Dubai Creek · Deira

Cleopatra Dhow Cruise Dubai Creek

A 2-hour dinner cruise on a traditional wooden dhow along historic Dubai Creek — buffet dinner, live Tanoura show, and city lights on the water.

From 45 AED per person
Cleopatra-Dhow-Cruise-Dubai-Creek
At a Glance

Cruise Highlights

Dubai Creek Cruise
🍽️Buffet Dinner
🥤Unlimited Soft Drinks
🌀Tanoura Dance
🐎Horse Show
Light Show
💑Couple Seating
👨‍👩‍👧Family Friendly
🧒Kids Welcome
🌙Open Upper Deck
❄️A/C Lower Deck
🌅Sunset & Night Cruises
Overview

What Is the Cleopatra Dhow Cruise?

The Cleopatra Dhow Cruise is a traditional wooden dhow that sails along Dubai Creek every evening. For around two hours, you enjoy an international buffet dinner, live entertainment, and views of old Dubai from the water — the same creek where the city's trading story began.

Tourists love this cruise because it combines three things in one evening: authentic Dubai heritage, a full dinner, and a live show. You sit on a real dhow, not a modern yacht, and watch the Gold Souk side of the creek glide past on one bank and Bur Dubai's historic districts on the other.

At 45 AED per person, the Cleopatra Dhow Cruise is one of the best-value dinner cruises in Dubai. Most dinner cruises in Dubai Marina cost two to three times more. Here, you get the buffet, unlimited soft drinks, the Tanoura dance, and the full creek route for less than the price of a casual restaurant meal.

It works for almost everyone — families with children, couples looking for a romantic dinner cruise in Dubai, groups of friends, solo travellers, and corporate guests. The dhow has two decks, so you can choose the open-air upper deck for photos or the air-conditioned lower deck for comfort.

IMAGE: dubai-creek-dhow-cruise-buffet-dinner.webp ALT: Guests enjoying buffet dinner on the Cleopatra dhow cruise upper deck
Timings

Cleopatra Dhow Cruise Timings

The dhow sails twice every evening. Boarding starts about 15–20 minutes before departure, so please arrive early to choose your preferred seats.

Cruise Time Duration
Sunset Cruise 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 1.5 hours
Dinner Cruise 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM 2 hours

Tip: the sunset cruise is best for golden-hour photos. The 9:00 PM dinner cruise is best for the full night-lights experience on Dubai Creek.

Price

Dhow Cruise Dubai Price

Cleopatra Dhow Cruise starts from

45 AED / person

Includes cruise, buffet dinner, soft drinks & live entertainment

This is genuinely one of the cheapest dinner cruises in Dubai — and the price is all-inclusive. There are no hidden charges for the buffet, drinks, or shows. For a family of four, the whole evening costs less than a single ticket on many Marina cruises.

Inclusions

What's Included in Your Ticket

✅ 2-Hour Creek Cruise

A full sailing along Dubai Creek past the Gold Souk, Al Seef, and the historic Bur Dubai waterfront.

✅ International Buffet Dinner

Hot and cold dishes, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, fresh salads, and desserts.

✅ Unlimited Soft Drinks & Water

Refill as many times as you like throughout the cruise — included in your ticket.

✅ Welcome Drinks

A refreshing welcome drink is served as you board the dhow.

✅ Coffee & Tea

Arabic coffee and tea are served after dinner (subject to availability).

✅ Live Entertainment

Tanoura dance, horse show, and light show — all included, no extra charge.

✅ Soft Background Music

Relaxing music sets the mood without being loud — you can still talk easily at your table.

✅ Two Deck Options

Open-air upper deck for views and photos, or a fully air-conditioned lower deck for comfort.

✅ Couple & Family Seating

Private couple tables and larger family tables — tell us your group size when you book.

✅ Friendly, Professional Staff

The crew helps with seating, serves your table, and keeps the evening running smoothly. Safe and welcoming for kids.

Live Shows

Onboard Entertainment

Entertainment is what turns this from a boat ride into an evening out. Every Cleopatra cruise includes live performances at no extra cost.

🌀 Tanoura Dance

The highlight of the night. A performer in a heavy, colourful skirt spins continuously in the traditional Egyptian Sufi style, with LED lights woven into the costume. Kids are usually glued to it, and it's the most-photographed moment of the cruise.

🐎 Horse Show

A unique performance you won't find on most Dubai dinner cruises — a lively horse act that adds a touch of Arabian tradition to the evening.

✨ Light Show

Colourful lighting effects transform the dhow after dark, matching the glowing skyline reflections on the creek around you.

🎵 Relaxing Background Music

Between the shows, soft music plays while you eat — pleasant, not loud, so conversation stays easy.

