Sunseeker Superyacht: VIP Dinner, Premium Drinks& Live Music

Dubai’s first Sunseeker superyacht dining experience puts you aboard Encore, a 40-meter, tri-deck yacht with room for only 30 people. The main event is an omakase sushi dinner, but the setting matters just as much: you cruise past Ain Dubai and Burj Al Arab with a DJ, saxophonist, premium drinks, and Dubai’s skyline sliding by.

I like the small group size and the all-inclusive drinks. Thirty people is enough to create a party without turning the yacht into a crowded floating restaurant, and the premium beverages, cocktails, and bubbly are included. The main caution is the price, $273 per person, and the night-party rules: cocktails and the Zen-Med canapés are not served then, only live sushi.

Key points before you book

• A 40-meter Sunseeker yacht: Encore has three decks and a polished setting that feels far removed from a standard dinner cruise.
• Only 30 people per voyage: The limited capacity gives you more room, easier service, and better photo spots.
• Omakase sushi at sea: The menu is set rather than chosen dish by dish, with Japanese cuisine and gourmet bites included.
• Music shapes the evening: A live DJ plays lounge beats while a saxophonist adds live performance to the cruise.
• Day and night versions differ: Day trips include a swimming stop, while the night party focuses on live sushi and does not include cocktails or the Zen-Med menu.
• Dubai landmarks from the water: The route includes views of Ain Dubai, Burj Al Arab, and the city skyline.

Boarding Encore at Dubai Harbour

You meet at Berth G01, beside Bar Du Port at Dubai Harbour. The cruise returns to the same point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location after dinner.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. I would allow extra time to reach Dubai Harbour, especially if you are coming from another part of the city. Bring a passport or a copy, as well as sunglasses, a hat, and a camera. Smart casual clothing fits the mood, but remember that shoes are not allowed on board. Comfortable clothes make sense, particularly on the daytime sailing.

Once aboard, the yacht itself is part of the attraction. A 40-meter Sunseeker is not simply a transport vessel with tables on deck. Its three-deck layout gives the experience a private-yacht feel, with different places to sit, eat, take photographs, and watch the water. The limit of 30 people is important here. It helps the boat feel spacious rather than like a large group excursion.

The no-shoes rule is common on yacht experiences but can catch people off guard. Wear something easy to remove, and avoid clothing that becomes awkward without footwear. Towels and slippers are provided, which is useful for a daytime cruise with swimming.

The three-hour route and Dubai skyline

The cruise lasts about three hours. That is long enough for a full meal, several drinks, music, and time to enjoy the view without making the evening feel endless.

The route takes in some of Dubai’s most recognizable sights from the water. Ain Dubai, the giant observation wheel, gives you a strong photo subject as the yacht passes nearby. Burj Al Arab is another major highlight, particularly when viewed from offshore. From the yacht, you get a cleaner sense of the building’s sail-shaped design than you often do from a road packed with traffic.

The skyline is best enjoyed as part of the meal rather than treated as a formal sightseeing tour. This is not a guided landmark cruise with a detailed commentary at every point. You are here for food, drinks, music, and the setting. If you want a quiet architecture tour, this is not the right fit. If you like having Dubai’s most famous views as a backdrop to dinner, the balance works well.

Sunset departures should appeal to photographers and first-time visitors. The changing light gives you several different moods during one cruise, from bright views at the start to a more glamorous evening feel later on. Since the exact conditions depend on the weather, keep expectations flexible.

Omakase sushi and Zen-Med bites

The meal centers on an omakase sushi menu. Omakase means the chef determines the selection, so you are not choosing every item from a large restaurant menu. That approach suits this type of cruise because the meal arrives as a planned sequence rather than requiring you to manage orders while music and views compete for attention.

Japanese cuisine is paired with gourmet bites and Zen-Med canapés. The canapés help fill out the meal, which matters because a sushi-only dinner can feel light for some people. One useful detail is that vegetarian options are available when requested in advance. Make that request before departure rather than hoping to arrange it once you are on board.

The food presentation is part of the experience. You are not eating takeaway sushi on a boat. The setting, service, and pacing are intended to feel like a special dinner, and the best feedback about the experience consistently centers on the food quality and attentive crew.

Still, you should understand the format. The menu is set, and specific dishes are not listed in the available details. If you have strong dislikes, allergies, or dietary limits beyond vegetarian preferences, ask Xclusive Yachts before booking. Do not assume every request can be handled on the day.

At night, the food offering changes. The night party includes live sushi, but cocktails and the Zen-Med menu are not served. That distinction is easy to miss and affects the value calculation. If you want the broadest food and drink package, compare the daytime and evening options carefully before selecting your departure.

Premium drinks, bubbly, and cocktails

Free-flowing bubbly and top-shelf premium beverages are included. Handcrafted cocktails are also part of the main package, giving the cruise more of a private celebration feel than a standard sightseeing boat ride.

The drinks are a major part of the $273 price. If you plan to enjoy several premium drinks during a three-hour cruise, the package may compare well with buying a yacht dinner and drinks separately. If you do not drink alcohol, the value is harder to judge, since the price is built around a high-end food-and-beverage experience. The supplied details mention mocktails in the experience feedback, but the formal inclusions specifically highlight premium beverages, cocktails, and bubbly, so confirm the nonalcoholic choices when booking.

There is a practical difference between the regular experience and the night party. On the night party, no cocktails or Zen-Med menu are served, and there is no pass-around service. Live sushi remains available. That version may suit you if music and atmosphere matter more than a broad dinner menu, but it is not the fullest all-inclusive package.

