The city is loud, dazzling, and overwhelming… until you see it from the water. ☺️

Okay, so my mind wasn’t exactly conditioned for a yacht cruise when I was scrolling through a “Dubai things to do” listicle. But you should never underestimate a girl and her ridiculously persistent efforts to maximize the hell out of a Klook Pass, especially in a city where private yacht rentals are notoriously expensive.

I pre-selected fun activities that would cost me more if I booked them separately… hence, the Luxury Yacht Cruise!

If you want to try this to see Dubai’s most iconic sights, keep reading. I’ll leave the decision to you on whether it’s worth it.

A taste of the high life on a yacht

After all the craziness of my first few days in the city (arriving right after the flood, and skydiving), I reaaallly wanted to see it from a different angle!

When I chanced upon the yacht cruise experience, it seemed pretty chill to me. I can lounge around looking at noteworthy landmarks. There’s decent food. There are also not too many people, so I can socialize a bit but still get my much-deserved me time. It was perfect! Even if it was a shared experience, I was hopeful I’d get my money’s worth.

Xclusive Yachts’ Marina Breakfast Tour

A sunset cruise crossed my mind. But at the same time, it’s not every day I get to see the city’s beauty in full clarity, so I decided to book a slot in the morning instead. Anyway, I’ll try my best to walk you through this whole activity. It’s been almost 2 years, haha, so my story will be the way I remember it.

The first step is obviously to book a slot from Klook (click here to get the discounted tour) — selecting Breakfast as your preferred option. The cruise schedule starts at 9 am, but there is also one for late risers. If you don’t mind the 10 am heat, then by all means, go for it!

After the Klook booking, you will receive a confirmation email with all the tour instructions and reminders. There’s also a map showing the route of the cruise. It is usually the same for morning, lunch, and sunset tours, while it’s a bit different for the afternoon cruise because it’s longer at 3 hours.

All Xclusive Yachts bookings will show a pinned address, which is right at their yacht rental boarding point. Please be there 30 minutes before your departure time because they will close the check-ins 15 minutes prior! I remember getting dropped off at Al Majara Towers and walking a bit further to reach the place. Sorry, I don’t know how to get here via commute because I woke up late and just took a Careem.

Anyway… once you’re done with the registration, you’ll be asked to wait and relax inside their lounge. There’s free Wi-Fi in case you get bored, and there are even lots of souvenirs to choose from.

They are accurate with the timekeeping, and you’ll be asked to board the yacht 10 minutes before departure time. Don’t forget to bring the boarding pass!

What it’s like onboard the yacht

Shoes must be left behind, but don’t worry, there’s a shoe organizer to keep them safe. I slipped out of my Keds and stepped into the adventure barefoot — raw, unguarded, feeling a bit fancy, and ready for whatever waited. Clue: it was actually the fruit platter, hams, and pain au chocolat.

When I boarded, my yacht buddies were already inside the mini room to stay cool. I thought the only option left for me was to mingle with the other people in the upper deck before a friendly Filipino face guided me to the foredeck. Tell you what — it was THE SPOT. I stretched out happily, with the sun kissing my face, and the wind carrying the scent of the waters. I felt like a main character of a movie… a modern Moana if you will, who is out to sail into the unknown! Haha.

That marked the start of my 2-hour moment of calm cruising around Dubai Marina, Ain Wheel, JBR, and Burj Al Arab!

ALSO READ: Female Traveler in Dubai: What I Packed, Prepped, and Learned From My First Solo Overseas Trip

First Impressions

The boat

As you walk towards the yacht coming from the lounge, you’ll get to see the other yachts that are also rented out. It’s easy to mistake one for your ride, so it’s best to follow the group! The boat was neither too big nor too small. It’s also not as fancy per se, but we’re paying for the experience.

There is an air-conditioned area if you want to stay cool, including an upper deck (it’s covered, don’t worry!), so you can mingle more closely with the other guests. The foredeck is spacious, and there were probably more than 10 of us out there just feeling the breeze and taking as many pictures as we could.

