Brought to by the Orient House, the Istanbul New Year’s dinner cruise on the Orient Bosphorus features dervish dancing, a henna ceremony, and several traditional folk dance shows.
If you’re wondering what to expect from a New Year’s Eve Cruise on the Orient Bosphorus boat, keep reading.
Tour
The new year’s cruise showcases the authentic history and cultural importance found on Istanbul’s shoreline which includes Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Cıragan Palace, and Rumeli Fortress.
As the boat makes its way to the Asian side, you’ll the Bosphorus Bridge and then turn at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge before passing Beylerbeyi Palace, seaside mansions, and finally the Maiden’s Tower.
Entertainment
The show starts with a Whirling Dervish performance and traditional folk dance comprising of a traditional henna ceremony and Turkish halay folk dances
After the food has been served, there’s a traditional Turkish Roman folk dance show, then an exotic belly dancer followed by and a Kafkas folk dance show finale.
Welcome Drink
A welcome drink is offered as soon as you board and led to your table.
Snacks
A cold starters plate is soon left on your table which consists of traditional mezze fare.
Appetizers
The hors d’oeuvre is hot entry that is the special of the day and comes with fresh seasonal salad.
Menu
The main course has two options with grilled spring chicken breast or grilled whiting fish with rice.
Dessert
To sweeten your tastebuds, seasonal fruit come next.
Drinks
You can choose your unlimited package to include both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. The soft drinks include fanta, coke, sprite, juice, etc, along with coffee and tea.
Alcoholic drinks include a selection of local wine, beer, raki, vodka, and gin, while a premium drink package is available for imported beers and spirits.
Party Favors
These are handed out at around 23:30 as the deck opens up for all to enjoy. The party favors generally include a hat, and new year’s noisemakers and whistles.
Champagne
When the midnight hour draws near the crew will start handing out glasses of champagne for everyone to toast with as the countdown cheers erupt.
Fireworks
The boats stay in close view of the stationary barges in the Bosphorus where the NYE fireworks are lit and sent into the sky. At the stroke of midnight, it will almost seem as if a rainbow of shooting stars are flying across the sky as the heavens cheer their arrival.
Thankfully this moment will build into a crescendo finale where camera flashes will only add to the electric light show above.
Music
A professional DJ takes over after midnight to keep the party going getting everyone on the dance floor as the boat does a slow crawl back to port.
Contact
The boat departs from the Kabatas Pie in Beyoglu with tickets being sold via every travel agency in the city.
- Website | Phone: +90 212 517 61 63 | Email
- Katabar Pier: Ömer Avni, İskele Yolu, 34427 Beyoğlu, İstanbul
- Company Address: Cankurtaran Mah, Akbıyık Cd. No.53 D:Kat.2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey