About Amazon Tours
Amazon Tours UAE is not a theatre, arena, or single fixed attraction. It is a Dubai destination-management and travel company, incorporated in 2003, with a retail booking office at Dubai Festival City Mall and waterfront experiences departing nearby. Its visitor-facing identity centres on traditional abra rides, the Al Faris floating restaurant, luxury dhow cruises, private charters, excursions, transfers, hotels, visas, and event logistics. This distinction matters: searches for venue capacity or seating often mix three different places: the mall office, the Amazon Boat Rides berth, and Al Faris. No public source gives an opening date, floor area, or capacity for the retail office, because it functions as a service counter.
The documented history begins with Amazon Travel and Tourism LLC’s incorporation in 2003. Older directory records place an earlier office in Bur Dubai, while conference material confirms the company’s Al Faris dhow was hosting Dubai Creek dinners by 2016. Public sources do not identify the exact launch date of the dhow, the abra operation, or the move to Festival City, so a precise renovation timeline would be speculation. Today, the company presents Al Faris Luxury Cruises and an events division alongside its travel business. The model blends Arabian maritime forms with contemporary tourism: open wooden abras for sightseeing, and a glass-enclosed dhow combining dining, skyline views, hospitality, and private functions.
Events and Programming
Amazon Tours does not publish a conventional concert calendar. Its regular programming is experiential and usually daily: one-hour abra sightseeing, sunset cruises, Emirati high tea, evening canal dinner cruises, yacht and fishing charters, water sports, desert trips, and packages combining the cruise with La Perle. Published prices currently show roughly AED 75 for a standard abra tour, AED 120 for sunset, AED 360 for high tea or the dinner cruise, AED 660 for the cruise-and-show combination, and substantially more for private experiences. Prices, inclusions, departure times, route permissions, and seasonal availability change, so treat those figures as planning guides rather than a guaranteed box-office tariff when budgeting for your visit.
Publicly documented activity from 2020 through 2025 is incomplete, and no comprehensive performance archive exists. Visitor evidence shows operations during 2021 with stated COVID precautions; 2022 included routine cruises, bespoke event logistics, and an October 1 presidential reception for an international conference aboard Al Faris. In 2023, reviews continued to describe sightseeing, buffet dining, and live entertainment. A 2024 orthopaedic congress used the vessel for its presidential dinner, while late-2024 guests reported Arabic coffee, dates, a live pasta station, and saxophone music. Throughout 2025, reviewers repeatedly mentioned daily dinner cruises, sunset abras, family outings, skyline photography, saxophone performances, and cruise packages linked with La Perle, not touring artists or bands.
Tickets and Booking
Bookings are generally made in advance through Amazon Tours’ reservation channels or authorised activity distributors, with mobile confirmation common for cruise products. The mall office can help with broader itineraries, but it should not be treated like a staffed theatre box office with posted on-sale dates, presales, or door inventory. Standard sightseeing departures may remain available close to travel, whereas sunset slots, weekend dinner cruises, New Year’s Eve sailings, private charters, and large-group tables deserve earlier booking. For any product, verify the exact vessel, route, deck, meal package, transfer arrangement, language, child category, and cancellation deadline carefully before paying anything.
Cancellation rules are product-specific. The company’s general terms say tours and excursions follow the conditions attached to the chosen activity; no-shows incur full charges, and when no separate policy is displayed, the default is one hundred percent cancellation charges. Some sightseeing products advertise full refunds when cancelled 24 or 48 hours ahead, but that flexibility cannot be assumed across every booking. Refund requests may be considered individually, while weather, operational restrictions, Coast Guard approvals, or supplier changes can affect sailing. Keep written confirmation, arrive within the stated reporting window, and immediately resolve any mismatch between promised route and actual itinerary.
Seating and Layout
There is no single seating chart for Amazon Tours. The sightseeing abra is open-air, with low, cushioned Arabian-style seating arranged for shared views rather than numbered rows. One sunset product lists a maximum of 40 travellers, while the heritage experience can be limited to ten and a high-tea configuration has been marketed for up to ten adults plus ten children; capacity therefore depends on the assigned boat and product. Choose the outside edge for unobstructed photographs, but expect engine noise, breeze, sun, and occasional spray. Sitting near the speaker helps when recorded narration competes with engine noise during the journey.
