Seven Seas Mariner: Ephesus from Kusadasi on a busy weekend

Published 4 October 2026

Seven Seas Mariner comes to Kusadasi just twice in the coming year, both times at a weekend and both times in company. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows Saturday 17 October 2026 from 08:00 to 18:00, with Celestyal Discovery, Marella Discovery and Enchanted Princess also listed, and Sunday 26 September 2027, with Celestyal Journey and MSC Splendida. Times for the September 2027 call have not been announced yet.

With so few calls, you probably get one chance at Ephesus from this ship. Here is how to make a crowded day work for you.

Ten hours on a four-ship Saturday

Ten hours in port (08:00 to 18:00) is enough for all four classic stops: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and Sirince. They take roughly 7 to 7.5 hours door to door. To keep at least 60 minutes in hand before the published 18:00 departure, you need to be back at the port by 17:00. The ship’s all-aboard time may be earlier still, so check the daily programme.

The arithmetic works. The crowd is the harder part. With four ships in port, getting off and through the port exit will take longer than on a quiet day, and many groups will head to Ephesus at roughly the same time in the morning.

Turning the route around

A private car means you do not have to follow everyone else. On 17 October, a reversed order is worth considering:

1. About 09:00 - meet your driver at the cruise port exit.
2. About 09:40 to 10:25 - House of the Virgin Mary. Higher up on Nightingale Mountain, among trees, and usually calmer at this hour.
3. About 10:50 - Temple of Artemis on the edge of Selcuk, 15-20 minutes.
4. About 11:20 to 13:35 - Ephesus. Ask to be dropped at the upper gate and collected at the lower one, so you walk mostly downhill.
5. About 14:00 to 15:15 - Sirince, roughly 15-20 minutes up the hill road from Selcuk.
6. About 15:55 - back at the port, comfortably before 17:00.

If you would rather add the Terrace Houses (about 45-60 minutes more), there is room, but then keep Sirince short or leave it out. It is better to finish relaxed than to cut the port margin.

The September 2027 call

Until times are published for Sunday 26 September 2027, plan by length of stay:

• If the ship stays about 10 hours again: the same four-stop day.
• If it stays 7 to 8.5 hours: Ephesus, Mary’s House and the Temple of Artemis; skip Sirince.
• If it stays under 6 hours: Ephesus, with at most a short stop at the Temple of Artemis.

Three ships are listed for that Sunday, so the advice on order still applies.

Autumn notes on each stop

Ephesus. By October and late September the worst of the summer heat has usually passed, but shade is still scarce. The main walk is roughly 1.5 to 2 km on uneven marble and stone. Look for the Odeon and the latrines as well as the famous library facade.

House of the Virgin Mary. Three popes have visited: Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979 and Benedict XVI in 2006. It is a place of prayer for many; keep voices low inside.

Temple of Artemis. Little remains of one of the Seven Wonders: one column, rebuilt, in a low field. From here you see Ayasuluk Hill and the Isa Bey Mosque.

Sirince. Once a Greek village, now a place for wine tasting shops, olive oil and handmade soap. Wear shoes with grip for the cobbles. Bottles bought here are subject to your ship’s alcohol rules.

Practical points for a busy day

• Agree the order with us in advance, so the driver can head straight to your first stop.
• Carry water and a hat even in autumn.
• If anyone in your group has limited mobility, tell us: Mary’s House has a short path from the car park, while Sirince is steep.

Booking

For either call, reserve the Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer. We meet you at the cruise port exit, the driver waits at each stop and brings you back to the ship. The vehicle is for your group only, up to 8 passengers. Tell us your 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; payment 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.