Start with the one thing you cannot forget
Every guest needs a valid Emirates ID or an original passport — copies are not accepted. That applies to every adult and child on the guest list. A photo of a passport on a phone is a copy. It belongs in the invitation, not in a reminder on the day.
What is already on board
Every charter includes water, soft drinks, tea & coffee, ice, crew and fuel. Life jackets are provided on board, and children under 12 must wear one. There is no shop on board, so anything beyond that list either comes with you or is added as an extra when you plan.
Food is one of those extras. Menus and platters are pre-ordered while you plan, not decided on the day, and the cooked menus depend on the yacht having a suitable setup, which we confirm with the operator. What you may bring yourself — food, drinks, outside catering — and the fees that apply are set out in the FAQ, so check it before you shop.
Clothes: light, layered and shoe-free
No shoes on board. Shoes come off before you step onto the yacht, so footwear that slips off easily saves a queue at the passerelle. Heels, in particular, stay on the pier.
For the day itself, light clothing in breathable fabric works best. As general guidance, the deck and the water reflect sunlight, so a hat and a shirt you can put on over swimwear matter more than they would on a beach. For an evening charter in winter, bring a light layer: as general guidance, the breeze on open water can make an evening feel cooler than it did on land.
For swimming
If the route includes a swim stop — on three-hour and longer charters, weather and the captain permitting — bring swimwear and a towel, and wear swimwear under your clothes to save changing on board. A dry bag or a simple zip pouch keeps phones and keys safe on deck. Reef-safe sun cream is kinder to the water you are swimming in.
Water activities such as the jet ski, Seabob, banana boat or yacht slide are booked as extras in advance and are daylight only. If someone in your group plans to ride, tell us in the request; the operator confirms the conditions that apply on the day.
Sun, heat and comfort
High-factor sun cream, sunglasses and a hat are the three things the sun on open water makes necessary. Reapply after swimming. Drinking water is included, so there is no need to carry bottles, but anyone who needs electrolytes or particular snacks should bring their own.
Anyone prone to seasickness should take whatever they normally take before boarding rather than after, and tell us in the request: the captain keeps to sheltered water where possible.
For celebrations
Decoration you want to bring — banners, photo props, flowers — goes in the special-requests field when you plan. The operator confirms what is allowed on that yacht, and the captain has the final word on the day. If you would rather not carry anything, balloon setups, light-up letters, a celebration cake and a "Will You Marry Me?" neon sign can be added as extras, set up before you board.
For a birthday cake you bring yourself, say so in the request so the crew has somewhere cold to keep it.
Music, phones and photos
The sound system on board is yours for the charter. Download your playlist before you leave, so the music does not depend on mobile data once you are offshore, and bring the cable or adapter your phone needs if you are not sure what the yacht uses. A power bank keeps phones alive through a long afternoon of photos.
If you would rather be in the photographs than take them, a photographer can be added while you plan, from AED 800 per hour, or a videographer from AED 1,050 per hour.
Packing for children
Life jackets are on board, so there is nothing to bring for that. What helps is everything you would take for a half-day out anyway: snacks they will actually eat, any medication or formula, a change of clothes, a hat that stays on in a breeze, and a small towel. Tell us the children's ages in the request so the crew can prepare. Our guide to yacht trips with children goes further.
What stays at home
Pets are not allowed on board. Neither is anything you would need to leave behind: personal belongings cannot be left on the yacht after the charter, so pack what you can carry off again in one trip. Large bags and coolers take deck space your guests would rather sit in; if something bulky is essential, mention it in the request.
Getting there on time
Departures are from the Dubai Marina / Dubai Harbour area — the exact meeting point is confirmed with your booking, and parking details are sent with your confirmation. Boarding opens 10 minutes before departure — please arrive 20 minutes early for parking and check-in. The yacht leaves at the time it is booked for, so build in time for guests arriving separately.
A short checklist
Emirates ID or original passport for every guest · swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim · sun cream, sunglasses, a hat · a light layer for winter evenings · slip-off footwear · a dry bag for phones · any medication you need · the confirmation with the meeting point and parking details. Everything else — water, soft drinks, tea & coffee, ice, crew and fuel — is already on board.