days and I would appreciate any ideas about what to see. Should I take the ship excursions or will it be easy enough to do this on our own. How far is the cruise port to the city and what type of transportation can I take.

[billybuzzy]

ts-The best thing to do would be to first check with your TA (Travel Agent) ot to contact the cruiseline directly to check if a separate visa will be needed. I do not believe that cruiselines can offer a visa to a passenger as that is a governmental function.

Bon Voyage,

BillyBuzzy

[LHT28]

If you are flying into or out of Turkey you need a VISA.
If you are just stopping for the day on a cruise ship you do not.
http://www.turkishembassy.com/II/K/visa_requ.htm

[SailorJack]

Actually, in some cases, ships can take care of the visa process for you. For example, if you get off a ship in Russia by yourself you must have already obtained a visa. But if you take a ship's tour, the ship handles that. I assume the cost of the visa is included in the tour price.

This happened to us in St. Petersburg. I was about to apply for a visa when I found out that if I took a ship's tour or a tour with a registered Russian tour agency I wouldn't need a visa.

[LHT28]

Originally posted by SailorJack:
Actually, in some cases, ships can take care of the visa process for you. For example, if you get off a ship in Russia by yourself you must have already obtained a visa. But if you take a ship's tour, the ship handles that. I assume the cost of the visa is included in the tour price.

Russia is different than Turkey

[SailorJack]

Originally posted by SailorJack:
Russia is different than Turkey

You will note that I said "In some cases". My comment was in response to BillyBuzzy's comment that cruise lines cannot offer visa services.

That said, I do appreciate the Geography lesson

PS. Sorry about the double post. I tired to edit the first one and wasn't allowed in.

[penny3333]

SailorJack, I deleted the double post for you. Cheers!

[LHT28]

Originally posted by SailorJack:

You will note that I said "In some cases". My comment was in response to BillyBuzzy's comment that cruise lines cannot offer visa services.

FYI
Some cruise lines will get you a Visa (for a fee)

[ts]

Thanks for all the replies. I found out that I don't need a visa even though we are staying more than 24 hours - we are only visiting this port. It was some one at the American Airline Cruises that brought up this needless worry in the first place. It took a while to get the correct information.