Welcome the new year on the Bosphorus
At midnight on 31 December, fireworks light up the sky over the Bosphorus bridges, and there is no better seat in Istanbul than the deck of a yacht. Our New Year's Eve cruise is a 5-hour party on the water, sold per person: we pick you up from your hotel, welcome you on board with a cocktail, serve a gala dinner or cocktail menu with unlimited drinks, and keep the stage busy all night with Turkish shows and a DJ.
The party takes place on our event yacht Crescent Star, and we take no more than 80 guests, so everyone has room to dance and to watch the fireworks. Each couple, family or group of friends has its own table. At 23:30 the party favors come out, with glasses, whistles and hats for every guest. At midnight, we raise a champagne toast as the countdown ends and the fireworks burst over the bridges, then the DJ keeps the party going into the first hours of the new year.
Looking for something more exclusive? Celebrate on our luxury yacht White Istanbul with only your group, up to 45 guests and a private chef: see our luxury private New Year's Eve yacht.
New Year's Eve packages
Three packages, all with a 5-hour cruise, two-way hotel transfers, live shows, a DJ and champagne at midnight. Prices are per person.
Cocktail Package
€175 per person
- 5-hour cruise with two-way hotel transfers
- Welcome cocktail
- Chips, nuts, dried fruits, olives and breadsticks
- Cold canapés: beef ham, olive paste and tuna
- Hot canapés: mini meatballs, potato croquettes and mustard sausages
- Unlimited local drinks: beer, wine and soft drinks
- Champagne at midnight
- Live music, Turkish night shows and DJ
- Reserved table and party favors at 23:30
Gala Dinner, Local Drinks
€225 per person
- 5-hour cruise with two-way hotel transfers
- Welcome cocktail with a cheese platter
- Nine cold mezes: white cheese, söğüş, Russian salad, potato salad, şakşuka, sarma, kısır, haydari and roasted red pepper
- Seasonal salad and paçanga pastry
- Main course of your choice: beef entrecôte with mushroom sauce, sea fish, or roasted turkey with chestnut pilaf
- Baklava for dessert
- Unlimited local alcohol: wine, beer, vodka, gin and rakı
- Champagne at midnight
- Full show programme, DJ and reserved table
Gala Dinner, Premium Drinks
€350 per person
- 5-hour cruise with two-way hotel transfers
- Welcome cocktail with a cheese platter
- Nine cold mezes: white cheese, söğüş, Russian salad, potato salad, şakşuka, sarma, kısır, haydari and roasted red pepper
- Seasonal salad and paçanga pastry
- Main course of your choice: beef entrecôte with mushroom sauce, sea fish, or roasted turkey with chestnut pilaf
- Baklava for dessert
- Unlimited premium bar: imported wines and beers, gin, vodka, whisky, rakı and holiday cocktails
- Champagne at midnight
- Full show programme, DJ and reserved table
Children aged 0 to 3 join free. From the age of 4, the full ticket price applies.
The show programme
All three packages include the full show programme on board:
- Whirling dervish
- Turkish gypsy dance
- Caucasian dance
- Belly dancer group
- Folk dance
- Rhythm drum show
- Solo belly dancer
- DJ all night
- Countdown show
How the night goes
- Hotel pick-up
Our transfer picks you up from your hotel in central Istanbul and takes you to the pier. The pick-up time depends on where your hotel is; we confirm it when you book. - Welcome and dinner
A welcome cocktail, then the cocktail menu or the gala dinner at your own table. - Shows and party favors
Whirling dervish, belly dancers and folk dances; party favors at 23:30. - Midnight
The countdown, a champagne toast and fireworks over the Bosphorus bridges, then the DJ until the end of the cruise and your transfer back to your hotel.
The New Year's Eve route
The yacht cruises the city part of the Bosphorus and is in position at midnight for the fireworks over the bridges.
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 plans the route around the countdown, so you have the best possible view of the fireworks at midnight.
