Engagement Party on a Yacht

Celebrate your engagement on the Bosphorus

An engagement brings two families together, and a private yacht gives everyone a beautiful place to celebrate. Your guests board in the centre of Istanbul, the yacht cruises past palaces, mosques and mansions on both shores, and the party unfolds on deck with the city as your backdrop. The yacht is private, so the whole venue is yours.

Any decoration is possible: a heart-shaped or round flower arch, white or coloured flowers, candles and table styling in your theme. We bring a celebration cake on board and can arrange a violinist, a DJ or live music, and shows such as a belly dancer or Turkish folk dancers. Our private chef prepares the menu on board, with or without alcohol, as a seated dinner, a buffet or a cocktail-style party.

Traditional Turkish engagements, with the ring ceremony and the families together, are welcome on board too. We recommend at least 4 hours, and we arrange photography, video and drone filming. See all our yacht weddings.

Engagement party yacht highlights

• Both families on boardA private yacht for your guests only.
• Flower arches and decorationAny style, from a white heart arch to coloured themes.
• Celebration cakeServed on deck at the right moment.
• Music and showsViolinist, DJ, live music, belly dancer or folk dancers.
• Chef on boardDinner, buffet or cocktails, with or without alcohol.
• Photo, video and droneMemories of the day from every angle.

Planning a Turkish-style engagement party on a yacht

In Turkey, an engagement is a family occasion as much as a celebration for the couple. Whether both of your families are Turkish or one side is new to these customs, it helps to agree on the programme before anyone boards.

Söz, nişan and the families

Many Turkish families mark the engagement in stages. It often begins with kız isteme, when the groom's family visits the bride's family at home to ask for her hand, usually over Turkish coffee. A small promise ceremony called söz may follow, and then the nişan, the larger engagement party with relatives and friends. A yacht is best suited to the nişan, but some families combine the söz and the party on the same day. Decide together which one you are holding, as it changes the guest list and the tone.

Preparing the ring ceremony

• Traditionally the two rings are tied together with a red ribbon on a tray. After a short speech, a respected elder, often from the groom's family, cuts the ribbon and the couple put on their rings.
• Agree in advance who will speak and who will cut the ribbon, so no one is put on the spot.
• Bring the tray, the ribbon and the scissors yourself, and give the rings to one trusted person until the moment.
• Tell the photographer who the elder is, so the cut of the ribbon and the families' faces are both in the shot.

Guest flow with two families

• Seat the elders of both families close to the flower arch, where they can see the ceremony without standing.
• Mix the families at the tables rather than one side on each deck. It breaks the ice faster.
• Agree with both families whether alcohol will be served before you choose the menu.
• If relatives will present gold or jewellery to the couple, plan a time for it straight after the rings, and choose someone to keep the gifts safe.

Explaining customs to international guests

If some guests have never been to a Turkish engagement, add a short note to the invitation explaining the ribbon, the gifts and the dancing. They will feel included rather than unsure. You can also introduce them to traditional Turkish drinks and Turkish desserts and sweets before the day. When the next step comes, see how a wedding ceremony on a yacht is planned.

How the party goes

1. Welcome on board
   Your families and friends are welcomed with a drink on a decorated yacht.
2. The ring ceremony
   Rings and speeches under the flower arch as the yacht cruises the Bosphorus.
3. Dinner or cocktails
   A dinner, buffet or finger food prepared on board.
4. Cake and music
   The cake, the toasts and dancing on deck.

More wedding ideas

• Yacht Wedding in IstanbulYour ceremony on the water
• Wedding Reception BoatLarger yachts for receptions
• Marriage Proposal on a YachtAsk the question first
• Bachelorette Yacht PartyA party for the bride and friends

The cruise route

The yacht cruises the city part of the Bosphorus at an easy pace: palaces on the European shore, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress and the Maiden's Tower.

On the way you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden's Tower. See the full route map and all the landmarks.

The captain keeps a slow, smooth pace for the ceremony, dinner and photos, and stops at the best spots: the palaces, the bridges and the Maiden's Tower. The route can be adapted to your programme.

Yachts for your engagement party yacht

For an engagement with both families, a yacht with a saloon and a large open deck is ideal. For bigger parties, Majesty and Crescent Star host up to 250 guests. Tap a yacht to see more photos.

• 8 photos

  Our flagship

  White Istanbul

  24 m · up to 77 guests

• 8 photos

  Made for celebrations

  Crescent Star

  24 m · up to 130 guests

• 8 photos

  Our largest yacht

  Majesty

  44 m · up to 200 guests

• 9 photos

  Heated on both decks

  Blue Wave

  23 m · up to 60 guests

• 9 photos

  Brand new for 2026

  Sea Fairy

  22 m · up to 55 guests

• 9 photos

  Classic and elegant

  Ocean Breeze

  21 m · up to 40 guests

• 9 photos

  Sleek and sporty

  Riviera

  22 m · up to 20 guests

• 8 photos

  Two decks, heated saloon

  Blue Horizon

  18 m · up to 12 guests

• 8 photos

  Intimate and cosy

  Azure

  16.5 m · up to 12 guests

Tell us your number of guests, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts

Food and drinks for your engagement

Every party starts with a welcome drink. Choose a seated dinner, a buffet or a cocktail-style party with finger food, with or without alcohol, prepared on board by our private chef for groups of 10 or more. You can also bring your own food and drinks, with a service fee of €10 per person.

On board

Our yacht menus

Swipe to see all menus →

Morning2Light bites3Dinner3

A relaxed dinner under the lights

Chicken Dinner Menu

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Steak dinner on the Bosphorus

Meat Dinner Menu

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Seasonal fish from the Turkish seas

Fish Dinner Menu

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See every menu in full detail

Prefer something else? Our private chef can prepare any menu you like: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a dinner designed around your occasion. Menus can be combined for larger groups, and alcoholic drinks are available as an extra.

What is included in your engagement party yacht

Make your engagement special

Choose from these, or tell us your idea.

• Flower arch and floral decoration
• Celebration cake
• Violinist, DJ or live music
• Belly dancer or Turkish folk dancers
• Laser message on the Bosphorus Bridge
• Photography, video and drone
• Transfers for your guests

Engagement party yacht prices: what affects your quote

Every engagement party is different, so we prepare a written quote. The price is based on five things:

• The yacht: size and capacity
• Duration: we recommend at least 4 hours
• Date and time: weekends, summer evenings and holidays are busiest
• Group size: number of adults and children
• Food, drinks and extras: what you add to the cruise

Send us your plan and we reply with a clear written quote, with every item listed and fuel and marina fees always included.

Meeting points for your engagement party yacht

Choose the pier closest to your hotel or venue; for your guests we can also arrange transfers. We board from eight piers along the Bosphorus:

• European shoreKaraköy · Kabataş · Beşiktaş · Kuruçeşme · Arnavutköy · Bebek
• Asian shoreKuleli · Beylerbeyi

Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.

What our guests say about our cruises

Booking and cancellation terms

1. At booking30% advance payment confirms your yacht
2. 48 hours beforeThe remaining 70% is due
3. 7+ days beforeCancel for a full refund of the advance
4. Under 7 daysThe advance payment is not refundable
5. Under 3 days100% of the tour price is due

Payment, cancellation and weather terms for all private tours are on one page: Read the full cancellation terms

Engagement party yacht FAQ