Bring the whole family together on the Bosphorus
Family celebrations are about being together, and a private yacht gives everyone the space and the view to enjoy it. Grandparents relax in the saloon, children watch the ships from the deck, and the whole family sits down to dinner as the yacht cruises past palaces, mosques and the illuminated bridges of Istanbul. The yacht is private, so there are no other guests.
We host family reunions, milestone birthdays, engagements, religious and cultural celebrations and family dinners for visitors from abroad. Every kind of activity is possible: we decorate the yacht with balloons and flowers, bring a cake on board, and arrange music or entertainment, from live music and a DJ to a belly dancer, a whirling dervish or Turkish folk dancers. Child life jackets are on board for the youngest guests.
Food can be a full dinner, a family-style buffet or finger food, prepared on board by our chef for groups of 10 or more. We recommend 4 hours, so nobody has to rush. See all our yacht celebrations.
Watch a family celebration on the Bosphorus
Family celebration cruise highlights
- For every generationComfortable saloons and decks for grandparents and children.
- Safe for childrenChild life jackets on board and a careful crew.
- Family dinner on boardA dinner or buffet cooked on board for 10+ guests.
- Cake and decorationBalloons, flowers and a cake at the right moment.
- Music and showsBelly dancer, whirling dervish, Turkish folk dancers, a DJ or live music.
- Istanbul for visitorsA memorable evening for relatives visiting the city.
Planning a family celebration cruise for every generation
Choose a time that suits the youngest and the oldest
Young children and older relatives often have the same needs: regular meals, a place to sit and an early night. If either group is large, consider a lunch or an early evening start rather than a late dinner. For a gentle morning with Turkish breakfast, the breakfast cruise works well for families with small children.
Tell us about everyone on board
- The number and ages of children, so the right life jackets are ready.
- Any guests who use a wheelchair, a walking stick or need help with steps, so boarding can be planned calmly.
- Dietary needs and foods that matter to the family, from vegetarian dishes to a favourite family recipe.
Relatives visiting from abroad
When family flies in for the occasion, avoid the evening they land. Jet lag and late arrivals rarely mix with a celebration. Choose a boarding point close to where most of the family is staying; our guide on where to stay in Istanbul can help if you are booking hotels for several households. Share the pier location and a single contact number in a family group chat a few days before.
Make room for the family moments
Every family has its own way of marking an occasion: a blessing before dinner, a toast from the eldest, a song everyone knows, or a speech in two languages so that relatives from different countries can follow. Agree who speaks and when, and keep speeches short so the children do not lose interest.
Plan one photo with every generation together, ideally early in the cruise while the children are still fresh and everyone is smart. Ask a relative who enjoys photography to take charge, so the hosts can relax. Keep a quiet corner of the saloon for grandparents and sleepy toddlers, and bring a small bag with snacks, a jumper and a favourite toy for the youngest guests.
For milestone birthdays, collect messages or old photos from relatives who cannot attend, and share them during the cake.
How the evening goes
- Welcome on board
The family is welcomed with a drink on a decorated yacht. - Cruise and photos
Family photos by the palaces, the bridges and the Maiden's Tower. - Dinner together
A family dinner or buffet as the city lights come on. - Cake and music
The cake, the toasts and music for everyone.
More family ideas
- Birthday Yacht PartyCake, balloons and music
- Anniversary Yacht CruiseCelebrate the years together
- Gender Reveal and Baby ShowerWelcome the new arrival
- Bosphorus Breakfast CruiseTurkish breakfast with the family
The family route
The yacht cruises the city part of the Bosphorus at an easy pace: palaces along the European shore, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress and the Maiden's Tower.
On the way you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden's Tower. See the full route map and all the landmarks.
The captain keeps an easy pace so you can enjoy dinner, the cake and the music, and slows down for photos at the best spots. The route can be adapted to your plan.
Yachts for your family celebration cruise
For a family celebration, a yacht with a closed saloon and open decks keeps every generation comfortable. For large families, Majesty and Crescent Star host up to 250 guests. Tap a yacht to see more photos.
Our flagship
White Istanbul
24 m · up to 77 guests
Made for celebrations
Crescent Star
24 m · up to 130 guests
Our largest yacht
Majesty
44 m · up to 200 guests
Heated on both decks
Blue Wave
23 m · up to 60 guests
Brand new for 2026
Sea Fairy
22 m · up to 55 guests
Classic and elegant
Ocean Breeze
21 m · up to 40 guests
Sleek and sporty
Riviera
22 m · up to 20 guests
Two decks, heated saloon
Blue Horizon
18 m · up to 12 guests
Intimate and cosy
Azure
16.5 m · up to 12 guests
Tell us the number of guests, including children, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts
Food and drinks for the family
Every cruise starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. Choose a full dinner, a family-style buffet or finger food, prepared on board by our chef for groups of 10 or more, with dishes for children and every dietary need. You can also bring your own food and drinks, with a service fee of €10 per person.