Al Faris is the closest thing in the operation to a conventional venue. Planning data reports about 1,600 square feet of meeting space and an overall capacity of roughly 130 guests. The glass-enclosed deck is listed at 600 square feet, with layouts ranging from 50 banquet seats to 60 theatre seats and higher standing capacities; the alfresco area is listed at 800 square feet, commonly configured for about 60 banquet guests or 70 theatre guests. Daily cruises normally use reserved dining tables rather than conference layouts. Upper-front seats give clearest photographs; the enclosed deck suits heat and wind more comfortably.
Getting There and Parking
The retail office is listed as unit MSS01 on the upper-basement level of Dubai Festival City Mall. Location descriptions vary between Robinsons or North Parking P1 and the mall’s own directory entry for P2 parking, so follow the instructions printed on your confirmation rather than relying only on a map pin. Boat passengers usually meet beside the waterfront marine station and the IMAGINE show, behind or next to the InterContinental hotel. Taxi and rideshare instructions commonly use the InterContinental or the mall’s Hard Rock entrance as the drop-off landmark; from there, walk through or around the building toward Festival Bay, then continue to the far-right waterfront berth for booking checks.
By public transport, take the Green Line to Creek Metro Station, walk about a minute to Al Jaddaf Marine Transport Station, and use the air-conditioned abra to Dubai Festival City. The crossing takes about six minutes and costs AED 2 each way; published frequencies vary by time and day, generally every 10 to 30 minutes. Weekend marine service can also connect Festival City with Dubai Creek Harbour. Drivers should aim for North or Robinsons parking near the waterfront, allowing extra time on busy evenings. Standard self-parking charges are not clearly published in reliable current material; paid valet is available. After cruises, taxis are safer than relying on final marine connections.
Inside the Venue
Entry is closer to tour check-in than venue security. Staff verify reservations, direct guests to the assigned craft, and may request identification or waivers for certain activities. Reporting guidance varies: abra products often request arrival 30 minutes early, while dinner-cruise instructions may ask for 30 to 45 minutes and close boarding shortly before departure. No comprehensive bag-size, coat-check, merchandise, professional-camera, or outside-food policy is publicly posted. Bring a compact bag, photo identification, sun protection for daytime rides, and a light layer for winter evenings. Avoid bulky luggage, and ask before bringing tripods, decorations, outside catering, mobility devices, or photographic equipment.
On the open abra, expect simple cushioned seating, bottled water or refreshments on selected products, recorded commentary, Arabic music, engine sound, and uninterrupted exposure to weather. Al Faris offers a more complete hospitality setup: Arabic coffee and dates before boarding, welcome drinks, table-served starters on some sailings, an international buffet, live cooking, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and live saxophone entertainment reported frequently. The enclosed lower deck is air-conditioned; the upper deck is open to the skyline. Exact restroom location, Wi-Fi, charging points, hearing assistance, kitchen specifications, and beverage licensing are not disclosed, so guests needing any facility should confirm before departure.
Nearby Amenities
Dubai Festival City makes pre-cruise planning unusually easy. The mall has waterfront restaurants, cafés, a large food hall, and hotel dining, while Festival Bay provides views of the IMAGINE water, light, laser, and projection show. Current mall hours generally run until midnight Monday through Thursday and 1:00 am Friday through Sunday, although individual kitchens differ. For convenience, eat at the mall only if your ticket excludes dinner; otherwise, save appetite for the onboard buffet. Arrive 45 minutes early on weekends for parking, walking, photographs, and check-in without rushing the departure.
The nearest hotels are especially practical for evening sailings: InterContinental Dubai Festival City connects directly to the mall, Crowne Plaza overlooks the Creek, and Holiday Inn serves shorter stays and airport stopovers. The district is roughly a ten-minute drive from Dubai International Airport in light traffic, but rush-hour conditions can lengthen that considerably. After a 9:30 pm dinner-cruise return, mall restaurants and waterfront venues may still be operating, particularly on weekends. Guests continuing elsewhere should prearrange a taxi or rideshare pickup near a clearly named hotel entrance for easier navigation.
