Private Blue Cruise with Cheers Yachting in Turkey

The best part of this cruise is the way it joins long, lazy hours at sea with real places to visit. You can swim in clear water, climb among the ruins of Gemiler Island, watch sunrise beside Patara Beach, and explore ancient Simena without packing and unpacking each morning. Captain Ahmet runs the boat with one cook and two sailors.

I like the small private group, which gives your party the boat to itself rather than a crowded day cruise. I also like the choice of pace: you can go ashore for ruins and village walks, or stay onboard for a quiet swim, fresh food, and a sunset. The main caution is the extra cost for meals, drinks, and some admissions, plus a confusing difference between the published meeting time and the stated departure time.

Key points to know before booking

• A 24-meter private yacht: Cheers carries up to 14 people in seven cabins, with double beds and some optional single beds for triple occupancy.
• A coast-to-coast route: The cruise begins around Fethiye and finishes at Demre, taking in Butterfly Valley, Kaş, Kekova, Kaleköy, and Gökkaya Bay.
• A hands-on captain: Ahmet is both boat owner and captain, with a four-person crew serving your group.
• Strong food focus: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available onboard for an added fee of 50 euros per person per day.
• Swimming is central: Scuba equipment and bicycles are included, with regular stops for swimming and water sports.
• Private does not mean formal: Expect a relaxed holiday with optional late nights, simple shore visits, and plenty of time on deck.

Why this private Fethiye blue cruise works

Turkey’s blue cruise tradition is about seeing the coast from the water, not racing from one inland sight to the next. On Cheers, the sea becomes your road, dining room, swimming pool, and evening view.

This four-day route covers a lot, but it does not feel like a checklist. The schedule mixes ancient sites with long swimming breaks and peaceful overnight anchorages. That balance matters. A boat holiday can become tiring if every stop requires a shore excursion, while too much time onboard can feel repetitive. Here, you get both.

Cheers is 24 meters long and has seven cabins for up to 14 people. That makes it a sensible choice for a family reunion, birthday group, or group of friends who want privacy. The boat has one captain, one cook, and two sailors. Ahmet is the captain and owner, so you deal with the person responsible for both the sailing and the overall feel of the holiday.

The setup is relaxed rather than luxury-resort formal. You will spend most of your time in swimwear, eating outside, sitting on deck, or stepping ashore in small coastal settlements. The cabin arrangement gives everyone a proper place to sleep, but you should still think of this as a working yacht, not a floating hotel.

Day 1: Butterfly Valley and a sunset at Gemiler Island

The route begins with departure from Fethiye Harbor and a cruise toward Butterfly Valley. The published schedule says 11 a.m. for departure, while the meeting details list a 4 p.m. start at Avis FethiyeKaragözler. Confirm the exact boarding time and location before you travel.

Butterfly Valley is a strong opening stop because it gives you a choice. You can swim from the boat in clear water, or hike up the natural gorge. The six-hour stop allows time for both, though the schedule may change with sea conditions and the captain’s judgment.

The valley is best suited to people who want more than a view from the deck. Bring shoes suitable for walking if you plan to go ashore, and keep in mind that heat can make even a short hike feel demanding. If you prefer to relax, the water and boat provide an easy alternative.

The cruise continues past Ölüdeniz before reaching Gemiler Island, the first overnight stop. Gemiler has archaeological ruins scattered through a scenic setting, so you can combine a short exploration with a memorable sunset.

The admission charge for Gemiler Island is not included. Ask the crew how payment works and how much time is available before going ashore. The island visit is not a full guided archaeological tour in the information provided, so you should expect a self-directed stop rather than a formal lecture.

Dinner is prepared while the boat is anchored. This is one of the simple pleasures of the route: you return from the ruins, sit down as the light fades, and eat without needing to find a restaurant or return to shore.

Day 2: Sunrise near Patara, breakfast at Fırnaz Bay, and free time in Kaş

Day two begins early, at 5:30 a.m., as the boat heads south toward Kalkan. That is an excellent time for anyone who enjoys sunrise photography, but it is not a gentle start for late sleepers.

