Dubai nights look different from a 40-meter yacht.

On Sunseeker Encore, you’re not just eating—you’re doing a full-on VIP Omakase sushi experience with drinks flowing and skyline views you can’t get from the shore.

I love how this cruise mixes Japanese craft with an easy, party-friendly vibe: the Omakase sushi menu (including standout plates like Saikyo Miso-Glazed Black Cod and Golden Crispy Rice) keeps the food feeling special, not “just included.” And I really like that you’re given free-flowing premium beverages and cocktails alongside gourmet bites, so you can settle in without doing drink math all night.

One thing to consider: this is a weather-dependent sailing, and the boarding area can take a little hunting if there’s construction around the waterfront. Also, footwear isn’t allowed onboard, so you’ll want to plan for that in your outfit choice.

Key things that make this cruise worth your time

• Omakase sushi in a superyacht setting with an ever-evolving menu built around Japanese technique
• Saikyo Miso-Glazed Black Cod + Golden Crispy Rice among the headline dishes
• Unlimited LP bubbly and top-shelf cocktails for the full 3 hours
• Max 30 guests, so it stays more like a private dining moment than a cattle-car tour
• Live music, including a DJ and live performance setup that keeps the mood going
• Iconic Dubai views routed past Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab, Ain Dubai, and the JBR coast

Sunseeker Encore VIP Dining: what you’re really buying

This is a luxury dining cruise built around three things you feel right away: the boat itself, the food pacing, and the atmosphere.

The yacht is a 40-meter tri-deck Sunseeker, which matters more than you’d think. With more deck space, you get better sightlines when Dubai’s landmarks light up—without everyone crowding one single railing spot. It also helps the experience feel “designed,” not improvised. There’s room for you to move between the dining flow, the drinks, and the photo angles.

Then there’s the format: an Omakase sushi menu made by a master chef, with an ever-changing selection. Omakase-style service usually means you don’t get a “menu where you decide everything.” Instead, you get a guided sequence of flavors. That’s a big part of the value here, because it reduces your decision fatigue and keeps each course feeling intentional.

Finally, this doesn’t try to be a quiet fine-dining show. You’ve got live music and a live DJ, plus electric shisha. The result is a cruise that works for birthdays, anniversaries, and “we want something special” dinners—not just romantic, candlelit sailing.

Price and value: 3 hours of sushi, bubbly, and top-shelf drinks

At $128.39 per person for about 3 hours, this sits in the “splurge but not insane” category for Dubai. What makes it feel like a better deal than many yacht cruises is the combination of included items:

• A full Omakase sushi menu
• Gourmet bites alongside sushi
• Free-flowing LP bubbly
• Unlimited premium beverages and cocktails
• Entertainment (live music and a DJ)
• Practical onboard comfort items like towels and slippers

In other words, you’re paying for a package that usually would cost you far more separately if you tried to recreate it: a high-end sushi meal, plus multiple drinks rounds, plus paid waterfront entertainment.

One practical tip for value: go into this expecting that you’ll eat and drink steadily during the cruise. The “free-flowing” setup is part of the design. If you try to treat it like a single drink and one photo stop, you might feel less satisfied than you hoped—because the cruise experience is meant to be enjoyed as a full stretch.

What to wear: smart casual, plus the no-shoes rule

The dress code is smart casual. That’s good news because you don’t need to bring a full formal wardrobe—just something polished.

The bigger gotcha is the onboard rule: footwear isn’t allowed on board. That changes what “smart casual” means in practice. Choose clothes that look good paired with either socks or indoor-appropriate footwear style (you’ll likely be in slippers provided onboard, since slippers are included).

If you’re coming straight from beach time around Jumeirah or JBR, I’d plan a quick outfit switch before meeting at the yacht. The no-shoes rule is easy to follow once you think about it early.

The Omakase sushi menu: the dishes you’ll want to watch for

This is the headline feature, and it’s not a generic sushi platter.

You’re told the Omakase sushi menu is extravagant and handcrafted by a master chef, with a menu that evolves. That’s important because it means you’re not stuck with the same predictable set of rolls.

From the specific menu highlights, you can expect flavor-focused bites like:

• Saikyo Miso-Glazed Black Cod: sweet-salty miso glaze with a rich, tender texture
• Golden Crispy Rice topped with spicy tuna, salmon, or yellowtail: crisp-edged rice with a punchy topping

The way this kind of menu usually lands is: the earlier pieces set the baseline (clean flavors, quality fish), and the later plates build variety and texture. You’ll also see “gourmet bites” served alongside sushi, which helps you pace yourself if you want time between courses to take in the view.

Vegetarian options are available upon request, so if that matters for your group, communicate it when you book. Don’t wait until you’re onboard; onboard time is best used for the actual cruise experience.

The route that makes the photos worth it: Dubai Harbour to Burj Al Arab

This cruise is built around views of Dubai’s most recognizable landmarks, and the way the route is laid out gives you multiple backdrops rather than one single “star sight.”

Here’s how the landmarks typically shape the experience:

Dubai Harbour and Bluewaters: a skyline-opening moment

You start near Dubai Harbour, at the waterfront between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters. This stretch is a strong opening because you get a clean view angle of Dubai’s modern skyline right away.

If you like “arrive and instantly feel like you’re in the story” travel, this first stretch does that. It’s also a good spot for the first wave of photos before the crowd energy settles into dinner mode.

Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR): long waterfront energy

As the cruise passes JBR, you get a sense of Dubai’s seaside lifestyle—long coastline, built-up waterfront energy, and that “Dubai nights are happening everywhere” feeling.