What Makes This Venue Special
What makes Amazon Tours distinctive is the contrast between vessel and city. The abra’s wooden form, low seating, Arabic coffee, Emirati snacks, pearling stories, and waterside route reference Gulf trading and seafaring traditions; the skyline, glass towers, canal waterfall, projection show, and contemporary dhow represent modern Dubai. Al Faris intensifies that duality by wrapping a traditional boat silhouette around a glass-enclosed dining room and open upper deck. The company’s stated mission emphasises preserving culture and embracing diversity, and its products translate that idea into accessible tourism narratives. The result is a viewpoint where heritage, hospitality, and spectacle share one itinerary.
Its cultural and economic impact is best described carefully. Amazon Tours publishes no audited visitor totals, payroll data, local-spending figures, carbon report, or independent community-impact study. Nevertheless, its operations demonstrably purchase or coordinate transport, catering, marine crews, guides, entertainment, attraction tickets, hotels, and event services, creating business for Dubai’s wider visitor economy. Conference dinners in 2022 and 2024 show that Al Faris also functions as a networking and hospitality platform, not merely a sightseeing boat. Cultural value comes from keeping the abra, dhow, Emirati high tea, and pearl-diving narrative visible within a futuristic district, while sustainability claims remain independently unverified.
Visitor Tips and Information
Practical preparation matters more than venue etiquette. Wear smart-casual, modest clothing and flat, secure footwear; avoid swimwear on dining sailings. Bring identification, confirmation, sun protection, and motion-sickness medication if needed. Photography is expected, but no detailed policy covers tripods, drones, commercial shoots, or bulky equipment. The mall provides wheelchairs at several lobbies, yet many Amazon abra products are explicitly not wheelchair accessible. Some directories call Al Faris wheelchair accessible, but step-free boarding, deck access, and adapted toilets remain undocumented. ADA is American law; Dubai’s inclusive-design rules apply locally. Guests with specific needs should confirm accommodations before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Tours a theatre or conventional event venue?
No. Amazon Tours is primarily a destination-management company and tour operator. The office is a booking and service counter, while visitor experiences leave from the nearby waterfront. Al Faris is a floating restaurant and private-event vessel, not a theatre. Therefore, conventional information such as a single stage, auditorium capacity, fixed seating chart, backstage area, or concert calendar is inapplicable businesswide.
Where exactly is the Amazon Tours meeting point?
For office enquiries, look for retail unit MSS01 on the upper-basement level near the mall’s parking area. For boat rides, continue to the Festival Bay waterfront beside the marine station and IMAGINE show, behind the InterContinental. Because listings conflict between P1 and P2 parking labels, use the landmark and your confirmation instructions rather than trusting parking code or map pin.
What is the capacity of the Amazon Tours abra?
Capacity varies by product and assigned craft. A widely sold sunset abra lists a maximum of 40 travellers, while the pearl-heritage tour may be capped at ten guests. An Emirati high-tea setup has been marketed for ten adults plus ten children. Do not assume these numbers apply to every departure; confirm the exact boat, legal capacity, and arrangement for date.
How many guests can Al Faris Floating Restaurant hold?
Published venue-planning information places Al Faris at approximately 130 guests overall, with about 1,600 square feet of meeting space. The glass-enclosed deck is listed at 600 square feet and the alfresco area at 800. Actual cruise capacity depends on maritime approvals, furniture, catering, entertainment, weather, and whether the booking uses banquet, theatre, reception, or reserved dining-table arrangements for that event.
Which deck gives the best views on Al Faris?
The front of the upper alfresco deck usually provides the cleanest skyline photographs, open air, and strongest sense of movement. It can also be windier, warmer, and noisier. The glass-enclosed lower deck is air-conditioned and better for summer, young children, or guests wanting shelter. Deck requests may cost extra or remain subject to availability, so obtain written confirmation before sailing.
Are Amazon Tours boat rides generally wheelchair accessible?
Many open-abra products are explicitly listed as not wheelchair accessible and unsuitable for travellers with limited mobility. The mall itself offers wheelchair stations, and some directories label Al Faris accessible, but reliable details about gangway gradients, boarding steps, lifts, deck changes, and accessible toilets are missing. Contact the operator before payment and describe the chair, transfer ability, and required facilities.
Does Amazon Tours comply with the American ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act is United States legislation, so it is not the governing compliance label for a Dubai business. Accessibility in Dubai is addressed through UAE and Dubai law, including inclusive-design standards and rights for People of Determination. Visitors should ask practical questions rather than relying on “ADA compliant”: step-free route, boarding assistance, doorway width, toilet, and evacuation.
