A gala dinner on the Bosphorus
For a conference evening, an awards night or a dinner for your most important clients, few venues in Istanbul compare with a yacht on the Bosphorus. Your guests sit down to a beautifully set table in the yacht's saloon, dinner is served course by course, and outside the windows the palaces, mosques and bridges glide past, lit up against the night sky.
For groups of 10 or more our private chef cooks on board, so every course arrives fresh. Choose one of our dinner menus or a menu designed for your event, with options for every dietary need. Tables can be dressed with flowers, candles and decoration in your company colours, and the yacht decorated with your flags.
Between the courses, a live show brings Turkish culture to the table: a whirling dervish ceremony, Turkish folk dancers or a belly dancer, followed by music if you wish. As a TURSAB-licensed Istanbul agency, we arrange every gala dinner cruise directly with our own crews. See all our corporate yacht events.
Gala dinner cruise highlights
- A seated dinner, cooked on boardOur chef prepares every course for groups of 10 or more.
- Elegant tablesFlowers, candles and decoration in your colours.
- Turkish shows between coursesWhirling dervish, folk dancers or a belly dancer.
- The city lit up outsidePalaces and bridges illuminated as you dine.
- Speeches and awardsA sound system for speeches, toasts and presentations.
- From 10 to 250 guestsSaloons for an intimate dinner or a large gala.
Planning the run of show for a gala dinner cruise
A gala dinner on a yacht is a seated event with a fixed rhythm: courses, speeches, a show and coffee. The evenings that run smoothly are the ones where the host has decided the order before the guests arrive. These are the points worth settling with us in advance.
Seating plan and invitations
- Agree the table layout first, then build the seating plan around it. Long tables suit a team dinner; separate tables work better when you want to mix clients with your own people.
- Put the dress code on the invitation. Guests appreciate knowing that part of the evening is outside, so a jacket or shawl is sensible in the cooler months.
- Collect dietary needs with the RSVP and mark them on the seating plan, so each special meal goes to the right seat without questions at the table.
- Bring your own place cards, menus with your logo or table numbers if you want them; give them to the crew at the pier.
Timing the speeches and awards
Speeches land best after the main course, when guests have eaten and before the show begins. If you are presenting awards, prepare a list of winners in running order and bring the trophies on board yourself, with one person in charge of handing them over. Test the microphone during the welcome drink, not when the first speaker stands up. A short welcome by the host as the yacht leaves the pier, and the main speech later, keeps the evening moving.
Using the route
The landmarks can be part of the programme. Many hosts like to raise a toast as the yacht passes Dolmabahçe Palace or the lit Bosphorus Bridge; tell us the moment you have in mind and we time it with the captain. Our route and landmarks map shows what your guests will see at each stage of dinner.
One contact person
Name one person from your company or agency who decides on the evening, for example when a speech runs long or the show should start earlier. The crew then has a single point of contact and you can stay with your guests. To compare dinner options before you decide, see all our yacht menus.
How the evening goes
- Reception on deck
A welcome drink on the open deck as the yacht leaves the pier. - Dinner is served
Guests take their seats in the saloon and dinner is served course by course. - Speeches and shows
Speeches or awards, then a whirling dervish, folk dance or belly dance show. - Coffee under the lights
Turkish coffee and dessert on deck under the illuminated bridges.
Other ideas for your event
- Corporate Yacht PartyA livelier evening with a DJ
- Executive Meeting Yacht CharterA private dinner for a few guests
- Product Launch on a YachtLaunch, then dinner
- Private Dinner CruiseA dinner cruise for any group
The gala dinner route
During dinner the yacht cruises slowly along the European shore past Dolmabahçe and Çırağan palaces, under the Bosphorus Bridge, and returns past the lit palaces of the Asian shore.
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 yacht keeps a slow, smooth pace while dinner is served. The route and timing are planned around your programme of speeches and shows.
Yachts for your gala dinner cruise
For a seated gala dinner you need a large, elegant saloon. Majesty and Crescent Star are our favourites for big dinners, with long tables and room for shows; for a smaller client dinner, one of our motor yachts is ideal. 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 your number of guests and the table layout you have in mind, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts
Gala dinner menus
Your evening starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. For the gala dinner, choose a chicken, meat or fish menu below, or a menu designed for your event. For groups of 10 or more our chef cooks on board; vegetarian, vegan, halal and other dietary needs are always possible. Wine and drinks packages can be added.
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 gala dinner cruise
Included
- Private yacht for your group only
- Licensed captain and professional crew
- Welcome drink and light snacks
- Fuel and marina fees
- Sound system for speeches and music
- Event planning with our team
Not included
- Dinner menu and drinks packages
- Shows and live music (optional)
- Flowers, table decoration and company flags (optional)
- Photographer and videographer (optional)
- Guest transfers (optional)
Make your gala dinner special
Choose from these to complete your evening.
- Whirling dervish ceremony
- Turkish folk dancers or a belly dancer
- Live music, violin or fasıl band
- Flowers, candles and table decoration
- Yacht decorated with your company flags
- Printed menus and place cards
- Photographer and videographer
Gala dinner cruise prices: what affects your quote
Every gala dinner is planned for its guests, so we prepare a written proposal. The price is based on five things:
- The yacht: size and capacity
- Duration: most gala dinners last 3 to 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 brief and we reply with a clear written proposal, with every item listed and fuel and marina fees always included.
Meeting points for your gala dinner cruise
Choose the pier closest to your hotel, office or venue; for large groups we can also arrange transfers. 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
Gala dinner cruise FAQ
How many guests can attend?
Our yachts host corporate groups from 10 up to 250 guests. Tell us your group size and whether you plan a seated or standing event, and we suggest the right yacht.
Is dinner cooked on board?
Yes. For groups of 10 or more our private chef cooks on board, so every course is served fresh.
Can you cater for dietary needs?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and children's meals are all possible; tell us with your brief.
What shows can you arrange?
A whirling dervish ceremony, Turkish folk dancers, a belly dancer or live music. We time each show between the courses.
Can we give speeches or hand out awards?
Yes. Our yachts have a sound system for speeches and the saloon can be arranged for a short ceremony.
Can the yacht be decorated with our company branding?
Yes. We can decorate the yacht with your company flags and custom decoration in your colours. Send us your logo and ideas with your brief.
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 corporate event is different: the yacht, the length of the event, the menu, the entertainment and the branding all change the price. Send us your brief and we reply with a written proposal.
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.