IMAGE: tanoura-dance-show-dhow-cruise-dubai.webp ALT: Tanoura dancer performing with LED skirt on Cleopatra dhow cruise Dubai Creek
The Route

What You'll See From the Water

Dubai Creek is where the city started, and the cruise route passes both its modern landmarks and its oldest neighbourhoods. Here's what to watch for:

Palm Deira

The creek's newest waterfront development, marking the mouth of the creek toward the Gulf.

Infinity Bridge

Dubai's striking arch bridge, beautifully lit at night — a favourite photo from the upper deck.

National Bank of Dubai

The famous curved glass tower that reflects the creek like a golden sail after sunset.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce

A landmark of Deira's business district, glowing along the waterfront.

Ruler's Court (Diwan)

The seat of Dubai's government, with its elegant wind towers and white architecture on the Bur Dubai bank.

Al Bastakiya (Al Fahidi District)

Dubai's oldest neighbourhood — traditional wind-tower houses from the 1900s, seen from the water.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

The former residence of Dubai's ruling family, now a heritage museum on the creekside.

Heritage Village

A recreated traditional village showing how Dubai lived before the oil era.

Gold Souk & Spice Souk

The glow of Deira's famous markets lines the bank — you can visit them before or after your cruise.

IMAGE: dubai-creek-night-cruise-skyline.webp ALT: Dubai Creek skyline and Infinity Bridge at night seen from dhow cruise
The Buffet

Dubai Creek Buffet Dinner Cruise

Dinner is a full international buffet, freshly prepared for each cruise. The spread is designed for international tourists, so there is something familiar for everyone at the table.

  • International main courses — a mix of Arabic, Indian, and continental dishes, served hot.
  • Vegetarian & non-vegetarian options — clearly separated, with plenty of choice on both sides.
  • BBQ selection — grilled items are added to the buffet on most evenings.
  • Fresh salads — a cold station with salads, hummus, and mezze-style starters.
  • Desserts — Arabic sweets and international desserts to finish the meal.
  • Unlimited soft drinks & water — included with dinner, refilled at your table.

Staff serve drinks at your table and keep the buffet stocked throughout the cruise, so you never need to rush. Eat at your own pace, then head to the upper deck for the views.

IMAGE: international-buffet-dinner-dhow-cruise.webp ALT: International buffet spread with salads and hot dishes on Dubai Creek dinner cruise
Seating

Choose Your Deck

🌙 Open Upper Deck

Fresh creek breeze, open skyline views, and the best spot for photography. Most popular in the cooler months (October–April).

❄️ Air-Conditioned Lower Deck

Fully enclosed and cooled — ideal in summer, and comfortable for older guests and young children.

💑 Couple Seating

Private tables for two by the railing — perfect for a romantic dinner cruise, anniversary, or proposal. Mention it when booking.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Seating

Larger tables so your whole group sits together. Tell us your group size on WhatsApp and we'll arrange it.

📸 Photography tip: the front of the upper deck gets the clearest shots of Infinity Bridge and the NBD tower.

Perfect For

Who Is This Cruise For?

💑 Couples 👨‍👩‍👧 Families 🧳 Tourists 👯 Friends 🎂 Birthdays 💍 Anniversaries 💼 Corporate Guests 🎒 Solo Travellers

Couples come for the romantic couple seating by the water. Families love that kids eat, watch the Tanoura show, and stay entertained for the full two hours. Tourists get old Dubai, dinner, and a show in one affordable evening. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Message us on WhatsApp before your cruise and we'll help make it special.

Kids

Child Policy

AgePrice
Children up to 3 yearsFree
Above 3 yearsFull adult price (from 45 AED)

The cruise is fully family friendly — children are welcome on both decks, and the buffet includes plenty of kid-friendly dishes.

Departure Point

Where the Cruise Departs

📍 Deira Creek, Baniyas Road
Opposite Rolex Towers / Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai

  • By Metro: Baniyas Square or Union station (Green Line), then a short walk or taxi to the creekside.
  • By Taxi/Careem: Tell the driver "Baniyas Road, opposite Radisson Blu Deira Creek."
  • Arrive 15–20 minutes early for boarding and seat selection.
GOOGLE MAP EMBED HERE
(Deira Creek, Baniyas Road boarding point)
Direct Booking

Why Book With CruiseDubai.ae?

💰 Best Direct Prices

You book directly with a local operator — no middleman markup, no agency fees.

⚡ Instant WhatsApp Booking

Send one message, get your confirmation in minutes. No forms, no waiting.

🇦🇪 Trusted Local Company

We're based in Dubai and operate cruises across Dubai Creek, Water Canal, and Dubai Marina.

