BLUE CRUISE BOAT TRIP, TURKIYE
21 September - 27 September 2024
The Blue Cruise is a one-week boat trip on the Aegean coast of Turkiye. It is considered one of the most spectacular boating destinations in the world. We will have six days to explore beautiful beaches, quiet islands, and ancient archaeological sites.
The trip begins in Bodrum, a popular resort town in Turkiye. You should schedule your flight to arrive at least 2 days in advance so there's time to acclimate and explore the area. The cruise will finish in Marmaris, another scenic destination on the Aegean sea.
This is a not-for-profit trip that I am organizing for fun. The charter operator BlueCruise.org is 100% responsible for delivery of all services including the boat, crew, and meals. I have no affiliation with the charter operator.
Steve
TRIP DATES AND LOCATIONS
We will board the boat on Saturday afternoon, 21 September. The boat will be docked at the marina in Bodrum. We will disembark on Friday afternoon, 27 September at a dock near Marmaris. There will be a fee for transportation from the dock to the Marmaris city center (amount TBD). Be sure to have accommodations booked in Marmaris for at least one night.
We will board the boat on Saturday afternoon, 21 September. The boat will be docked at the marina in Bodrum. We will disembark on Friday afternoon, 27 September at a dock near Marmaris. There will be a fee for transportation from the dock to the Marmaris city center (amount TBD). Be sure to have accommodations booked in Marmaris for at least one night.
THE BOAT
The boat we have reserved for the cruise is a traditional Turkish motor-sailor called a gulet. There are six guest cabins that can accommodate one or two people, and each has ensuite toilet and shower. There is a shaded seating / dining area in the aft end of the boat, and a set of sun loungers in the forward area. The boat is equipped with sails but will likely be motoring in order to reach all planned destinations.
The boat and crew for this cruise are being booked through BlueCruise.org in Bodrum and they are 100% responsible for delivery of the contracted services. You can view pictures of the gulet "Ceyda 2" on their website at:
https://gulet-fleet.blue-cruise.org/ceyda/
The boat we have reserved for the cruise is a traditional Turkish motor-sailor called a gulet. There are six guest cabins that can accommodate one or two people, and each has ensuite toilet and shower. There is a shaded seating / dining area in the aft end of the boat, and a set of sun loungers in the forward area. The boat is equipped with sails but will likely be motoring in order to reach all planned destinations.
The boat and crew for this cruise are being booked through BlueCruise.org in Bodrum and they are 100% responsible for delivery of the contracted services. You can view pictures of the gulet "Ceyda 2" on their website at:
https://gulet-fleet.blue-cruise.org/ceyda/
THE ITINERARY
During our six days onboard we will explore a variety of island and coastal sites in the bay of Gökuva east of Bodrum. The tentative itinerary includes Cokertme, Oren/Keramos, Cati, Yedi Adalar, Longoz Bay, and Karacasogut.
The Aegean weather during September is very comfortable. The average daytime high temperature should be around 84F (29C) with a nighttime low around 60F (16C). Rainfall is typically very low in September. The itinerary may be adjusted if needed to accommodate unusual weather conditions during the trip.
During our six days onboard we will explore a variety of island and coastal sites in the bay of Gökuva east of Bodrum. The tentative itinerary includes Cokertme, Oren/Keramos, Cati, Yedi Adalar, Longoz Bay, and Karacasogut.
The Aegean weather during September is very comfortable. The average daytime high temperature should be around 84F (29C) with a nighttime low around 60F (16C). Rainfall is typically very low in September. The itinerary may be adjusted if needed to accommodate unusual weather conditions during the trip.
MEAL SERVICE
Three meals per day are provided on the boat as part of the full board service. The menus will contain all the local produce available in what is mainly regional home cooking. Breakfasts typically include 2 types of cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, salami, eggs, jam, honey, butter, and fresh bread. Lunches are usually a light cooked vegetable dish served with rice or pasta or bulgur wheat and large salads, followed by fresh fruit. The evening meal is either chicken, meat or fish, two or three meze (starters), salads and a rice, pasta or bulgur wheat dish, once again followed by fresh seasonal fruit. The menus are fixed, however, the cook will endeavor to meet special requests or dietary needs.
Three meals per day are provided on the boat as part of the full board service. The menus will contain all the local produce available in what is mainly regional home cooking. Breakfasts typically include 2 types of cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, salami, eggs, jam, honey, butter, and fresh bread. Lunches are usually a light cooked vegetable dish served with rice or pasta or bulgur wheat and large salads, followed by fresh fruit. The evening meal is either chicken, meat or fish, two or three meze (starters), salads and a rice, pasta or bulgur wheat dish, once again followed by fresh seasonal fruit. The menus are fixed, however, the cook will endeavor to meet special requests or dietary needs.
COST
The cost for six days accommodation onboard (in a shared cabin with double bed) is US$550 per person. Full board service (3 meals per day) is an additional US$272 per person. The total cost (shared cabin plus meal service) is US$822 per person.
Single guests have the option of booking an entire cabin for themselves at a cost of US$1100 (plus US$272 for meals). If you book a cabin as a single, you can always switch it to a shared cabin later if you decide you want a roommate. The second person would just need to pay the US$272 fee for meals.
Prices are subject to adjustment due to variations in currency exchange.
The cost for six days accommodation onboard (in a shared cabin with double bed) is US$550 per person. Full board service (3 meals per day) is an additional US$272 per person. The total cost (shared cabin plus meal service) is US$822 per person.
