Every yacht charter includes a baseline of professional crew, fuel, soft drinks, and safety equipment. Everything beyond that — catering, decoration, water sports, entertainment, photography — is an optional enhancement that can be added individually or bundled as a package. Understanding what is available, what it costs, and how to combine elements effectively is the key to designing an exceptional charter experience.
Complete Yacht Add-Ons Overview — Dubai 2026
The table below lists every add-on available from our fleet, with category, starting price, minimum lead time, and suitability guidance:
| Add-On | Category | From (AED) | Lead Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catering — Canape & Light | Food & Drink | AED 80/head | 24 hrs | Cocktail events, sundowners |
| Catering — BBQ Package | Food & Drink | AED 120/head | 24 hrs | Casual groups, families |
| Catering — Buffet | Food & Drink | AED 150/head | 24 hrs | Birthday parties, corporate |
| Catering — Private Chef Dinner | Food & Drink | AED 250/head | 48 hrs | Romantic, corporate gala |
| Soft Drink & Juice Upgrade | Food & Drink | AED 30/head | 24 hrs | All charters |
| Alcohol Package | Food & Drink | AED 150/head | 48 hrs | Adults events, corporate |
| Birthday Cake | Celebration | AED 200+ | 24 hrs | Birthday parties |
| Custom Dessert Board | Celebration | AED 350+ | 24 hrs | Anniversaries, proposals |
| Balloon Decoration | Decoration | AED 500+ | 24 hrs | Birthdays, celebrations |
| Floral Arrangement | Decoration | AED 800+ | 48 hrs | Proposals, weddings, romance |
| Full Deck Decoration | Decoration | AED 1,500+ | 48 hrs | Weddings, galas, events |
| Corporate Branding | Decoration | POA | 72 hrs | Product launches, corporate |
| Jet Ski (30 min) | Water Sports | AED 300/unit | 24 hrs | Active groups, birthday |
| Flyboard (20 min) | Water Sports | AED 350/person | 48 hrs | Adventurous groups |
| Wakeboarding | Water Sports | AED 300/person | 72 hrs | Active groups |
| Banana Boat | Water Sports | AED 250/ride | 24 hrs | Families, fun groups |
| Donut Ride | Water Sports | AED 200/ride | 24 hrs | Families, beginners |
| Parasailing | Water Sports | AED 350/person | 48 hrs | View seekers, adventurous |
| Fly Fish Ride | Water Sports | AED 250/ride | 24 hrs | Active groups |
| Jet Car | Water Sports | AED 300/person | 24 hrs | Unique experience |
| DJ + Sound System Upgrade | Entertainment | AED 1,500+ | 48 hrs | Birthday, corporate, parties |
| Live Music (acoustic) | Entertainment | AED 2,500+ | 72 hrs | Proposals, weddings, romance |
| Photography (1–2 hrs) | Media | AED 1,200+ | 72 hrs | Proposals, birthdays, events |
| Photography + Video Package | Media | AED 2,000+ | 72 hrs | Weddings, corporate launches |
| Drone Footage | Media | AED 1,500+ | 72 hrs | Events, brand content |
| Shisha Setup | Experience | AED 400+ | 24 hrs | Relaxed groups |
| Fishing Equipment & Bait | Experience | AED 300+ | 24 hrs | Fishing trips |
| Fireworks Send-Off | Experience | AED 3,000+ | 7 days | Weddings, milestones |
All prices are starting rates and vary based on group size, specific requirements, and charter duration. Bundled packages combining multiple add-ons are available at a reduced combined rate compared to booking each element separately. Contact our team for a custom bundle quote.
Catering Add-Ons — Food and Beverage on the Water
Catering is the most universally impactful add-on across all charter types. Even a simple canape service changes the character of a charter from a boat trip to a genuine event — and a private chef dinner transforms it entirely.
Canape and Light Bites
The most accessible catering option, ideal for 2–3 hour charters where a full meal is not required but the group would benefit from something to accompany drinks. Typical service includes a rotating selection of hot and cold canapes delivered throughout the charter by a member of the catering team. This format works particularly well for cocktail-style corporate events and sunset social gatherings.
BBQ Package
One of the most popular catering formats for birthday parties and casual group charters. A dedicated BBQ setup on the vessel’s sundeck allows the catering team to prepare and serve grilled meats, seafood, salads, and bread throughout the charter. The informal, social nature of a BBQ suits the relaxed outdoor setting of a yacht sundeck perfectly — it encourages mingling, keeps guests on deck, and creates a festive atmosphere without the formality of a seated service.
