Dubai

Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise Dinner with Entertainment & Options

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner

From $55.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

2 to 3 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Take in the nighttime lights and sights of the Dubai Marina on this evening dinner cruise. You’ll hop aboard a traditional Dhow (a one- or two-masted Arab sailing vessel) that includes a glass-enclosed lower deck and an open-air upper deck. As you cruise along the artificial canal, catch views of Dubai’s famous attractions and skyscrapers and enjoy a buffet dinner.

Experience this popular nighttime attraction in Dubai
Ideal for couples or groups looking for an evening activity
During some holidays, entertainment and alcoholic drinks are not permitted
Hotel pickup and drop-off is included

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off ( If option selected with transfers )
Continental Buffet Dinner
Tanura Dance & and background music
Welcome drinks, water, soft drinks, juice
1.5 to 2 hours cruising

Gratuities
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Dubai Harbour
Dubai Marina - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Please contact your local tour operator for the exact GATE prior to tour date. Make sure to have a working contact number.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

*Pick up can start from 6:30 pm till 7:45 pm depending on your hotel locations ( If booked with pick and drop options ). Make sure to get in touch with your tour operator via whatsapp for the exact pick up time. Option 1- Catamaran Dinner Cruise Glass Boat Pickup and drop off included OPTION 2 - Dhow Cruise Direct Reporting - Does NOT include pick and drop off. No pick up and drop off: You must go directly to the boat Option 3 Dhow Cruise Dinner with Entertainment Pickup and drop off included Boarding time from 8:00 PM to 8:30 PM Cruising Time : Approximately 1.5 hours to Drop off Time : 10:30 PM Pick up is available at Dubai central hotels (If option selected with transfers) *Pick up from IBN Battuta Hotels, Jebel Ali hotels, Expo Hotels JVC, Green and Discovery Gardens are NOT possible in sharing basis. We can arrange on private transfer on extra cost. *Pick up from The Palm is NOT available on sharing basis. Pick up is possible for private basis only. You can upgrade for additional charges. *If you are staying in a residential area, please check the nearest hotel for pick up and inform the local tour operator in advance *If you are staying in JBR and Marina area, please book direct reporting option. We DO NOT pick up in these area due to heavy traffic. Go directly to the boat *Make sure to activate your whatsapp and coordinate with your tour operator 24 hours prior to your tour date.

What To Expect

Enjoy an evening of dinner, views, and entertainment with a 1.5- to 2-hour Dubai Marinadinner cruise on a traditional dhow or a catamaran .

Your tour starts with pickup from your Dubai hotel if you’ve chosen an option that includes transfers. Otherwise, make your own way to Dubai Marina. Climb aboard the traditional wooden dhow boat or glass catamaran and soak up the illuminated sights as the boat cruises out along the canal.

Enjoy a welcome drink then tuck into a continental buffet dinner while being entertained with background music and tanura dance (during non-holiday and non-dry days, when entertainment is not permitted).

The tour ends back at Dubai Marina promenade, or with drop-off at your hotel with the transfer option selected.

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Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not wheelchair accessible
The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
Stroller accessible
During the Holy Month of Ramadan NO Entertainment as per Government guidelines.

During DRY DAYS an official public holidays NO Entertainment as per the guidelines of DTCM
Most travelers can participate
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, tour timing may vary. Contact your local tour operator for exact pick up timings.
Rate mentioned is not applicable during Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. ** Special Rate applies.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Denise_J

Beautiful views!!! Everyone was friendly and in a festive mood. Lots of fun. The food was good too. I would recommend thus tour.

Reviews

3.5

98 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 98 reviews

Terrible

parag_g, Jan 2024

Cruise itself wasn’t presentable. no upper deck provided so no view available from cruise as it was so untidy and too crowdy. also food was not good.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hi, Thank you for your feedback. The upper deck is first come first serve basis. It's the busiest season but the crowd is according to boat capacity.

That boat need deep...

Mamotse_R, Dec 2023

That boat need deep cleaning. The floors are dirty and there was a roach at my table. Take time to clean it up so you can gave happy customers

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hi, Thank you for your feedback. We will surely look into it. But rest assured that the boat is undergoing a deep cleaning every day after the trip on a daily basis. Regards

Very bad experience for...

Mukhesh_N, Dec 2023

Very bad experience for couple no privacy. Tables are shared with unknown people. And queue for buffet

Bad experience. Forced to...

Talha_S, Nov 2023

Bad experience. Forced to sit with randoms. Food was absolutely terrible. Don’t recommend to anyone. Look else where.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Hi. Kindly note that this tour is in a sharing basis. Tables are mostly set up for 6 people. If you are a couple definitely you will have to sit with other people. It is clearly mentioned that this trip is on sharing. The food is mostly continental and arabic, this tour is to provide every guest an experience of Arabic culture and cuisine. Regards

Worst ever experience we have ever experienced would never recommend it to anyone

Liz_V, Aug 2023

Driver was one hour late he drove well over the speed limit with a phone held to his ear, food was all Indian and disgusting we didn’t know what we were eating as there were no labels on them obviously it was totally base around all the Indians on the boat as we were the only white people, entertainment was so bad, and we were angry that at the end two men came out in a camel outfit wanting donations, plus one other disgusting thing that we saw two of the staff throw paper napkins overboard where it was clearly sign posted that there is a fine of 500 dirhams fine if that happened,the music was so loud that we couldn’t talk to each other. Would never recommend this to anyone biggest waste of money and will post it on every website to tell people not to go with this company.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Dear Liz, There are customers who are only after taking tours and make everything an issue just to get refund and take a complimentary trip. Regards

Good views and mediocre food. Long wait to get on the boat. And transportation was NOT included.