Even if you don’t linger onshore, this matters because you can spot the rhythm of the area from the water. It’s more interesting than just chasing one landmark.

Ain Dubai: a huge landmark you can’t miss

Ain Dubai is the big Ferris wheel on Bluewaters Island. The moment you spot it from the water, it helps you orient yourself. It’s also one of those sights where photos come out crisp because it’s a tall, distinct structure.

Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis: the iconic resort zone

The cruise area includes Palm Jumeirah and the Atlantis resort. This is the part many people book for, since Palm architecture is unmistakable.

That said, a realistic expectation helps here: views can be affected by the exact cruising angle and timing. If you’re hoping for perfect Atlantis framing in every photo, plan on flexibility—sometimes it’s there clearly, and sometimes it’s partially blocked by how the yacht is moving.

Burj Al Arab: the grand finale backdrop

The Burj Al Arab is one of the most recognizable luxury silhouettes in Dubai, and finishing with that kind of landmark in view gives the cruise a natural “wrap-up” feeling.

If you want a simple photo strategy: save your best angles for when the yacht is aligned for the skyline and the Burj is in full view, then enjoy the rest of the cruise without constantly checking where to stand.

Music, DJ, and electric shisha: setting the mood without killing dinner

This cruise includes live music and a live DJ, plus electric shisha. That combo can go two ways on cheap cruises: either it gets annoying or it stays background-friendly.

Here, the intent looks clear: music keeps the yacht feeling like an event, while the sushi and drinks keep it from turning into a “party with random food.”

From the entertainment style people talk about, you may hear DJ music with live saxophone during some sailings. When it works, it adds a classy layer to the skyline moment—music that feels like part of the atmosphere, not just noise.

If you’re sensitive to loud sound, pick a comfortable spot where you can still talk and hear yourself think. Also, the yacht is a moving venue—if you need quiet, take short deck breaks between courses.

Day vs night and the swimming detail you shouldn’t ignore

Swimming is listed as included only the day tour. So if your booking is for daytime, you can expect a swim window and onboard essentials like towels and slippers to make that easy.

If you’re booking for a nighttime slot, don’t plan on water time unless it’s explicitly stated for your specific sailing. This isn’t a “bring your swimsuit always” situation—it’s a “day tour includes it” situation.

Who this cruise is best for (and who should think twice)

This is ideal if you want:

• A 3-hour special occasion dinner format
• A high-end sushi experience without having to plan or navigate reservations
• A group that enjoys drinks included (since premium beverages and cocktails are part of the package)
• A smaller crowd experience with a maximum of 30 guests

It’s also a strong choice for first-timers to Dubai who want landmark views without doing a full day of hopping between stops.

Who might think twice?

• If you hate any kind of group energy or prefer fully quiet dining, the DJ + live music setup may not be your style.
• If you’re strictly trying to focus on one landmark (like Atlantis) for flawless framing, keep expectations flexible about what you’ll see most clearly at any given moment.

Tips that make the experience smoother from minute one

These are the small things that help you feel “relaxed rich” instead of “trying to solve problems.”

• Arrive early at the meeting point. The boarding gate can be tricky to locate if there’s waterfront construction. You don’t want your first experience to be a scramble.
• Use the mobile ticket as instructed and keep your phone charged. A cruise is not the place for battery anxiety.
• Plan your outfit for no shoes onboard. Even smart casual can trip you up if your shoes are “non-negotiable” footwear.
• If you’re celebrating something, mention it when you confirm your booking so the crew knows what kind of moment you’re aiming for.
• For the best photos, move with the yacht. Don’t try to grab every angle from one spot. The tri-deck design makes it easier to find a good view at different moments.

Weather and reschedules: how to stay confident when Dubai is unpredictable

This experience is subject to weather conditions and may be rescheduled in case of poor weather. Since this is a water-based activity, it’s smart to treat it like a plan you’ll feel good about, not like a guaranteed “always goes out.”

The upside: the experience is built to run smoothly even when the timing changes, because it’s a controlled onboard setup with food and drinks designed for the cruise duration.

If your schedule is tight, book with at least some buffer time around your travel plans. That’s the easiest way to protect your overall itinerary.

Should you book Sunseeker VIP Dining on Encore?

Yes, if you want a luxury Dubai night with a clear value story: Omakase sushi + free-flowing bubbly + top-shelf cocktails for around 3 hours, served on a real superyacht with live music and landmark views.

I’d also book it if you’re celebrating. The format is built for “special,” and the combination of chef-led sushi and onboard entertainment does that job faster than most restaurant + nightlife plans.

Skip it only if you want quiet, school-library dining—or if you need specific, guaranteed perfect sightlines to one resort at all times. With views from the water affected by angle, it’s better to think of this as a skyline-and-landmarks cruise where the whole package matters more than one single photo.

FAQ

How long is the Sunseeker Encore VIP dining cruise?

It’s about 3 hours.

What’s included in the ticket price?

You get an Omakase sushi menu, gourmet bites, free-flowing LP bubbly, unlimited premium beverages and cocktails, views of Dubai skyline and iconic landmarks, live music, a live DJ, electric shisha, and onboard items like towels and slippers.

Is swimming included?

Swimming is listed as included only for the day tour.

What should I wear?

The dress code is smart casual. Footwear is not allowed on board.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes, vegetarian options are available upon request.

How many people are on board?

The maximum is 30 guests.

Where do I meet for the cruise?

The meeting point is 34WV+V6 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

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