Dinner Cruise on Bosphorus & Turkish Night free Hotel Transfer

An enjoyable experience that could be better

The idea of a dinner cruise with local entertainment is great and the night was enjoyable, but there were a couple of things that detracted from the experience. We were packed in at our table; it was difficult to move. Our package included two drinks which could be beer, wine, or a cocktail. Drink ice was put in glasses with bare hands. The salad, dinner, and dessert were pretty good. We liked the dancers, but they performed on the other side of large adjacent table so we could not see very well. It would have been better if the performers visited at least one side of every table. If possible, ask for a table by the window. Since it was a night cruise, the best thing to see, other than the performers, was the lit up coastline. Unfortunately, the outside windows were decorated with small white string lights that both obscured what was beyond and competed with the outside lights. We think less is more in this case. It was uncomfortably warm inside. Fortunately, we were invited to go up to the top deck that was open to the evening sky where it was delightfully cool and offered spectacular views of the city. We enjoyed it there, but the downside was we missed one of the performances. It was an interesting and enjoyable evening; however, two or three minor changes would elevate the experience.

via Viator

Good, fun time. Some things to keep in mind.

Overall I would recommend. The experience as a whole was memorable. Service was decent. Dances were good. Dancing at the end was a lot of fun. Delays getting out of the port, food was bland, a number of upsells change this from 5 star to 4. If you want a fun, relaxing night, go for it. Note this is very different than a sunset tour. You will depart after sunset and can only see anything from the top floor. If you like everything just perfect, you’ll not enjoy.

via Viator

Enjoyable experience

The experience was enjoyable with lots of fun shows. The food was delicious and the whole tour was definitely worth it and an easy recommendation.

via Tripadvisor

Communication problems with booking and pickup

We booked through Trip advisor and received confirmation and ticket. The tour group did not give a pick up time so I needed to ask. An hour window was given where we needed to stand on the street. 50 mins went by and we were concerned. I sent 2 messages via the app and no response. A local shop keeper rang the company, after a while they rang back and said 10 minutes. 20 minutes later we were collect by a taxi who also had to pick up 6 more. The transfer time took 90 minutes. I was disappointed we did not get to see the sunset. At the boat the staff did not have a booking for us on their list and could not communicate easily with us. A phone call later we were seated. The show and food was exactly as advertised. We had a very restricted view as we were so late. Our waiter was fabulous, kind and attentive. We needed to ask 3 people how to meet our driver for the return trip. A phone call later we were given instructions and a driver number. I honestly think our booking had not been recorded in the system the boat staff used which was a pity as the night as good fun and very enjoyable apart from the pick up and communication

Response from the operator: Thank you for your honest feedback. We’re truly sorry for the delays and communication issues you experienced during pickup and boarding. We understand how disappointing it must have been to miss the sunset and face uncertainty. Your comments about the booking system and communication are very helpful, and we are actively working to improve these areas. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the show, food, and the attentive service from your waiter. We appreciate you bringing these matters to our attention and hope to provide you with a seamless experience in the future.

via Tripadvisor

If other options aren’t available…

The experience was average overall. Our waiter lacked hospitality and appeared irritated for most of the cruise, only becoming friendlier toward the end when tips were expected. Dinner was mediocre, and the dessert was particularly disappointing—no one at our table seemed to eat it. However, the performers put on excellent shows, which were a highlight of the evening. If you can’t find another option and are mainly interested in enjoying scenic views of the Bosphorus, this cruise might still be worth considering.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your honest feedback. We’re sorry to hear that some aspects of your experience did not meet your expectations, particularly regarding the service and dinner. Your comments are valuable to us, and we will work on improving these areas. We’re glad you enjoyed the performances and the beautiful views of the Bosphorus. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again and provide a more enjoyable experience.

via Viator