Marella Discovery in Kuşadası this October: a morning safari plan
If you are sailing on Marella Discovery this month, your Kuşadası day is close. The port schedule as of early October 2026 lists two calls, Sunday 11 October and Saturday 17 October 2026, and nothing after that in the following 12 months. Both suit our 11:00 safari. Our trails are open until the end of November, then shut for winter from 1 December to 31 March before reopening on 1 April, so a mid-October ride sits comfortably inside the season.
Marella Discovery is a Vision-class ship sailing for Marella Cruises. Her maiden voyage was in 1996, and she can hold up to 2,074 passengers. The Marella Discovery ship page shows the hours for both dates and updates if they change.
Sunday or Saturday: same ride, different start
The two calls end at the same time but begin an hour apart.
On Sunday 11 October she is in port from 09:00 to 18:00. That leaves a little over an hour between arrival and our 10:10 meeting time, so plan to be among the earlier passengers off the ship. If something holds you up and 10:10 starts to look unlikely, message us straight away. With an 18:00 departure there is no later session to move you to.
On Saturday 17 October she arrives at 08:00 and leaves at 18:00. You have more than two hours before 10:10, enough for a relaxed breakfast and a short walk round the harbour first.
On both days the 11:00 tour meets our conditions: the ship is in by 10:10 and leaves at 15:15 or later, so you are back at least 60 minutes before departure.
How the morning unfolds
- 10:10 meet us at the Kervansaray meeting point (The Big Ottoman Palace), about 50 m from the cruise port exit (map).
- About 15 minutes on the road out to the start, in the pine forest behind Pamucak beach.
- 11:00 roughly two hours on the trails, with a 30-minute sea break on Pamucak beach along the way.
- 13:45 to 14:15 back at the port.
- 18:00 departure, with about three and three-quarter hours between the latest return and sailing.
The all-aboard time in the ship's daily programme is usually earlier than 18:00. Use that time, not the departure time, when you plan the afternoon.
Why the 16:00 ride is not an option
The afternoon session brings you back to the port between 18:45 and 19:15. Marella Discovery sails at 18:00 on both days, so the ship would be gone before you returned. For the 16:00 ride to work, she would need to be in port by 15:10 and stay until 20:15 or later. On her current calls it is the morning ride only.
Riding in October
October is still part of our riding season, though it is towards the end of it. On the horse safari, a swim during the beach break depends on the season, so ask about your date when you book. The stop at the beach is part of the ride either way.
The horse safari suits beginners from age 8, and younger children can ride with an experienced adult companion. Groups are small and led by a riding guide, and helmets are provided.
The quad safari and buggy safari need no driving licence, but drivers must be 16 or older. You choose a single or double vehicle, wear a helmet and goggles, have a safety briefing and then follow the guide in convoy. Children younger than about 2 years cannot join the quad or buggy rides.
Booking a mid-October date
Pick Marella Discovery and your date in the cruise day planner. It confirms the morning session and fills in the booking form for you. The reservation page is the other way to book. If you are booking for a family, check ages first: quad and buggy drivers must be 16 or older, and the horse safari takes riders from age 8, or younger with an experienced adult companion.
Before you go ashore, take a last look at the full list of Marella Discovery calls. It shows the current hours for both days, and if anything moves, it shows whether the 11:00 ride still fits.