Jeanette_R, Jul 2023

Part of this package was a pickup and drop off from the hotel. They texted us prior and said there would be too much traffic and we would miss the boat ride. And we could walk as we were so close! It was not close at all. In fact at least ‘so minute can ride (with no traffic btw). Had to pay for a taxi both ways which should have been included!! Had to wait forever to get on the boat outside in the terrible heat. Views were great, food was ok. Stomach issues for two days after.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hi, Thank you for your feedback. We are aware of the transportation issue, but when you make a booking, it is clearly mentioned in the additional information those particular locations that we DO NOT provide transfers. There are options like direct to the boat - but you kept insisting you wanted to be picked although we have clearly said we can not provide due to heavy traffic in your area and hailing taxi or having your own transportation will save you so much time. There are queue so just need to be patient and wait, we can not just push people in while getting to the boat. Regards

I would still recommend this trip

MUSADDIQUE_A, Jun 2023

The trip & entertainment was fantastic..unfortunately the food was a big let down..the taste wasn't great & not enough for everyone

Waste of money!

Meena_P, Jun 2023

The Worst experience we ever had. Waste of money! The boat is OLD, and NOISY! The food was Nasty and Gross. Please don’t waste your time and money with these guys.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thanks for your feedback. We will check this and see what needs to improve. As for the boat, it is old because it's the Wooden Dhow - these boats were epitome of the old Arabica life. For more luxurious boat ride I suggest go for YACHT cruising next time around. Regards

Nite Life

Denise_J, May 2023

Beautiful views!!! Everyone was friendly and in a festive mood. Lots of fun. The food was good too. I would recommend thus tour.

Horrible experience

Skye_A, Mar 2023

Horrible - bad food and smell. None of the workers speak English or communicates well. The food was cold and tasted old. The mutton was frankly inedible and disgusting.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you for your review. Staff and crew speak English. Maybe it's your language they don't understand? We also have food warmer so I'm not sure what kind of hotness you were looking. Try to appreciate food, maybe it will also appreciate you. Thanks

Viator and Ocean express will take your money and poor customer service

Raj_M, Mar 2023

Viator and this tour operator Ocean Express would not issue a refund or credit to use for future reservation $110 usd because we missed the start time because they got us stuck and delayed late from Dubai half day tour! Even after what’s app message direct ocean express hours before cruise departure refuse to cancel or refund our money! Beware before booking with Viator and Ocean Express companies!! They will do anything to screw you and keep your money! Customer service is poor and in some foreign country call center where you put on hold for hour and don’t have manager to talk with. Better to spend your money elsewhere with different tour operator and stay away from Viator and Ocean express !!!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Dear Mr. Raj, Thank you for your feedback. First of all, there is an existing cancellation policy. You read that before confirming and paying for your trip. Secondly, your Dubai City tour has nothing to do with us. You need to know how to plan your timings accordingly. We understand your frustrations in missing your cruise but we can not delay the entire trip of more than 100 people. Dubai City Tour is done in the morning and Dinner Cruise is in the evening, I don't understand how you got delayed going to the cruise point. We pride ourselves on client support and you have been properly responded but good customer service does not mean agreeing to a refund even if you are not entitled to it. We have reserved your seats and prepared dinner. You did not show up on time, we have to charge you for that. We even tried reaching you and delayed the boat for a few minutes but you were not responding at all to messages. I believe even if you booked with another company, you won't get any refund at all. Thank you for your time Regards

Rushed and poor food

Margaret_Q, Dec 2022

Late pick up from the hotel due to traffic, dangerous driving to get there. Had to sit downstairs, food was upstairs and all very strongly spiced curries. Drinks were sugary juices. Alcohol could be purchased but no mixers available other than the sugary juices. Poor entertainment and overall poor and not worth the money

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Hi Margaret, It seems you put your review to the wrong product. We do not serve alcohol nor it is allowed. You booked with another company but you put your review on our product. Nevertheless, if you can send me your booking reference so that I can verify if indeed you booked with us I will guarantee you a refund, otherwise, please remove and put your review to the correct company. Thank you so much

Terrible

Chris_C, May 2022

Picked up way to early, food was not good, show was an embarrassment 15 mins of a man spinning in circles. Crew in short supply if you wanted something.

