Today was all about the Queen Victoria!

We got up early to finish packing and then hopped on the tram to go back to the Grand Bazaar one more time. The objective was to hit the jewelry store one more time, grab some breakfast at a streetside stand and head back to the condo. And that’s exactly what we did!

Two Black Ubers (simply a black, commercial taxi van) picked us up and dropped us off at the port. The Istanbul port is the first of its kind; it’s underground. The surface level can handle 3 cruise ships at one time and they have screens that rise from the surface to cordon off access to the ships. When there are no ships in port, the screens drop down and it is a beautiful public space.

Check-in was effortless, our rooms were ready, so we dropped our hand bags and started exploring. The ship has 7 restaurants, 13 bars, 3 swimming pools, a ballroom, and a theatre so there was plenty to discover.

We had a nice dinner in the Britannia restaurant followed by a good comedy/juggling/acrobat husband and wife show. Then to bed!

Tomorrow is a sea day as we sail through the Dardanelles.