Guides · 2026-08-03
Taking Kids on a Dhow Cruise: Child Policy & Prices
A dhow cruise is one of the more family-friendly evening activities in Dubai: it is safe, it is seated, dinner is included, and there is a live show to hold children's attention. This guide covers the child policy and prices exactly, plus practical tips from years of welcoming families aboard.
Child prices, clearly stated
Children under 3 years old sail free on all our cruises and do not need a ticket. For older children, the prices are: Marina dinner cruise AED 40, sunset cruise AED 35, Creek dinner cruise AED 30, and luxury cruise AED 75. These are the full child rates; there are no hidden extras added at the pier. When you book on WhatsApp, just tell us the ages of your children and we will calculate the exact total before you confirm.
Which cruise suits which age?
For babies and toddlers, the sunset cruise is often the smartest choice: it boards at 5:00 PM and finishes by 6:30 PM, well before bedtime, and the golden-hour light keeps everyone cheerful. For children aged 5 and up, the dinner cruise works beautifully: they are old enough to enjoy the buffet, the Tanoura show, and the night-time skyline. Teenagers love the upper deck and the photo opportunities at any sailing.
Seating: lower deck is your friend
Families with small children are usually happiest basing themselves on the air-conditioned lower deck: it is enclosed, the temperature is steady, the buffet is steps away, and there are no stairs to manage with a tired toddler. Take the kids upstairs for the Tanoura show and for photos, then settle back down. The crew is used to families and will help you find a suitable table at boarding.
What will the kids eat?
The international buffet is genuinely child-friendly. Plain rice, pasta, grilled chicken, bread, and mild sides are always available, and children can serve themselves exactly what they recognise. Desserts, fruit, and ice cream-style sweets finish the meal happily. There is no separate kids' menu, but in practice we have never seen a child go hungry on a dhow cruise. For babies, bring whatever milk or food they need; the crew will happily warm a bottle.
Strollers and practical gear
Space on board is comfortable but not unlimited, so large strollers can be awkward on the stairs and in the aisles. A compact foldable stroller, or a baby carrier for the boarding process, works best. Bring a light jacket for every child even in mild weather: the upper-deck breeze after 9 PM surprises many parents. And bring the usual kit: wipes, a change of clothes for toddlers, and something to keep them occupied during boarding.
Safety on board
Cruise dhows are licensed vessels with railings, life jackets, and trained crew, and children must stay with their parents at all times, particularly on the upper deck. The crew gives a short safety orientation at boarding. In our experience, the biggest real risk is a tired child near the stairs at the end of the night, so plan to be seated and settled for the final 15 minutes of the sailing.
Booking as a family
Message us on WhatsApp with your date, the cruise you want, and the number of adults and children with their ages. We will confirm availability, the exact total, and the boarding point, and send you a location pin on the day. Family groups of 6 or more should book 48 hours ahead in peak season so we can seat you together.
Keeping kids happy for the full two hours
Two hours is a long time for small children, but the cruise format helps: there is always something happening. Let them explore the buffet early while it is quiet and the counters are full, save the Tanoura show as the mid-evening highlight, and plan a photo session on the upper deck as the finale. Bring a small quiet toy or a book for the stretches in between, and do not worry about them being restless at the table: the atmosphere is relaxed, the crew is used to families, and nobody expects restaurant silence. Most parents tell us the evening passes faster than they feared, and the sail back to the pier is usually met with requests to do it all again tomorrow.
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