Dubai is stuffed with 5+ star inns designed to wow however if you’re on the lookout for an iconic place to stick with a little bit of historical past to it, the QE2 lodge delivers.
As a fan of cruising and a little bit of a historical past geek I used to be greater than a bit excited so as to add the Queen Elizabeth 2 to our 5 day break in Dubai.
This ocean liner turned floating lodge was precisely what we’re on the lookout for after three nights at LEGOLAND Dubai. We needed to relocate to a lodge near Downtown Dubai to see the town sights but additionally benefit from the character of our lodging.
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Spoiler alert, we beloved it. A lot in order that we booked one other night time whereas onboard.
Nevertheless, I don’t assume it’s for everybody. In case you’re considering a keep on the Queen Elizabeth 2 there’s a number of issues you need to know earlier than you guide. I’ll be protecting them on this overview.
However first, forgive me for indulging in a little bit of scene setting.
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The QE2 – ocean liner to lodge
This former Cunard ocean liner grew to become Dubai’s first floating lodge in 2018, ten years after arriving in Dubai and 50 years after being launched by Queen Elizabeth II in Clydebank, Scotland.
Once we determined to guide our keep I sat down with our children to look at a Historical past Channel documentary concerning the QE2 so that they knew the significance of the ship.
One thing talked about greater than as soon as was how the QE2 broke the mould for cruise ship design.
A number of options that made it so in style are nonetheless replicated throughout trendy cruise ships. Its leisure areas, balcony cabins and opulent model have been what set it aside, giving it an iconic standing that resonated for many years.
It additionally hogged the headlines with a trans-atlantic bomb scare, a number of mechanical meltdowns and its position as a troop ship in the course of the Falkland Warfare.
The place is the QE2 now?
The QE2 is moored in Mina Rashid Port in Dubai. She has a everlasting berth alongside her personal terminal constructing the place you’ll find the Queen Elizabeth 2 lodge reception which is furnished with unique seating from the ship and shows about its service.
Who owns the QE2 now?
The QE2 cruise ship is owned by Ports, Customs and Free Zone Company (PCFC), a subsidiary of Dubai World. It’s managed by French hospitality firm, Accor, which took over the working of Dubai’s floating lodge in 2022.
The ship was beforehand owned by Cunard from its launch in 1967 to 2008 when it was offered to Dubai World for $100m. After a number of years of hypothesis, the QE2 lodge opened to visitors in 2018.
Wish to know extra? In a while on this put up, I’ll share extra information and figures that made the QE2 one of many UK’s most well-known vessels.
Our keep on the QE2
We booked the Queen Elizabeth 2 ship* after spending three nights at LEGOLAND Dubai* – one thing very a lot aimed on the children.
It might be unfair to match the QE2 – it’s not geared toward youngsters – however our younger cruise followers aged eight and 11-years-old nonetheless beloved it. And us adults relished mixing up our Dubai expertise.
Arriving on the ship is just like arriving for a cruise, simply with out the lengthy passenger queues and doc checks to arrange your cruise account.
There’s a devoted terminal constructing in Mina Rashid Port the place the check-in group take your particulars precisely like they might at a lodge and your baggage are whisked away to your cabin.
Earlier than going onboard you may browse across the ship’s memorabilia which incorporates among the 6,000 books that have been as soon as a part of the QE2 library.
You’re free to take any of the gangways – we stumbled throughout the automobile elevate, full with a shiny Rolls Royce, and wandered via the vacationer class cabins earlier than discovering the steps upwards.
There are deck plans at most junctions across the ship however don’t anticipate to get to know your method round in 24 hours. We struggled even with 48 hours onboard. So, in the event you’re into cruising that’s fairly acquainted.
In case you’re not a daily cruiser you’ll need to give yourselves a while to get between locations – don’t stress, simply flow. We discovered numerous superb areas by simply following our noses.
Issues common cruisers will discover (and probably miss)
The QE2 is run by the Accor group which implies it operates extra like a lodge than a ship, so that you’ll discover there’s:
- no cruise accounts for visitors. You possibly can pay as you go or add bills to your room
- no photograph playing cards for visitors, however you’re going to get a key card in your room
- no muster stations drill or life vests in your cabin
- no bulletins out of your captain or cruise director. The ship now has a microphone shy lodge supervisor
- no cabin steward. Your room is serviced day by day by housekeeping however you’re unlikely to fulfill them
- no day by day e-newsletter, however there may be a web-based information to your keep onboard
- not full board as commonplace, however there are offers so as to add breakfast and different meals to your reserving
- no daytime or night leisure. There are theatres however tickets for reveals must be purchased individually to your keep
- no excursions, though here’s a shuttle bus to the Mall of Dubai and Outdated Dubai.
One thing you’ll discover, whether or not you’re a cruise fan or not, is that the QE2 smells like a ship reasonably than a lodge. That is totally different to trendy cruise ships that we now have sailed on the place the communal areas have a scent extra like a lodge.
It’s not disagreeable – we’ve been on ships which have had dangerous stink points. I’d liken the scent to an previous stately residence with a whiff of diesel engine. It’s a reminder that the QE2 is an previous woman.
