Founder · Senior Captain
Captain Ahmet Yılmaz
25+ years navigating the Bosphorus · TURSAB-licensed since 2001 · 50,000+ guests hosted
Captain Ahmet founded Merry Tourism in 2001 with a single chartered yacht and a clear principle: a tourist on the Bosphorus deserves the same operator-led service a local would get. Twenty-five years and 50,000+ guests later, the same principle still runs every cruise — direct booking, transparent pricing, and a captain on every boat who has personally crossed every kilometre of the strait more times than anyone outside the Coast Guard.
25 Years on the Bosphorus
- 2001
Founded Merry Tourism
Registered TURSAB A-Group travel agency #14316 in Istanbul. Started with one shared cruise route and a single yacht.
- 2008
Expanded to Yacht Charter
Added private yacht charters as the company grew. Began offering proposals, weddings, and corporate evenings on the Bosphorus.
- 2015
10,000th Guest
Crossed 10,000 cumulative guests across shared cruises, dinner cruises, and private charters.
- 2020-2022
Pandemic resilience
Maintained TURSAB license, kept the captain team employed, returned to full operations as travel resumed.
- 2026
50,000+ guests
Crossed the 50,000-guest milestone. Three published shared cruise products plus three private yacht packages.
Areas of Expertise
Bosphorus Strait Navigation
25+ years of weekly transits across all 31 km of the Bosphorus, in every season and weather condition that Turkish maritime regulation permits.
Pier & Marina Operations
Working knowledge of Karaköy, Kabataş, Kuruçeşme, Beşiktaş, and Üsküdar piers — including which boarding flow fits which cruise type and which transfer profile.
Group + Private Itineraries
Experience hosting solo travelers, families, corporate groups (up to 60), wedding parties, and proposal couples. Custom routing within Bosphorus operating limits.
Maritime Safety & Compliance
TURSAB-licensed since 2001, plus Turkish Coast Guard maritime captain certification. Every MerrySails vessel meets full Turkish maritime safety regulation.
Articles by Captain Ahmet
- Best Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul 2026 — Guide
- Best Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Istanbul 2026
- Bosphorus Cruise vs Ferry — Decision Guide 2026
- Istanbul Dinner Cruise Etiquette & Tips 2026
- Private Yacht Charter Istanbul 2026 — Guide
Direct Contact
Ask Captain Ahmet about your cruise
Booking a private yacht for a proposal, a corporate evening, or a multi-generation family group? Captain Ahmet personally reviews complex bookings before confirmation.