The route passes alongside Patara Beach, a 12-kilometer stretch of coast. You get a long open-water view rather than a quick stop at a single lookout. The early hour also gives this part of the trip a calm, quiet feel.

Breakfast comes at Fırnaz Bay, followed by swimming. This is a useful rhythm after the early departure: watch the sunrise, cruise for a while, then eat and get into the water. You will want a cover-up, towel, sunscreen, and something warm for the first hours of the morning.

Later, the boat reaches Kaş Harbor. You have free time to explore and shop before moving to Limanağzı Bay for the second night. Kaş is the most town-oriented stop on the route, so it gives you a break from boat life and a chance to walk on land.

The schedule allows about five hours for the Kalkan and Kaş portions, but the exact split is not clear. Ask Ahmet how much time you will have in Kaş on your sailing date if shopping or independent sightseeing matters to you.

Limanağzı Bay is an overnight anchorage rather than a major sightseeing stop. After a busy day, that is part of its value. You can return to the boat, swim again, and settle into the slower pace that makes a private cruise different from a bus tour.

Day 3: Kekova’s Sunken City and the castle at Kaleköy

The third day brings the route’s most distinctive ancient site: the Sunken City on the northern side of Kekova Island. The partly submerged ruins belonged to Dolchiste, also written as Dolikisthe, an ancient settlement damaged by an earthquake in the second century.

This is a place best seen from the water. The ruins sit along the shore, and the boat gives you a direct view of the remains without turning the visit into a long inland excursion. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photographs from the swim stops, but follow crew instructions around the archaeological area.

After breakfast in Limanağzı, the cruise toward Kekova takes about five hours according to the schedule. That includes more than the main ruin site, so expect a substantial amount of time underway. Some people will love the chance to read, nap, and watch the coast slide past. Others may find the long cruising periods less exciting.

Lunch is served onboard in Kaleköy, followed by time to explore the village and Simena Castle. This is one of the route’s best shore visits because it combines a small settlement with a hilltop archaeological site and broad views over the water.

The climb to the castle requires walking uphill, so sensible shoes are useful. The schedule allows about four hours for Kaleköy, which should give you room to explore at an unhurried pace, though the exact time can depend on the captain and harbor conditions.

The boat then heads to Gökkaya Bay for dinner and the final overnight stay. After dinner, you can enjoy water sports and visit Smuggler’s Inn Bar. The late-night option gives the cruise a social side, but it is clearly optional. If you want a quiet final evening, you can stay onboard instead.

Day 4: A final swim before Demre

The last morning begins with breakfast in Gökkaya Bay. After several days of early starts, swims, ruins, and late-night possibilities, this final meal is a chance to slow down before leaving the boat.

The cruise ends at Demre Harbor, also called Andriake Port, with departure from the boat listed at 10:30 a.m. That makes the final morning short. Pack the night before so you are not searching under bunks and in cabins while the crew prepares for arrival.

There is an important logistics point here. The supplied meeting information says the activity ends back at the original meeting point, but the day-by-day route says you disembark in Demre. Those details do not match. Confirm whether transport from Demre to Fethiye is arranged, and ask where your luggage should go after disembarkation.

Cabins, crew, and life onboard Cheers

The yacht has seven cabins, each with a comfortable double bed. Optional single beds can turn some cabins into triple rooms, which is useful for families or groups trying to keep the price per person down.

The crew’s cabins and bathrooms are separate from those used by passengers. The information does not spell out every cabin bathroom arrangement, so ask for a current cabin plan if private bathroom access is important to you.

Ahmet’s role as captain and owner gives the trip a personal feel. The captain discusses upcoming destinations and can adjust the plan when conditions require it. That flexibility is valuable on a yacht, where wind and sea conditions can affect the order of stops or even require a change of course.

The crew has also earned strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and safety-minded. That matters more at sea than polished sales language. A good crew can make a rough change of plan feel manageable, keep meals running on time, and help a mixed-age group enjoy the same boat.