🔒 No Hidden Charges

The price we quote on WhatsApp is the price you pay. Everything listed is included.

🤝 Real Local Support

Questions about timing, seating, or directions? Message us any time — a real person replies.

✅ Flexible & Secure

Easy rescheduling if your plans change — just let us know on WhatsApp before your cruise date.

Guest Reviews

Cleopatra Dhow Cruise Reviews

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Based on [N] guest reviews — replace with your real Google rating
[Guest name], [Country]★★★★★

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[Guest name], [Country]★★★★☆

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What guests mention most: the value for money at 45 AED, the Tanoura show, friendly staff, and the creek views at night. (Update this summary to match your real reviews.)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cleopatra Dhow Cruise worth it?

Yes. At 45 AED per person you get a 2-hour creek cruise, a full buffet dinner, unlimited soft drinks, and live shows including the Tanoura dance. It is one of the best-value dinner cruises in Dubai.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the 2-hour cruise, international buffet dinner, unlimited soft drinks and water, welcome drinks, and all onboard entertainment (Tanoura dance, horse show, and light show).

Is the buffet dinner unlimited?

Yes, the buffet is open throughout dinner and you can return as many times as you like.

Are soft drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks and water are unlimited and included in the ticket price. Alcohol is not served on this cruise.

How long is the cruise?

The dinner cruise lasts 2 hours (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM). The earlier sunset cruise runs from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Where does the cruise depart from?

From Deira Creek on Baniyas Road, opposite Rolex Towers and the Radisson Blu Hotel. Please arrive 15–20 minutes before departure.

Is parking available?

Public paid parking is available along Baniyas Road near the boarding point. Taxis and the metro (Baniyas Square station) are the easiest options in the evening.

What should I wear?

Smart casual is perfect. Dubai evenings on the water can be breezy from November to March, so bring a light jacket if you plan to sit on the open upper deck.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Yes, it's very family friendly. Children up to 3 years cruise free, the buffet has kid-friendly dishes, and the Tanoura show is a favourite with kids.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. The buffet always includes a clearly marked vegetarian selection alongside the non-vegetarian dishes.

Can I celebrate a birthday or anniversary on board?

Yes. Message us on WhatsApp before your cruise date and we'll help arrange your celebration, including couple seating for anniversaries.

Which deck should I choose?

Choose the open upper deck for views, photos, and the evening breeze (best October–April). Choose the air-conditioned lower deck for comfort in summer or with very young children.

Is advance booking recommended?

Yes. Evening cruises fill up quickly, especially on weekends and public holidays. Booking a day or two ahead on WhatsApp guarantees your seats.

How do I book?

Simply send us a WhatsApp message with your date and number of guests, and we'll confirm your booking within minutes. You can also call us directly.

Do I need to pay online?

No online payment is required to reserve. Confirm your booking on WhatsApp and our team will explain the simple payment options.

Can I take photos and videos?

Absolutely. The upper deck offers open views of Dubai Creek, Infinity Bridge, and the illuminated skyline — one of the best photo spots in old Dubai.

Is the cruise safe?

Yes. The dhow carries safety equipment, follows Dubai maritime regulations, and the crew is experienced with families and children on board.

What happens in bad weather?

Cruises operate in almost all conditions, but in the rare case of a cancellation for safety, we reschedule your booking to another evening free of charge.

Make a Day of It

Things to Do Near Dubai Creek

The cruise departs from the heart of old Dubai, so it pairs perfectly with an afternoon of sightseeing before you board:

  • Gold Souk — Deira's famous gold market, a 10-minute walk from the boarding point. Go before sunset when the shops glow.
  • Spice Souk — right beside the Gold Souk; saffron, dried lemons, and frankincense fill the narrow lanes.
  • Abra Ride — cross the creek the traditional way for just 1 AED on a wooden water taxi.
  • Al Fahidi Historical District (Al Bastakiya) — wind-tower houses, art cafés, and museums on the Bur Dubai side.
  • Al Seef — a restored heritage waterfront with cafés and souvenir shops, great for a pre-cruise coffee.
  • Dubai Museum / Al Shindagha Museum — learn Dubai's story before seeing its landmarks from the water.

Ideal plan: souks at 4 PM → abra crossing → Al Seef coffee at 6 PM → board your Cleopatra cruise.

⏳ Limited seats every evening — weekends sell out fast

Book Your Cleopatra Dhow Cruise Today

From just 45 AED per person — cruise, buffet dinner, drinks & live shows included. Send us a message and get your confirmation in minutes.

Instant confirmation · No hidden charges · Trusted local operator — CruiseDubai.ae

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