In Dubai there are many evening activities for tourists like desert safari, yacht tour and dhow cruise. And out of these the dhow cruise is one of the most popular one because it is affordable. Moreover it I snot crowded like other tours. Dhow is basically a traditional wooden boat (earlier used for trading in the Gulf) which is now converted for dinner cruises. Since majority of the people booking it are first time visitors, what is included in the dhow cruise Dubai package is a very common question that they usually ask before making the payment.
When it comes to the package, it’s not the same for every operator. Each operator offers a variety of items. First check what’s inside the package. After that, compare the prices. And finally, book your dhow cruise dinner package.
Below table gives you a basic idea of what comes in a standard package and what comes in a premium one.
| Inclusion | Standard Package | Premium Package |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | Creek AED 55 to 100, Marina AED 110 to 175 | Around AED 180 to 315 |
| Hotel transfers | Mostly not included, can add separately | Pickup and drop included |
| Buffet dinner | Arabic and international buffet | Upgraded buffet with live cooking station |
| Drinks | Soft drinks, water, tea and coffee | Welcome drink, alcohol on licensed boats |
| Entertainment | Tanoura dance and music | Tanoura dance, live music or DJ |
| Cruise time | Around 2 hours | Around 2 hours |
| Seating | Open seating | Reserved or upper deck seat |
Having said that, let me explain each inclusion one by one so you know what to expect on the boat.
1. Two Hours Cruise on Creek or Marina
The boat starts sailing around 8:30 pm and the duration is 2 hours. Cruising along the Dubai Creek waterfront is an incredible experience. The vintage-style roads and alleys, abra stations, souks and the Deira area look stunning from the boat.Dubai Marina cruise is more about the modern Dubai with tall buildings, JBR and Ain Dubai, so the ticket is a bit higher.
2. Buffet Dinner
Dinner is the main highlight of a dhow cruise in Dubai. Whether you sail in Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina, you get a dinner buffet served with delicious Arabic and international items.
You will get starters like:
- Hummus,
- Moutabal,
- Fattoush and salads,
- Grilled chicken,
- Biryani,
- Fish and
- Pasta.
While the desserts are usually Umm Ali, Arabic sweets and fruits. Vegetarian options are always there, but if you need vegan or allergy free food then my suggestion is to inform the operator at the time of booking only.
3. Soft Drinks, Water, Tea and Coffee
Almost every package has a few things in common – soft drinks, water, tea and Arabic coffee as refreshments. But alcohol is not part of the standard package and it is served only on licensed boats, so if you want it then you have to pay extra also.
4. Tanoura Show and Music
For entertainment, Tanoura dance comes in almost every dhow cruise dinner in Dubai. The dancer spins with a colourful skirt which has lights on it and children usually enjoys this part a lot. Some Marina boats also have DJ or live singer, but on Creek side its mostly Tanoura with background Arabic music which does the job.
5. Hotel Pickup and Drop
This is where most of the people make mistake. Suppose you book a cheap AED 60 ticket without transfer, then you have to take taxi to the jetty and back, and the total cost becomes almost same as a package with transfer. So when you see “with transfers” in a package, check that your hotel area is covered because some operators gives pickup only from central Dubai.
6. Seating on the Boat
Dhow has two decks, the upper deck is open air and the lower deck is air conditioned. In standard ticket the seating is open, so whoever comes first gets the better seat. In premium package you get reserved seat or upper deck seat, which is a big plus point in winter evenings.
7. Things Which Are Not Included
Apart from alcohol and transfer in basic tickets, photos taken by the boat photographer are charged separately, and tip for the crew is up to you. Some boats also charge little extra for the upper deck table.
8. Timing, Dress and Season
Now coming to the timing, it is better to reach the jetty 15 to 20 minutes before departure because boarding closes before the boat leaves. In winter carry a light jacket as the upper deck becomes windy. November to March is the best time for a dhow cruise dinner in Dubai, and in summer months the lower deck is more comfortable because of the AC.
If you are confused between Creek and Marina or want a package with transfer, better to speak with VisitDhowCruiseDubai.com team and they will suggest the right dhow cruise Dubai package as per your budget and hotel location.
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