Seabourn Ovation in Kusadasi: Ephesus by car in May or August

Published 4 October 2026

Seabourn Ovation’s two Kusadasi days sit nearly three months apart, and they call for different plans. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows Wednesday 26 May and Wednesday 18 August 2027. In late May the ruins are usually comfortable to walk; in mid-August the midday sun at Ephesus is the main thing to plan around.

What the schedule tells us

• Wednesday 26 May 2027: Odyssey of the Seas is also listed, so two ships share the port.
• Wednesday 18 August 2027: Odyssey of the Seas and Emerald Raiya are listed, three ships in all.
• Times: arrival and departure have not been announced yet for either date. Look again closer to the day, and use the ship’s daily programme for the all-aboard time.

The one-line rule for each date

26 May: use the classic order, Ephesus first, then the hills. 18 August: get to Ephesus as early as you can, and save the shaded and higher places for the hot hours.

How long you need

Since the length of stay is unknown, here is what each window allows. In every case, aim to be at the port at least 60 minutes before the ship leaves.

• If the ship stays about 5 hours: Ephesus, and possibly the Temple of Artemis on the way back. No Sirince, no Mary’s House.
• If it stays about 7 hours: Ephesus plus Mary’s House. In August this is the pairing to choose, because the house sits among trees.
• If it stays about 8 hours: Ephesus, Mary’s House and Artemis.
• If it stays 9 hours or longer: all four.

An August morning, step by step

These times are a hypothetical example, not the ship’s schedule: arrival 07:00, departure 16:00.

1. 07:30 — your driver is at the cruise port exit.
2. 08:00 — through the upper gate of Ephesus before the heat builds. Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre.
3. 10:15 — out through the lower gate and up the mountain road.
4. 10:35–11:20 — House of the Virgin Mary, in the shade of the woods.
5. 11:45–12:05 — Temple of Artemis.
6. 12:25–13:30 — Sirince, kept short in the heat.
7. About 14:05 — back at the port, nearly two hours before the example departure.

If the real call is shorter, cut Sirince. If it starts later, swap the order and leave Ephesus until mid-afternoon rather than walking it at noon.

Site notes for these two seasons

Ephesus. In August temperatures are often well above 30 °C at midday, and the main street has almost no shade. Bring more water than you think you need, sun cream and a hat; good shoes matter on the polished marble. In May the same walk is far easier.

House of the Virgin Mary. Higher and shaded by trees, so often cooler than the ruins below. Outside there are water taps where you can refill a bottle, and a wall where visitors tie their wishes.

Temple of Artemis. A quick stop. There is little to see beyond one reconstructed column, but standing on the spot of an ancient Wonder is the point.

Sirince. Narrow cobbled lanes, stone and timber houses, and wine-tasting shops selling fruit wines. If you buy a bottle, check your ship’s rules on bringing alcohol aboard.

Crowds on these Wednesdays

On 18 August three ships are in port, and many groups head for Ephesus at similar morning hours. An early start helps, but if your ship arrives later than others, reversing the order (Mary’s House first) is the better way to avoid the busiest stretch. On 26 May, with two ships, a normal start is usually fine.

Book the car

The Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer is a round trip: we meet you at the cruise port exit, the driver waits while you visit, and the vehicle is yours alone, up to 8 passengers. Let us know your extra stops when you book, and we confirm the plan with you before the day. Entrance tickets are not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

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.