WORLDWIDE · YACHT AND CATAMARAN CRUISES

Yacht and Catamaran Cruises: The 15 Best Days Aboard

28 river trips  ·  from $15 a head

Wider decks, a swim ladder and far fewer people than a tour boat. These 15 compare group size, what is served aboard and how much of the time is actually under way.

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht - Ortaköy Mosque beneath the first bridge
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Istanbul, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht

1.Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,465 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $30Our pick

Cruise from Kabataş along both shores of the Bosphorus on a small yacht with indoor and outdoor seating. You’ll pass palaces, mosques, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront neighborhoods while a guide explains the sights. Tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit, baklava, and cookies are included. Bring a jacket and arrive early for the best seats.

“Great staff, wonderful cruise boat, covered lots of areas, fantastic snacks with tea and lemonades, great experience”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide - Kabataş departure and the first European-shore views
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Istanbul, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

2.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,845 reviews · 2h 15m · from $19

Sail from Kabataş for 135 minutes past Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and Maiden’s Tower. An English-speaking guide explains the sights while you enjoy canapés, fruit, tea, coffee, and fresh mint lemonade. The comfortable yacht has covered indoor areas, though open-deck seating can make commentary harder to hear.

“Aleyna was great from the moment she welcome us, and kept making sure we were OK and had everything we needed throughout our trip. The boat was nice and comfortable, a variety of snacks and drinks were provided, and there is also a bar menu if you wish to purchase any beer, wine or spirits. The tour was good and informative and key locations and monuments were pointed out to us throughout the tour. Very good value for money”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side - Bridges, palaces, and Ottoman defenses
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

3.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,251 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Spend about 2.5 hours cruising between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores with an English-speaking guide, Turkish tea, coffee, snacks, and a short Kanlıca stop for its famous yogurt. Hotel pickup is offered in Sultanahmet, Taksim, Karakoy, and Sirkeci, with drop-off at Taksim or Sultanahmet Square.

“It is a very worthwhile experience and is everything that it says on the booking details. The staff are very pleasant and friendly, speak good English the ship is clean and the snacks are good. All in all an excellent trip. I would thoroughly recommend it.”

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Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best - Boarding at Kabataş: allow extra time
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

4.Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,181 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Sail between Europe and Asia aboard a 25-meter yacht during Istanbul’s golden hour. Expect tea, coffee, juice, lemonade, fresh fruit, canapés, and clear commentary on palaces, mosques, bridges, and fortresses. Guides including Emre, Nahad, Nahed, and John have been praised for friendly service and engaging explanations.

“I enjoyed this tour very much. The service was great—they served us tea and snacks, were punctual, and provided a lot of information. I highly recommend this tour.”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side - (Morning or Afternoon) - Starting near Dolmabahçe Mosque
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

5.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,657 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

This 2.5-hour yacht cruise gives you close views of Istanbul's palaces, mosques, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods, with commentary from guides such as Nahed, Serdar, or Senol. You will stop for about 30 minutes in Kanlıca on the Asian shore to try local yogurt, Turkish coffee, or ice cream. Hotel pickup is available in Fatih and Beyoğlu.

“A great way to spend a relaxing few hours seeing Istanbul from a different perspective. Great tour guide and lovely snacks provided along the way.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks - Boarding a yacht built for views
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

6.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,549 reviews · 2 hours - 125 minutes · from $15Best value

Spend about two hours on a small yacht sailing between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. Expect open-air and indoor seating, views of Dolmabahce Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Bosphorus bridges, and Maiden’s Tower, plus fruit, nuts, cookies, tea, and coffee. Guides such as Kadir, Yasin, and Hasan are praised for friendly commentary, though the guide may vary.

“Amazing Bosphorus boat tour! Hassan was an incredibly kind and attentive guide, making everyone feel very welcome and cared for, always on top of every detail. The cruise itself was exceptional, with beautiful views and a very relaxed atmosphere. Honestly, the price was too low for such a great experience – outstanding value and highly recommended!”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht - Boarding at Kabatas and settling onto the yacht
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Istanbul, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

7.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,435 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $59

Set out from Kabatas on a 25-meter yacht for 2.5 hours between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. A live English or Spanish guide, including guide Murat on some departures, explains palaces, mosques, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods. Expect Turkish tea, baklava, fruit, cookies, lemonade or juice, and a calm sunset ride.

“Wonderful slow cruise on comfortable yacht with informative commentary. Very nice snacks and fruit plates with the option to purchase alcohol. Would recommend for a most enjoyable way to see the Bosphorus in the evening.”

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Berlin: East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran - The East Side Gallery from the river
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Berlin: East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran

8.East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,086 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

Spend two hours on a solar-powered catamaran cruising from Jannowitzbrücke to the East Side Gallery and Treptow Park. You will see the Berlin Wall from the river, pass Oberbaumbrücke, houseboats, green riverbanks, and Insel der Jugend. German commentary and an English audio guide are included. Food and drinks can be bought on board.

“Amazing trip ! I found out so many nice places of Berlin!”