Private Chef Dinner
The premium catering option and the format most associated with romantic charters, corporate client entertainment, and high-end celebrations. A private chef prepares a multi-course menu — typically three to five courses — tailored to the group’s preferences and dietary requirements. The service is presented at a properly styled table with linen, glassware, and serving staff. This format is available on vessels with an adequate galley kitchen — typically 56 ft and above.
For private chef dinners, we recommend the 70 ft Majesty or larger vessels, which feature dedicated galley kitchens and formal dining saloons that allow the chef to prepare and serve without impacting the guest experience on deck. The 95 ft Venus Yacht is our most requested vessel for corporate client dinners with this catering format.
Alcohol Package
Alcohol service on licensed Dubai charter vessels is available and must be coordinated through our licensed beverage partners — guests may not bring their own alcohol aboard. Our alcohol packages include a curated selection of wines, spirits, and beverages appropriate to the charter type and occasion. All alcohol is served responsibly and in full compliance with UAE maritime and licensing regulations. Packages must be confirmed a minimum of 48 hours before charter.
Water Sports Add-Ons — Activities from the Vessel
Water sports add-ons convert a leisure cruise into an action-packed adventure. All water sports are supervised by certified instructors, with all equipment provided.
Jet Ski
Our jet ski hire in Dubai is the most popular water sports add-on in our fleet. Sessions run 30 or 60 minutes, with instructors accompanying guests throughout. Jet skiing can be booked as a standalone session or incorporated mid-charter at a designated anchor point. Minimum age 12 as passenger, 16 for solo operation. Particularly popular as part of birthday party and team-building charters.
Flyboard
The flyboard experience in Dubai is the most visually dramatic add-on available. Certified instructor, all equipment, and a safety tender are included. Sessions run 20–30 minutes and require 48 hours’ advance booking. The minimum age is 14. This add-on is consistently the most photographed and discussed activity after any charter on which it features.
Wakeboarding
Our wakeboarding sessions in Dubai use a dedicated tow boat separate from the main charter vessel. Sessions are 30–45 minutes with beginner instruction included. This add-on requires 72 hours’ advance booking and works particularly well on half-day and full-day charters where the time allows proper alternation between wakeboarding and vessel leisure time.
Banana Boat and Donut Ride
Both the banana boat and donut ride are high-energy, low-difficulty activities that work for families and mixed groups of all experience levels. Multiple riders participate simultaneously — up to 6 on the banana boat. These are the most consistently popular add-ons for family charters and birthday parties with younger guests.
Parasailing and Fly Fish Ride
Our parasailing experience lifts riders 50–100 metres above the Gulf, providing aerial views of the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai coastline unavailable from any other vantage point. The fly fish ride is a towable inflatable that combines air time and water contact — popular with active groups and teenagers. Both are bookable as mid-charter additions with 48 hours’ notice.
Jet Car
The jet car in Dubai is a water-based vehicle styled as a sports car — one of the most distinctive and conversation-generating activities available from our fleet. Guests drive the vehicle across the water’s surface at speed, making it equally popular as a standalone experience and as a surprising mid-charter highlight.
Entertainment Add-Ons — Music, Performance and Atmosphere
DJ and Sound System Upgrade
Every vessel comes with a Bluetooth sound system as standard — connect your phone and play your own playlist. For a more elevated entertainment experience, our professional DJ hire package includes a DJ, premium external sound system, and music direction appropriate to the occasion and group profile. This add-on is particularly impactful on evening charters and birthday parties, where music drives the energy of the event. DJs must be booked a minimum of 48 hours in advance to guarantee availability.
Live Music
For occasions where live performance is the right choice — romantic proposals, anniversary dinners, intimate celebrations, and high-end corporate events — we coordinate acoustic musicians, violinists, and jazz ensembles. Live music on a Dubai yacht at sunset is a genuinely rare and memorable experience. Bookings require a minimum of 72 hours’ advance notice and availability varies by genre and ensemble size.
