Odyssey of the Seas Wednesdays in Kusadasi: Ephesus by private car

Published 4 October 2026

Odyssey of the Seas keeps a steady rhythm in Kusadasi: Wednesday, every week, through the summer. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows 22 calls, all on Wednesdays. One is on 7 October 2026; the other 21 run weekly from 12 May to 29 September 2027. If you are on one of those summer sailings, the two things to plan around are heat and other ships.

How often is the port busy on Wednesdays?

Quite often. On 18 of the 22 Wednesdays at least one other ship is in port, and on 11 of them Kusadasi has three or more ships. The fullest day in the schedule is Wednesday 15 September 2027, with four other ships alongside. At the other end, 23 June, 4 August, 8 September and 29 September 2027 show no other ship.

Are the times known?

Only for the October 2026 call: 09:00 to 19:00, a ten-hour day. For all 21 calls in 2027, arrival and departure times have not been announced yet. When they are, the ship’s daily programme will also give the all-aboard time, which is earlier than departure. Use that as your real deadline.

What fits into the day?

On a ten-hour call, all four nearby sights fit: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and Sirince. Together they take roughly 7 to 7.5 hours door to door, and we always plan to be back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure.

For the 2027 Wednesdays, use these scenarios until the times are out:

• About 10 hours in port: all four sights, with a relaxed lunch.
• About 8 hours: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Sirince does not fit; leave it.
• About 6 hours: Ephesus plus either Mary’s House or Artemis.
• Under 6 hours: Ephesus alone, or Ephesus with a quick Artemis stop.

A sample day on the 09:00 to 19:00 call

Here is how the October call could run, with approximate times:

1. 09:30 Meet your driver at the cruise port exit.
2. 10:00 to 12:15 Ephesus. Start at the upper gate and walk down; your driver waits at the lower gate.
3. 12:35 to 13:50 Sirince for lunch and a stroll.
4. 14:10 to 14:30 Temple of Artemis.
5. 15:00 to 15:45 House of the Virgin Mary.
6. About 16:30 Back at the port, well before the 18:00 latest return.

The order is flexible. On a hot or crowded day, it can make sense to start with Sirince or Mary’s House and finish at Ephesus.

The summer heat question

Thirteen of the calls fall in June, July and August, and more in May and September. July and August middays are often well above 30 °C, and Ephesus has very little shade. A few practical moves:

• Put Ephesus at the very start or towards the end of your day, not in the middle.
• Carry water; you walk roughly 1.5 to 2 km on uneven marble and stone.
• A hat, sun cream and shoes with grip are essential. Polished marble is slippery.
• The House of the Virgin Mary, among trees on the mountain, is usually the coolest stop of the day.

What is worth knowing about each place?

Ephesus. Highlights include the Odeon, Curetes Street, the latrines, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. The Terrace Houses, under a roof, need a separate ticket and about 45 to 60 minutes more.

House of the Virgin Mary. A small stone house in the woods above Ephesus, visited by Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Quiet inside; visitors tie notes to the wishing wall outside.

Temple of Artemis. The site of one of the Seven Wonders, now a single column in a low field. Expect a short stop with a view of the Basilica of St John on Ayasuluk Hill.

Sirince. A village of old houses on the hill above Selcuk, known for fruit wines. If you buy wine, check your ship’s alcohol rules before carrying it on board.

How do I book?

Book the Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer. It is a private car with driver for your group only, up to 8 passengers per vehicle. The driver meets you at the cruise port exit, waits throughout and brings you back to the ship.

Tell us your Wednesday date and your stops when you book; we confirm the plan with you before the day, adjusting it once the ship’s times are published. Entrance tickets are not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before; pay by cash or card.

Tickets are not included; buy Ephesus and Terrace Houses tickets in advance on our museum tickets page. Planning the visit? See our Ephesus walking guide and when to visit Ephesus.