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: 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.
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. Two-way hotel transfers are included in every package.
Would you rather celebrate with only your own group? We also charter private yachts for New Year's Eve, with your own menu, music and programme. Ask us for a quote. See all our yacht celebrations.
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
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 and takes you to the pier. - Welcome and dinner
A welcome cocktail, then the cocktail menu or the gala dinner at your reserved 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.
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.
Yachts for your new year's eve yacht
Our New Year's Eve party is held on a large event yacht with a closed saloon, a stage for the shows and open decks for the fireworks. For a private New Year's Eve charter, choose any of our yachts. 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 how many guests you are, and we confirm your table or suggest a yacht for a private charter. See all our yachts
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. For a private charter, choose from our dinner menus below.
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 new year's eve yacht
Included
- 5-hour New Year's Eve cruise
- Two-way hotel transfers
- Welcome cocktail
- Cocktail menu or gala dinner, by package
- Unlimited drinks, by package
- Champagne at midnight
- Live music, Turkish night shows and DJ
- Reserved table and party favors
Not included
- Drinks outside your package
- Photographer (optional)
- Private yacht charter (quote on request)
Celebrate your way
For a private New Year's Eve yacht for your group, you can also add:
- Your own menu and drinks
- Private DJ or live music
- Belly dancer, whirling dervish or folk dancers
- Decoration and a countdown cake
- Photographer or videographer
- Transfers for your whole group
New Year's Eve yacht prices: what affects your quote
Package prices are per person and shown above. For a private New Year's Eve yacht, your quote is based on five things:
- The yacht: size and capacity
- Duration: most New Year's Eve charters last 4 to 5 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
New Year's Eve sells out early. Send us your number of guests and the package, or your plan for a private yacht, and we confirm availability.
Meeting points for your new year's eve yacht
Transfers from your hotel are included in all packages. For a private charter, 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
New Year's Eve yacht FAQ
What is included in the New Year's Eve packages?
Every package includes a 5-hour cruise, two-way hotel transfers, a welcome cocktail, champagne at midnight, live music, Turkish night shows, a DJ, party favors and a reserved 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.
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.
Are hotel transfers included?
Yes. Two-way transfers from and to your hotel are included in all three packages.
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 book a private yacht for New Year's Eve?
Yes. We charter private yachts on New Year's Eve with your own menu, music and programme. Send us your plan and we reply with a quote.
When should we book?
As early as possible. New Year's Eve is the busiest night of the year on the Bosphorus and tables sell out.
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.
