Dubai has many charms for tourists, most originating from its reputation as a luxury playground for the rich and famous. Naturally, we imagine people living their best lives in fast cars, fancy yachts, and penthouse suites. Tourists can get a taste of that lifestyle by booking a yacht charter in Dubai.
You can see the best of the city from the water while enjoying a luxury experience with your loved ones. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your charter.
Choosing Your Route
Chartered routes from Dubai take in a few different routes depending on your provider. You can choose between different lengths to enjoy a shorter tour around the landmarks of the city. Or you can venture much further up the coast to experience more of what the area has to offer.
Your choice can also depend on the different types of activities available on that trip, and we’ll look at those in a moment.
Some of the shorter trips are best suited for those who just want to see Dubai from the water and enjoy a cruise with family and friends. You can go past the Dubai Eye, around the Atlantis Hotel on Palm Jumeirah, and down to see Burj Al Arab.
Alternatively, you could book a longer trip up the coast for a more scenic tour. Some of these trips will take you past the landmarks and bridges into the design district and Dubai Creek.
You’ll then venture up the old Deira canal, back onto the ocean, and head past the World Islands and back to the marina. All of this depends on the day of the week, availability of cruises, and weather conditions. So, always check the terms and conditions on anything you book.
Choosing Your Activities
For many tourists, the cruise-only option is perfect on its own. You can book your time on the water and make the most of the on-board dining and entertainment while sailing past the coast. It’s basically the ultimate catered sightseeing tour, just with no strangers getting in your way as you take pictures and plenty of room.
The on-board dining facilities on these cruises make them highly appealing. You can have a top chef make you beautiful meals and serve refreshments as you make the most of your time on the boat.
The other option is to book a yacht charter in Dubai with additional activities. These could be an hour longer than the cruise-only options to give you time to get out on the water and enjoy different watersports.
You can swim in the water, with easy access from the back of the yacht, or participate in water skiing or banana boat riding. There is also the chance to fish when working with licensed cruise operators.
Choosing Your Yacht
This is the toughest part with any yacht booking in Dubai, purely because there are so many options available, and they all look amazing. It’s easy to get caught up in the glamor of some of the most high-end models. The ones with multiple decks and living spaces look like something you’d see celebrities sailing around in.
So, naturally, you’ll be tempted to emulate that and book something stunning. Size does matter here, but you don’t want to go too big. You need to look not just at the length of the boat in feet but also the capacity for guests. Is there room for everyone in your party? Would a massive yacht be too excessive if you only need something intimate?
Whatever yacht you end up choosing, you need to be sure it offers value for money. It’s fine to blow a decent amount of your travel budget on this excursion to make amazing memories, but there is a limit. First, you need to be sure of the hourly cost to rent the boat out. The longer the trip, the pricier it is.
Do you go for something cheaper to spend more time on the water? Also, are there any hidden costs, with fees and taxes to consider? Is there free cancellation if your plans fall through? From there, you can look at the amount of complementary items you get for the cost. Many top providers will offer free soft drinks and water. There should also be towels so everyone can dry off with ease after swimming.
Finding The Best Dubai Yacht Charter Provider
Booking a yacht in Dubai can sound a little too good to be true sometimes, especially when companies start promising you 5-star experiences with little back that up. It pays to do your research and find a company you can trust to offer the best experience possible.
Ultimately, that company will be completely upfront about the different experiences on offer, the types of yachts they have, and how much it will all cost. There should be no nasty surprises waiting for you once you get to the marina and meet up with the crew. Read all the fine print and FAQs, compare the different options for cruises and activities, and see which is the best fit.
On top of that, you can also look at the user reviews to see what previous clients have to say. There should be plenty of testimonials on the company website, with comments about the quality of the ship, the professionalism of the crew, and the fun they had throughout the experience.
It also helps to check independent review sites and Google to see if there are any 1-star reviews the company may have tried to bury. Common complaints are red flags to avoid, as are any issues with the licensing and history of the company. Are they accredited, and have they been doing this for a long time? Or are they relatively new and inexperienced?
Clearly, there’s a lot to think about when booking the perfect yacht charter for your trip to Dubai. Go over the options with the rest of your group, see what types of charters they’re interested in, and find the best fit. Whether you want something low-key for a short cruise around the coast or something extravagant for a long party out at sea, Dubai has you covered.
