Dubai Creek dhow cruise: 5-star buffet dinner live entertainment

The buffet comes from a 5-star hotel kitchen, not a ship's galley.

A two-hour evening dhow cruise on Dubai Creek aboard the Rustar floating restaurant, with a full buffet dinner catered from Movenpick hotel, live Tanoura and Youwla dance, and live musicians. The teakwood dhow has three seating levels: the upper deck open to the night air and two lower decks air-conditioned. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available with shared or private transfer options.

Options for this experience

3 options

From AED 188 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

DhowStar cruise, pickup not included 20:00, 20:30 and 21:00 Guide in 6 languages With this option you choose and pay for your own transport. Boarding begins around 20:00–20:30, and the cruise departs at 21:00.

DhowStar Cruise-sharing pickup 20:00, 20:30 and 21:00 Guide in 6 languages DhowStar cruise with shared pickup: this package includes a pickup from, and drop-off at, your respective hotel on a sharing basis.

Dhow cruise with private pickup 20:30 and 21:00 Guide in 6 languages With this option, you get a private pickup and drop-off.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Evening Dhow Cruise with Entertainment

• Board Rustar floating restaurant
• Cruise around Old Dubai
• Enjoy buffet dinner from Movenpick
• Watch Tanoura and Youwla dances
• Listen to live musicians
• Cruise from 9 PM to 11 PM

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Dubai Creek passing by
2. Rustar Floating Restaurant 2h

What’s included

• Buffet dinner catered from Movenpick hotel.
• soft beverages, fresh juices, tea and coffee.
• welcome drinks.
• live Tanoura dance and Youwla traditional dance performances.
• live musicians.
• hotel pickup and drop-off when selected at checkout.

Times

• Every day 20:00 20:30 21:00

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 300

Live guide English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic and Russian Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available

Operated by Dhowstar Floating Restaurant

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

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Traveler reviews

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The experience

The Rustar is built entirely from teakwood and seats guests across three levels, so you choose between the open-air upper deck to watch Old Dubai slip past as the sun sets, or the air-conditioned lower decks if you prefer climate control. The two-hour cruise departs at 9 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m., which means you board after dinner plans elsewhere have cleared and the creek's night lights are already on. The buffet itself is the real difference here: it's prepared in the Movenpick hotel kitchens and brought aboard, not cooked in a ship's galley, so the food arrives hot and varied.

Entertainment runs throughout the evening. Tanoura dancers perform the spinning dervish tradition in full costume, and Youwla dancers showcase traditional Emirati movement. Live musicians play as you eat, so there's no silent stretches. Soft beverages, fresh juices, tea and coffee come free. Welcome drinks arrive as you board. The cruise circles Old Dubai, so you see the historic waterfront, the old souks and the creek's traditional wooden boats lit up against the modern skyline.

If you book with pickup, the operator collects you from any Dubai hotel and returns you there after the cruise ends at 11 p.m.: useful if you're staying inland and don't want to navigate to the creek yourself. You can also book the cruise alone and make your own way to the boarding point. Infants and small children are welcome. Specialized infant seats are available and strollers can come aboard.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the three seating levels on the dhow?

The upper deck is open to the air so you watch the creek and Old Dubai's lights directly. The two lower decks are fully air-conditioned. All three levels have access to the buffet and entertainment.

Does the Rustar cruise run every night?

The itinerary shows the standard 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. departure, though you should confirm current dates and any seasonal changes when you book.

What kind of food is in the buffet?

The buffet is catered from Movenpick hotel kitchens, so it includes a full range of hot dishes, though the specific menu rotates. Dietary restrictions should be noted at checkout if you have them.

Can I book just the cruise without hotel pickup?

Yes. You can book the Rustar cruise alone and arrange your own transport to the creek, or add shared or private hotel pickup at checkout: whichever suits your plans.

Is alcohol served on the cruise?

The package includes soft beverages, fresh juices, tea and coffee, and welcome drinks. Additional alcoholic drinks can be ordered separately. The minimum drinking age is 21.