For that reason, I would not book based on the phrase unlimited alone. Check which departure you are choosing and what is served at that time. A small difference in schedule can change the balance between food, drinks, swimming, and entertainment.

Lounge beats, saxophone, and the party mood

The music is not background decoration. A live DJ provides lounge beats, with a saxophonist adding a live layer to the set. This gives the cruise a polished party feel without turning it into a nightclub from the first minute.

The atmosphere should suit birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, date nights, and small celebrations. It also works for a visitor who wants one special Dubai evening rather than another restaurant meal in a hotel. The music helps fill the gaps between courses and gives you something to enjoy while the yacht is moving between landmarks.

You should not choose this cruise if you want a silent or highly formal dinner. The DJ and saxophone are central to the experience. Conversation may be easier at some points than others, depending on where you sit and how lively the music becomes.

The service is another strong point. The crew is described as professional and attentive, with a steward checking in without becoming intrusive. That is exactly what you want on a small yacht: help when needed, but not a constant interruption. The cleanliness of the boat also matters. A spotless deck and well-run service do a great deal to support the premium price.

Daytime swimming or nighttime sushi

The swimming stop is available on the day tour only. You can use the swimming pool, and towels and slippers are provided. This changes the daytime version from a meal cruise into a more relaxed yacht outing, with time in the water between food and sightseeing.

Bring the right mindset. The swimming stop is an optional part of the day experience, not the whole purpose of the trip. If you would rather remain dry, you can focus on the food, drinks, music, and skyline. If you want to swim, comfortable clothing and the supplied towels make the change easier.

The night party takes a different route in terms of mood and inclusions. It removes the swimming element and narrows the food and drink offering to live sushi, while adding an after-dark party atmosphere. Guests under 21 are not allowed on the night party. That age rule does not apply in the supplied information to the daytime departure, but anyone booking should check the exact option selected.

This split between day and night is useful rather than confusing once you know about it. Choose the day sailing for swimming, a broader menu, and sunset scenery. Choose the night party for DJ energy, saxophone, live sushi, and an evening celebration.

Is $273 a fair price?

At $273 per person, this is not a casual dinner cruise. You are paying for the yacht, limited capacity, Japanese dinner, premium drinks, entertainment, and Dubai views in one package.

I see the value most clearly for people who would otherwise pay separately for a special meal, several premium drinks, and a polished evening activity. The small group size adds real value. You are not packed into a large boat with hundreds of other people, and the yacht itself gives the occasion a sense of privacy.

The price is less convincing if your priority is simply seeing Dubai from the water. There are cheaper cruises, and you can find sushi and drinks on land for far less. This experience makes sense when you want the combination of yacht, service, food, music, and drinks rather than one feature on its own.

The strongest value comes when you use what is included. Take time to enjoy the decks, watch the skyline, eat the full menu, and make use of the drinks package if that suits you. If you arrive only for a quick meal and do not drink, the cost may feel high.

The high rating of 4.9 from 65 reviews fits the most consistent strengths: spotless surroundings, attentive service, good food, drinks, music, and a feeling of exclusivity. Several guests describe it as a memorable one-of-a-kind evening, while one particularly useful observation is that the canapés are filling enough that you should not leave hungry.

Who should book this yacht dinner?

I would recommend it for couples wanting a polished evening, families with adult children on a daytime departure, small celebration groups, and first-time Dubai visitors who want one distinctive night out. It is also a good choice if photographs matter to you. The yacht, Dubai skyline, Ain Dubai, and Burj Al Arab give you plenty of strong backdrops.

It suits you best if you enjoy premium drinks, Japanese food, live music, and a social setting. The 30-person limit keeps it from feeling like a mass-market cruise, but it is still a shared experience rather than a private charter.

I would think twice if you have mobility limitations. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. I would also reconsider if you need a fully quiet dinner, have strict dietary needs that go beyond the stated vegetarian option, or want a detailed guided tour of Dubai’s landmarks.

Pets and baby strollers are not allowed. Cancel at least two days in advance for a full refund, and remember that the cruise may be rescheduled for poor weather.

Should you book the Sunseeker Superyacht experience?

Book it if you want to combine Dubai sightseeing with a serious dinner, premium drinks, and live entertainment in a small yacht setting. The strongest reasons are the 40-meter Sunseeker, the 30-person limit, the attentive crew, and the mix of sushi, skyline views, DJ music, and saxophone.

Choose the daytime option if swimming and the full food-and-drink setup matter most. Choose the night party if you want live sushi and a more energetic evening, but accept that cocktails and Zen-Med canapés are not included then.

At $273, this is a splurge. For a milestone evening or a single high-end Dubai experience, I think the package can justify the cost. For a basic boat ride or a budget meal, it is the wrong choice.

FAQ

Where does the Sunseeker superyacht cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at Berth G01 beside Bar Du Port at Dubai Harbour. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the yacht experience?

The cruise lasts three hours.

What food is included?

You receive an omakase sushi menu, Japanese cuisine, gourmet bites, and Zen-Med canapés on the main experience. Vegetarian options are available on request. The night party serves live sushi but does not include the Zen-Med menu.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The main experience includes free-flowing bubbly, premium beverages, and cocktails. On the night party, cocktails are not served, so check the selected departure before booking.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Swimming in the pool is included on the daytime tour only. Towels and slippers are provided.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear smart casual clothing and bring sunglasses, a hat, and a camera. Shoes are not allowed on board, and you should bring a passport or a copy.