Upper Deck vs Lower Deck: Which Seating Should You Choose?

On every one of our seven Marina cruises, the lower deck is the same: fully enclosed and air-conditioned, a comfortable indoor option regardless of which boat you book. The upper deck is where it actually gets interesting — and where most guides get it wrong by treating "upper deck" as one universal answer. It isn't. The Catamaran's upper deck has a closed roof with open sides, while the Dhow's upper deck has no roof at all.

Lower Deck: The Same Comfort on Every Boat

Whether you're on a Catamaran or a Dhow, the lower deck experience doesn't change — fully enclosed, air-conditioned, and shielded from wind, heat, and the occasional evening drizzle. It's the deck we'd recommend for families with young children, guests who run hot in Dubai's climate, or anyone who'd rather focus on the buffet and entertainment without managing the breeze.

Upper Deck on a Catamaran: Covered Roof, Open Sides

On our Catamaran cruises, the upper deck has a closed roof overhead with open sides — you get the sea breeze and unobstructed views out to the skyline, but you're shaded from direct sun or light rain. It's a middle ground: more exposed than the lower deck, but more sheltered than a fully open-air setup.

Upper Deck on a Dhow: Fully Open to the Sky

The Dhow's upper deck has no roof at all — completely open air, with unobstructed 360-degree views of the Marina skyline above and around you. This is the deck for the classic "night sky and city lights" photo, and it's noticeably breezier than the Catamaran's covered upper deck, since there's nothing overhead to block the wind.

Which One Should You Choose?

Once you know which boat you're booking, the deck choice usually comes down to one of these:

• Want the coolest, most sheltered option regardless of boat → Lower Deck, on either Catamaran or Dhow
• Want breeze and views but some shelter from sun or rain → Catamaran Upper Deck
• Want the full open-sky experience with nothing overhead → Dhow Upper Deck
• Traveling with young kids or older guests sensitive to heat → Lower Deck
• Photography is the priority for the evening → Dhow Upper Deck, for unobstructed skyline shots

Not sure which boat to book in the first place? Our Catamaran vs Dhow vs Private Cruise guide compares the vessels themselves side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the upper deck the same on every cruise?
No. The Catamaran's upper deck has a closed roof with open sides, while the Dhow's upper deck has no roof at all and is fully open to the sky. The lower deck, however, is identically enclosed and air-conditioned on both boat types.

Can I move between decks during the cruise?
Yes, guests are generally free to move between the upper and lower decks throughout the cruise rather than being fixed to one seating area.

Which deck is better for photos?
The Dhow's fully open upper deck gives the most unobstructed skyline views since there's no roof overhead. The Catamaran's covered upper deck still offers open-sided views, just with a roof in the frame if you're shooting straight up.

Is the lower deck worth choosing over the upper deck?
If comfort matters more than the breeze — especially with kids, older guests, or on a hot evening — the lower deck's air conditioning is the more practical choice on either boat type.

Ready to pick your cruise and deck? Browse all Dubai Marina cruises or message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you choose based on what matters most for your evening.