Sunseeker Superyacht: VIP Dining, Premium Drinks & Music

A three-hour cruise aboard Encore, a 40-meter, three-deck Sunseeker yacht, turns dinner into a floating Dubai night out. You get an evolving Japanese omakase menu, free-flowing LP bubbly, premium drinks, live music, and views of the Palm, Atlantis, Ain Dubai, and Burj Al Arab.

I especially like two things here: fresh sushi prepared as part of the onboard experience, and the combination of a polished yacht with a lively DJ and live saxophone at times. The crew also receives strong praise, with Lauren, known onboard as Lola, and Andrew singled out in several accounts.

The main caution is practical rather than glamorous. Finding the boarding gate at Dubai Harbour may take some patience, especially with construction in the area, and you must remove your footwear before stepping aboard. The cruise also depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• A 40-meter Sunseeker yacht: Encore has three decks and a more exclusive feel than a standard sightseeing boat.
• Omakase sushi and Japanese bites: Expect an evolving menu that can include black cod, crispy rice, spicy tuna, salmon, and yellowtail.
• Premium drinks included: LP bubbly, cocktails, and top-shelf beverages flow during the three-hour cruise.
• Dubai’s best waterfront views: The route takes in Dubai Harbour, JBR, Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, and Burj Al Arab.
• Music is part of the evening: A live DJ sets the mood, with live saxophone included on some sailings.
• Small maximum capacity: The yacht carries no more than 30 people, helping the service feel personal.

What the Encore experience is really selling

The price is $128.39 per person, and that figure makes more sense when you look at the whole package. You are not paying only for a boat ride or only for dinner. The cost covers a luxury yacht setting, a three-hour cruise, sushi, gourmet bites, bubbly, premium drinks, cocktails, entertainment, and a moving view of Dubai’s coastline.

That does not make it a bargain in the everyday sense. If your priority is simply eating good sushi, you can spend less at a restaurant. If you want a quiet sightseeing cruise, you can also find cheaper boat trips. Encore works best when you want dinner, drinks, music, and a special setting bundled together.

The experience is aimed at celebration diners, couples, small groups, and visitors who want one polished night rather than a basic tour. Birthday and anniversary occasions fit naturally here. The boat, service, music, and views provide the sense of occasion without requiring you to plan several separate stops.

The maximum of 30 people matters. A large dinner cruise can feel like a floating banquet hall, while this smaller capacity should give you more room to appreciate the yacht and receive attention from the crew. It is still a social evening, not a private charter, but it has a more contained feel.

Boarding at Dubai Harbour

The meeting point is at Dubai Harbour, listed at the location code 34WV+V6 in Dubai. Dubai Harbour sits near Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters, placing it close to many of the sights you will see from the water.

Allow extra time to locate the boarding gate. Construction near the entrance has made the approach confusing for some people, so do not treat the marina as a place where you can arrive at the last minute and stroll straight aboard. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Once you arrive, expect a smart-casual atmosphere. You should dress neatly, but this is not described as a formal dinner. One unusual rule is that footwear is not allowed onboard. Slippers and towels are included, which makes the barefoot policy easier to manage, but wear something simple to remove and remember that your shoes will stay off for the cruise.

The yacht returns to the same meeting point at the end. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to and from Dubai Harbour.

A 40-meter yacht with three decks

Encore is a tri-deck Sunseeker superyacht, and the boat itself is a major part of the attraction. You are not simply using the yacht as transport between landmarks. The vessel provides the dining room, lounge, entertainment space, and viewing platform all at once.

A three-deck layout gives you options during the cruise. You may want to sit near the sushi service, move outside for photographs, or find a quieter spot when the music feels too lively. The exact seating setup is not specified, so do not assume a particular table or guaranteed private space.

The yacht is presented as Dubai’s first seven-star Sunseeker superyacht experience. That is promotional language, but the practical point is clear: this is designed around polished surroundings and attentive service rather than a rough-and-ready boat trip.

Several accounts describe the vessel as immaculate, with the staff making people feel especially well looked after. That personal service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a standard sightseeing departure. The crew has been praised for being friendly, professional, and attentive from boarding through the return to the marina.

