Dinner on the Bosphorus, on your own yacht
A private dinner cruise is the most elegant way to spend an evening in Istanbul. As night falls, Dolmabahçe and Çırağan palaces glow on the water's edge, the Bosphorus Bridge changes colour above you, and dinner is served at your table while the city slides past the windows. There are no other passengers and no fixed menu: the yacht, the crew and the evening belong to your group.
For groups of 10 or more, our private chef cooks on board, so every dish arrives fresh from the galley. Choose one of our dinner menus or ask for a menu designed around your occasion, from a long meze table to a three-course dinner with fish or steak. Soft drinks are included with every menu; we can supply wine, rakı and other drinks, or you can bring your own.
Want to turn dinner into a celebration? We can bring a belly dancer, a Turkish folk dance group or a live fasıl band on board. As a TURSAB-licensed Istanbul agency, we arrange every private dinner cruise directly with our own crews. Planning a night out? Read our guide to Bosphorus dinner cruises.
Dinner cruise highlights
- A chef cooking on boardFor groups of 10 or more, dinner is prepared fresh in the yacht galley.
- Istanbul lit up at nightPalaces, mosques and the Bosphorus Bridge illuminated around you.
- Your menu, your drinksChoose a menu or design your own; bring your own drinks or let us supply them.
- Live entertainmentBelly dancer, Turkish folk dancers or a fasıl band, on request.
- Only your guests on boardA private yacht with captain and crew, from an evening for two to 250 guests.
- Indoor and outdoor seatingA closed saloon for dinner and open decks for the views.
How the evening goes
- Boarding and welcome drink
Meet the crew at your pier and settle in with a welcome drink as the evening begins. - Dinner is served
Starters and mezes first, then the main course from the chef, while the yacht sails along the European shore. - The city lights up
Cruise under the illuminated Bosphorus Bridge and past the palaces lit along the water. - Music, dancing and dessert
Live entertainment if you booked it, then dessert and Turkish coffee on deck on the way back.
We recommend 3 or 4 hours for a dinner cruise. Four hours is ideal: time for dinner without rushing, and for the views afterwards.
Who a private dinner cruise is perfect for
- Marriage Proposal on a YachtAsk the question over dinner
- Anniversary Yacht CruiseA romantic dinner for two
- Birthday Yacht PartyDinner, cake and music with friends
- Corporate Gala Dinner CruiseHost clients and teams in style
- Private Sunset Yacht CruiseStart earlier and catch golden hour
The dinner cruise route
After dark the yacht sails along the European shore under the illuminated Bosphorus Bridge, then returns past the lit palaces of the Asian shore. Tap the map to explore the landmarks you pass during dinner.
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.
On a four-hour dinner cruise you can sail as far as the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and back. The yacht slows down during dinner, so the ride is smooth and the views last. Tell the captain if you want to stop for photos.
Yachts for your dinner cruise
All five of our yachts have a closed saloon for seated dinners and open decks for the views. For a romantic dinner or a small group, a smaller motor yacht is ideal; for a celebration or a company dinner with music and dancers, choose a larger yacht such as Majesty or Crescent Star. 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
Hosting a big group? Tell us the number of guests and whether you want a seated dinner or a standing reception, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts
Dinner menus and drinks
Every dinner cruise starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. For groups of 10 or more, our private chef prepares dinner on board, and soft drinks are included with every menu. Choose a chicken, meat or fish dinner below, or ask for a custom menu. We can supply alcoholic drinks, or you can bring your own 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 dinner cruise
Included
- Private yacht for your group only
- Licensed captain and professional crew
- Welcome drink and light snacks
- Fuel and marina fees
- Private chef cooking on board (groups of 10 or more, with a dinner menu)
- Soft drinks with every dinner menu
- Sound system for your own music
Not included
- Dinner menu (chosen with your quote)
- Alcoholic drinks (supplied on request, or bring your own)
- Live music and dancers (optional)
- Decoration, photographer and cake (optional)
- Hotel transfer (optional)
- Tips for the crew
Make your dinner cruise special
Add any of these to your evening. We arrange everything in advance, so it is ready when you come on board.
- Belly dancer show
- Turkish folk dancers
- Live fasıl band, DJ or violinist
- Flowers, candles and table decoration
- Birthday or anniversary cake
- Photographer or videographer
- Private transfer from your hotel
Dinner cruise prices: what affects your quote
A private dinner cruise has no fixed price, because the yacht, the menu and the entertainment change the cost. Your quote is based on five things:
- The yacht: size and capacity
- Duration: 3 or 4 hours, with 4 hours recommended for dinner
- 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
You receive a written price with the menu and drinks clearly listed, and fuel and marina fees always included. Weekend evenings in summer book up first.
Meeting points for your dinner cruise
Choose the pier closest to your hotel or venue; after dinner, the yacht brings you back to the same pier. We board from eight piers along the Bosphorus:
- European shoreKaraköy · Kabataş · Beşiktaş · Kuruçeşme · Arnavutköy · Bebek
- Asian shoreKuleli · Beylerbeyi
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
Dinner cruise FAQ
How long is a private dinner cruise?
We recommend 3 or 4 hours, and 4 hours is ideal. That gives you time for a relaxed dinner and for the illuminated views of the Bosphorus afterwards.
Is the food cooked on board?
Yes. For groups of 10 or more, our private chef prepares dinner in the yacht galley, so everything is served fresh. Soft drinks are included with every dinner menu.
Can you prepare a special menu?
Yes. Choose one of our dinner menus or ask for your own: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a menu designed around your occasion.
Can we bring our own drinks?
Yes. We can supply alcoholic drinks for you, or you can bring your own food and drinks with a service fee of €10 per person.
Can you arrange entertainment?
Yes. We can bring a belly dancer, a Turkish folk dance group or a live fasıl band on board, as well as a DJ or a violinist. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
Is a dinner cruise suitable for a company event?
Yes. Our larger yachts host seated dinners and receptions for big groups, with music and entertainment. See our corporate gala dinner cruise page.
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?
The price depends on the yacht, the date, the length of the cruise, your group size and what you would like to eat and drink. 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.