Top Yacht Activities in Dubai 2026 Water Sports, Fishing, Cruising & More | YachtsDubai.Yachts
Decoration Add-Ons — Styling the Vessel for Your Occasion
Balloon and Floral Arrangements
The most popular decoration add-ons for birthday parties, proposals, and anniversary charters. Balloon arrangements can range from a simple happy birthday arch to a fully styled colour-themed setup across the sundeck. Floral arrangements range from a single rose arrangement on a dining table to a full deck installation of long-stem roses, petal paths, and statement centrepieces. All decoration is installed by our styling team before guests board and is in position before the first guest steps onboard.
Full Deck Decoration
For weddings, galas, and milestone celebrations, a full deck decoration package transforms the vessel into a styled event space. This includes themed colour schemes applied through fabrics, florals, lighting, table settings, and signage — creating a visual environment consistent throughout the vessel. Full deck packages require a minimum of 48 hours’ lead time for design confirmation and installation.
Corporate Branding
For product launches, brand activations, and major corporate events, the vessel can be branded with client logos and visual identity elements — including vinyl wrapping of deck areas, branded banners and backdrops, and fully styled interiors aligned with corporate visual standards. Corporate branding requirements must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance for design, production, and installation, and ideally 2 weeks or more for complex wrapping projects.
Photography and Media Add-Ons — Documenting the Experience
Professional Photography
A professional photographer onboard for 1–2 hours captures the charter experience, including venue shots of the vessel, candid group moments, activity photography, and the Dubai skyline backdrop at golden hour. Full edited galleries are delivered digitally within 48–72 hours of the charter. Photography is the single most requested add-on for proposals, birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events — and consistently rated as one of the highest-value additions by clients who include it.
Photography and Video Package
Combines a dedicated photographer and videographer for the full charter or a defined portion of it. Includes full edited photo gallery plus a short-form video (typically 60–90 seconds) optimised for social media and personal archive. The video package is particularly popular for weddings, corporate activations, and milestone celebrations where the memory of the event is intended to be shared.
Drone Footage
Where permitted by UAE Civil Aviation Authority regulations, drone footage provides aerial video of the vessel at sea — a striking perspective that captures the scale and beauty of the charter in a way no deck-based camera can replicate. Drone footage is subject to operational approval and airspace conditions on the day, and must be booked at least 72 hours in advance to allow permit coordination.
Experience and Specialist Add-Ons
Shisha Setup
A shisha setup — equipment, coals, and a selection of flavours — is available on most vessels as a relaxed social enhancement. This add-on is particularly popular for afternoon and early evening cruises with Arabic and Middle Eastern guest groups, and is frequently requested alongside a sunset cruise and catering package. Bookable with 24 hours’ notice.
Fishing Equipment and Bait
For charters that include a fishing component — whether a dedicated fishing trip or a leisure charter with some fishing time built in — a full fishing equipment package provides professional-grade rods, reels, lines, lures, and fresh live bait appropriate for the target species and season. Our crew assists with setup, technique instruction, and bait management throughout the fishing session.
Fishing equipment is standard on our dedicated fishing trips in Dubai but can also be added to leisure charters for groups who want the option to fish during an anchor stop or during the outward leg of the cruise.
Fireworks Send-Off
A private fireworks display at sea — coordinated for the conclusion of the charter — is the most dramatic send-off available for milestone occasions. UAE maritime authority permits are required and must be applied for at least 7 working days before the charter date. This add-on is most commonly requested for New Year’s Eve charters, wedding receptions, and significant milestone birthday celebrations. Pricing starts from AED 3,000 and varies significantly based on display duration and complexity.
