New Year is just a few months away, and everyone wants to celebrate the night in the fanciest way possible. Some go for ordinary dinner plans, others simply book a New Year Dinner Cruise Marina package. But one question people often have is should I take the upper deck or the lower deck? And the price difference makes it more confusing, because on New Year’s Eve the upper deck seat can cost almost double of the lower one. So let me tell you what you actually get on both decks, so you can decide based on your plan and not only on the price.
First, you need to understand how a Marina dhow cruise works on the night of 31st December. The boarding process starts around 7:30 to 8:00 PM. The location can vary between Marina Mall side and Marina Walk. The cruise party continues until midnight so guests can watch the New Year fireworks from the water. Normally, a dhow cruise is for 2 hours, but on NYE it lasts for at least 4 to 5 hours. Buffet dinner, soft drinks, and live entertainment like Tanoura dance and DJ is included in almost every new year dhow cruise package, on both decks also. So the real difference is not the food, its the experience around it.
Upper Deck: Open Air and the Best Fireworks View
The upper deck is fully open for guests to enjoy dazzling views of the Marina skyline and fresh sea breeze. Some boats have a proper canopy,while others are open.When its about the fireworks, this is the place to be. You get a clear view of JBR, Ain Dubai at Bluewaters, the Palm side and all the Marina towers lit up, and when the clock hits 12 there is nothing in front of you blocking the view. Photos and videos also come out much better from here. December nights in Dubai are around 18 to 24 degrees, so sitting outside is very pleasant, but near midnight it gets little windy on the water, so carry a light jacket or shawl.
Pricing for upper deck on New Year’s Eve normally starts from around AED 450 and can go up to AED 900 per person, depending on the boat, the menu and if a drinks package is included or not. Seats are limited because the top deck is smaller, so in most of the years they are sold out by mid December.
Lower Deck: Air Conditioned and Easy for Families
The lower deck seating area is fully air-conditioned and the huge glass windows offer scenic views of the Marina waterfront. In many dhows the buffet is set up here and the entertainment stage is also on this level, so you are close to the food and close to the show. Having said that, the fireworks you will be watching through the windows, which is fine but its not same as standing outside. Most boats allow lower deck guests to go up for few minutes at midnight, but it gets very crowded so don’t expect a perfect spot.
Lower deck tickets are cheaper, usually somewhere between AED 250 and AED 500 per person. If you are coming with small kids or elderly parents, my suggestion is to go with lower deck only. Its comfortable, washrooms are close by, kids can sit and eat properly and nobody is feeling cold at 11 PM.
So Which One Should You Book?
Suppose you are a couple, or a group of friends who want the countdown moment and good photos for Instagram, then upper deck is worth the extra money. The whole point of a new year dinner cruise marina is the fireworks, and upper deck gives you that fully. But if your priority is dinner, entertainment and a relaxed evening with the family, lower deck does the job very well and you save around AED 200 to 400 per person, which matters a lot when you are booking for 5 or 6 people.
One more thing that people don’t check is the boat itself. Some dhows have a premium upper deck with sofa seating and a separate buffet counter, and some have just plastic chairs on top. Better to ask the operator for real photos of the deck before you pay. Also confirm the boarding point, because on New Year’s Eve the traffic around Marina and JBR is very heavy and some roads close early in the evening, so reach at least one hour before boarding time.
At DubaiNewYearCruise.com, they have both upper and lower deck options for the new year dhow cruise in Dubai, and their team can tell you which boat suits your group and budget.
FAQs
Fireworks view from lower deck: Yes you can see it through the glass windows, and most boats let you step outside at midnight, but the clear and full view is only from the upper deck.
Drinks in the package: Soft drinks, water, tea and coffee are included. Alcohol is served only on licensed boats and its charged separately in most cases.
Cruise ending time: Normally the new year dhow cruise ends somewhere between 12:30 and 1:00 AM, after the fireworks are finished and the boat comes back to the jetty.
Kids on the upper deck: Children are allowed on both decks, but parents should keep an eye near the railings. Kids below 3 years mostly go free, and 4 to 10 years get child rate.
Dress code for the night: Smart casual is fine, no beachwear. If you are on the upper deck then keep a jacket with you, as it gets cold on the water after 11 PM.