How early should I arrive before scheduled departure?
For short abra trips, arrive about 30 minutes before departure. Dinner-cruise instructions commonly request 30 to 45 minutes, especially when tables, transfers, welcome service, or large groups are involved. Some products stop boarding 15 minutes before sailing. Dubai traffic and the mall’s size cause avoidable misses, so build in extra time for parking, walking to Festival Bay, locating the berth.
What should I wear on an Amazon Tours cruise?
Smart casual is the safest choice. Wear modest, comfortable clothing and flat shoes with secure soles. Daytime abra passengers need sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat; evening upper-deck guests may appreciate a light layer during cooler months. Avoid swimwear on dinner cruises and anything likely to blow away. Religious holidays or premium packages may bring additional expectations, so check confirmation details.
Are children generally allowed on Amazon Tours experiences?
Children are generally welcome on sightseeing and dinner cruises, and some products provide separate child pricing. Infants may need to sit on an adult’s lap on open boats. Age rules differ for linked attractions; for example, loud theatre environments may be unsuitable for very young infants. Families should confirm life-jackets, stroller storage, menus, deck safety, and child-age bands before booking.
Can I bring food or drinks aboard?
Selected abra products include bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, coffee, or high-tea food; Al Faris dinner cruises include a broader meal and beverage package according to ticket type. No universal outside-food policy is published. To avoid security, allergy, licensing, or catering problems, ask before carrying meals, alcohol, birthday cakes, or glass containers. Declare serious allergies early, because buffets risk cross-contact.
Are photographs and videos permitted during cruises?
Personal photography is a central part of the sightseeing experience, and crew members are often praised for helping guests take skyline pictures. However, no detailed public policy addresses tripods, professional video, lighting stands, drones, or commercial shoots. Keep equipment compact and secured against wind or movement. Obtain permission for organised filming, respect other passengers’ privacy, and remember drones require approval.
What happens if bad weather cancels my boat trip?
Open-water activities depend on suitable weather, operational permissions, and maritime authority decisions. If the operator cancels, many product descriptions promise rescheduling or a full refund, but the exact remedy follows your booking conditions. Do not assume a guest-requested cancellation receives equal treatment. Monitor messages on the day, keep your contact details current, and allow schedule flexibility during fog or wind.
Can Amazon Tours arrange private events or charters?
Yes. Private charters are part of the published offer, and the company also handles meetings, incentives, conferences, weddings, social functions, transfers, and event logistics. Al Faris can be arranged in banquet, theatre, reception, or dining formats within maritime limits. Ask for specifications covering guest count, deck layout, catering, entertainment, sound, lighting, décor, permits, alcohol, accessibility, weather, and all cancellation contingencies.
Is parking available at Dubai Festival City Mall?
Yes, the mall has extensive structured parking, and boat instructions usually direct drivers toward North or Robinsons parking near Festival Bay. Listings disagree on whether the office is best labelled P1 or P2. Paid valet is available, but a reliable current self-parking tariff is not clearly published. Follow on-site signs, photograph your bay, and allow walking time on weekend evenings.
What public transport route is easiest from the metro station?
Use the Green Line to Creek Metro Station, walk to Al Jaddaf Marine Transport Station, then take the air-conditioned abra across to Dubai Festival City. The crossing is about six minutes and costs AED 2 each way, with frequency varying through the day. From the Festival City station, follow the waterfront toward IMAGINE and the Amazon berth. Check return times.
What entertainment is normally offered during dinner cruises?
Regular dinner cruises commonly feature a live saxophonist, background music, buffet service, and skyline commentary or sightseeing. Entertainment can change, and certain performances may pause during Ramadan or religious observances. The nearby IMAGINE show is external waterfront entertainment, not Amazon’s onboard production. No published technical rider identifies speaker brands, wattage, lighting consoles, stage dimensions, rigging, or backline, requiring organiser enquiries.
Are refunds available if I miss the departure?
Usually not. The company’s general terms state that no-shows attract 100 percent charges, and some products close boarding before the advertised sailing time. Traffic, parking difficulty, or confusion inside the mall normally remains the guest’s responsibility. If delayed, notify the operator immediately, but do not expect the boat to wait. Protect by arriving early and saving the meeting-point instructions offline.
