Pereme Tours — Local services in Beyoğlu

We were offered cruise this through our hotel, and thought it would be a nice option for an evening in Istanbul.

Unfortunately we had a terrible experience and ended up walking off the boat. Most of this comes down to a clear lack of organisation.

The transfer van was the initial glimpse of the forthcoming chaos as it made some stops where they had no additional seats for passengers so left us waiting while they organised taxis for the confused other guests. Understand that the roads are busy and it is rush hour so this is not the reason for the negative review but just worth mentioning that you should expect this.

After exiting the van we boarded the boat, the asked to see our reservation which we showed, and then after checking they were escorted us to our seats with the appetiser already at the table.

We ordered drinks and started eating. About 5 minutes later a waiter came and asked us to move to the adjacent table. We were a little annoyed but brushed it off, we helped and grabbed our plates and moved. The table they moved us to was a four seat table. We thought this was strange but carried on. This was embarrassing as they sat a couple right next to us in the seats they had just asked us to vacate.

Another few minutes passed and a man who seemed to be the manager asked us to get up and move tables again. We questioned this and then he rudely demanded to see our booking which we gave him. He walked off and then came back and said we needed to move because this is a four seater. I said to him that his staff had moved us here already and he yelled that we needed to get up and move so we obliged. Keep in mind we were halfway through eating our appetiser and our drinks were on the way. We followed him to the front and he asked for our booking again which we gave him again, then he asked “Who seated you??!!” I responded that I didn’t know (out of the dozen or so waiters all wearing the same white shirt) so then he angrily had a waiter escort us to another table.

This table was right down the back in the centre away from the window on an unmade table so we said no we want to sit back closer to where we were. Had they sat us in one place from the beginning

By now we were frustrated and embarrassed and felt that the evening was already ruined after having been marched around the restaurant and repeatedly questioned when it was the staff themselves who had sighted our booking and seated us (twice!!!).

As this was just the introduction to the evening we thought this would be a dreadful waste of 130 euros after rude after such rude and arrogant service so we walked off the boat. Spent our money elsewhere and were glad.

Long story short - avoid. This left a bad taste in our mouth about tourism in Türkiye and how they...

This was an enjoyable and rateable cruise along the “Bosporus” in Istanbul. The night was fairly easy going and yet formal at the same time with waiting staff directing us to tables, which were set somewhat wedding style. The lighting has a family friendly popular feel (somewhat disco style) and there is a DJ set off to the side of the boat in.the centre where we the guests are sat. There were some wonderful dancers who performed different styles of traditional dance including fairy -like costumes and sword dances by the men which were quite exciting and enthusiastic. There were many belly dancers performing some incredible moves and spectacularly modelling some decorative and bedazzled costumes.

The food was healthy with a good concentration of salad and dressings for the starter, there were three different options for mains fish, chicken and a vegetarian option I believe (however check your dietary requirements for specific requirements directly). I loved the variety of different dressings, especially the hummus and the carrot coleslaw. There was plenty of bread, although I did not have any. I also chose the alcohol included option which was only £6 more expensive and could have as many drinks as I required (although I only drank an average amount) and if you wanted a non alcoholic option there was a lesser per person head, however it was a fantastic, family atmosphere but also room and space on the boat with multiple floors for many guests of different kinds.

There was a tourism photographer on the boat with a wonderful smile and photographs to buy for many family, friends and guests.

At the end of the traditional dancing there was a Turkish/Middle Eastern disco dancing celebration wedding style. It was a great boat cruise altogether with time to photograph the bridge, monuments along the river and the mystery of the night with the city and...

Absolutely Terrible Experience – Do Not Waste Your Money

One of the worst experiences I have ever had with a tour. Pereme Tours charged me 2,800 lira for a Turkish night cruise, which is outrageously expensive for what you get. The food was minimal and disappointing—just a tiny piece of fish and nothing else. Drinks are overpriced, and you only get two included; everything else is extra. the waiters were rude and aggressive, pressuring us to pay tips even though the service was terrible.

The space on the boat is extremely cramped, the chairs are tiny and uncomfortable, and the tables are so close together that you feel like you are packed in with strangers. When you sit down, you barely feel like you are on the sea. Even the “extra beds” or seating areas they mention are small, poorly arranged, and offer no comfort at all.

The cruise is poorly organized, with chaotic boarding and no proper guidance. I even met some guests who paid only 1,000 lira, and they did not have a fixed price—they were treated better than us. They advertise a full Turkish night with food and drinks, but in reality, you get almost nothing included. It feels like a scam, and the staff seem more interested in pushing tips and extras than providing any real service.

Honestly, it would be far better to go to a restaurant by the beach—even that will be cheaper, more comfortable, and actually enjoyable. This cruise is overpriced, uncomfortable, and extremely disappointing from start to finish. Save your money and...