Omakase sushi, black cod, and crispy rice

The food is the heart of the experience. The menu is an omakase-style selection, meaning the dishes change and the chef directs the meal rather than offering a long list of individual choices.

The menu can include Saikyo miso-glazed black cod, a dish built around soft fish and a sweet-savory miso glaze. Golden crispy rice comes topped with options such as spicy tuna, salmon, or yellowtail. Gourmet bites and canapés add variety between the sushi servings.

This format suits you if you enjoy trying a sequence of small dishes. It is less suitable if you want to choose every course in advance or need a fixed menu for dietary reasons. Vegetarian options are available on request, so mention that requirement when booking rather than waiting until you board.

Fresh sushi preparation is part of the appeal. Seeing food made during the cruise gives the meal more energy than a plate delivered from a distant kitchen. The food is also served throughout the trip, which means you can settle into the evening instead of rushing through a single dinner service.

Still, keep your expectations measured. An omakase menu on a moving yacht is a luxury dining experience with entertainment and scenery, not a specialist sushi-counter tasting in Tokyo. You are paying for the full setting, and the food is one important part of that setting.

Free-flowing bubbly and premium cocktails

LP bubbly is included, along with unlimited premium beverages and cocktails. This changes the value calculation for anyone who plans to enjoy several drinks during the three-hour sailing. At a Dubai luxury venue, drinks can add up quickly, so inclusion gives the package more weight.

The bar offering is described as top-shelf, though the supplied details do not list exact brands or a full cocktail menu. If you have a particular champagne, spirit, or cocktail in mind, check availability before booking rather than assuming it will be served.

The crew’s service is repeatedly praised, especially around drinks and hospitality. That matters on an all-inclusive cruise. Good service keeps the evening moving, while poor bar service can leave you waiting and weaken the value of unlimited drinks.

Electric shisha is also included. The details do not specify where or when it is available, so ask the crew onboard if it is important to you. Personal expenses and add-ons are not included, and you should budget separately for anything outside the stated package.

Music, DJ sets, and the evening mood

This is not a silent dinner cruise. Live music and a DJ are included, and some sailings feature a saxophonist performing alongside the DJ. The combination creates more of a yacht-party atmosphere than a formal restaurant meal.

Music choices have been praised, and the DJ has been described as a strong part of the evening. That will appeal to couples celebrating a birthday or anniversary, groups looking for a lively night, and anyone who wants entertainment between courses.

If you want soft conversation and a very quiet meal, this may not be the right fit. The atmosphere can become energetic, especially once drinks are flowing and the yacht reaches the open water. The three-deck layout may let you move away from the main sound, but the experience is built around music rather than silence.

Dubai Harbour, JBR, and Ain Dubai

The route begins around Dubai Harbour, a modern waterfront area positioned between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters. From the yacht, the marina setting gives you an immediate sense of Dubai’s preference for grand waterfront development.

Jumeirah Beach Residence, usually called JBR, runs along a long stretch of coast with high-rise buildings, restaurants, and a broad beachside community. Seeing JBR from the water gives you a different angle from walking its promenade. The buildings appear as a continuous wall of city life behind the Gulf.

Ain Dubai rises from Bluewaters Island. The giant observation wheel is a strong visual marker, especially when illuminated after dark. It is one of the easier sights to identify from the yacht, though the exact visibility depends on the route, weather, and light.

These early sights help set the pace. You are not stopping for land visits, so think of the cruise as a moving viewing platform. Bring your phone for photographs, but give yourself time to watch without constantly framing every shot.

Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis from the water

Palm Jumeirah is Dubai’s famous palm-shaped artificial island, and the cruise gives you a broad view of its waterfront development. From the sea, you can better appreciate the scale of the island than you do from many roads onshore.

Atlantis, The Palm is the visual centerpiece at the outer crescent. Its grand resort architecture is one of Dubai’s most recognizable sights, but clear views are not guaranteed throughout the cruise. Weather, route timing, and the yacht’s position can affect how well you see it.

One useful tip is to avoid assuming every landmark will appear perfectly framed. Keep your camera ready, but enjoy the route as a whole. The skyline, Palm, marina, and resort views work together, even if one sight is partly obscured or seen only briefly.

