Black Pearl Pirate Ship Cruise with Unlimited Pizza in Dubai

The Pirate Ship Cruise with Unlimited Pizza is a one-hour family cruise in Dubai aboard the Black Pearl, a pirate-themed boat that sails from Dubai Creek Harbour. It promises freshly baked pizza from an onboard chef for as long as you are hungry, soft drinks and water, live music, and a captain who plays Captain Jack Sparrow, along with binoculars for spotting flamingos from the deck.

One important note before you plan around it: at the time of writing, the Platinumlist page shows the cruise as coming soon, with an option to register for updates, and at least one other booking platform lists it as currently unavailable. Check that sailings are running before you set a date.

The Black Pearl

The Black Pearl is billed as the UAE’s only pirate-themed boat. It is a dhow dressed up as a pirate ship, with themed decor and a costumed crew, and its name is a nod to Captain Jack Sparrow’s ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. The boat has an air-conditioned lower deck, which is useful on warmer days, as well as life jackets and restroom facilities on board.

The boat has been associated with the operator Tour Dubai, which has run it as a family sightseeing cruise. This version of the trip adds the unlimited pizza, which turns a short sightseeing trip into a meal.

What is included

• A one-hour cruise
• Unlimited freshly baked pizza, made by a chef on board
• Soft drinks or water
• Flamingo watching, with binoculars provided
• Live music on board
• Use of the air-conditioned lower deck, life jackets and restrooms

Not included are pick-up and drop-off, private transport, personal expenses and anything not on the list above. Some resellers offer optional hotel pick-up, but it is not part of this booking.

The route: Dubai Creek and the flamingos

The cruise leaves from Dubai Creek Harbour in Ras Al Khor, a large waterfront district at the inland end of Dubai Creek. The creek is the natural saltwater inlet around which Dubai first grew as a trading port, and it still divides the old districts of Deira and Bur Dubai further downstream. Listings describe the trip as a cruise along the historic creek, with views of the Dubai skyline.

The flamingos are the surprise. Dubai Creek Harbour sits beside the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected wetland at the head of the creek that is known for its flocks of greater flamingos. They are most numerous in the cooler months, which lines up with the cruise’s listed run from late October to the end of December, and the binoculars on board make it easier to pick them out across the water.

The sanctuary was listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2007, and its flamingos are often seen with the city’s towers rising behind them. If the cruise sparks an interest, the sanctuary has public bird hides on its edge where you can watch the birds from land on another day.

Who it suits

The cruise is described as suitable for all ages, and it is clearly built with families in mind:

• Children: a pirate ship, a captain in character and unlimited pizza is a hard combination to beat for younger guests.
• Parents: one hour is short enough for small attention spans, and the air-conditioned deck and restrooms take the stress out of the trip.
• Birthday groups: the theme and the food make it an easy party outing.
• Visitors: a playful alternative to a traditional dhow cruise, with a side of wildlife.

The listing does not set out age bands or child rules, so check how children are ticketed when sales open.

When it runs

The listing gives a run from 28 October to 30 December, with the boat operating between 10am and 5pm, and each cruise lasting one hour. Specific departure times and days are not published, so confirm your sailing time when you book. A daytime cruise suits families with younger children, and gives the best light for spotting flamingos.

Make an afternoon of it

Dubai Creek Harbour is a newer waterfront district developed by Emaar, with a marina and a long promenade facing the creek and the Downtown skyline. Arriving a little early for your sailing leaves time for a walk along the water, and the area’s cafés make it easy to stretch the outing beyond the hour on board.

Getting there

• By car: the suggested route to Dubai Creek Harbour runs via 47th Street, Nad Al Hamar Road, Vista Boulevard and Al Badia Boulevard. Use the map pin on the booking page for the exact boarding point.
• By taxi or ride-hailing: the listing recommends taxis or apps, as no Metro or bus options are given.

For more family days out, see our kids’ events in Dubai, the city’s top attractions, things to do this weekend and the full list of things to do in Dubai.