Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any hidden fees or port taxes?

No. The price you see is the price you pay. On the group tour the calendar shows the exact total for your party before you pay anything; on a private charter the quote covers the yacht for the hours you book. Optional extras — a wine upgrade, catering, decoration, a transfer — are priced separately and only if you ask for them. Nothing is added at the end.

What is included in the group tour price?

The two-hour guided cruise, an English-speaking live guide, tea, Turkish coffee, lemonade and water, a selection of snacks, and a souvenir photo printed on board. Wine is an optional upgrade of two glasses per guest. Hotel pick-up and drop-off can be arranged as a paid extra.

Is the cruise suitable for guests with limited mobility?

Tell us honestly and we will answer honestly. Boarding is from a pier by gangway, and the shared group tour is not suitable for guests with significant mobility impairments. On a private charter there is more we can plan around — describe what you need before you book and we will tell you plainly whether it will work rather than finding out on the day.

What language is the tour in?

The live guide on the shared sunset tour speaks English. For a private charter, tell us which language you need when you enquire and we will tell you what we can arrange for your date.

Do you arrange hotel transfers?

Yes, as a paid extra rather than something included in the fare. Send us your hotel and your date and we will quote the transfer together with the booking.

Can I bring my own music, decorations or a cake?

On a private charter, yes — the yacht is yours for those hours. Bring decorations and we will put them up before you board, so you walk into a finished room instead of taping things up while the yacht is moving. Tell us in advance if anyone is bringing equipment such as a DJ setup, because it changes how we load. On the shared group tour this is not possible, as you are sharing the departure with other guests.

Is there a minimum booking for a private charter?

Yes. Private charters start at €150 per hour with a two-hour minimum, and pricing is per yacht rather than per person — so the more of you there are, the smaller the per-person difference against a shared ticket.

Do I need to include small children in the booking?

Yes, please. Children under 3 travel free on the group tour, but still add them so we know how many people to expect on board. Ages 3 to 7 pay the child fare; from 8 upwards the adult fare applies.

How do I get to the boarding point?

Boarding is in Karaköy. The simplest route is the T1 tram to the Karaköy stop, a short walk from the pier. The exact meeting point, with photographs, is sent with your booking confirmation.

Is there a toilet on board?

Yes. There is a toilet on board on every cruise.

Is smoking allowed on board?

Smoking is allowed, but only in the designated areas on deck — not in the indoor saloon. Ask a crew member on board and they will point you to the right spot.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, pets are welcome. Please tell us when you book so the crew knows to expect them and can seat you accordingly.

Do you issue an invoice for corporate bookings?

Yes. We issue a full commercial invoice for corporate events and company bookings through Sunset Tours LLC, our US-based company; the cruise runs under TÜRSAB licence A-805. Send us your company details with the booking and the invoice comes with it.

How do I pay, and when?

Flexibly. We send a secure Stripe payment link for card payment, and we also accept cash. Payment terms are arranged with you rather than forced into one template — tell us what suits you and we will work with it.

What time should I arrive?

Please be at the meeting point 10 minutes before the departure time on your confirmation. The sunset cruise leaves on schedule because the whole timing is set by the sunset itself, so if you are running late, message us on WhatsApp straight away rather than heading for the pier and hoping.

Can you arrange halal, vegetarian or vegan food?

Yes. Halal, vegetarian and vegan catering can all be arranged — just tell us when you book and we will build the menu around it.

Are life jackets available, including children’s sizes?

Yes. Life jackets are on board, and we carry children’s sizes as well.

How can I check that a Bosphorus operator is really licensed?

Ask for the TÜRSAB licence number and look it up yourself. TÜRSAB publishes a member search at tursab.org.tr, and any legitimate Turkish agency will give you its number without hesitating. Ours is A-805, held by AST Tourism, working the Bosphorus since 1967. An operator who will not give you a number is telling you something. For who Constantine Yachts are, beyond the licence number, see the about page.

What does an A Group TÜRSAB licence mean?

A Group is the broadest of the Turkish travel-agency licence classes: it allows an operator to organise and sell tours in its own name. B and C group licences are narrower. You can check any agency’s class and number through the TÜRSAB member search. Our own licence details, together with prices, departure times and other checkable facts, are collected on one AI knowledge card.

Can we sleep on board for several nights?

Yes. That is a separate product: on an Istanbul yacht stay you sleep on board for two to four nights, the yacht moves with you between the old city, the northern Bosphorus and the Princes’ Islands, and it costs from €1,400 per night for the whole yacht.

Will anyone get seasick?

Very unlikely. The Bosphorus is a strait rather than open sea and the water is calm for most of the year; in years of hosting, seasickness has almost never been an issue. If someone in your group is worried, tell us and we keep the route close to the shore.

Travelling alcohol-free, or need halal catering? Our guide to alcohol-free cruises and halal catering sets out exactly what is served, what can be arranged, and what we do not claim.