Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table

If you arrive by transfer late to the boat because of traffic, you will not have enough time to eat dinner normally, we just received hot dishes and in 7 minutes they closed dinner hall and rush everyone on the top deck for the show. I left pretty much all my food and drinks not finished. Some waiters do not speak or understand English.

Poor communications—would never let our group know where to meet them to begin the tour. I need a refund of the tour charges.

Don’t waste your money!! We were seated at a table in the far back corner behind the bussing station. We couldn’t even see the dance floor. We tried to go up to see what the dancers looked like and were told we weren’t allowed to. There was only a TV to watch it. Why bother going at all?! But that TV was blocked because all waiters went there to get everything at the bussing station. The good was horrid. The service was rude. One waiter actually shoved me out of my chair whilst eating so he could open a drawer to get forks. Don’t bother with this. Wasted money and a horrid overall experience.

My wife and I did not enjoy the experience at all. The food was so bad that I took one bite and wasted the entire dish -- and it was from their "gold" menu. The dancers were enthusiastic and talented, but we were seated at the far end of the boat, so we watched them on the CCTV screen. Bottom line: you get what you pay for.

The crew and performers 10/10. Beautiful. The bad behavior of some guests (attempts to 'tip' a dancer in a rude way) were handled graciously. The view is nice and the food is fine. BUT: The ride back literally left me and my 80 year old mom in the middle of the street, at midnight, several blocks of violent traffic away from our hotel. And unfortunate, though id asked, the boat was full of smokers. Cigarette smoke makes me quite ill. So, that was a downer.

The food was ok. Private table was about 1” apart from others in a long row so this is not a romantic cruise. No narrative on what we were passing by. The performers were entertaining. We about choked on all of the cigarette smoke. After dinner you go up to the open deck and sit in rows of chairs for the performance on a stage at the front (people in the back probably had a difficult time seeing the performers). You only get 2 glasses of wine free with meal, then you have to pay extra. The last bells dancer went through the crowd and was close to performing lap dances as well as getting tips tucked in her waistband (1 step above a strip club). The last 20 minutes or so was modern dance party music with guests. I would choose a different experience next time. We took an am yacht cruise the next day with a stop in Asia that was terrific

Luxury is absolutely NOT the way I would describe this. Useless instructions for arrival. Low end old vessel with undesirable layout for a good experience. Boring performances. Minimal, if any, explanations of sites passing by. Food was terrible. Will be a huge disappointment if you are used to moderate quality, let alone luxury.

The entertainment was fantastic!! The dancers were amazing. The cruise along the Bosphorus was great. The food was okay. Be sure you know what alcoholic drink you are ordering. If it is wrong, they will not get you another without charging you for a second drink.

We were given an address but once we arrived it was mass chaos. I think there’s at least 6 large boats that go out at the same time. I’m sure you can imagine how many people it takes to fill that many boats. Now, add in to the equation that there’s no sign how to find your specific boat. So because we don’t don’t know what to do because there’s zero signs, we jump in a line. Guess what, yep after waiting in a line for nearly 40 minutes, wrong line. Food was very good. Turkish dancing was short. Overall, overpriced for what we experienced.

We chose the non-alcoholic package and without transfer, which I recommend given the excessive price difference compared to the others. Boarding is located at Tournatour Dinner Cruise (boat name) on Maps, Kabatas area but further north than the ferry dock. You can get there comfortably by getting off the terminus of the T1 tram which also passes through Sultanhamet. Therefore, there is no reason to overpay the private transfer, which comes to pick you up very soon. On the way back the cruise, which sails at 8.30pm, arrives by 11.30pm, in time to catch the T1 (which has the last ride at midnight). We arrived a few minutes after 8 pm and they were almost all already seated. Although close, the tables are private and separate. As soon as they are seated drinks and plate of appetizers are brought and the waitress asks if you want fish or meat of second. Then sail away and admire the Bosphorus coast and its highlights. One voice says just two words in English for each point of attention. The second is then served and then dance shows begin: rotating dervish, Cossack-like dances, belly dancing and other group dances. There are 6 dancers who alternate in the various performances. Dessert is then served and some free dance music is played for the last half hour. Highly recommended experience for the low price, shows, view and dinner included. Although they are not the center of attraction, it must be said that the quality of the food is not high (the packaged bread is really cheap) and only bring one drink. The boat is not the most modern of the competitors but absolutely adequate.