Turkish VISA needed for a cruise?

Question

My aunt and uncle are going on a cruise starting in Istanbul, Turkey ending in Barcelona, Spain. They will fly from the US to Istanbul and go directly to the waiting cruise ship. They will spend the night on the ship and leave the next day. Do they need a Visa for that? I know that there is a 72 hour rule and I'm thinking that they don't need a Visa but I have some very mixed information on this and also wrote the Turkish Embassy but I'm still waiting on the reply. Does anyone know the answer for sure?

Answer 1

http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/Visa/Visa_W...

http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/InfoNotes/I...

(Select "English"  in language buttons)

Answer 2

When we did our Mediterranean cruise we had a port stop in Kudsadasi, Turkey and we got off the ship for a tour.  WE did not have to get a VISA for that.  As I recall there is no visa required if you are in transit.  So it seems to me that if they deplane and go directly to the ship its the same as being in transit.  

I think most people who answer on here will either give you their experience (like me) or they will guess at an answer.  But the embassy may be slow but will certainly give you the exact answer.