9 Dinner Cruises in the UAE to Build a Day Around

1.Sunset or Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6,030 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $51Our pick

Spend 90 minutes aboard an Xclusive Yachts vessel, cruising Dubai Marina, Dubai Harbour, Jumeirah Beach Residence, and Ain Dubai. Expect assigned seating, a buffet with live pasta and noodle stations, live music, and unlimited beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and coffee. Oliver and the service team are often praised for thoughtful help.

“Great sunset cruise. Value for money. Free flowing drinks. Lovely balmy evening. Night time views were amazing. Highly recommend.”

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2.Mega Yacht Dinner Cruise with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,613 reviews · 1 day · from $82

Board the Lotus Royale near Dubai Marina Mall for an evening buffet cruise past Ain Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Palm Jumeirah, and Atlantis. Expect international food, live cooking, tanoura and aerial performances, DJ music, and skyline views. VIP adds a reserved top-deck table, priority check-in, canapés, and table service.

“The whole trip was Amazing food was good people on boat really nice drinks good really where the money”

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3.Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,780 reviews · from $47

Spend 90 minutes aboard a glass houseboat cruising Dubai Marina, JBR, and Bluewaters Island. You’ll have private seating, an international buffet, live music, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, and skyline views. Request the open-air upper deck when booking, but note that seating depends on availability.

“Quite a cool thing to do. Food and wi ne 5/10, unexperienced. Was 40 degrees but the inside was air conditioner. Cruise wasn't full so was great to have the space. Live music was a sax accompanied by some good recent songs. Would go again and recommend for a nice evening out.”

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4.Dubai Marina: Dinner Cruise in a Traditional Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,259 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Board the 16,000-square-foot Ocean Empress at Dubai Marina for a two-hour evening cruise past Bluewaters, JBR, and the Palm Islands. You get a red-carpet welcome, welcome drink, international buffet, and live entertainment. Choose soft drinks or an alcohol package, and consider VIP top-deck seating for the best views.

“The dinner had a good selection of food, There was salads, butter chicken, Paneer, rice, Naan, fish, grilled chicken, dhal, desserts, soft drinks and juices, open bar. Tip, go to top seating area, try to join the line 30 mins early so that you get the seating you want. There is entertainment on the top deck, dancers and a DJ. The cruise also takes you out to Blue Waters and by the Palm, there was a Drone show and it was spectacular from the cruise. Staff are friendly and helpful. A must do in Dubai.”

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5.Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,076 reviews · 2 hours · from $59

Cruise Dubai Water Canal in a glass-enclosed dhow from Dubai Festival City. You’ll receive Arabic coffee and dates, enjoy an international buffet with live stations, and pass the Burj Khalifa, Business Bay, and the waterfall bridge. Optional transfers and unlimited house beverages are available at extra cost.

“Friendly staff and great canal cruise. Also the food was local and delicious. Very nice experience.”

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6.Water Canal Cruise and La Perle Show with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 833 reviews · from $136

Start at Al Faris Floating Restaurant in Dubai Festival City for a dhow cruise, international buffet, saxophone music, and views of Burj Khalifa and the Waterfall Bridge. After dinner, continue to La Perle for a Silver Pass performance. Hotel pickup and return transfer depend on your selected option and location.

“The boat was nice and the food was good. The show La Perle is A M A Z I N G!! It is a MUST to watch. Really recommended!”

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7.Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 612 reviews · 1h 45m · from $16Best value

Board at Dubai Old Village for a 105-minute dhow cruise along Dubai Creek. You will pass historic sights, water taxis, and the Dubai Creek Tower while eating an international and local buffet. Live music, Tanoura dance, and a puppet show add family-friendly entertainment. Naushad has hosted some departures.

“The cruise was beautiful, the food was very tasty, and the show was fantastic. However, the only downside was the photographer — he was quite pushy and rude. First, he takes your photo without asking, and then tries to sell you those same pictures afterward. That wouldn’t be such a problem if the price were reasonable, but in my case, it was nearly €28 for just three photos. It wasn’t €10 as one might expect — it was €28, which I find overpriced and unfair, especially if someone decides not to buy them. That’s the only thing that spoiled the overall experience for me.”

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8.2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 428 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $80

Spend about two hours aboard a traditional Arabian dhow, cruising Dubai Creek, Canal, or Marina after dark. Hotel pickup and return are included, along with an Arabic and international buffet of salads, fish, meat, appetizers, and desserts. Expect city lights, attentive service, and possible music or entertainment, but no guaranteed commentary or alcohol.

“Food was lovely...cruise was good,staff were excellent..highly recommend!”

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9.Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour & Optional Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 283 reviews · 105 minutes - 4 hours · from $46

Ride an open-top double-decker bus from Dubai Mall past the Museum of the Future, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Harbour, and more. Recorded commentary comes in six languages. Upgrade for a one-hour dhow sunset dinner cruise and Dubai Mall fountain show on Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday.

“amazing place Dubai, well worth a bus tour so you can find out as much about it as possible. Kind and courteous staff as is everywhere in Dubai.”

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