Food and Catering on a Dubai Yacht Charter

On a private charter, food is usually not part of the hourly price. That price normally covers the boat, its crew and fuel; whether water, soft drinks and ice come too varies by operator, so ask rather than assume. For what an hourly rate usually covers, see how to rent a yacht.

That leaves two common ways to eat on board: the operator adds a catering package, or you bring your own food and soft drinks. A shared dhow or cruise ticket is different, because a set buffet is normally part of the ticket.

• Private yacht charter
• How to Rent a Yacht in Dubai
• Dhow Cruise in Dubai

The simplest way to get a proper meal on board is to let the operator arrange it. Packages usually come as canapes, a BBQ or a buffet and are normally added to the charter price rather than being part of it. Which are offered varies by boat and by operator.

A package can save you the shopping, the carrying and sometimes the clearing up, which matters most for a celebration or a larger group; our yacht party in Dubai guide covers the rest of that planning. The trade-off is that it usually costs extra and you work within the operator's menu.

Before you accept a package, ask:

• What is in it: the dishes, and whether plates, cutlery and serving are included.
• Whether the price is per person or one price for the group, and what happens if your numbers change.
• Whether drinks, water and ice are part of it or charged separately.
• When the food is served, and whether that time comes out of your chartered hours.

• Yacht Party in Dubai

Usually, yes. Most operators let you bring your own food and soft drinks on a private charter, which suits many groups: you pick what everyone likes and are not tied to a menu. Confirm it is allowed before the day, not at the berth, and ask about any limits on what you may bring. For the rest of the packing list, from ID for every guest to sun protection, see what to bring on a yacht.

Then settle the practical details, which decide whether the food is a pleasure or a chore. Ask about:

• A cool box: whether the boat has one or has room for yours.
• Ice: whether any is provided. It melts quickly in the heat, and a cool box is only as good as its ice.
• Plates, cups and cutlery: whether the boat supplies them or you should bring your own.
• Rubbish and clearing up: who does it, where it goes and whether there is any charge.

• What to Bring on a Yacht Charter in Dubai

Boat catering in the UAE is halal. Vegetarian food is usually easy to arrange. Vegan, gluten-free and allergy-safe meals are less predictable: they vary by operator and by caterer, so tell the operator in advance, when you book rather than on the day, and say exactly who needs what.

For a serious allergy, treat the answer as a safety question, not a menu detail. Ask what the caterer can and cannot guarantee, and if the answer is vague, plan to bring food you know is safe for that guest, if the operator allows it. Once the boat has left the berth, there is no easy way to get something different.

Only on a licensed boat, and only for guests aged 21 and over. Alcohol is never part of an unlicensed setup, so if the boat is not licensed, plan the day without it.

On a licensed boat, alcohol is usually either an extra the operator supplies or something you bring by arrangement. Which applies varies by operator, so agree it in advance. Confirm these points before you book:

• That the boat is licensed for alcohol.
• Whether the operator supplies the drinks or you may bring your own, and whether it adds to the price.
• That every guest who will drink is aged 21 or over.

A casual yes is not enough: get the licence position and the drinks arrangement in writing. If drinks are planned, remember that swimming is only at permitted stops, with the crew's approval.

It depends on how much you want to organise. If food is part of the occasion, a catering package can take the work off your hands. For a short trip with a few friends, snacks, soft drinks and a cool box are often enough, and a shared dhow or cruise ticket leaves little to organise.

When you compare boats and request quotes on our yacht rental in Dubai page, say in your first message what you plan to do about food, so the quotes are easier to compare. Then work through this list:

1. 1Ask what food and drink the booking includes, and what you may bring.
2. 2Tell the operator about dietary needs and allergies.
3. 3If you want alcohol, confirm the boat is licensed and that every drinker is aged 21 or over.
4. 4Agree the practical details: a cool box, ice, plates, and who clears up.
5. 5Get the answers in writing, with the booking confirmation.

Keep it simple unless the meal is the point of the trip: the more you cater, the more there is to confirm, serve and clear away.

• Yacht rental in Dubai