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Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax - Dolmabahçe Mosque and Palace from the water
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Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

9.Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 966 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Spend about 2.5 hours on a 35-capacity yacht sailing between Europe and Asia. A live English-speaking guide points out palaces, mosques, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront districts as sunset fades and the Bosphorus Bridge lights up. Tea, coffee, water, fruit, cookies, baklava, and snacks are included. Hotel pickup is optional.

“This was a beautiful way to be introduced to the amazing city of Istanbul. The crew was accommodating and very welcoming. The narrator gave great historical information about the sites on both the European and Asian sides. The boat was spacious and easily accommodated the group. It was clean and well maintained. The wind was brutally cold but blankets were offered and available for everyone. The sunset was incredible and the captain parked the boat in order for us to get the best possible pictures. The tour was punctual and better than advertised. Don’t hesitate to book this experience, you won’t regret it!”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on Asian Side - Boarding at Dolmabahçe Mosque
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on Asian Side

10.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on Asian Side

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 925 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $47

Spend 2.5 hours on a spacious yacht sailing past palaces, fortresses, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods on both sides of Istanbul. An English-speaking guide, Turkish tea, coffee, fruit, savory pastries, and snacks are included. The 15-minute Kanlica stop adds a taste of Asian Istanbul and its famous yogurt.

“We did this on our first morning in Istanbul so it was good to be looked after and get a sense of the city. First and foremost the communications with the operator were absolutely excellent, we knew exactly when we were going to be picked up and by whom - even with updates when he was on his way! Super well organised to get us all home too. The boat commentary was good, done with humour and easy to hear. Nice snacks (yummy fresh peach) included with your hot drinks. If I had a negative it was the stop on the Asian side for an overpriced yoghurt which wasn’t really…”

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Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube - Bratislava Castle and the afternoon choice
1-Day Tours, Austria River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Vienna River Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises

Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

11.Bratislava Day Trip from Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 723 reviews · from $115

Travel from Vienna to Bratislava by coach, tour the Old Town with a local guide, then return by high-speed Twin City Liner catamaran. You’ll see St. Martin’s Cathedral, Michael’s Gate, Grassalkovich Palace, Primate’s Palace, Bratislava Castle, and the Slovak National Theatre, with several hours to explore independently. Hotel pickup is available at selected Vienna hotels.

“Really fun trip! The guide knew so much but also gave us time to explore. Great experience! Would do another excursion with this company.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Live Guide - Boarding at Kabatas and choosing your seat
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Live Guide

12.Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 678 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $35

Spend 2.5 hours on a 25-meter yacht between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. A live English or Spanish guide points out palaces, bridges, fortresses, villas, and towers while you enjoy baklava, fruit, cookies, tea, coffee, and juice. Guides such as Sardar, Janat, and Murad have led past departures.

“Probably the best choice while in Istanbul. Loved it!”

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Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Singer by VIP Yacht de Paris - The upper deck and the best Eiffel Tower view
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Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Singer by VIP Yacht de Paris

13.Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Singer by VIP Yacht de Paris

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 604 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $126

Cruise Paris by night from Port de la Rapée, with rooftop views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and more. You’ll enjoy a live singer, then a three-course dinner behind panoramic windows. Select a drinks package or pay separately onboard. Expect an elegant but sometimes loosely organized evening.

“This is a very nice, low keyed dinner cruise. The food was as advertised and well prepared. The service was very good. The on-board entertainment was also very good with a decent selection of music, not too loud, and didn’t get in the way of having conversations. Crew handled the boat nicely and timed the arrival at the Eiffel Tower for the light show which was spectacular. What kept it from being a 5 star rating is there wasn’t much in the way of communication. It wasn’t clear for example, what time dinner was going to be served, or what time the boat was leaving and returning. It would be…”

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Guided Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxurious Yacht - Small Group Cruise - Starting at Kabataş and settling aboard
Bosphorus Cruises, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Guided Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxurious Yacht – Small Group Cruise

14.Guided Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxurious Yacht – Small Group Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 385 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Cruise the Bosphorus for about 2.5 hours aboard a comfortable yacht, passing Dolmabahçe, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, Maiden’s Tower, and Galata Tower. English commentary explains the sights, while baklava, fruit, cookies, sharbat, tea, and coffee are served. Sinan and Deniz have guided recent departures, with Spanish commentary sometimes available.

“Great tour, very relaxing and enjoyable commentary, delicious snacks! Perfect way to cap off 3 days of hard sightseeing.”

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Gdańsk: Motlawa River Yacht Cruise - The Green Bridge and the Old Motława
Poland River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Poland

Gdańsk: Motlawa River Yacht Cruise

15.Motlawa River Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 272 reviews · from $18

Cruise Gdańsk’s Motława River in a modern open motor yacht with commentary in English, German, or Polish. The 45-minute route passes the Green Bridge, Crane, islands, marina, shipyards, Vistula, and Polish Hook before returning to the city center. A small group and low price make this an easy sightseeing add-on.

“We do not like when it is a taped guiding It was good when we got the written info on the sheets. We could play the music we like”

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Just added to Yacht and Catamaran Cruises

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★ 4.0Lazy Catamaran River Cruise and Salt Mine Group TourFrom $11410 reviews
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