Single guests have the option of booking an entire cabin for themselves at a cost of US$1100 (plus US$272 for meals). If you book a cabin as a single, you can always switch it to a shared cabin later if you decide you want a roommate. The second person would just need to pay the US$272 fee for meals.
Prices are subject to adjustment due to variations in currency exchange.
FLIGHTS
Flights to and from the cruise origin (Bodrum) and destination (Marmaris) are generally on Turkish Airways via Istanbul. If you haven't been to Istanbul it's worth at least 2-3 days visit. Roundtrip airfare from LAX to IST on Turkish Airlines is typically US$800-1000.
Norse Airlines offers low cost flights from LAX to London for around $500 roundtrip. From London there are inexpensive flights to Istanbul for around $100 roundtrip (check WizzAir and Pegasus). Domestic flights within Turkiye are inexpensive. Istanbul-Bodrum and Marmaris-Istanbul are typically around $50 each way on Turkish Airlines.
Passports are required for flights to Turkiye, and must be valid for at least six months after your entry into the country. A tourist visa is also required, and may be purchased on arrival at Istanbul airport. Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover any unexpected circumstances that prevent you from attending. Check the web page at https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com for rates.
Flights to and from the cruise origin (Bodrum) and destination (Marmaris) are generally on Turkish Airways via Istanbul. If you haven't been to Istanbul it's worth at least 2-3 days visit. Roundtrip airfare from LAX to IST on Turkish Airlines is typically US$800-1000.
Norse Airlines offers low cost flights from LAX to London for around $500 roundtrip. From London there are inexpensive flights to Istanbul for around $100 roundtrip (check WizzAir and Pegasus). Domestic flights within Turkiye are inexpensive. Istanbul-Bodrum and Marmaris-Istanbul are typically around $50 each way on Turkish Airlines.
Passports are required for flights to Turkiye, and must be valid for at least six months after your entry into the country. A tourist visa is also required, and may be purchased on arrival at Istanbul airport. Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover any unexpected circumstances that prevent you from attending. Check the web page at https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com for rates.
AVAILABILITY
There are six cabins on the boat. At this time there is only one remaining cabin available.
Cabin 1: Booked
Cabin 2: Booked
Cabin 3: Booked
Cabin 4: Booked
Cabin 5: Booked
Cabin 6: Available
Cabins will be reserved on a first-come-first served basis. A deposit of US$366 is required to reserve a cabin. Deposits can be paid via PayPal.com to socasteve1@gmail.com. Once all deposits are received I will transfer the money to the charter operator BlueCruise.org.
If you pay the deposit then find you can't attend the trip, you can transfer your cabin to anyone you wish without penalty. If we're unable to fill that cabin with another particpant your deposit will be forfeited.
Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover any unexpected circumstances that prevent you from attending or that disrupt the charter trip in Turkiye. Travel insurance is available from https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com
There are six cabins on the boat. At this time there is only one remaining cabin available.
Cabin 1: Booked
Cabin 2: Booked
Cabin 3: Booked
Cabin 4: Booked
Cabin 5: Booked
Cabin 6: Available
Cabins will be reserved on a first-come-first served basis. A deposit of US$366 is required to reserve a cabin. Deposits can be paid via PayPal.com to socasteve1@gmail.com. Once all deposits are received I will transfer the money to the charter operator BlueCruise.org.
If you pay the deposit then find you can't attend the trip, you can transfer your cabin to anyone you wish without penalty. If we're unable to fill that cabin with another particpant your deposit will be forfeited.
Travel insurance is highly recommended to cover any unexpected circumstances that prevent you from attending or that disrupt the charter trip in Turkiye. Travel insurance is available from https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com
WHAT TO BRING
Storage space aboard the boat is limited, so pack lightly. A few shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, and a swim suit will suffice, plus a hoodie for after sunset when it's much cooler. If you plan to visit mosques in Istanbul (or anywhere else in Turkiye) you will probably need a pair of long pants.
Street shoes with dark soles are discouraged on the boat as they can mark up the deck surface. Bring a pair of boat shoes or lightweight water shoes with white soles for use onboard. Temu.com has cheap options for around $20/pair.
Power outlets in Turkiye are European-style round prongs at 220 volts, so bring an adapter for your phone charger. The boat is equipped with WiFi but availability will depend on where the boat is docked/anchored each night.
The charter operator provides bed linens for the cabins, but bring your own towel (and a hat) for excursions to the beaches. It might be a problem carrying sunscreen on flights into Turkiye (especially aerosols) but it's easy to buy once you arrive in Bodrum for the cruise.
Storage space aboard the boat is limited, so pack lightly. A few shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, and a swim suit will suffice, plus a hoodie for after sunset when it's much cooler. If you plan to visit mosques in Istanbul (or anywhere else in Turkiye) you will probably need a pair of long pants.
Street shoes with dark soles are discouraged on the boat as they can mark up the deck surface. Bring a pair of boat shoes or lightweight water shoes with white soles for use onboard. Temu.com has cheap options for around $20/pair.
Power outlets in Turkiye are European-style round prongs at 220 volts, so bring an adapter for your phone charger. The boat is equipped with WiFi but availability will depend on where the boat is docked/anchored each night.
The charter operator provides bed linens for the cabins, but bring your own towel (and a hat) for excursions to the beaches. It might be a problem carrying sunscreen on flights into Turkiye (especially aerosols) but it's easy to buy once you arrive in Bodrum for the cruise.