Istanbul’s Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner and Belly-Dancing Show promises an evening of enchantment. Travelers can expect to witness iconic landmarks, indulge in traditional Turkish cuisine, and be captivated by the mesmerizing Anatolian folklore performance. With complimentary drinks and a maximum group size of 20, this cruise offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s beauty and culture. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time visitor, this experience is sure to leave a lasting impression. But what makes this cruise truly remarkable is the way it seamlessly blends the city’s rich history with its vibrant present.
Key Points
- This 3.5-hour evening cruise along the Bosphorus Strait offers stunning views of Istanbul’s landmarks, including the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Blue Mosque, and Dolmabahçe Palace.
- The tour includes a traditional Turkish dinner with unlimited drinks and an Anatolian folklore show featuring belly dancing.
- The cruise accommodates up to 20 travelers and is wheelchair accessible, making it suitable for a range of guests.
- Reviews of the tour are mixed, with some feedback on the food quality and organization, though most guests enjoy the cruise, entertainment, and views.
- The tour provides a unique perspective on Istanbul’s history and vibrancy, offering a memorable experience for visitors.
It's also worth checking out some other tours and experiences nearby.
Tour Details
This Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with Dinner and Belly-Dancing Show includes a 3.5-hour evening cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, highlighting landmarks like the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Blue Mosque, and Dolmabahçe Palace. The tour provides a traditional Turkish dinner with unlimited drinks and an Anatolian folklore show featuring belly dancing. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included.
With 97 reviews and a 3.5-star rating, this cruise offers a mix of sightseeing, dining, and entertainment. The experience can accommodate up to 20 travelers and is wheelchair accessible. Reviewers have provided mixed feedback on the food quality and organization, but most have enjoyed the cruise, entertainment, and views of Istanbul’s iconic monuments.
Itinerary
The tour begins with a coach pickup or meeting at the port. Participants then embark on a sightseeing cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, where they can enjoy complimentary drinks and take in the stunning views of Istanbul’s landmarks like the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Blue Mosque, and Dolmabahçe Palace.
After the cruise, travelers are served a traditional Turkish dinner with unlimited drinks and treated to an Anatolian folklore show featuring belly dancing.
At the end of the experience, guests return to the port and can either head back to their hotel or continue exploring the city.
Additional Information
Booking confirmation is provided upon purchase, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and strollers are permitted.
The cruise departs from a public transportation-friendly location, with a maximum group size of 20 travelers. Viator offers a lowest price guarantee and free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts. This ensures travelers have flexibility and peace of mind when booking.
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, making it a convenient and hassle-free experience. With these added benefits, travelers can focus on enjoying the stunning Bosphorus cruise, delicious Turkish dinner, and captivating Anatolian folklore show with belly dancing.
Reviews
Travelers on Viator have left a total of 97 reviews for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise, awarding it an average rating of 3.5 stars. The reviews provide a mixed perspective on the experience. Some highlight the lovely journey, great food, and enjoyable entertainment, while others complain about delays, poor organization, and subpar service. The quality of the food and entertainment seems to vary, with some describing the food as average and the belly dancing as the highlight, while others were disappointed. The reviews suggest a somewhat inconsistent experience, with the cruise itself and the stunning views receiving more positive feedback than the dinner and show components.
Positive | Negative |
---|---|
Lovely journey | Poor organization |
Great food | Subpar service |
Enjoyable entertainment | Average food quality |
Beautiful views | Inconsistent experience |
Directions
According to the information provided, the meeting point for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise is at the Dentur Avrasya Kabataş İskelesi. Travelers should arrive at this port, as the boat is ready to depart from the Kabataş Dentur Port starting at 19:00.
Once the cruise is over, you will return to the original meeting point. Detailed pickup instructions are available, and the meeting point’s location is clearly marked on Google Maps. The directions are straightforward, making it easy for guests to find the starting and ending points of the cruise.
Following these instructions will ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise.
Bosphorus Cruise Highlights
The 3.5-hour evening Bosphorus cruise showcases several of Istanbul’s iconic monuments, including the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Blue Mosque, and Dolmabahçe Palace. As you sail along the city’s famous waterway, you’ll marvel at these impressive sights:
- The towering Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, a stunning feat of engineering that links Europe and Asia
- The iconic Blue Mosque, with its distinctive six minarets and grand domed interior
- The opulent Dolmabahçe Palace, a former Ottoman imperial residence with its ornate architecture and lavish interiors
- The bustling shores and skyline of Istanbul, providing a panoramic view of the city’s rich history and modern vibrancy
This cruise offers a unique perspective on Istanbul’s most famous landmarks.