It’s laborious to disregard that the outside areas aren’t very nicely maintained. Wooden work may do with a varnish and the decks want a repaint.
The within areas are largely nicely taken care of, particularly across the eating places, that are open to most people.
The entire ship remains to be a piece in progress, so hold this in thoughts once you guide.
Captain’s Room with Balcony
We booked two Captain’s Rooms with Balconies with interconnecting doorways. These have been situated on the Sign Deck on the prime of the ship simply alongside from what would have been the QE2’s Captain’s cabin.
Had we been crusing onboard the QE2 in her heyday these rooms would have value about the identical as a mean UK home on the time.
Decor and facilities
Our rooms have been gentle and spacious with giant patio doorways onto a large balcony. The king-sized mattress was very comfy and there’s a settee, desk and bench to offer further seating.
One thing I do know will get common cruisers excited is that these cabins include a set of enormous attracts in addition to a full size wardrobe. These are sometimes left of cabin design specs for some purpose.
There’s additionally a fridge, espresso machine and protected and all of the lighting is managed with contact display panels.
Within the rest room there’s a big stroll in rainfall bathe with additional bathe head, twin sinks and QE2 bathrobes.
It was nice to see a dedication to being plastic free with biodegradable espresso pods and glass water bottles that have been refilled day by day. The lavatory toiletry bottles have been additionally refilled.
Love a freebie? You possibly can take residence your QE2 slippers in addition to an assortment of complimentary gadgets branded with the ship’s identify.
Total, the rooms have been very nicely maintained and undoubtedly 4 star commonplace.
Outdoors, the balcony railing and furnishings have been in want of a revarnish. Nevertheless the chairs have been unique and really cozy.
How many individuals can a Captain’s Room sleep?
The Captain’s Rooms are marketed as sleeping two adults and as much as two youngsters or three adults and one youngster in the event you request an additional put-up mattress.
You may match one additional single mattress within the room however definitely not two. So, as is the case in quite a lot of Center East inns, what they anticipate you to do is all share the king-sized mattress.
None of us is especially small so we opted for the additional connecting room.
We did think about reserving the Officer’s Suite as there’s a king measurement mattress and couch mattress as commonplace. However after I contacted the lodge about this room’s configuration for a household of 4 they advised the couch mattress was solely sufficiently big for one youngster.
There’s additionally a Duplex Room which might match households. This has been created by combining two cabins on on a special decks. There’s a bed room and a residing space with couch mattress.
And there are additionally two Royal Suites which might sleep households with additional beds.
Is the QE2 family-friendly?
I’ve already talked about that our ladies have been very excited to remain on the QE2, particularly after we watched the documentary. Nevertheless, its household services aren’t a patch on those we’ve skilled on trendy cruise ships.
In order for you splash parks and children golf equipment the QE2 just isn’t for you. However, there are plans to reinstate the outside swimming pools sooner or later.
Once we visited in April 2024 there was a small indoor pool situated within the fitness center.
What our children loved was exploring the ship, each independently with us and on a fact-filled organised tour.
Discover out extra about QE2 ship excursions beneath.
Our ladies additionally love a buffet. We had breakfast and dinner buffets in addition to an al carte lunch within the Lido Restaurant. The fish and chips was the most effective we’ve had outdoors the UK.
There are excessive chairs within the eating places and the restrooms close by have been up to date with child altering services. Elsewhere the restrooms are extra retro and fairly small. Anticipate to see ash trays in the bathroom cubicles!
There are lifts which might accommodate a pushchair.
Dubai is clearly a playground for all ages, so if you’re staying on the QE2 with children there’s loads of leisure ashore.
Take a look at these enjoyable actions for youths in Dubai.
QE2 ship excursions
The entire ship is a residing historical past museum. A lot of the fixtures and fittings are unique, and you’ll guide afternoon tea within the Queens Grill precisely how it might have been served when the QE2 was crusing.
One thing we extremely advocate doing throughout your keep is a ship tour. There are two every day, at 11am and 5pm, and they’re out there to lodge visitors and day guests.
We lucked in with a tour led by Brandon Clark, the QE2’s Curator and Heritage Coordinator.
Over two hours he entertained us with tales concerning the historical past of the QE2, its crew and passengers. All of us, together with the children, thought the time flew by as we have been fed information and proven particulars we’d missed whereas exploring by ourselves.
The tour is the one approach to entry the ship’s bridge and chartroom. They’re fascinating. Charts, log books, CB radios and even the compulsory junk draw have been left simply how they have been on the day the crew stepped ashore for the ultimate time.
There are plans to open the engine rooms later in 2024 and new exhibitions are being created on a regular basis.
The latest show, ‘Particular Relationship’, was opened by HRH Princess Anne in March 2024 and tells the story of the QE2s bomb hoax of 1972.
British particular forces have been dramatically flown throughout the Atlantic to look the ship. No bombs have been discovered however the navy personnel loved an opulent cruise residence.
After our tour we have been free to discover extra of the ship by our ourselves together with the QE2 Theatre, the Grand Lounge, the on line casino (the machines are disabled), Mid Ship Foyer and Chartroom Bar.