The yacht: Crescent Star
Our New Year's Eve party is held on Crescent Star, a 24-metre event yacht with a closed saloon, a stage for the shows and open decks for the fireworks. The yacht can carry up to 120 guests, but on New Year's Eve we limit the party to 80 for our guests' comfort. Tap the photo to see more of the yacht.
Made for celebrations
Crescent Star
24 m · 120 guests, limited to 80 on New Year's Eve
Tell us how many you are, and we reserve a table for your group or for two.
Food and drinks on New Year's Eve
The Cocktail Package serves a cocktail menu of cold and hot canapés with unlimited local drinks. The two Gala Dinner packages serve a welcome cheese platter, nine cold mezes, salad and paçanga pastry, a main course of beef entrecôte, sea fish or roasted turkey with chestnut pilaf, and baklava, with unlimited local or premium drinks. You choose your main course when you book.
What is included in your ticket
Included
- 5-hour New Year's Eve cruise
- Two-way hotel transfers from central Istanbul
- Welcome cocktail
- Cocktail menu or gala dinner, by package
- Unlimited drinks, by package
- Champagne at midnight
- Live music, Turkish night shows and DJ
- Your own table and party favors
Not included
- Drinks outside your package
- Transfers from the Asian side
- Photographer (optional)
Hotel transfers
Two-way transfers are included for hotels in central Istanbul on the European side, such as:
- European shoreSultanahmet · Fatih · Eminönü · Sirkeci · Karaköy · Beşiktaş · Şişli
The pick-up time depends on where your hotel is, and we confirm it when you book. We do not offer transfers from the Asian side. If your hotel is outside these areas, ask us on WhatsApp before you book.
Your table and the guests on board
This is a shared New Year's Eve party, not a private yacht. Tickets are sold per person, and every couple, family or group of friends has its own table: you do not share your table with other guests. We keep the party to a maximum of 80 guests on Crescent Star.
What our guests say about our cruises
“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 bookingWe confirm your table and package in writing
- 72+ hours beforeFree cancellation
- Under 72 hoursCancellation is no longer possible
No payment or card details are needed to send a request. We send the payment details with your confirmation.
New Year's Eve cruise FAQ
Is this a private yacht?
No. This is a shared New Year's Eve party on our event yacht Crescent Star, with a maximum of 80 guests. Every couple, family or group has its own table. If you want a yacht for only your group, see our private New Year's Eve yacht charter.
What is included in the New Year's Eve packages?
Every package includes a 5-hour cruise, two-way hotel transfers from central Istanbul, a welcome cocktail, champagne at midnight, live music, Turkish night shows, a DJ, party favors and your own table. The menu and the drinks depend on the package you choose.
How much does the New Year's Eve cruise cost?
The Cocktail Package is €175 per person, the Gala Dinner with local drinks is €225 per person, and the Gala Dinner with premium drinks is €350 per person.
Do children pay?
Children aged 0 to 3 join free. From the age of 4, children pay the full ticket price.
Do we share a table with other guests?
No. Couples have a table for two, and families and groups have their own table.
Which hotels do you pick up from?
We pick up from hotels in central Istanbul on the European side, such as Sultanahmet, Fatih, Eminönü, Sirkeci, Karaköy, Beşiktaş and Şişli. We do not offer transfers from the Asian side.
What time is the hotel pick-up?
It depends on where your hotel is. We confirm your pick-up time when you book.
Will we see the fireworks?
Yes. At midnight the yacht is in position on the Bosphorus for the fireworks over the bridges, with a champagne toast as the countdown ends.
Which shows are on board?
Whirling dervish, Turkish gypsy dance, Caucasian dance, a belly dancer group, folk dance, a rhythm drum show, a solo belly dancer, a DJ all night and a countdown show.
Can we cancel?
Yes, free of charge up to 72 hours before the cruise. Within 72 hours, cancellation is no longer possible.
When should we book?
As early as possible. We take no more than 80 guests, and New Year's Eve is the busiest night of the year on the Bosphorus.
