Cruise Ship Shore Excursions can be like a Box of Chocolates - You're never quite sure what you're…read moregoing to get. Gayle and I were on the Norwegian Jade with her Sister and Hubby (Erin and Jim) and from the Port of Izmir, we signed up for "Ephesus and House of the Virgin Mary" Tour. What we got was a highly knowledgeable Tour Guide, who was also quite efficient in getting to where we needed to go, at the right time, and through the tourist site in a comprehensive, yet relatively quick manner. She called us her "Royal Family" and although she probably called every Tour that, we happily followed her multi-coloured umbrella through the tourist hordes. The bus driver was pretty cool too.
Of course there were the sales connections, as she recommended which bazaar stall to visit at the end of the Ephesus walk (#3) and talked up the Turkmen Carpet sales demonstration. However, she was a lot more low key than a similar situation in Athens the day before. And the recommendations were actually pretty good.
The bus picked us up from the Port of Izmir, and we quickly knew we were in good hands, as the bus traveled through the City of Izmir, through farm land country side, and onward through Selcuk and to the House of the Virgin Mary (HVM) and Ephesus. She got us to HVM first and early to avoid the crowds, and then took us down the hill to Ephesus. The later was crowded, but she got us through with aplomb. Then there was the tourist bazaar, Lunch at Aqua Fantasy, the Turkmen demonstration, and back to the Port. She also pointed out a grocery store across the street, so I could stock up on some beer for the cruise ship room. Now that's full service!
Please note that separate (and well deserved) tips are recommended for the driver and the tour guide. Tura Turizm also handed out a nice little welcome goodie bag that included an "evil eye" pin and a container to fill up with some HVM Holy Water. I would gladly travel again with this tour company.