Thread: Istanbul next week?

Thanks so much to both of you for great advice - I really appreciate it! After much consideration, we decided that flying out of ATL to FRA on Delta the 13th looked to be our best bet. In FRA, hubbie pulled the trigger and purchased 2 full-fare one way tickets on Turkish Air to IST for us. Reasonably priced - however the taxes were awful! Probably could've ZEDed it, but peace of mind is worth a lot! However, that does lock us in to FRA. Right now loads look good - if things change I can always hop up to JFK and try Delta or one of the other airlines who fly to FRA from there. <br><br>The return plan, since loads are optimized leaving IST on Delta then (and there are senior non-revs to us already listed!) is to ZED on Turkish Air to AMS. Will have to overnight there, however, but they do have 2 flights to ATL from there on Delta metal, so chances are pretty good that we'll get back to ATL that way. Alternative is ZED on IST to FRA (already have ZEDs for Turkish Air there). Another overnight there somewhere, then catch the Delta flight to ATL. Hopefully one of those options will work for us. ... With any luck our flight home to PNS will miraculously have seats available - otherwise, we rent a car &amp; drive it! <br><br>I ended up booking a room at the "Boutique Maywood Hotel" in IST for 3 nights prior to the cruise. Good reviews on Trip Advisor and total of 270 Euros - great location, free airport pick up &amp; breakfast. 10% discount for cash instead of credit. There were cheaper - but I'm kinda picky about where I sleep ;-) Hopefully it will turn out as nice as it sounds.<br><br>Once again, thanks so much for giving me your advice. If things go crazy with my plans, I will definitely try one of your suggestionsptions and at least one of them should work out!