Turkey’s coastline is a tapestry of turquoise coves, pine-clad headlands, ancient ruins and picture-perfect harbors — and the best way to experience it is from the water. From short Bosphorus sightseeing trips in Istanbul to week-long “Blue Cruises” aboard traditional wooden gulets along the Lycian and Turquoise Coasts, Turkey offers cruise experiences for every pace and budget. This guide covers the top cruise types and itineraries, what you’ll do each day, realistic budgets, practical tips and exactly how Luxury Vacations Consulting can make your Turkey cruise effortless and unforgettable.
Types of Turkey Cruises
- Bosphorus & Istanbul sightseeing cruises — short (1–3 hour) tours showing Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy and the Bosphorus bridges; sunset and dinner options are popular.
- Gulet / Blue Cruises (7 nights typical) — traditional wooden two-masted motor-sailers that sleep small groups (typically 8–24). Weeklong roundtrips exploring Bodrum, Göcek, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kekova and Datça are the classic experience.
- Short coastal mini-cruises (3–4 nights) — ideal if you have limited time; often depart Marmaris, Fethiye or Bodrum.
- Luxury yacht charters — private motor yachts or luxury gulets with high-end service and water toys (jetskis, paddleboards, diving).
- Large Mediterranean cruise ships visiting Turkish ports — lines that include Kusadasi (Ephesus), Izmir, and occasionally Antalya or Istanbul on wider Mediterranean itineraries. (These are standard ocean-liner style cruises.)
Best Turkey Cruises & Sample Itineraries
Below are tried-and-true options that suit most travelers.
1) Classic 7-night Gulet: Fethiye → Göcek → Kekova → Kaş → Fethiye
- Highlights: Ölüdeniz / Blue Lagoon (paragliding option), Butterfly Valley, Kekova sunken city (boat tour), ancient Lycian tombs.
- Typical day: Morning swim and snorkel → short coastal sail → lunch on board → afternoon shore excursion (ruins or village) → sunset cocktails.
- Why choose it: Combines beaches, calm anchorages and easy day-trips to ruins.
2) Bodrum →Gökova Gulf (7 nights)
- Highlights: Bodrum Castle, secluded bays of Datça and Bozburun, canoeing and local seafood dinners ashore.
- Why choose it: Lively nightlife in Bodrum combined with peaceful anchorages.
3) Marmaris → Datça → Knidos (7 nights)
- Highlights: Rugged peninsulas, unspoilt bays, spectacular sunsets at ancient Knidos. Great for photographers.
4) Mini Blue Cruise (3–4 nights): Marmaris ↔ Fethiye
- Highlights: Fast, budget-friendly taste of the coast — perfect when combining with a land holiday.
5) Istanbul Bosphorus sunset & dinner cruise (2–3 hours)
- Highlights: Floating views of the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi and the waterfront palaces. Options include dinner and live music. Great as a romantic evening.
Activities to Expect on a Turkey Cruise
- Swimming & snorkeling in crystal turquoise bays (bring reef shoes).
- Kayaking / paddleboarding from tender boats on many gulets and yachts.
- Diving & water sports available on luxury yachts and selected gulets.
- Shore excursions: Lycian tombs, Roman ruins, thermal springs, seaside villages and markets.
- Adventure options: Paragliding at Ölüdeniz, jeep safaris, or guided hikes on the Lycian Way.
- Onboard life: Turkish breakfasts, freshly prepared seafood lunches/dinners, sunset teas and deckside lounging.
Realistic budget guide
Note: Prices vary widely by season (peak summer June–August is highest), vessel type, and how many people share cabins.
- Bosphorus sightseeing cruise (Istanbul): €12–€50 for short public tours; €50+ for private sunset yacht charters.
- Mini blue cruise (3–4 nights, cabin share): From roughly €200–€500 per person (budget gulet or cabin on a shared boat).
- Standard 7-night gulet (per person, cabin share, all-inclusive basic): Typically €700–€1,500 per person depending on boat standard and inclusions. Some modern all-inclusive offerings start around €1,200.
