Most of the tourist who book a dhow cruise usually spend good amount of time choosing the correct deck, dinner, and more worries about the outfit. And since it’s a cruise ride, many tourist assume that anything will work. But let me tell you that this tour is more about photos, dinner and the city lights. And therefore what you wear does make a huge difference. After all majority of the tourist want to spend a beautiful time on the Dhow Cruise and therefore want to take good pictures to make memories.
But you wont have to worry to much because I have good news for you. There is no strict dress code on most of the cruises. Nobody will stop you for your dress code. But a little bit of planning keeps you comfortable on the ride and your photos with Ain Dubai at the back also come out much better.
- Smart Casual Does the Job
Casual dress is the all rounder outfit for any occasion. So if you don’t want to think too much, just go smart casual. A cotton shirt or T-shirt are perfect, and jeans are also fine.
Blazer is not needed at all. On the other side shorts and sleeveless vests look little odd at a dinner table. Simple way to decide is, since a dhow cruise in Dubai is basically a dinner with a view, whatever you would wear for dinner at a good restaurant in Dubai Mall, the same will work on the boat as well.
- Weather Changes Everything
Now lets discuss about Dubai weather. Your outfit depends on the month more than anything else.
May to September is hot and sticky. Even at 9 pm, temperature may remain between 33 or 34 degrees with high humidity. So if you are going during these months, better to wear shirts and light cotton trousers.
Whereas if you are going during winter season, the it is a totally different case. From December till February the upper deck gets quite cold. Carry a light jacket, a shirt or t-shirt or a thin sweater that you can put on top.
For October, November and March a full sleeve shirt with sleeves folded is enough, you can open them if it gets windy.
- Dhow Cruise Marina or Creek
Tourists who are visiting Dubai first time, they don’t know the difference between Marina and Creek. Both are identical places located in Dubai only.
A dhow cruise Marina covers the new Dubai where you can witness tall towers, JBR and Bluewaters. These are perfect places to take cool pictures with your loved one.
The Dhow cruise Creek dinner on the the side, is more about the old Dubai. Here you can witness Deira and Al Seef. While sailing on the cruise, you can feel relax while cross through the traditional building.
At the end of the day both are smart casual only, the difference is very small and nobody is checking.
- Shoes and Safety
This part people ignore. The deck is wooden and the stairs between lower and upper deck are narrow, and hard leather soles can slip, mainly when the floor is little wet. Clean white sneakers, boat shoes or loafers with rubber sole are the safest. Flip flops are allowed on many boats but they dont match with the dinner look and on stairs they are risky also.
- Respect, Colors and Small Things
Dubai is open for tourists, still it is good to respect the local culture. Avoid t-shirts having rude words or graphics. In case going during Ramadan, go little more covered with full trousers and simple colors.
For those who want to take some good photos and videos, they must know that the cruise usually start after sunset. And therefore background will be dark with lights. However there will be enough light arrangement on the Dhow cruise. So if you have a decent camera like Google Pixel or iPhone, you can take amazing pictures. Going with friends or partner, a bit of color matching also looks good in group photos.
Accessories, keep it simple. One watch is enough. Sunglasses are not required because majority of the dhow cruise starts after sunset only. Caps are better to avoid because the wind on top deck is much stronger than it looks from the jetty, and a cap can easily go straight into the water. Feel feel to carry Phone and wallet but avoid carring backpack or anything that take extra space on the dinner table. Ladies can have a light scarf for the open deck during the winter season.
Hope the above provided information will help you to enjoy the Cruise ride. Just pick your clothes according to the month. Just carry one extra jacker or scraf if its winter. Wear shoes with good grip, ladies avoid high heel. That’s what you need to take care of and just sit back to enjoy the buffet, the Tanoura show and the skyline from the water.
