We are finally unpacked following our Ottoman odyssey week, our fourth Marella cruise. Here are my thoughts:

Our Gatwick flight was delayed by half an hour, but apart from some seat swapping after a new aircraft was procured it caused no problems. The three and a half hour flight was  bearable and uneventful. but i hate Gatwick.

Dalaman airport physically  impressed, as did its  high prices. The Turks are spending a massive amount of money on infrastructure shaming the Uk’s torpid progress. Security was high reflecting the presence of drones in military hangars on the other side of the airport with Syria, Iraq and Lebanon all within easy flying distance.

I found the 90 minute coach transfer a welcome opportunity to take in my surroundings, mountains, rivers, a flood plain marble quarries and lots and lots of building materials yards.

We were last on Discovery in the Far East, justs pre covid, and seeing her was like greeting an old friend with many happy memories flooding back. Embarkation formalities were lightning fast, we were on board within five minutes of the coach pulling into Marmaris , a place which immediately impressed.

We like sea days, day one gave us a chance to familiarise ourselves with the ship again, take in the evening show and prepare for Istanbul. My decision to pay for a balcony cabin was immediately vindicated  during  a magnificent sail into this wonderful city, having set the alarm to witness the event.

I have been  to Istanbul before, you could visit for a week and jus scratch the surface. In the morning we took in Istanbul Modern the tremendous new gallery dedicated to modern art  opened in May 2023, built on the site of a famous brothel dating back to Genoese times.

The five-story, 10,500 m2 (113,000 sq ft) building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, and  has a fabulous terrace restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus. We spent the entire morning there, but could have spent all day.

Thereafter we wandered around the Galata Artistic quarter, full of art and restaurants including this magnificent breakfast before taking a Bosphorus cruise down both sides of the strait for half the price of the ship excursion. A successful day!

Day 3 was a visit to  the island of Bozcaada which I had never heard of before. I love tender visits, although those on the tender whose engine seized as the weather deteriorated probably didn’t!

The island was pretty with brightly painted buildings, quaint side streets and the inevitable castle, and the museum fascinating, we spent longer than we anticipated there as a thunderstorm broke over the island. Memorable for that reason, but half  day sufficed ashore.

Day4 Bodrum was a delight with good weather and loads to see as we walked the front to the castle. A beautiful marina and some nice restaurants too

It was amazing to see Socrates ‘ shop still trading!

Day5  Our first organised tour- to Knossos and a “traditional Cretan village”. Knossos was a delight, only 20 minutes drive, but the 90 minutes spent there was far too brief. The “ traditional Cretan Village” ( I should have guessed)  was a Disney creation adjunct to a hotel complex. The “museum” and “traditional craft” shops were closed, lunch comprised a glass of wine a bit of green salad, some bread and nuts. At £104 for two I felt cheated. We were not the only complainees  at destination services.

Day6 Rhodes was delightful  and the perfect port to wander around at leisure which we did.

Day 7 our return from Marmaris was slick, well organised and uneventful, the closing views delightful

All in all, a wonderful week, the service was excellent, our cabin was fantastic, the food good, we normally dined in 47 and always shared a table to meet new people, the highlight of which was being seated with Rosemary Brown and her husband. Her knowledge is second to none This view at night was worth the balcony money on its own.

The shows were consistently entertaining in the Broadway lounge with the “From Broadway to the West End” show a closing highlight. Sitting close to the front it was apparent that recorded chorus parts were being used together with some guide lead vocals but I don’t think anyone else noticed for a show that was unquestionably a success.