- Private gulet charter (whole boat for 8–12 guests): Mid-range gulets ~€7,000–€12,000 per week; luxury gulets €14,000–€18,000+ per week in peak season. Early booking and shoulder seasons lower costs.
- Luxury motor yacht charter: Varies hugely; expect several thousand euros per day for modern yachts with crew and toys.
Extra costs to factor: flights to Turkey, transfers to marinas, optional shore tours, tips (crew typically expect a gratuity), alcoholic drinks ashore, personal travel insurance and visas if required.
Best time to Cruise Turkey
- Peak season: June–September (warm, calm seas) — busiest and most expensive.
- Spring (April–May) and Autumn (September–October): Often the sweet spot — warm weather, fewer crowds, lower prices and still safe swimming temperatures.
- Winter: Many gulets and marinas close; Istanbul remains enjoyable for city cruises and sightseeing.
Safety, Health & Practical Tips
- Safety: Gulets are generally safe and crewed by experienced skippers; check safety equipment and passenger limits before booking.
- Visa & documents: Many nationalities need an e-visa for Turkey — check the official gov.tr e-visa system before travel.
- Packing: Lightweight layers, reef shoes, sunscreen, hat, small daypack, dry bag and any personal meds. Bring a soft duffel (cabins have limited storage).
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi varies; don’t rely on it for heavy work. Consider a local SIM for data.
- Tipping: 5–10% of cruise price is customary to the crew, shared among staff.
How to choose the right Cruise for you
- Romantic escape: Romantic sunset Bosphorus dinner, or private gulet charter with secluded coves.
- Budget traveler: Join a cabin on a shared 7-night gulet or a short mini-cruise.
- Group / family: Private gulet or luxury yacht offers privacy, family cabins and toys.
- Active traveler: Pick an itinerary with paragliding, diving or Lycian Way access.
How Luxury Vacations Consulting Helps
Booking the right Turkey cruise is about matching mood, group size and logistics that’s where Luxury Vacations Consulting adds immediate value:
- Personalized itinerary design: Luxury Vacations Consulting will propose tailored routes (e.g., Ölüdeniz + Kekova for water sports lovers; Bodrum + Datça for culture and dining) based on your travel dates, pace and interests.
- Vendor vetting: We pre-qualify gulets, yachts and operators for safety, sanitation, reviews and on-board standards so you don’t have to rely solely on photos.
- Transparent budgeting: Luxury Vacations Consulting builds a full cost estimate (boat, flights, transfers, insurance, excursions, gratuities) and finds cost-saving strategies like shoulder-season departures or cabin-share options.
- Group logistics: For weddings, family reunions or private charters we coordinate menus, decorations, extra crew, photographers and land-based events.
- Door-to-dock service: Transfers, porterage, local guides, visa assistance and on-call support during the voyage.
- Extras & VIP touches: Private chef upgrades, in-cabin spa services, local wine tastings, scuba instructor bookings, and surprise celebration planning.
- Problem solving: Weather changes, re-routing, or medical needs — Luxury Vacations Consulting handles on-the-ground solutions so your trip stays joyful.
Sample Planning Timelines
- Flexible traveler / small group: Book 8–12 weeks ahead in shoulder season; Luxury Vacations Consulting can source last-minute cabin shares too.
- Private charter or high season: Reserve 4–6 months ahead to secure the best boats and crew. Luxury yachts often book 6–12 months out.
Final Tips
Turkey’s coast rewards slow travel. Spend at least 4–7 days afloat to settle into the rhythm of anchorages, swims, and village visits. If you want a memorable blend of history, beach time, water sports and flawless service, a gulet week or private yacht charter is unbeatable.
If you’d like, Luxury Vacations Consulting can prepare a tailored set of 3 sample itineraries (budget cabin share, mid-range private gulet, and luxury yacht), an exact cost breakdown for your travel dates, and help secure cabins or an entire boat.
Tell us your travel dates, group size and style (relaxed, active, celebration) and we’ll build a ready-to-book proposal.
BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION WITH US
Related Articles
Destination Weddings in Turkey
Best Turkey Honeymoon Packages (2025/2026)
Leave a Reply