The sunset departure receives particular praise because the Palm and coastline change color as the light fades. The supplied information also describes an evening skyline setting, so check the exact departure time when booking if sunset photography is a priority.

Burj Al Arab and the return cruise

The Burj Al Arab is the final major landmark listed on the route. Its sail-shaped profile is easy to recognize from the water, and approaching it by yacht gives the sight a natural sense of ceremony.

The route around the Palm toward Burj Al Arab is one of the strongest parts of the outing. You get a succession of major Dubai icons rather than a single photo stop, and the yacht gives you room to view them from different decks.

After the sightseeing portion, the cruise returns to Dubai Harbour. The whole experience lasts about three hours, long enough for food, drinks, music, and photographs without taking an entire day away from your Dubai plans.

Swimming is listed only for the day tour. Do not assume an evening dining departure includes swimming. Towels are included, and slippers are provided, but the supplied details do not state the swimming location, water conditions, or exact timing for daytime sailings.

Service and the small-group advantage

The strongest praise centers on the crew. The staff are described as professional, kind, and willing to keep the evening running smoothly. Lauren, also called Lola, receives especially warm recognition, while Andrew is mentioned positively on another Xclusive Yachts departure.

Names and staff assignments can change, so treat these as examples of the service style rather than a promise that a particular person will be onboard. The useful takeaway is that attentive hospitality is a core part of the operation.

A maximum of 30 people gives the crew a reasonable chance to notice when you need a drink, help with the menu, or advice about the best viewing area. It also makes the yacht feel more intimate than a large dinner boat.

That said, a small group does not mean total privacy. You will share the yacht, music, dining service, and viewing areas with other ticket holders. Book a private charter instead if you want complete control over the route and atmosphere.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose Encore for a special evening when the setting matters as much as the meal. It works particularly well for:

• Couples marking a birthday or anniversary
• Friends who want sushi, cocktails, and music in one evening
• First-time Dubai visitors seeking major skyline views
• Diners who enjoy tasting menus and chef-selected dishes
• People who prefer a smaller yacht to a large dinner cruise

I would think twice if you dislike raw fish, need a guaranteed quiet setting, or want a fully specified menu. You should also reconsider if you are trying to keep costs low or if you expect hotel transportation to be included.

The cruise is rated 4.9 from 46 ratings, with 96 percent recommending it. Those figures point to a consistently strong experience, especially for food, service, yacht quality, drinks, music, and views. They do not remove the practical issues around boarding, weather, footwear, or changing sight conditions.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

This experience is often booked about 38 days ahead, so reserve early if you need a particular date or are planning a birthday or anniversary. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity accepts a mobile ticket.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. Since the cruise requires good weather, the operator may reschedule or offer a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

Check the forecast, meeting instructions, dress code, and any vegetarian request before you go. Those small checks will make the evening much easier.

FAQ

How long does the Sunseeker superyacht experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the Dubai Harbour meeting point.

What food is included?

The experience includes an omakase sushi menu with Japanese cuisine and gourmet bites. Possible dishes include Saikyo miso-glazed black cod and golden crispy rice topped with spicy tuna, salmon, or yellowtail.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. The package includes free-flowing LP bubbly, premium beverages, and cocktails.

Is live entertainment included?

Yes. Live music and a DJ are included. A saxophonist is also featured on some sailings.

What landmarks can I see?

The route includes Dubai Harbour, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, The Palm, and Burj Al Arab.

Is swimming available?

Swimming is included only with the day tour. It is not listed as part of the evening dining experience.

What should I wear?

The dress code is smart casual. Footwear is not allowed onboard, and slippers are provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point at Dubai Harbour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor-weather cancellations may result in a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the Encore superyacht?

Book it if you want a polished Dubai night built around sushi, premium drinks, and landmark views, with music adding a party edge. At $128.39, the value is strongest when you plan to use the included drinks and want a special setting for a celebration.

Skip it if your main goal is a quiet meal, a private boat, or the lowest-cost way to see the skyline. For everyone else, Encore offers a well-focused three-hour outing: a smart yacht, changing Japanese dishes, attentive service, and Dubai’s most famous waterfront sights passing by at the right pace.