QE2 lodge eating places
The Queen Elizabeth 2’s eating places may be booked whether or not you might be staying onboard or not.
Breakfast is served within the Lido Restaurant on the Quarter Deck and is precisely what you’d expertise on another cruise ship with cold and warm buffet choices and a variety of cuisines for the worldwide market.
The Lido can be open for al a carte lunch and you’ll guide afternoon tea within the well-known Queens Grill on Fridays and Saturdays. Youngsters over eight can dine on this restaurant. Afternoon tea is on my want checklist for once we subsequent go to Dubai.
Dinner is accessible as a buffet within the Lido or you may guide a desk for extra formal eating within the Queens Grill.
Alternatively there’s mezze, seafood and Arabic combine grill on the menu within the Pavilion outside eating house on Deck 1.
For one thing much less formal there’s bar snacks in The Golden Lion which, since arriving within the metropolis, has claimed the title of carry Dubai’s oldest pub. Below 21s aren’t allowed inside however Mr Tin Field and I snuck in for a fast comfortable hour drink.
The crests of Royal Navy and Service provider Navy ships line the highest of the bar space.
Discover out extra about all of the eating choices for visitors and walk-ins.
What’s the costume code for the QE2 in Dubai?
In case you’ve sailed with Cunard you’ll know that there’s a costume code for all events. The identical applies to the QE2 and visiting Dubai typically. Nevertheless, it’s not as formal as you would possibly anticipate.
It’s fantastic to put on lengthy shorts or a knee size skirt and a t-shirt across the ship in the course of the day. Within the evenings lengthy trousers or skirts are anticipated within the eating places. In case you’re eating within the Queen’s Grill you would possibly need to glam up a bit. The costume code is ‘sensible informal’, so there’s no want in your black tie or ball robe.
We dined within the Lido throughout Ramadan and visitors added a bit of additional sparkle to their Iftar outfits.
Don’t neglect that you’re in a Muslim nation, so brief shorts and strappy tops are much less acceptable. Nevertheless, we discovered Dubai’s clothes norms far more liberal than Oman the place shorts, uncovered higher arms and, dare I say it, cleavage will offend.
One thing to notice is that sporting swimming costumes across the higher deck would have regarded a bit misplaced once we stayed as there wasn’t an out of doors pool or any solar loungers. Nevertheless, as soon as the pool areas have been reinstated swimwear could be acceptable.
Right here’s some concepts for what to pack for a cruise that will help you plan for the same journey.
How a lot does it value to remain on the QE2?
We have been stunned at how cheap it was to remain within the QE2 lodge. We anticipated such a novel lodge to come back with a premium worth level, however it was comparable with and even cheaper than quite a lot of different 4 star Dubai inns*.
There are 447 rooms within the Queen Elizabeth 2 lodge.
Once we booked in April 2024 our Captain’s Rooms with Balcony, together with breakfast and a buffet dinner, value 649 AED per room per night time – that’s about £140.
There are costlier suites and less expensive outdoors cabins. Sooner or later inside cabins are additionally being made out there.
So, in the event you’re on the lookout for a price range place to remain in Dubai the QE2 lodge is value a glance.
With my cruiser’s head on, there are issues are aren’t included like leisure and full board, so you may’t evaluate the value with a cruise. However as a lodge, the value stacks up fairly nicely.
Details concerning the QE2
Right here’s some enjoyable information concerning the QE2:
- The QE2 accomplished 1,419 voyages between 1969 and 2008, travelling six million miles
- The QE2 is 294m lengthy – 25m longer than the Titanic
- It’s prime pace was 34 knots after its engine was refitted with a diesel-electric energy plant
- The QE2 welcomed 2.5 million passengers whereas seagoing
- Well-known visitors included members of the British Royal Household together with Queen Elizabeth II and the now King Charles III, Elton John, Nelson Mandela and George Harrison.
Summing up our QE2 lodge overview
Staying on the QE2 lodge went above and past our expectations. When it was in service it was described as a vacation spot in itself and I feel, for followers of Cunard and cruising, it continues to be simply that.
It’s nostalgic whereas additionally offering excessive commonplace lodging, meals and repair. It might make an amazing pre-cruise keep if you’re becoming a member of a ship in Dubai.
We might wholeheartedly advocate staying onboard and hope to have the chance to take action once more, or at the least return for a type of Queen’s Grill afternoon teas.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re on the lookout for a contemporary cruise expertise with all of the services of a model new ship then guide a cruise*.
And if you’re on the lookout for a Dubai lodge with state-of-the-art services there are many different choices.
The ship is drained in locations however it’s nonetheless below renovation. It might be actually attention-grabbing to see the way it seems to be in a number of years.
Contained in the Particular Relationship exhibition there’s a mock up of how the QE2 would possibly look sooner or later, full with swimming pools and seating on deck. This can make what’s already a novel Dubai lodge much more interesting to a wider market.
Tempted? Guide your keep at Dubai’s floating lodge*
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Disclosure: this put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks marked with a *. In case you click on on one among these and make a purchase order I’ll earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.