Response from Host, May 2022

Hi Chris, Thank you for your feedback. First of all, the transportation which is included on this tour is on a sharing basis which means there are other guests / hotels to be picked up. That being said, you will be going around the city hotel with other guest until the last pick up. The entertainment show is called Tanura dance - A quick information for you so you won't look any entertainment as embarrasment just because you have no knowledge about its origin or history. Tanoura means skirt in English and Tanoura dance is a kind of folkloric dance that is very common in Islamic countries Especially Egypt and Turkey. it is usually performed by Sufi men for the Sufi music, who spin continuously It's also one of the highlights of Dubai desert safari trips.. Crews are serving drinks every now and then. You can always call their attatention. Thanks

Very bad and favoritism to a group that already was insight to depart and the rest of us was being let in one by one

Hasseba_F, May 2022

Favoritism one group over other group. While a group special was already insight to depart in the Unique ship we the rest of us was allowed to go in. One by one. It was very bad . No announcement about the food was being ready . Dancer was only dancing in the main floor while the rest of us could not see it . I repeatedly told them I wanted the upper deck when me and my husband got their they did not have a seat fir us . Over crowded and not organize. Please don't waist your money just pay a little more and hire privet crouze . We wish we never spend our money . After they seated us in the balcony there was so many people that were raining in us taking photos I mean me and my husband felt like could not breath ..very bad experience . The one stat is for the driver he was nice trying to help but he knew he could not fix all the issue dus disrganized trip.bad bad bad

Response from Host, May 2022

Hi Hasseba Ferguson, Hope you are well. I apologized that you feel bad this experienced and that you felt that your expectations was not met. First of all allow me explain few things. The was no favoritism and for one, 2 persons ( your booking ) is not considered a group. Everyone have a seat reserved although the boat is full, you will be provided with your seat once your booking is confirmed. Your feedback is very important to us and will make sure to improve where we are lacking. Thank you

Don’t waste your money

LindsayRielle_W, Apr 2022

While the company did provide both transportation and the boat the overall experience was less than desirable. No masks were enforced in the overcrowded shared transport (with 13 passengers for a 12 seater…) and the food was terrible. The boat was not the ‘traditional’ dhow but one done up with modern lights (they looked like street lights and were very bright- killing a bit of the atmosphere) When concerns were addressed with the company, there was a severe attitude in dealing with customer service. There was no concern for passenger safety. Seriously don’t waste your money.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Hi, I see now you have corrected your self. Your were insisting there were 15 pasengers when you contacted me. Regarding the use of MASK. It is very clear mentioned that everyone should use it - this is what I'm tring to point out to you. the driver can not force any of the passenger to put on their mask. By the way, since you noticed that, we would have apprecited if you corrected the person and urge them to put on thier mask for everyone's safety. Thanks for your feedback!

Dubai Dinner Cruise

Chiquita_C, Mar 2022

The view and entertainment was great. Thr food was good. I did wish the bathrooms were cleaner and more options at the bar.

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Thank you for your feed back!

The transportation driver from hell!!

Darlene_D, Mar 2022

The actual dinner cruise was great!!! The transportation to and from the Dubai Harbor was absolutely horrible. The driver did not communicate. He sat in front of hotel 20-30 mins. He never got out vehicle to ask if we were going on cruise. We were right there watching him. We then rode around another hour before getting to harbor. It seems if the visitors don’t ask, then the driver will not offer assistance. It was confusing as all the transportation vans are the same.

Response from Host, Mar 2022

I'm sorry for your discomforts and disappointment. First of, I was in contact with you during the pick up and I have specifically told you to be at the lobby/ reception area at exactly 6:30. The driver was on the dot looking for you inside the hotel - you were outside IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL (counting vehicles maybe? ) The driver won't recognize you even if you were standing in front of him. That is the reason I advised you to stay inside. The staff will call you when driver gets in the hotel. Another thing, you know you booked a tour with sharing transportation. I hope you understood what a sharing transfer means? It means there are other guests to be picked up from different locations. Going around to other location, before finally dropping you to the harbor should be expected and not to complain about. Lastly and more importantly, the driver is doing his work. He was on time. He was looking for you inside the hotel lobby and he was trying to drive safely. He cannot communicate with you all while driving. This is not a sightseeing trip. And perhaps you are not aware; some guest also does not prefer a chatty driver. So they are advised to be on time and drive safe. If you see these minor issues as hell then I can't do anything for that. One thing I can suggest though, next time you go on a trip – please book a limousine for your transportation. Have a great day!

Amazing views and nice show!

David_D, Feb 2022

Great night views from the water and friendly staff. The dancer was very good and we enjoyed the show. Food was nothing special and you can eat a lot. The worst part was the pick up and drop off and that is why I give only 4 stars.

Great Dhow cruise from...

Shirley_H, Dec 2021

Great Dhow cruise from the Marina. Good food with many choices. Entertainment could be much better -only had a dancer spin in circles with lights. They took pictures and harassed you to buy more than you wanted. Total time was 4hrs including shared transfer. Beautiful scenery!

Party on a boat

Claude_J, Nov 2021

The food was amazing, the places we passed by were so lit up and beautiful, the show on the boat was so entertaining and very engaging