Frequently asked questions

Question 1

Why no upfront payment?

Accepted Answer

Cruise guests have a ship to catch. The no-show risk that justifies deposits in most of our industry doesn't apply to us; you're already going to be back at the port by all-aboard time. Removing the deposit removes the only thing that makes booking a foreign operator feel risky.

Question 2

How do I pay at the end of the tour?

Accepted Answer

Cash (USD, EUR, GBP, TRY) or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx). Your guide carries a mobile card terminal. Tipping is not expected but appreciated; round figures are fine.

Question 3

Do you accept group bookings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, up to 15 guests in our largest vehicle (a Mercedes Sprinter). Above that we coordinate two vehicles. Group bookings get a per-person discount; tell us the headcount and we adjust the quote.

Question 4

Can I change my tour date after booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, up to 24 hours before the start. Cruise itineraries shift; we know. WhatsApp the change as soon as you know it and we'll adjust.

Question 5

Is the price per person or per vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Per person, with tiered discounts as group size grows. The full pricing table appears on each tour page (Price by group size section). Children aged four to twelve receive a 50% discount on most tours.

Question 6

Where exactly do we meet at the Kuşadası port?

Accepted Answer

Inside the Starbucks at the cruise port shopping plaza, a calm two-minute walk from the gangway. Your guide carries a small printed card with your booking name on it. No exit-gate scramble, no crowd of signs.

Question 7

What if my ship docks at a different terminal?

Accepted Answer

There is only one cruise terminal at Kuşadası, Ege Liman / Kuşadası Port, used by every cruise line that calls. Even when two or three ships dock simultaneously, all of them empty into the same shopping plaza.

Question 8

What if I am running late?

Accepted Answer

Send a WhatsApp message to +90 532 324 2489 with the new time. The guide stays at Starbucks; we will not start the tour without you. The buffer in the itinerary is sized for delays of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Question 9

Will I get back to the ship on time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, guaranteed. Every itinerary is built backwards from your specific ship's all-aboard time with a safety buffer the cruise lines don't give you. We have never missed a return in more than 25 years of operation.

Question 10

Do you do hotel pickups outside the cruise port?

Accepted Answer

No. Our private tours are designed around cruise ship calls and depart from Kuşadası cruise port only: your guide waits at the Starbucks inside the port shopping plaza with a named sign, timed to your ship.

Question 11

Are your guides licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every guide carries a Türsab licence and an Ephesus archaeological-site permit. We do not subcontract to unlicensed guides. The licence number appears on the guide's badge; ask to see it if you want.

Question 12

What languages do you offer?

Accepted Answer

English is our primary tour language and what this site is built for. We also have guides who work in Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian and Polish, flag the request when you book and we match accordingly.

Question 13

Is the tour suitable for guests with mobility issues?

Accepted Answer

Most of Ephesus is uneven marble on a gentle downhill grade. There are no stairs and no climb back. We brief in advance, can shorten the route, and can arrange a wheelchair-accessible vehicle on request.

Question 14

Can we do just the guided Ephesus tour and come straight back, without lunch?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that is our standard half-day tour: pickup at the port, a private guided walk through Ephesus, and drop-off back at the ship, about four hours in total. No lunch stop, no shopping stop, no padding; lunch only enters the day as an optional add-on when your port call is long enough for it.

Question 15

Will we visit a carpet or jewellery shop?

Accepted Answer

Only if you want to. On the standard half-day route there are no shopping stops. On the 'Ephesus + Shopping' tour the workshops are optional and pressure-free; many guests skip them entirely.

Question 16

How big is the tour group?

Accepted Answer

Every tour is private to your party. You are not joining strangers. The maximum vehicle capacity is 15 guests; the typical cruise booking is two to six.

Question 17

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

Comfortable closed-toe shoes (essential, Ephesus is uneven marble). Layers in shoulder season; light cotton in summer. If you are visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, modest dress is appreciated (shoulders covered).

Question 18

How hot does it get in summer?

Accepted Answer

July and August can reach 35°C / 95°F on the Ephesus marble with no shade. We bring bottled water; you should bring a hat, sunscreen, and a refillable bottle. Morning tours are noticeably cooler.

Question 19

Is there a lunch stop?

Accepted Answer

On half-day tours, no, guests usually want to be back on the ship. On full-day itineraries, lunch is included at a local family restaurant (vegetarian and gluten-free options always available).

Question 20

Can I take photos with a drone?

Accepted Answer

Drones are not permitted inside the Ephesus archaeological site. Outside the site fence (the parking area, the Temple of Artemis) there is no restriction.

Question 21

Are restrooms available on site?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ephesus has clean facilities at both the Upper and Lower Gates and one set near the Library of Celsus. There is no restroom on the road between sites; we pause when needed.

Question 22

How do I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Send a WhatsApp message or email at any time before the tour. There is no fee; nothing has been charged. We appreciate as much notice as you can give so we can re-allocate the guide and vehicle.

Question 23

What if my cruise is cancelled or rerouted?

Accepted Answer

No charge from our side. We move your booking to a future date or simply close it out, whichever you prefer.

Question 24

What if it rains?

Accepted Answer

Tours run rain or shine, Ephesus is open. The marble streets can be slippery after heavy rain, so we slow the pace and your guide adjusts the route; if your ship cannot dock at all, you owe nothing.

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