Scenic Cruise
The boat ride and sightseeing are the clearest strengths, with one reviewer calling the sightseeing the cruise’s only positive aspect.
Dhow Star Floating Restaurant
Dubai Marina
Dhow Star Floating Restaurant is a Dubai Marina dinner-cruise experience built around a boat ride, buffet dining and onboard entertainment. Reviews suggest the sightseeing and atmosphere can be enjoyable, though food quality and organisation have varied sharply between sailings.
Reputation Score
4.0
★★★★☆
314 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Live Shows
Several guests enjoyed the onboard performances, music and dancing, including a reviewer who found the shows entertaining and staff accommodating.
Boat Layout
The vessel has three levels: a lower bar or dance floor, a middle dinner hall and an open-air upper-deck dining area.
Buffet Option
Some guests found the buffet dinner fine, with a mix of Arabian and continental dishes.
Tips for a Better Visit
Choose Weekdays. For a calmer dinner, consider a weekday: one reviewer described weekends as chaotic and suggested weekdays instead.
Confirm Route. If booking for fireworks or a particular view, confirm the route beforehand; one New Year’s booking stayed in the Creek instead of reaching Burj Khalifa.
Check Access. Ask for the exact boarding arrangement before paying if anyone uses a wheelchair; a guest was told the facility was accessible but found nine steps.
Budget Extras. Bring cash only if you want the optional photos or henna, and confirm prices first; guests reported photo pairs at 100 AED and henna charges.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubai Harbour Emaar Beachfront Palm View Marina, Berth CA-06
Marsa Dubai, Dubai
| Mon | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Tue | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Sat | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Sun | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Poor Organisation
Guests reported unclear buffet queues, reserved seats being reassigned and too few chairs for the number of paid guests.
Late Departure
Some sailings started late, including one advertised for 20:00 that departed at 21:20 after further waiting for the buffet.
Loud Music
The music can be extremely loud, with one reviewer saying it caused a headache and another calling the noise almost unbearable.
Access Issues
A guest promised wheelchair access instead encountered nine steps, making boarding unsafe for their mother.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
100 AED
photo pair
“2 girls will take your photos before and after the boarding and later approach you to buy a pair for 100 AED, however it is up to you if you want to buy or not”Google review · September 2018
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Dhow Star Floating Restaurant is a boat-based dinner cruise associated in several reviews with the Rustar vessel. A typical booking can include a buffet dinner, live entertainment and access to the upper deck, with the sightseeing itself often described as the strongest part. One older guest also mentioned Arabic tea and dates on arrival, drink service while waiting and courteous staff.
The experience is not consistent. Some diners praised the food, friendly service, music and shows, but a substantial group of reviews describes cold or tasteless dishes, poor buffet organisation and delayed departures. One sailing advertised to start at 21:00 left at 21:20, with dinner opening after another wait; another guest reported a rotten smell and returned to the hotel feeling unwell.
Entertainment ranges from enjoyable dancing and party music to average performances, while loud sound may not suit a relaxed meal. Treat the package details carefully. Confirm the route if you are booking around fireworks, check wheelchair access rather than relying on a promise, and ask about optional photo or henna charges.
Weekdays may be less hectic than weekends. Pricing has been described as high by some guests, so the cruise makes more sense for the boat atmosphere and views than for a reliably premium meal.