On board
Our yacht menus
Swipe to see all menus →
Turkish breakfast on the morning water
Breakfast Menu
A long, Turkish-style brunch at sea
Brunch Menu
Freshly baked bites for an afternoon cruise
Snack Menu
Party food for a standing reception
Cocktail Menu
Turkish favourites, bite-sized
Finger Food Menu
A relaxed dinner under the lights
Chicken Dinner Menu
Steak dinner on the Bosphorus
Meat Dinner Menu
Seasonal fish from the Turkish seas
Fish Dinner Menu
Prefer something else? Our private chef can prepare any menu you like: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a dinner designed around your occasion. Menus can be combined for larger groups, and alcoholic drinks are available as an extra.
What is included in your family celebration cruise
Included
- Private yacht for your group only
- Licensed captain and professional crew
- Welcome drink and light snacks
- Fuel and marina fees
- Child life jackets on board
- Planning with our team
Not included
- Food menus and drinks
- Cake and decoration (optional)
- Live music, DJ and shows (optional)
- Photographer (optional)
- Transfers (optional)
Make the day special
Choose from these to complete your family celebration.
- Balloons, flowers and table decoration
- Celebration cake
- Live music or a DJ
- Belly dancer, whirling dervish or folk dancers
- Photographer or videographer
- Transfers from your hotel or home
Family celebration cruise prices: what affects your quote
Every family celebration is different, so we prepare a written quote. The price is based on five things:
- The yacht: size and capacity
- Duration: we recommend 4 hours
- Date and time: weekends, summer evenings and holidays are busiest
- Group size: number of adults and children
- Food, drinks and extras: what you add to the cruise
Send us your plan and we reply with a clear written quote, with every item listed and fuel and marina fees always included.
Meeting points for your family celebration cruise
Choose the pier closest to your hotel or home. We board from eight piers along the Bosphorus:
- European shoreKaraköy · Kabataş · Beşiktaş · Kuruçeşme · Arnavutköy · Bebek
- Asian shoreKuleli · Beylerbeyi
Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.
What our guests say about our cruises
468 reviews on Tripadvisor
Read all reviews“Very nice and friendly staff. Thank you!”
M A · September 2026
Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury Yacht
“Fantastic tour. Guides were incredible. Service was great. Highly recommend.”
Patrick M · September 2026
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
“it was a great tour. We were very satisfied. reliable tourism business.”
558beyza_ · April 2023
Acetes Travel
Reviews from Tripadvisor, shown as written by guests.
Booking and cancellation terms
- At booking30% advance payment confirms your yacht
- 48 hours beforeThe remaining 70% is due
- 7+ days beforeCancel for a full refund of the advance
- Under 7 daysThe advance payment is not refundable
- Under 3 days100% of the tour price is due
Payment, cancellation and weather terms for all private tours are on one page: Read the full cancellation terms
Family celebration cruise FAQ
Is a yacht cruise safe for children?
Yes. Child life jackets are on board, and our crew is used to families. Children should always be with an adult on the open decks.
How many guests can join?
Our yachts host groups from 10 up to 250 guests. Tell us the number of adults and children and we suggest the right yacht.
What food can we have on board?
Any food option is possible: a full dinner, a buffet, finger food or snacks. For groups of 10 or more our private chef cooks on board. You can also bring your own food and drinks, with a service fee of €10 per person.
Can you decorate the yacht?
Yes. Special decoration is always possible: balloons, flowers, candles, banners and table decoration in the colours and theme you choose. Tell us your idea and we prepare it before you board.
What entertainment can you arrange?
Every kind of entertainment team is possible: a belly dancer, a whirling dervish, Turkish folk dancers, a DJ or live music. We time the shows to your programme.
How long should the cruise be?
We recommend 4 hours for a celebration: time for a welcome drink, dinner, the cake and the music, without rushing. Shorter cruises of 2 or 3 hours are possible too.
Where does the yacht pick us up?
From a central pier on the European or Asian shore: Karaköy, Kabataş, Beşiktaş, Kuruçeşme, Arnavutköy, Bebek, Kuleli or Beylerbeyi. Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.
Why is there no price on this page?
Every celebration is different: the yacht, the date, the length of the cruise, your group size, the menu, the decoration and the entertainment all change the price. Send us your plan and we reply with a written quote, usually within the hour.
Can we cancel or change the date?
Cancel at least 7 days before your cruise and your advance payment is refunded in full. Within 7 days the advance payment is not refundable, and within 3 days the full tour price is due. See our private tour cancellation terms.
