Graduation Yacht Party in Istanbul

Celebrate graduation on the Bosphorus

After years of exams and deadlines, graduation deserves a real celebration. On a private yacht, your class, your friends or your family board in the centre of Istanbul and cruise the Bosphorus past palaces, fortresses and the bridges between Europe and Asia. The yacht is private, so the music, the photos and the party are all yours.

Any kind of party is possible. Celebrate in the afternoon sun on the deck, at sunset with the golden light for your graduation photos, or at night with a DJ and the city lights. We decorate the yacht in your school colours, with banners and balloons, and arrange food from snacks and finger food to a buffet or a full dinner, prepared on board by our chef for groups of 10 or more.

Families often book a graduation cruise as a gift, with dinner and a cake for the graduate. Whatever the plan, we recommend 4 hours. See all our yacht celebrations.

Graduation yacht party highlights

• A yacht for your classPrivate, with captain and crew for your group only.
• Graduation photosPalaces, bridges and the sunset as your backdrop.
• Music and DJYour own playlist, a DJ or live music.
• DecorationBanners, balloons and your school colours.
• Any food optionSnacks, finger food, a buffet or dinner.
• From 10 to 250 guestsYachts for a group of friends or a whole year group.

How to organise a graduation yacht party for your class or family

Class party or family celebration?

A party for classmates and a dinner with parents are two different evenings. A class party is about music, photos and dancing, while a family celebration centres on a meal, a cake and a few speeches. Some groups combine them: families join for the first part, then the music turns up for the graduates. If you choose this, agree the running order early so nobody feels the evening belongs to the other group.

Organising a whole year group

• Appoint one or two organisers as the single point of contact for questions, payments and the final guest list.
• Set a deadline for confirming places and collect contributions before you book.
• Gather dietary needs in the same form, so the food can be planned in one go.
• Agree house rules for the evening in advance, especially if some guests are under 18.

Choosing the date

Graduation weeks fall at the same time for most schools and universities, so many groups ask for the same evenings. Check the ceremony date first, then send your request as early as you can. A party a day or two after the ceremony is often more relaxed than one on the same evening, when families are tired and photos run late.

Getting the best graduation photos

Bring the gowns, caps and sashes on board, and plan the group photo before dinner while everyone still looks smart. If you want the classic cap toss, do it on the open deck while the yacht is moving slowly and keep it low, as the wind on the water is stronger than on land. Golden hour gives the warmest light; our guide to the Bosphorus at sunset explains when it falls through the year, and the route map shows which landmarks you pass.

For a family gift, keep a short surprise ready, such as a speech from a parent or a message from a teacher read out before the cake. Compare the yacht menus to decide between finger food for a standing party and a seated dinner.

How the party goes

1. Welcome on board
   Your group boards a decorated yacht with a welcome drink.
2. Photos and sun
   Graduation photos on deck by the palaces and bridges.
3. Food and music
   A buffet or finger food while the music plays.
4. Party under the bridges
   Cake, toasts and dancing as the city lights come on.

More party ideas

• Birthday Yacht PartyCake, balloons and music
• Family Celebration Yacht CruiseCelebrate with the family
• Private Yacht Swimming TourA summer day on the water
• Private Sunset Yacht CruiseGolden hour with friends

The party route

The yacht cruises the city part of the Bosphorus, past palaces on both shores, under the Bosphorus Bridge to Rumeli Fortress and back.

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 an easy pace so you can enjoy dinner, the cake and the music, and slows down for photos at the best spots. The route can be adapted to your plan.

Yachts for your graduation yacht party

For a group of friends, a motor yacht with a large sun deck is ideal; for a whole class or a family dinner, choose a larger yacht with a saloon, such as Majesty or Crescent Star. 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 the number of guests and the kind of party, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts

Food and drinks for your party

Every cruise starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. For the party, choose snacks and finger food, a buffet or a full dinner, prepared on board by our 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

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Morning2Light bites3Dinner3

Freshly baked bites for an afternoon cruise

Snack Menu

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Party food for a standing reception

Cocktail Menu

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Turkish favourites, bite-sized

Finger Food 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 graduation yacht party

Make graduation day special

Choose from these to complete the party.

• Banners and balloons in your school colours
• Graduation cake
• DJ or live music
• Belly dancer or Turkish folk dancers
• Photographer or videographer
• Laser message on the Bosphorus Bridge
• Group transfers

Graduation yacht party prices: what affects your quote

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

• The yacht: size and capacity
• Duration: we recommend 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 graduation yacht party

Choose the pier closest to your hotel or home. 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

Graduation yacht party FAQ