Food is a major part of the experience. The onboard cook prepares traditional Turkish dishes, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included for a separate charge of 50 euros per person per day. Over four days, that is roughly 200 euros per person if charged for each day, so include it in your real budget.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. You will need to clarify how drinks are purchased and stored before departure. Since meals are served onboard, ask about dietary needs before sailing rather than waiting until the first dinner.

What the price means for a private group

The advertised price is $9,829.75 for the whole group, up to 14 people. At full occupancy, that works out to about $702 per person before the daily food charge, drinks, and any paid admission.

That is a different calculation from the price of a standard shared boat trip. You are paying for privacy, control of the guest list, seven cabins, and a dedicated crew. For a full group, the cost can make sense, especially if you value having the boat to yourselves and can fill most of the beds.

For a smaller party, the per-person price rises quickly. A group of seven would be paying about $1,404 per person before food. I would compare the total cost with other private yacht options, but also compare what they include. A lower headline price may not include a cook, scuba equipment, the same cabin count, or the same route.

The additional 50 euros per person per day for food is easy to overlook. Add drinks and the non-included Gemiler admission, then check the currency and payment method. The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so only commit once your group, dates, boarding point, and meal arrangements are settled.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend Cheers to a group that wants a shared holiday with plenty of time together. Families with older children, groups of friends, and birthday parties are a natural fit. The boat has hosted groups ranging from family parties to larger celebrations using two boats.

You will like this trip if you enjoy swimming, informal meals, sunsets, small coastal communities, and ancient ruins reached by boat. It also suits people who want the captain to shape the day rather than follow a rigid sightseeing timetable.

This may not suit you if you need a packed program every hour, dislike early mornings, or expect a hotel-style room with extensive facilities. The route includes long cruising stretches, optional late nights, and changing conditions. You need to be comfortable with a holiday where the sea sets part of the schedule.

The included scuba equipment and bicycle use add variety, but the supplied details do not explain the exact equipment, instruction, or locations. Ask what is available and how it is used before relying on those features.

Should you book Cheers Yachting?

Book this cruise if your group can fill much of the boat and wants a private view of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. The combination of Ahmet’s hands-on command, a four-person crew, seven cabins, Turkish cooking, and stops such as Kekova and Kaleköy gives the trip real substance.

I would pause before booking if the group is small or if the extra food charge changes the budget. Most important, get the departure and arrival details in writing, since the stated 4 p.m. meeting time conflicts with the 11 a.m. Fethiye departure and the listed Demre finish conflicts with the return-to-meeting-point note.

For the right group, Cheers offers something more personal than a sightseeing boat and less rigid than a standard package tour. You get a floating base, a capable captain, and four days to let the coast set the pace.

FAQ

How long is the private blue cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately four days, with three overnight stays onboard.

Where does the cruise begin?

The stated meeting point is Avis FethiyeKaragözler, Fevzi Çakmak Cd. No:21/B, 48300 Fethiye/Muğla, Türkiye.

Where does the cruise finish?

The day-by-day route says the cruise finishes at Demre Harbor, also called Andriake Port, at approximately 10:30 a.m. The general meeting information says it ends back at the meeting point, so confirm the final arrangement before booking.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The yacht can host up to 14 people, and only your private group participates.

How many cabins does the yacht have?

Cheers has seven cabins. Each has a double bed, and optional single beds can be used to create triple cabins where required.

Who is part of the crew?

The crew consists of Captain Ahmet, one cook, and two sailors. Ahmet is also the boat owner.

Are meals included in the price?

Food is charged separately at 50 euros per person per day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alcoholic beverages are also not included.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is listed as included. The supplied details do not state whether instruction or a guided scuba session is included.

Is bicycle use included?

Yes. Use of a bicycle is listed as included.

Is admission to Gemiler Island included?

No. Admission to Gemiler Island is listed as not included. The other listed stops show no admission charge.

Can the cruise schedule change?

Yes. The captain may need to adjust the route because of weather or sea conditions. Confirm the final schedule with Ahmet before departure.