Best Add-On Combinations by Occasion
The most successful charters combine add-ons that complement each other and work together to build a cohesive experience. Here are our most recommended combinations by occasion:
| Occasion | Recommended Add-On Combination |
|---|---|
| Romantic Date / Proposal | Floral arrangement + champagne + private chef dinner + hidden photographer + timed sunset positioning |
| Birthday Party (casual) | BBQ catering + balloon decoration + DJ + jet ski or banana boat session |
| Birthday Party (formal) | Private chef dinner + full deck decoration + birthday cake + photographer + DJ |
| Corporate Client Entertainment | Canape catering + alcohol package + DJ + photographer — clean, professional, memorable |
| Wedding / Engagement Reception | Private chef dinner + full floral decoration + photographer and videographer + live music |
| Family Day Charter | BBQ catering + banana boat + donut ride + light decoration |
| Team-Building Day | BBQ catering + jet ski + flyboard + wakeboarding — structured activity day |
| VIP / Prestige Event | Private chef dinner + corporate branding + photographer + drone footage + live music |
| Fishing + Leisure Charter | Fishing equipment + BBQ catering (for the catch) + jet ski session in the afternoon |
How to Add On to Your Charter — Booking and Lead Times
Adding on to a yacht charter is straightforward when you understand the lead time requirements for each category. Here is a practical summary:
| Add-On Category | Minimum Lead Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soft drinks / juice upgrade | Same day | Confirm at booking — no additional coordination required |
| Shisha setup | 24 hours | Flavour selection confirmed at booking |
| Fishing equipment | 24 hours | Species and bait requirements briefed at booking |
| Catering — canape / BBQ | 24 hours | Dietary requirements and headcount required |
| Balloon decoration | 24 hours | Colour scheme and occasion type confirmed at booking |
| Birthday cake / dessert board | 24 hours | Design, message, and dietary requirements at booking |
| Alcohol package | 48 hours | Selection confirmed; UAE licensing compliance applies |
| Private chef dinner | 48 hours | Menu, dietary needs, headcount, table setup confirmed |
| Jet ski / banana boat / donut | 24 hours | Session duration and timing within charter agreed |
| Flyboard / parasailing | 48 hours | Instructor and safety tender coordination required |
| Wakeboarding | 72 hours | Dedicated tow boat sourcing and scheduling |
| Floral arrangement | 48 hours | Design brief required; large installations 72 hrs |
| Full deck decoration | 48 hours | Design concept, colour scheme, and theme confirmed |
| DJ hire | 48 hours | Music brief, equipment requirements, timing agreed |
| Photography | 72 hours | Brief, style preferences, critical moments identified |
| Photography + video | 72 hours | Full brief including platform optimisation for video |
| Live music | 72 hours | Genre, ensemble size, and set duration confirmed |
| Drone footage | 72 hours | Subject to UAE CAA approval and airspace conditions |
| Corporate branding | 72 hrs min | Full design and installation: 2 weeks recommended |
| Fireworks | 7 working days | UAE maritime permit application required |
For charters combining multiple add-ons, confirm the complete list at the time of booking rather than adding elements piecemeal. This allows the events team to coordinate all logistics simultaneously and ensures nothing is left unresolved on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions — Yacht Add-Ons Dubai
1. Which add-ons give the best value on a Dubai yacht charter?
In terms of impact-to-cost ratio, professional photography consistently ranks as the highest-value add-on reported by clients. The experience of having an edited gallery of high-quality images from the charter provides lasting value that outlasts the day itself — particularly for proposals, weddings, and milestone celebrations. In terms of atmosphere, catering upgrades and DJ hire produce the most noticeable in-charter experience improvement for social events.
2. Can I add water sports activities on the day of the charter?
Some water sports — jet ski, banana boat, and donut rides — can sometimes be accommodated with shorter notice if the supporting equipment is available at our marina. However, we strongly recommend confirming water sports add-ons at least 24 hours before your charter to guarantee availability of the equipment, instructor, and coordination logistics. Flyboarding, wakeboarding, and parasailing require a minimum of 48–72 hours’ advance notice and cannot be guaranteed with shorter lead times.
3. Are add-ons charged per person or per session?
This varies by add-on category. Water sports activities are generally priced per person per session or per ride. Catering is priced per head. Decoration, DJ hire, photography, and entertainment are priced per package for the charter, regardless of guest count. We provide a fully itemised quote for every add-on before any commitment is made — there are no ambiguous all-in prices that obscure the per-element cost.
4. Can I bring my own decoration or catering?
Yes — guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic food, soft drinks, and basic decoration items such as banners and party accessories. For more elaborate decoration, coordination through our styling team is recommended to ensure items are safely installed and secured for a marine environment. For catering, we recommend our licensed partners for food safety compliance in a vessel kitchen environment. External alcohol is not permitted — all alcohol must be supplied and served through our licensed channel.
5. How are add-on costs included in the charter invoice?
All agreed add-ons are itemised separately in your charter quote and confirmation document. You see exactly what each element costs before committing to it. The quote reflects the base charter rate, each add-on with its individual cost, and a total. There are no hidden bundling fees or opaque package prices. Any changes to the add-on list after booking confirmation are managed through your dedicated event coordinator and reflected in an updated quote before any additional charge is applied.