The crew

I remember being given a welcome drink (fruit juice) as soon as I boarded the yacht. I also loved how my fellow kababayan led me to the foredeck so I could enjoy a bigger space and a more peaceful vibe. They would strike up a conversation to make sure your needs are accommodated, let you know once the breakfast spread is ready, and offer to take your photos. It was very much appreciated because I was on my own! Lastly, they’re very respectful. They know when to accommodate and assist you in a way that’s not too pushy or invasive.

The food

The breakfast spread was decent. You can choose from tasty pastries, jams, cheese, cold cuts, and fruits. Technically, you’re free to get seconds, but the selection tends to vanish, so you’d better move fast! Haha. The crew also won’t do refills, so make sure to get enough to keep you full, just not to the point of being overly greedy.

The cruise

For one, stepping onto a yacht that looks pricier than what I actually paid is a good enough experience for me. Anddd I’ll be real. I want that aesthetic and soft girl luxe photo. Lol. I was in such an incredible city, so why the hell not?

All of us onboard were tourists — mostly families and friends who looked far too excited for the adventure. I never really had the chance to mingle with them because I loved my me time more. Of course, there were a few random conversations, but it’s just that. The majority of the time, I had my AirPods on, with The Tortured Poets Department tracks giving me something to think about. Is it just me being biased as a Swiftie, or did I want the introspective storytelling to add a poetic layer to the glimmering cityscape? Maybe a bit of both.

Cruising around Dubai’s waters was the most comfortable and relaxed I felt the entire trip – all because it was pure sensory overload. The scenery, the mood, the wind. PERFECTION! Although my tip is to hold on to your ham so it doesn’t get blown out of your plate like mine nearly did.

Rich people must feel like this every weekend – and on a more private level. I get it now. Haha! Manifesting many more of these moments!

If you want savings, then I highly suggest purchasing a Klook Pass so you can also plan all your tours in one go. But if you only want this yacht experience – then it starts at Php 3,259*. The 2-hour itinerary takes you sailing past Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Eye, Jumeirah Beach, the Palm, and Burj Al Arab, finishing with breakfast.

For reference, booking a private boat from the same rental company starts at Php 6,500 per hour. A minimum of two guests is required, and this rate applies to the smallest vessel in their fleet (a 35-ft Sport Boat (X5)). Prices increase depending on the yacht you choose and the food you add. It’s honestly not a bad deal either, but since it’s pricier, I opted for the shared experience first.

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Some of the things I wish I knew before going

As I said, I didn’t expect much from this activity, so my personal research was simply limited to the correct meet-up point and the landmarks. But if you were to ask me about other stuff I wish I knew…

1. Wear ENOUGH sunscreen. Emphasis on the capitalized word because my arms paid the price! I only applied a thin layer then, but I realized I should have added more. You can also bring sunglasses or a cap to get extra shade because it can get pretty hot despite the cool wind.

2. Let’s talk about the best schedule. I personally think that if you want a moment of reflection, you should go for the morning tour. Feeling friendly and chill with the fam? Lunch is ideal. Want something more dramatic or aesthetic? Sunset tour.

3. Dibs on the foredeck! This is the best spot if you want an unobstructed background of the sea and skyline. It just gets a bit crowded halfway into the cruise, so you’d better take good photos before they get there.

4. Enjoy the delicious food! I know I said this before, but make sure to get enough food from the spread to keep you full, just not to the point of being overly greedy. I wasn’t able to return for more because by the time I felt like I was still hungry, the plates were already cleared out.

5. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take something beforehand. You can also avoid staying inside too long. Fresh air helps a lot!

6. Arrive early and (try to) be the first to go when they call for boarding! That way, you have the first pick of seats and photo spots before everyone settles in.

A moment to breathe, drift, and simply feel

You know those moments when simply looking at something spills quiet joy into your heart? That’s how I felt lounging under the sun and taking in the views from this cruise.

My first few days in Dubai may be heavy on navigating through the chaos or chasing the next thrill. But remember that travel has a calmer side, and it doesn’t always have to be that way.

Sometimes, it’s about letting the city unfold quietly in front of you.