Dubai Marina is the modern side of the city seen from the water. The canal is lined with towers on both sides, so for most of the cruise you are sailing through a corridor of lit buildings rather than looking at a distant skyline. The Cayan Tower, the yachts along Pier 7 and the Marina Canal all pass close enough to photograph without a zoom lens.
Once the vessel moves out towards Dubai Harbour, the view opens up. JBR runs along one side, Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai sit ahead of you, and there are Palm Jumeirah views across the water. Evenings are the practical time to sail: the heat has dropped, the towers are lit, and dinner is served while the vessel is moving.
Dinner is an international buffet with chicken BBQ, served on board. Entertainment runs during the cruise — Tanoura dance, a horse show, a teddy bear show and soft music between performances. The lower deck is air-conditioned if you prefer to eat indoors; the upper deck is open-air for photos and sea breeze.
If old Dubai interests you more than the towers, the Dubai Creek dhow cruise covers the heritage side of the city, and the Dubai Water Canal cruise runs past Business Bay and Downtown.