Dinner and Entertainment
Along With the scenic cruise, the experience includes a traditional Turkish dinner with unlimited drinks and an Anatolian folklore show featuring lively belly dancing performances.
The dinner allows travelers to savor authentic Turkish cuisine while taking in views of the Bosphorus. The entertainment showcase aims to immerse guests in the rich cultural heritage of the region through captivating dance routines.
While reviews on the food quality and show organization have been mixed, many travelers highlight the dinner and entertainment as highlights of the overall cruise experience. This combination of dining and entertainment adds an extra layer of culture to the Bosphorus sightseeing tour.
Accessibility and Logistics
This Istanbul Bosphorus cruise tour is accessible and well-organized for travelers. It offers hotel pickup and drop-off, making transportation to and from the meeting point seamless. The cruise departs from the Kabataş Dentur Port, with guests able to board the boat starting at 7:00 PM. The tour has a maximum group size of 20 travelers, ensuring an intimate experience.
Those with wheelchairs or strollers can participate, as the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Plus, the cruise is located near public transportation options, allowing for flexible arrivals and departures.
Other notable logistical details include:
- Confirmation provided at booking
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience
- Lowest price guarantee
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.
- Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise With Live Performance, Folk Dance and DJ
- Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht
- Small-Group Bosphorus Yacht Cruise in Istanbul
- #1 Rated Istanbul Party Pub Crawl W Party Bus/Sultanahmet&Taksim
- Bosphorus Yacht Cruise With Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cruise Suitable for Families With Young Children?
The cruise seems suitable for families with young children. It’s wheelchair accessible, allows strollers, and has a maximum of 20 travelers, which could provide a more intimate and manageable experience for families.
Can I Bring My Own Alcoholic Drinks on Board?
No, you cannot bring your own alcoholic drinks on board. The cruise company provides unlimited drinks as part of the package, so outside alcohol is not allowed. Bringing your own could result in being denied entry or having drinks confiscated.
How Much Time Is Allocated for the Bosphorus Sightseeing?
The tour generally allocates around 1.5 to 2 hours for the Bosphorus sightseeing portion. This allows travelers ample time to take in the sights and enjoy the cruise along the historic waterway.
Is There a Dress Code for the Evening Cruise and Show?
There’s generally no strict dress code for evening cruises and shows. However, most venues recommend casual yet presentable attire. Avoiding beachwear or overly informal clothing is advisable to blend in with the atmosphere and respect the setting.
Are Vegetarian/Halal/Kosher Meal Options Available on Request?
Yes, vegetarian, halal, and kosher meal options are typically available on request for this type of evening cruise experience. Simply let the tour provider know your dietary requirements when booking to ensure they can accommodate you.
Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby
- Istanbul: Half-Day Turkish Coffee Tasting and Tour
- Full Day Private Istanbul Tour
- Eyup, Pierre Loti Hill, and Kariye Museum: Guided Day Tour From Istanbul
- Cappadocia Dream – 2 Days Cappadocia Travel With Balloon Ride From/To Istanbul
- 12 Days Private Tour of Turkey
- Istanbul Aquarium and Aqua Florya Shopping Mall Tour
- From Istanbul: Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia 8-Day Tour
- Small-Group Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar
- Istanbul: 3-Hour Segway Tour
- Private Tour: All Inclusive Cappadocia Tour From Urgup & Goreme
- Asian Side of Istanbul: Uskudar and Kadikoy Full Day Tour
- Tour of Major Sights of Istanbul (Entrance Fee Not Included)
- From Istanbul: Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Day Trip
- Istanbul Food on Foot Tour
- Istanbul: Princes Islands Cruise W/Music, Lunch & Transfer
Recap
This Bosphorus cruise provides an enchanting evening of Istanbul’s iconic sights, traditional Turkish dinner, and captivating belly dancing.
With unlimited drinks, stunning views, and a small group size, it’s an unforgettable way to experience the city’s beauty and culture.
The cruise’s convenient location and inclusive nature make it a practical choice for those seeking an authentic Istanbul experience.