Let’s Discover

the Dhow Cruise Experience in Dubai!

1. What is the

Al Wasl Dhow Cruise / Dubai Marina Experience?

Setting sail on a Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina is akin to stepping into a realm of absolute luxury, although for all-in-all affordable prices for most!

The journey starts with the “Dhow boat”, which is itself a marvel of craftsmanship, seamlessly blending traditional design with modern amenities.

The gleaming woodwork and intricate detailing of this traditional Arabic sailing vessel, evoke a sense of timeless elegance, offering a glimpse into the rich maritime heritage of the region (before being a city of excesses, Dubai has been for centuries a small fishing village!).

Once aboard and seated, the experience continues with the boat slowly drifting through the canals of Dubai Marina for approximately 2 hours (might be longer for specific occasions!).

During the trip, a classy meal is served (which is just “average” by Dubai standards, and in my opinion not the true highlight of the night), and singers or dancers animate the evening by entertaining the guests.

The main highlight of this experience, it’s undoubtedly the beauty of Dubai Marina by night: gigantic skyscrapers, so huge that they don’t fit in the screen of your photocamera; lights reflected in the waters, the yellows, the reds and the blues… it’s just a giant feast for the eyes! 😀

2. Dhow Cruise Package:

What is Included?

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU BOOK!

You can book Dhow Cruises from many companies and re-sellers both physically in Dubai and online (offers are endless, and you need to be very careful which boat you’re booking and what’s included in the package!).

Sadly, as the name “Dhow” creates a lot of confusion for tourists (it’s essentially the name of this kind of wooden boat) which might lead visitors to think that all tours are the same and go for the lowest price.

Different companies offer different boats and different services: some have delicious meals, some very poor. Some are tidy and with a professional staff, and some others are just improvised tours which I would define borderline scams.

Today, we would like to focus on a specific Dhow tour, the Al Wasl Dhow Dubai Cruise, which we believe to be the most convenient and worthy experience in terms of service quality and prices!

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE “AL WASL” DHOW DUBAI CRUISE PACKAGE?

The Al Wasl Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina package is one of the Dhow Cruises in Dubai with the longest track record and it’s meticulously curated to offer an all-encompassing experience of luxury and entertainment.

From the moment you step on board, you’ll notice how every facet of the evening has been thoughtfully arranged for the guest’s enjoyment.

The packages for an experience start from 120AED/adult (about 30Euros), which is an extremely fair price for the kind of service you’re getting! (of course, prices may vary depending on the day and time of the year!).

Let’s see what’s now what’s included in the package! 🙂

 

THE DINNER

The package includes a delectable international buffet, featuring an array of dishes that cater to diverse palates.

From succulent kebabs to delicate pastries and even exotic foods, every dish is a testament to the culinary expertise on board and the years of experience the Al Wasl crue has been spending in satisfying the most international audiences.

The chefs at Al Wasl Dhow Cruise, Dubai, leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the meal is nothing short of a gastronomic delight.

Unlimited water and soft drinks complete the restaurant offer for the night! 🙂

 

THE ENTERTAINMENT

In addition to the culinary extravaganza, the package encompasses a range of entertainment options, which are usually dancers, DJs, and singers :).

The Tanoura dance, a mesmerizing traditional form of dance, is usually the highlight of the evening (more on this later in the article!) 😉

 

TWO DECKS TO CHOOSE FROM

When booking your Dhow Cruise package, you’ll be facing two options: Upper Deck or Lower Deck.

If you ask me, I would suggest you choose Upper Deck all the way: it’s open, the view of the skyscrapers is unrestricted, it’s a photographer’s paradise and it’s a much more immersive experience overall!

Said that you might also want to consider the Lower Deck if you or anyone in your group particularly suffers the heat, the wind, or the chilling breeze: in the lower deck there’s A/C, and temperature is more stable throughout the evening (ideal for elder family members).

3. A Spectacular Night View of Dubai by Night:

what can you See on a Dhow Cruise?

This is the highlight and what makes all the Dhow experience so damn worth it: the tour! 😀

While on the Dhow Cruise, these are (among others) the main highlights you’ll be able to witness:

• The Address JBR (an iconic rectangle-shaped residential skyscraper with a huge hole in the middle)

• Ain Dubai (the panoramic wheel symbol of Dubai)

• Jumeirah Beach (a white-sand beach where you can witness the most famous of Dubai’s 7-star Hotel – the Sail)

• the Dubai Harbour (a majestic view full of abnormous yachts, towered by flashy skyscrapers)

• Marina Walk and Marina Mall (the most famous canal in Dubai, well-lit by skyscrapers on both sides!)

• and more! 😉

4. One more Highlighyt:

the Traditional Tanoura Dance Dhow Onboard

As the night unfolds on the Al Wasl Dhow Cruise Boats in Dubai Marina, a captivating spectacle awaits the traditional Tanoura dance performance!

This mesmerizing art form, deeply rooted in centuries-old Sufi traditions, takes center stage on the deck of the dhow and it’s something not to be missed!

The Tanoura dance is a kind of dance where the performer, adorned in a resplendent costume, gracefully whirls for minutes and minutes (you’ll be wondering how they don’t faint or die of headache by doing so!).

The vibrant colors of the attires used blur into a captivating display of movement and rhythm, reminiscent of the celestial bodies in their cosmic dance.

Each spin is not merely a performance, but a spiritual journey, transcending the boundaries of mere entertainment by venturing into Arabian heritage, culture, and religion.

The Tanoura dance embodies a profound sense of connection with the universe, a theme that resonates with the very essence of the desert.

As the performer twirls, his movements echo the orbits of planets and stars, creating a visual poetry that enchants all who are fortunate enough to witness it.

The rhythmic patterns of the dance, synchronized with the music, seem to transcend time itself, evoking a sense of timelessness that mirrors the ancient sands of the Arabian Desert.

It’s strange, it’s weird, it’s so local and so cool too! 😉

Conclusion:

the Dhow Cruise is a Must-Do Activity in Dubai!

And here we are at the end of the article!

In this article, we’ve seen what a Dhow Cruise is, what’s included in the tour, what to expect, and also a few tips on choosing the right tour for you 😉

All in all, indulging in a dinner on the Al Wasl Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina is not just a meal, but a sensory journey through the heart of luxury and Dubai’s heritage.

If you have time on your hands, spending a night on a Dhow cruise will likely be a night to remember for life 😀 

Before going, as always I would like to ask you:

• What do you think about the article? Did you find what you were looking for?
• Do you have any tips to make it better?
• Have you already had the chance to try a Dhow Cruise in Dubai before? How did you like it?

If you’d like to share your experience/opinion, we would be happy to hear it! 🙂

So please, let us know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, and as always…

See you in the next article! 🙂

 

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