Ritz-Carlton Ilma on Saturdays: Ephesus shore excursion by car

Published 4 October 2026

If you are sailing on Ritz-Carlton Ilma, your day in Kusadasi will be a Saturday. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) lists three calls, all on Saturdays: 15 May, 31 July and 7 August 2027. Two of the three land in the hottest weeks of the year, and that shapes the plan more than anything else.

Saturdays, and always with Celestyal Discovery

One companion appears every time: Celestyal Discovery is listed in port on all three dates. Beyond that, the days differ.

So 31 July is the calmer one; the May and August dates are four-ship days, when many groups leave for Ephesus at about the same time in the morning.

Arrival and departure times for Ritz-Carlton Ilma have not been announced yet. When they appear, they can still shift, so confirm the all-aboard time in the ship’s daily programme on the day.

Matching the stops to the hours

Without published times, think in brackets. Whatever the length, the rule is the same: be back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure.

A call of around 6 hours. Ephesus, plus the Temple of Artemis at most. In July heat that is already a full morning.

A call of 7 to 8.5 hours. Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Sirince does not fit comfortably here; leave it out rather than rush.

A call of 9 hours or longer. All four, Sirince included. On a summer Saturday, consider finishing in the village in the cooler late afternoon instead of arriving at midday.

A summer Saturday, step by step

Here is a hypothetical call from 07:30 to 15:30 (8 hours), used only as an example. The idea is to be inside Ephesus before the worst of the heat.

• 08:00 Meet your driver at the cruise port exit.
• 08:30 Ephesus, upper gate. Walk down Curetes Street towards Harbour Street, then add the Terrace Houses, whose roof gives a welcome break from the sun. Allow about 3 hours with them.
• 11:50 Drive up to the House of the Virgin Mary, about 45 minutes among the trees.
• 12:55 Temple of Artemis, a 15 to 20 minute stop.
• About 13:50 Back at the port, inside the 14:30 limit this example would set.

On the quieter 31 July you may find the order matters less. On 7 August, with four ships listed, it can help to switch it and start at Mary’s House.

Notes on the four places, for warm-weather visitors

Ephesus. Very little shade, and the route is roughly 1.5 to 2 km of uneven marble and stone. A hat, sun cream and plenty of water are not optional in late July. The Great Theatre is one of the largest of the ancient world; standing at the top in full sun is a short pleasure, so take your photos and move on.

House of the Virgin Mary. Higher up on Nightingale Mountain and shaded by trees, it usually feels cooler than the ruins below. Outside there are water taps and a wall where visitors tie written wishes. Bring something to cover shoulders.

Temple of Artemis. A single re-erected column marks the site of one of the Seven Wonders. You come for the place and the story, so a brief stop is enough.

Sirince. Steep cobbled lanes, stone and timber houses, and small shops for fruit wine, olive oil and handmade soap. It fills up around midday, which is one more reason to visit late if your call is long.

Practical points for these dates

• 15 May is the mildest of the three, a good day to add the Terrace Houses or walk at an easy pace.
• 31 July and 7 August: midday temperatures are often well above 30 °C. Start early, and plan the shaded stop (Mary’s House) for the hottest hour if you can.
• On four-ship Saturdays, getting off the ship and out of the port can take longer. Keep a buffer in your plan.
• Anyone with limited mobility should mention it when booking; the House of the Virgin Mary has a short path from the car park.

How to reserve

Book the Kusadasi to Ephesus private transfer: a private car with driver, just for your group (up to 8 passengers), meeting you at the cruise port exit. The driver waits while you visit and takes you back to the ship.

Tell us your extra stops when you book, and we confirm the plan with you before your Saturday. Entrance tickets are not included; get Ephesus and Terrace Houses tickets in advance on our museum tickets page. You can pay by cash or card, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.

Planning the visit? See our Ephesus walking guide and when to visit Ephesus.