Birthday Cruise

Yes, we recommend you book your birthday cruise in advance to ensure availability. Especially during peak seasons and weekends, it is better to book 2-3 weeks in advance.

The cost of a birthday tour varies depending on the duration, yacht, and extra services. Please click on the "Book Now" button to check the prices or contact us for detailed pricing information.

We provide a range of meal options including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. You can select your preferred food and beverage options when you make your reservation.

Please click on the "Book Now" button. Then, select duration, date, and time. Next, select the food and beverages you wish to have on board from the Extra Services section.

We also cater to dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan meals. Please let us know in advance if you have any specific dietary requirements.

The yachts depart from popular Bosphorus regions. Those are Bebek, Arnavutköy, Kuruçeşme, Karaköy, or Galataport. Each yacht has a different departure point, which you can view on the yachts' booking page. 

Yes, upon request, we can arrange a knowledgeable tour guide for your cruise. The guide will provide insights into the landmarks you will see. An English-speaking crew member can also assist you throughout your yacht cruise. These services are available for an extra cost. You can add extra services while making your reservation.

Cancelling your reservation: We understand that plans can change. For a full refund, you can cancel your booking up to 7 days before your departure time. 

Changing your reservation: At latest 1 day before your reservation, you can change the tour start time based on availability. You can extend the duration with hourly charges upon availability.

The best time of day to go on a birthday cruise depends on what kind of experience you're looking for:

Morning:

A morning cruise offers a calm and peaceful experience. The water is usually calm, and the air is fresh, making it a great time for sightseeing and taking photos. You'll also avoid the midday heat in the summer.

Afternoon:

An afternoon cruise is great for enjoying the bright sun and seeing the Bosphorus at its most lively. The busy shores and vibrant colors make it a fun and energetic experience.

Sunset:

A sunset cruise is one of the most popular choices. As the sun sets, the sky is painted with beautiful colors of orange, pink, and purple. This creates a magical atmosphere. It's a romantic and serene time to be on the water. Sunset time offers breathtaking views and perfect photo opportunities.

Evening/Night:

An evening or night cruise allows you to see the Bosphorus illuminated by city lights. The landmarks and bridges are beautifully lit up. This is a great option for those who enjoy a more relaxed and enchanting ambiance.

Each time of day offers a unique experience. So, choose the one that best suits your preferences and schedule.

The Bosphorus has strong currents that can be challenging, even for experienced swimmers. It is only possible to swim at the designated areas.

Please check the swimming tours if you wish to swim at the Bosphorus.

Swimming tours are between 10:00 and 18:00 for 8 hours, which take place at Beykoz, 3rd Bridge or Princes’ Islands.

Generally, weather conditions do not impact the Bosphorus yacht tours.

Our yachts are equipped with protective covers for rain and wind. This ensures that the tours proceed as scheduled, even in the event of rain or snow.

However, in the rare instance of a strong storm, captains may suggest rescheduling.

Tour postponement is only considered if the captain deems it unsafe to proceed. Otherwise, the tours continue as planned.

We recommend you wear comfortable, casual clothing with comfortable shoes. Depending on the season, you may bring a light jacket or sweater. Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are also advisable for daytime cruises.

Safety measures include;

• life jackets for all passengers,
• first aid kits,
• fire extinguishers,
• and trained crew.

The yachts are regularly maintained and inspected to meet safety standards.

You may request a different pick-up or drop-off location than the original location of the yacht. Please note that there is an extra cost for changing the original location. You can see these locations and the associated costs below:

Restaurants

You may request pick-up or drop-off from these restaurants only if you are a guest there. Additional charges may apply.

• Uskumru Restaurant
• Lacivert Restaurant
• Olea Bosphorus & The Bar
• Hakkasan Istanbul
• Novikov Istanbul
• Oligark Istanbul Restaurant
• Ali Ocakbaşı

Restaurants Close to the Piers

These restaurants are close to the piers where we can pick up or drop off. Additional charges may apply.

• Arnavutköy Balıkçısı
• Sur Balık
• Chacha
• Del Mare
• Bebek Balıkçısı
• Park Fora Fish & Seafood Restaurant
• Alaf Kuruçeşme
• Feriye

Hotels

You may request pick-up or drop-off from these restaurants only if you are a guest there. Additional charges may apply.

• Çırağan Palace Kempinski
• Four Seasons Bosphorus
• Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus

Other Locations

You may request pick-up or drop-off from these locations. Additional charges may apply.

• Bebek
• Arnavutköy Pier
• Kuruçeşme
• Ortaköy Pier
• Karaköy Pier
• Galataport
• Kandilli Pier
• Kuleli

Extra Charges for Requested Pick-up and Drop-off Location

If you want a different pick-up location than the original one, extra charges apply. Here is how we calculate the extra cost for a different pick-up or drop-off location:

• Travel Time Addition:

The time it takes for the yacht to arrive at your requested pick-up location will create an extra cost. For example, your yacht departs from Bebek but you want to board from Uskumru Restaurant. It will take 30 minutes for the yacht to arrive at Uskumru Restaurant. So, the pick-up price will include the 30-minute rate for the yacht you choose. If you also want to end the tour at the same place, the return travel time will double the price.

• Boarding Fees:

Some marinas or piers require a boarding fee. This amount creates an extra charge for the guests. All marinas and most piers used by ferries have a boarding fee.

Yachts have limited availability. Please check with our guest support team if you want to change the pick-up or drop-off location. This option is only available based on the yacht's availability.